Hello, friends! As we reflect on this holiday season, I’m dubbing 2013 as The Year of Learning.
In the inaugural year of our Thanksgiving Project back in 2011, I personally managed the distribution of gift cards, either mailing them myself or having generous donors send them directly to recipients. While it worked for the 438 families we supported, there were a few hiccups: some cards went missing because well-meaning donors forgot stamps or misplaced envelopes. After sending out far too many last-minute cards just before Thanksgiving, I decided I needed to take charge of the entire process the following year.
By 2012, I tried a different approach. I arranged for cards to be shipped directly from specific grocery stores, accompanied by handwritten notes sent separately. Although this method was somewhat effective, it resulted in two separate mailings—and the store-branded envelopes didn’t quite capture the warmth I wanted to convey. Clearly, I needed a better plan.
This brings us to this year. I aimed to return to handwritten notes, but as our list grew to 2,000 people, that quickly became overwhelming. So, for the first time, I teamed up with a company that could help. They offered personalized cards at no extra cost and provided an excellent deal on printing my custom designs. With their experience shipping millions of cards each year, I thought this would be a foolproof solution.
However, as fate would have it, things didn’t go as planned. Due to various unforeseen circumstances, the beautifully designed cards and customized $50 Visa gift cards were shipped a bit late this afternoon via USPS. While this isn’t the update I had hoped to share, it was the only way to ensure everyone received their cards. The company worked tirelessly to find a better solution, but it just wasn’t feasible.
I understand this may alter your Thanksgiving plans, but I hope you can use the gift card for a late holiday meal or even for Christmas dinner. Or perhaps it will help with groceries or other necessities. The Thanksgiving Project exists to alleviate holiday stress, not add to it, and I deeply regret this turn of events. For those feeling frustrated, I can relate; multiply that by 2,700, and that’s how I feel too. Thank you to those who have shown understanding and patience during this challenging time; your kindness is truly appreciated.
Amidst the chaos, let’s not forget the incredible achievements of this year: we raised over $150,000 in a matter of weeks, which will ultimately benefit thousands of families through the generosity of strangers. I promise that if you need assistance next year, it will arrive well in advance of the holiday—perhaps even if I have to deliver every card myself!
Now, onto some positive news: after days of following up with the gift card company, I learned today that the cards, which had mistakenly not been printed and shipped, are now being expedited via FedEx. Everyone will still have their Thanksgiving dinners after all, and that truly is what matters.
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination options, check out this helpful resource. Additionally, for a deeper understanding of pregnancy and fertility, this is an excellent resource. You might also find valuable information at Resolve.
In summary, despite some setbacks this Thanksgiving, we’ve accomplished a lot together, and I’m committed to ensuring that future projects run smoothly for everyone involved.