This is the time of year when most people actually enjoy getting their mail! Family and friends keep in touch by sending out holiday cards full of well wishes and pictures of their children. Even local businesses and vendors send out cheerful cards. However, come January 2nd most of the cards will end up in either the trash or the paper recycling bin.

Did you know it is possible to give holiday cards a second life?

There is a well-known charity out there that will re-use the decorative part of the cards, turning them into stunning holiday cards available for purchase. The proceeds then support the charity! I love this idea because who wants to think of beautiful images of Christmas trees or Hanukkah candles being turned into paper towels or toilet paper when they could instead bring delight to yet another family — and money to a worthwhile cause?

St. Jude’s Recycled Card Program

As most people know, this well-respected charity helps children with cancer.

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children is accepting used, all-occasion greeting cards from November 15, 2008 thru February 28, 2009. You can mail your donations to:

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude’s Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

Over thirty years ago, wishing to show donors appreciation for making St. Jude’s Ranch for Children possible, the idea was conceived for turning the previous year’s Christmas cards into “new” cards for the coming season. The recipients were so delighted with their unique “thank you,” they requested the children sell them the special cards. And so, the
St. Jude’s Ranch Recycled Card Program was born.

Since then, the Program expanded to include just about any all-occasion greeting card that starts with a used greeting card front.

What I love is that the children participate in making the new recycled cards by removing the front and attaching a new back made with recycled paper. The new card is a beautiful, “green” card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive “green” holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of “going green”.

So, as the holiday cards keep rolling in, please enjoy them all and then consider giving them a second life by sending mailing them to St. Jude’s Ranch.