Special Delivery: Share Your Love 2010

adam

Story by adam

Published on Feb 24, 2010 in Read

Photo by eleanorjane

Update: Big hugs and thank yous to everyone who sent in valentines! This year we were able to collect about 1,000 cards from all over the globe. The Citymeals-on-Wheels crew and the seniors who received the cards were so very appreciative. Here is a (hopefully) complete list of everyone who sent some in. (If you’re not on it, it’s because I didn’t see your shop in the thread mentioned below — but thank you too!)

CLineCreations, TheArtOfJoy, crookedsister, cutiepiecompany, kristimcmurry, mitchellanddent, persimmonsgal, monkeyminddesign09, soradesigns, CarasScrapNStampArt, StellasKnits, janeheller, RueRenee, DrawntoLetters, OpendoorHandmade,  lauramccabe, Emmamaha, TDavio, warmtouchcreations, sherrytruitt, SamsPaintbrush, rabbitwhiskers, RCozzone, runzwithvampirez,  ginnywinny, paperinstyle, RoughMagicCreations, heatherkingdesigns, corrnucopia, RUBYrecycled, LucyBlaireCreations, KatToole, thecraftpantry, LeelaLou, empapers, TheRubyNeedle, CraftZany, CindyLindgren, Novachix, dahlilafound, welldressedcupcakes, shesbattydesigns, darlinpress, whyte, SimpleSmiles, sisterink, ohashleylove, movetheneedle, emagine, supplier, KnottyThoughts, FreshLemonBlossoms, cozycottagecreations, smashgirl, MinaCrafts,enchantingdreams, AnotherCreation, SweetTeaClothier, LoveAppleBoutique, stasiab, danapdx23, Jealousydesign, and KisforCalligraphy.

Here is what my desk looked like on February 9th:

And here’s what was inside all those packages:

We spent the afternoon helping throw a party at the Good Companions Senior Center in lower Manhattan. The party featured sweet treats, coffee, a lively dance troupe, and lots of smiles. Left to right, we are: (front row) Stunji, daniellexo, bernsweeney, (back row) Kevin, adam, neonmorgan, randyjhunt, mermaidclaire, other volunteer whose name I can’t recall. Thanks for sharing your time! (note: we look extra sexy due to the fluorescent lighting and the fact that we were all wearing hair nets mere seconds before this photo) See you next year!

The day of hearts is almost upon us, and here is an opportunity to open your heart to a large circle of people. You may recall our Special Delivery project from last year. It was so heart-warming that we’ve decided to make it an Etsy tradition. Once again, we’ll be working with Citymeals-on-Wheels to bring nutritious meals, handmade greeting cards and companionship to elderly New Yorkers. A few of the details have changed, so please read on.

Sounds great? How do I get involved?

Easy! We need your help to supply the cards. Citymeals-on-Wheels serves over 18,000 people, so we need as many as we can get. There are two ways to do this. The first is (you guessed it) to make your own card or send in a vintage card from your shop and fill it out with a nice message. Please craft as many valentines as you would like and send them to us. Before you send them, you can also post photos of your cards in our Special Delivery Flickr group.

If you don’t have time to make cards, you can buy them and have them delivered to us. The deadline for us to receive the cards is Tuesday, February 9, 2010. There are a few other important guidelines for this, so please carefully read the FAQs below.

“Ok, then what happens?”

Special delivery! We will collect all the cards and bring them to Citymeals-on-Wheels, where each will be delivered with a meal in time for Valentine’s Day. Several of the Etsy Admin will be volunteering at the Citymeals-on-Wheels’ Senior Center’s Valentine’s Day party. We’re going help to decorate, serve meals, and spend quality time with our neighbors.

“Is that all?”

No, there’s more. Please post photos of your valentines in our Special Delivery Flickr group. Then, post a link to your photos (or to an Etsy item, if you bought or sold one) in this Forum thread. Once we’ve received them all, we’ll post a list of all the participants in this article.

“Is there anything else?”

Yes! Here is a badge that you can download and put in your item listings or on blogs. This is a great way to help spread the word. Here’s the embed code:

<a href=”http://www.etsy.com/storque/article/6871/”><img src=”http://www.etsy.com/storque/media/bunker/2009/01/SDBanner125x125.jpg”></a>

You can also help by donating to Citymeals-on-Wheels, or by volunteering or donating to your local organization.

Now stop asking questions, read the FAQs and get crafting! February 9 is closer than you think. Oh, and thank you very much for helping to spread the love. 

FAQ

1. How do I participate in Special Delivery?

There are two ways. Either make or purchase a handmade Valentine’s Day greeting card (or several). Please mail them to:

Etsy
Attn: Adam Brown
55 Washington St.
Suite 512
Brooklyn, NY 11201

2. When do the cards have to arrive at Etsy?

The deadline is Tuesday, February 9, 2010. This is important!

3. Are there any rules about what the cards should look like?

Yes. Please follow these guidelines, otherwise we can’t use your card(s):

  • No glitter! This creates food safety issues.
  • Please make your cards cheerful by using bright colors. You can decorate cards using paint, crayons, markers, pastels, collage or anything else you can think of.
  • Please avoid dark backgrounds and religious symbols.
  • Please write clearly and in large print, and avoid using the abbreviation “V-day.” Please say, “Valentine’s Day.”
  • You should not give out your address or suggest that the recipients write back to you. Initiating an ongoing correspondence is not appropriate.
  • Please make sure that the cards are appropriate for the intended audience. That is to say, pretend it’s for your sweet sweet grandma, not your snarky, angst-ridden teenage brother.

4. How many cards should I send?

As many as you want!

5. Is this open only to Etsy sellers?

Nope. This is open to anyone who wants to help brighten someone’s day.

6. Can I send vintage cards?

Sure! The more, the merrier.

7. What’s that deadline again?

We need to have all of the cards in our hot little hands by Tuesday, February 9, 2009. Thanks!

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