Tis the season. Each year about this time, we start to receive Christmas cards from friends and family across the United States. Some send a card. Others send a newsletter with updates on what is happening with their family. All are enjoyed by our family and received with much love and appreciation. We too used to send the annual Christmas card. We did the photos, printing and postage.
Then one year I heard that you could feed and help someone in need for as little as $2.05 per person.
I’m not the sharpest guy in the room, but when I did some 8th grade math and looked at our annual spend for the cards, photos and postage, I knew that those dollars could be better spent. We talked it over as a family and decided that rather than send a card that will one day end up in the trash, or a box, we would dedicate those dollars to provide meals and help through Faith Mission of Columbus. We have kept that tradition going each year and now, thanks to social media, you probably already know more about our family than any card could ever tell.
To those that have sent us your annual card, thank you! We love seeing all that is happening with your family and in your life. Please consider this our annual Christmas card and know it is shared with the same thought and love. Also know that by accepting this token, you were also a part of helping to feed and assist someone in need right here in Columbus, Ohio.
Merry Christmas to each of you and a Happy New Year!
The Conrad Family
Love that idea! Love the pictures if your family too! Who coordinated the pictures? I need their help ..I am horrible at that stuff!! Hee hee!
Your Christmas card is gratefully received! God bless you and your wonderful family!
Thanks Eileen. I can’t take any credit for the coordination. Remember my little issue of being color blind? LOL. My wife is awesome about making sure we get our annual picture and coordinating the wardrobe. Merry Christmas to you my friend. Thanks for all of your encouragement this year.
We started doing something similar about 3 years ago. We figured that a nice Hallmark card and postage was about $5. And we had always been bad about getting cards mailed out anyway. So for the last 3 years, we have let everyone know that they will not be getting a Christmas card from us. But for each card we receive, we’ll make a $5 donation to the Relay for Life team that we support. And I’ve been thorwing in a bonus. If Navy beats Army, I raise it to $6. On New Year’s Day (our anniversary), I post on FB what the total was and tag everyone who sent us a card to thank them. No cards to send out. Money is spent on a better cause. Win-win.
Helping those in need is so much better than sending a card that may not even get read. I choose to donate to the Mission because they feed and house anyone who goes to them. I donate to Access, because they have a food bank, and loan/give medical equipment. I volunteer at the Veteran’s domiciliary on their golf course. It is for all Veterans, and the ones that are at the rehab facility. It is so much easier than buying cards, writing in them, and mailing them, and I feel so much better. I love to read your blogs… it is almost like talking to you.
Wish I had known about you earlier.