CHARITY & COMMUNITY

Once your club has gotten past the problems of getting started you'll definately want to become more involved in helping your community. Most of the time this means getting involved with a local charity. Following are some ideas for local charities to get your club started.

• Abuse Shelters - My club, Hawaii Hallmark Club "adopted" a local Abuse Shelter last year. In the past, our fundraisers went to 3 to 4 different charities but we never seemed to be able to do everything we wanted to do for each charity. So, we voted on just one charity and now all our service projects are aimed at assisting the Shelter.
  Last year for "Make A Difference Day" we held a Halloween party for the Shelter residents and staff. We provided costumes for everyone besides dressing up ourselves. Of course, we had no idea how many girls or boys we would have or even how many adults so we used a figure 12 adults, 6 staff adults and 20 children. We decorated the hall, had lots of games w/ prizes and provided a lunch. Everyone had a wonderful time and it was just great to see all the smiles and laughter.
  To raise money for the party, we had various raffles at the year's Ornament Preview, Premiere and Open House. Members donated various desirable Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments and some very special Beanie Babies. Our sponsor also contributed Beanie Babies. We raised so much money, we were able to purchase a badly needed refrigerator (brand new w/ a warranty) beside having more than enough funds for the Halloween party.
  Members also brought Hallmark ornaments to the Halloween party and club meetings since we obviously started the Shelter with their own Hallmark Christmas tree. We plan on decorating this tree every year, adding ornaments, of course.
  
  Two years ago, we made Christmas stockings for the Shelter residents filling them w/ various toiletries and things like movie coupons, McD's certificates, etc. The children's stockings had small toys, gum, candy and more McD certificates. Luckily we made more than 40 adult and 50 children's stockings so there was enough to pass out for the residents from the 12 to the 25th of Dec.
  I know I haven't done such a good job describing the activities but hope you got the general idea. We now do a project for the Shelter every "Make A Difference Day". This year it will be on Saturday, October 23, 1999.
  Aloha for now, Sue Oya >>
  

• Habitat for Humanity - Last year we helped a family move into their new habitat home...one of our members helped build the home and we got so interested, we had a house warming shower, then we gathered christmas decorations and went to her new home and helped decorate for the holidays. Club also gave her a gift certificate to Kmart as the local store close to her she was then given a choice of what she wanted to get, food, clothes, toys for her three boys, or stuff for the home. (Carol Otto - What Now Collectors Club)

• Service Projects -"Christmas In July" with local children's home. We take children an ornament (Disney, etc. we get on sale after Christmas). Talk to them about our hobby of ornament collecting. Also take treats like it's Christmas, cookies, candy, etc. This year we're taking T-shirts wrapped as gifts - get sizes of children beforehand and draw for names in club meeting. (Mary L. - Tropical Trails of TX)

• Take a wreath decorated with ornaments to a hospital to hang in a ward or also to the same children's home. (Mary L. - Tropical Trails of TX)

• Get together and bake Christmas cookies at one members house to donate to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House during the holidays while their children are in the hospital. (Mary L. - Tropical Trails of TX)

• Contact the Department of Human Services (Welfare) to find out names and birthrates of children waiting to be adopted. Mail them a card on their birthday. (Hallmark of course!) (Mary L. - Tropical Trails of TX)