I used to donate to St. Jude’s Children’s Research. They sent back some items with pictures that children drew. Two years ago I received a Christmas card that came with one condition, that I not keep it, but write a special message and return it, so at child a the hospital would get it.

I decided that I didn’t want to send a card to just one child, but to all of the children, who can number from 4,500 to 5,000. So I started making cards with the scrapbooking material I had around.

By the time Christmas came that year, I had only had 81 cards made. While that may have been a pretty decent number, it was nowhere near enough. That was then I realized I could not do it alone. So last year I started a project that I called “Cards for Kids.”

I had some businesses in the area allow me to use their establishments as “drop-off locations” and put some fliers off around the are and was able to collect a decent amount of cards that way. I also had three schools, one church and a group of Boy Scouts who donated a good many cards as well.

The most help I got last year was from my family and co-workers. With all of these gracious businesses, groups and people, we collected 3,070 cards. I was blown away.

The workers at St. Jude sent back a very touching letter thanking us for everything. They said that any donations, whether it be cards, gifts, money, etc., were most appreciated.

Since last year was so last minute I wanted to make sure I got started earlier to try to meet my goal of 5,000 cards. I believe with help from the community this task will be easy to accomplish.

The businesses who were drop-off locations last year, and will again continue to be this year are: Nationwide Insurance, Knippenberg agency, Cumberland; Standard Bank PaSB, LaVale branch; Potomac Valley Pharmacy, Cumberland; Kids Korner, formerly of Maryland Avenue, now on Virginia Avenue; Fox’s Pizza Den, Frostburg (Fox’s in Cresaptown helped last year but is no longer open).

New businesses participating this year are: Papa John’s, downtown Cumberland plaza; Country Club Mall, LaVale; Movie Gallery, Frostburg; The Bronzing Barn, Frostburg; Allegany Orthodontics, LaVale; Mobile 1 Lube Express, Cresaptown.

To all the businesses I want to extend my deepest thanks for allowing me to provide convenient drop-off points for the public to bring the cards to.

You can make or buy cards to send to the children. They don’t have to be perfect as long as they are from the heart. They can be hand-made, computer-made, or store bought. If you buy the cards you can write your own message or leave that to me, but give me your name so I can sign them for you. They can be cards for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc. People of all ages can and are encouraged to participate.

You can drop cards off to any of these very generous businesses. Collection boxes will be set up. In November there will be a card workshop for people to come to and color pre-made cards, and to make your own. Details on times and dates will come later.

For more information, go to www.my-space.com/cardsforkids or also e-mail me at cardsforkids@rocketmail..com. The cards will need to be turned in no later than Dec.11 to allow time for me to package the cards and get them shipped. I thank everyone in advance for their help and generosity.

Julia Dietz

Cumberland