Not sure if you knew this, but last week was Volunteer Appreciation Week. To follow our rules, and be 100% open and honest, we posted on our social media sites to be sure you knew we recognized it, but intentionally did not post anything big about it until after, ensuring this post would not be tied only to that special week.
We scheduled the above post for Tuesday, April 9 to show you that we did want to recognize you, our priceless volunteers, during that week—but we want you to know that we’re immensely grateful for more than just one week every year. There are some organizations that mail little handouts to say thanks; some take pictures; some send flowers; and some do nothing. Though we can’t give much, we wanted to, at least, write this post to express how thankful we really are for your continued contributions and support.
To be honest, your help has been amazing. We’ve highlighted your stellar contributions a few times, including in the following posts:
We’re very grateful that—thanks to you—we’ve been able to expand and reach more children in different ways. Your contributions include making cards in many languages—ensuring we reach all our children and seniors, as well as carrying and delivering cards with you during some of your travels, #carryabitmore.
Delivery in Brazil
Delivery in Israel
Delivery in Nigeria
So far, we’ve noted how you, our volunteers, have helped with making cards and delivering cards, but there are also some groups and individuals who’ve helped with donations that cover the cost of shipping cards, plus doing even more for our partner locations. Thankfully, we often receive these donations without asking and have been able to reward our hospitals/homes with strictly having one fundraiser a year…where we don’t usually make that much money. We just have to say thank you—most of the funds to cover the shipping costs (illustrated in the pictures below) come from people, like you, giving voluntarily and unprompted!
If that’s not enough, we’ve even had some volunteers step in and help us strike partnerships with new hospitals and homes, where we’ve delivered a total of 360 cards in the first quarter of 2019 alone!
We’re amazed by the variety of ways that you, our priceless volunteers, have stepped up and we’re continually thankful. We’re extremely thankful 365 days a year—not just during the one week dedicated to volunteers. We’ll continue to find ways to make sure you know how much you’re appreciated and the difference you’re making. But we know that even with our social media posts and quoting the families, we just CAN’T SAY ENOUGH to accurately express how thankful we are for your contributions in helping us reach more children and seniors across the globe!