Cards for Kindness Donation Program Shares the Love

Creating in a vacuum is tough! As we continue to hunker down during the pandemic it can feel as if we are much too alone. If you are like me, it has been a time of prolific creating (or some days it feels like prolific creator’s block). Many of us are seeking ways to make connections. We want to use our art to be a part of the collective healing efforts around the world. The Cards for Kindness program from Scrapbook.com has a fantastic solution. According to their website, Cards for Kindness is a “global initiative to get handmade cards to people who are in need of an emotional boost, a smile, or a helping hand.” If cardmaking is a passion of yours, or if you are just seeking a way to make a difference, this is a great opportunity!

Join Your Favorite Brands and Designers

This very touching YouTube video features some of our favorite designers and industry creatives. They explain more about the program and share what this initiative means to those who both create and receive the cards.

I discovered Cards for Kindness last year during the height of the lockdown. My sister and I decided to pool our resources and contribute some of our time and creativity. We initially thought we might make a few cards, ship them off, and feel good about putting a smile on the face of a first responder. Maybe we could cheer up a hospital patient who did have contact with much of the outside world. By the time we paused to count our stash of completed cards, we realized we had made 100 cards for this program! Honestly, I was shocked we did that many. That is not the norm for the program, but trust me, it gets addictive!

Cards for Kindness seeks 10 cards

Cards for Kindness asks for a donation of a minimum of 10 cards per submission. You don’t have 10 cards to send? Then pull your creative collective together and pool your donations. Set up a virtual card making night (or two) with a few friends and chat as you create. Use up those scraps of beautiful paper that have been sitting in your drawer for years. Try a new die or two from your stash. It’s an optimal way to practice a new technique. Get your crafty kids involved in stamping, coloring, or drawing. Everyone can benefit from being a part of this worthwhile project.

Cards for Kindness Donation Guidelines

Scrapbook.com has a list of the card themes that they prefer on their website. Thinking of You, Hello/Happy, Inspirational / Motivational, and General cards with no sentiment are the most needed card themes. They also accept some seasonal and holiday-related themes.

Cards for Kindness is always seeking organizations that would benefit from receiving these handmade cards. You can check out their website at https://www.scrapbook.com/articles/cards-for-kindness or find them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/cardsforkindness_official/

A Little Time = A Lot of Kindness

Keep on the lookout for cardmaking kits in your local retailer when seasonal items go on sale after the holidays. For example, I found Pink Paislee’s “Confetti Wishes” cards kits on clearance for $2 this month at Tuesday morning. Each kit makes 8 cards and includes 100 pieces of decorative elements that let you put your unique spin on the cards you create. I use my glitter markers and other pieces of my own ephemera collections to enhance the kits. These pre-packaged deals are also easy for little crafters to put together. You can create while watching your favorite movie with your family. See how easy it can be to pile up those snazzy jazzy cards?

I hope that you will take an opportunity to share your heart and your art with those in need of a little sunshine. Have you participated in Cards for Kindness? Are there similar programs that you have contributed to recently? I would love to hear about your experience!

In the meantime, be well, stay safe and keep it sparky!