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Send cards for the homeless DropIn Centre

Christmas, DIY paper goodness, fearless faith, random ramblings / by

Everyone deserves some merry in their Christmas. In fact, those who have no roof over their heads, who struggle for the basics of life, are more deserving than most.

I recently attended an event at the  Calgary Drop In Centre (DI) and my heart was moved.

As part of the very vibrant social media community meetups here in Calgary, the event was a breakfast where we were served the same breakfast the clients of the DI are served every morning. It was over eggs, sausage and pancakes that stories were shared. These stories made the room pause with emotion, feelings of despair and sadness, but more importantly hope.

homeless, lives begin, calgary, make a difference, cards, joy

Send some hope through the mail

It was the hope that even small things can make a difference. Things like a smile or taking the time to say hello to that person on the street instead of walking past and pretending they aren’t there.

So, here is a small idea but with potentially big impact. Let’s send a Christmas card to someone who is homeless this Christmas. You in?

The folks at the DI thought it would be incredibly meaningful and unexpected for their clients to receive a card from someone who cared. The DI provids  several services, including a Senior’s Program. The picture above is of Max. He lives at the DI shelter and uses the Senior’s Center.  He, along with many others, would be thrilled to receive a card from you or your kids.

Join me, friends from far and wide, in sending a Christmas card to someone who is homeless this Christmas.  Send a card to my mailing address:

#MakeItMerry  Project
P.O. Box 96107 West Springs
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T3H 0L3

I will be delivering the cards, personally, the week before Christmas and I will be sure to update you and share how the visit goes.

Will you join me in spreading some merry this Christmas?

P.S. It doesn’t have to be complicated. At your work Christmas party, bring some cards for people to sign. Or at the school Christmas concert, have a table with cards set up for people passing by to sign. My small group from church is having a card making party, kids included, next weekend. Get creative, have some fun over the eggnog and make a card and make someone smile this Christmas.

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Julia Zambelli

    Hi Barb!
    I just saw this post and I wanted to know if you were sending Christmas cards again this year. If so, I’d love to participate!
    Thanks,
    Julia

  2. Vanessa

    I found this yesterday and thought it was a brilliant idea and I’ve gotten my office on board. I hope to send you a number of cards on Monday – is your box big enough if I send them all together in one larger envelope? If not, will you be downtown at all sometime before you go to the DI, maybe I could meet you to give them to you? We’re also looking forward to your suggestions on what to write in the cards. Thanks for sharing this great idea!

    • Barb

      Hey there Vanessa, I actually stopped in at my local Canada Post outlet and gave them a head’s up to the project. They are on board and sharing the #MakeItMerry project there. So, send away!! Love that you’ve gotten your office on board, this is fantastic. Alternatively, I am most willing to meet you and pick them up. Let me know how many we are talking about….I await the arrival of your cards. 🙂 Thank you and your colleagues a bunch!

    • Barb

      Hi there Brittney, Thrilled you want to participate and make someone’s Christmas a little bit brighter. I don’t have specific names for you, but I do know there are all ages (from 16 yrs and older) at the center. Tomorrow on the blog, I will be posting some ideas/suggestions on what to write in cards. Perhaps that might be helpful too. Again, thank you so much for joining in #MakeItMerry.

      • Fay

        Hi Barb,

        I’m just wondering if you plan to check the words written in the cards before they are given away. Perhaps ask everyone to send them to you with the envelopes open? I worry that a bad apple might write a nasty message and would really hurt someone’s feelings. There are so many people who are ignorant to the issue of homelessness and its better to be safe than sorry. Nevertheless it’s a wonderful idea, and I will send you some cards.

        • Barb

          Hi there Fay, Thanks for being sensitive to others and making a good suggestion. Most of the cards coming in are actually without envelope or unsealed so makes it easy to make sure all the words are positive.Thrilled to say all have been so lovely. Thank you for participating and sending in some cards.

    • Kerri

      Hi there. My son would like to get his classmates to participate. How can I reach you to deliver a batch of cards?

      • Barb

        Kerri, thank you for being in touch.I completely love that your son wants to get his class involved! Yippee! If you are local, I’m happy to arrange a pick up. But depending on how many cards are coming from the class, the post box should be able to receive. The wonderful staff at my local postal outlet are informed and ready to help receive and hold larger batches of cards. Thanks again, and your son too, this is about spreading the true spirit of Christmas.

        • Kerri

          We are in Signal Hill. He and his class are making cards next week so if possible I would love to arrange for me to drop off or meet you. How csn wr connect offline to arrange? I dint want to post my number here….

  4. MaryAnne Perdek

    Hi Barb…are you still accepting Christmas cards for the DI? I only just read this post, and would like to send some cards, as card-making is my hobby, and I make a lot of cards.

    Thanks
    MaryAnne

    • Barb

      MaryAnne, I will never turn away cards of any sort, but especially for the DI #MakeItMerry project. So kind of you to reach out and ask and want to make some of your beautiful creations for the homeless. So, yes, please make away and send them to my P.O.Box. They should arrive in time. I deliver Dec 22 or 23. Thank you so much!

  5. Amanda Paes

    My charity would like to help but trying to mail them will cost to much money. And I will be down at the drop in on Christmas Day serving lunch. Wondering if I could just take them then ?

    • Barb

      Hello Amanda, Completely understand the cost of postage! I am more than willing to come by and pick up, so perhaps we could do it that way? We are hoping to delight with massive amounts of cards so ideally gathering them all together is great. How lovely that you are serving on Christmas Day! Love this. Thank you for joining in on the #MakeItMerry campaign.

  6. manisha

    Hi Barb,

    This is such a wonderful initiative.

    On the card, do we sign as our selves, or just leave it at a hand written note ? Can we draw something on them too?

    Thanks,
    m

    • Barb

      Hi there Manisha, Thanks for your interest and being in touch in this fun, meaningful project of writing Christmas cards to the homeless. I am encouraging everyone to add your personalized signature (if you are comfortable doing so) as it is so much more meaningful when a card has a name attached to it; it signifies that someone out there has actually taken the time to write a card to them. Stay tuned for a blog post tomorrow on more suggestions on what to write and how to address the card. Can’t thank you enough for participating and making Christmas bright for these special people.

    • Barb

      Hi there Sydney, Sorry I wasn’t more clear (I will clarify on the blog too, but the PO box is my box and I will be hand delivering the cards to the center. The number fluctuates, but there are approximately 80 clients at the Seniors portion of the Center. Thanks for your interest.