Where to Send Your Cards:

A Guide to Spreading Kindness

You've made a stack of beautiful cards—now where should you send them to make the biggest impact? The world of card distribution charities offers diverse opportunities, connecting your crafting efforts with recipients ranging from isolated seniors to children in foster care.

To maximize your efforts, it's essential to understand the mission and mailing logistics of each group. Here is a guide to where your kind cards are needed most, referencing several inspiring organizations:

1. Large-Scale Mailings to Facilities

These organizations collect cards in bulk at a central location and distribute them to hospitals, nursing homes, and facilities across the country or globe. This model is ideal for high-volume card makers and groups.

Cardz for Kidz

Recipient Focus: Children and Veterans in hospitals and care facilities globally.
Mailing Instructions & Key Takeaway: Cards should be sent to their central mailing address: 516 N. Ogden Ave. #177, Chicago, IL 60642.

Bring Smiles to Seniors

Recipient Focus: Elderly individuals in nursing homes, assisted living, and Meals on Wheels programs.
Mailing Instructions & Key Takeaway: This organization uses regional coordinators. Please check their website to find the appropriate PO Box address for your region (e.g., Western US, Eastern US, or Michigan).

Cards for Cubs

Recipient Focus: Children and young adults in foster care.

Mailing Instructions & Key Takeaway: Check the "Mailing Address" page on their website for the current address and specific card drive deadlines, as these can vary seasonally.

Cardz for Kidz Info

2. Person-to-Person & Targeted Kindness Programs

These groups primarily operate via private online communities, posting individual recipient requests to protect privacy and ensure cards are timely. This model is perfect for personalized messages that target a specific need (e.g., a birthday, a sudden illness, or encouragement).

Random Acts of Cardness

Recipient Focus: Individuals needing encouragement, celebrating a milestone (birthdays, anniversaries), or going through a difficult time.
How to Send: This is a person-to-person mailing group. You must join their private Facebook group to view individual card requests and receive the specific mailing address for the recipient.

Random Acts of Cardness

Forget Me Not

Recipient Focus: Seniors in various care situations (nursing homes, hospice, etc.).
How to Send: This group posts the addresses of care facilities who have requested cards directly on their Facebook page. Senders mail cards directly to the facility, not to a central coordinator.

Forget Me Not

The Kindness Card Program

Recipient Focus: Anyone in need of a smile—celebrating a milestone or needing support.

How to Send: You register as an "Angel" on their website, and they connect you with requests. Angels then send the personalized cards directly to the recipient.

Kindness Card Program

3. Holiday and Seasonal Projects

These organizations often have specific windows for card creation or focus on seasonal distribution to maximize holiday impact.

The Angel Card Project

Recipient Focus: Individuals who need a little extra holiday cheer.
How to Send: This project is primarily focused on Christmas Cards. You must sign up on their website to "Volunteer to Send Christmas Cards" and receive the list of recipients. The list is often sent out in early November.

Quick Tips Before Mailing

Regardless of where you send your cards, remember these universal charity guidelines:

Do Not Seal Envelopes: Cards must be sent unsealed so distribution teams can review the contents.
Sign Off Simply: Use your first name and state/city only (e.g., “Best wishes, Jamie from Arizona”). Never include full names, phone numbers, or addresses.

Check Deadlines: Organizations like Cards for Cubs often run seasonal Card Drives with specific due dates. Always check the website for current registration and submission periods.

Page updated

Report abuse