Making Cards for Seniors

Dozens of handmade cards, in an assortment of colors and designs, are spread out for display. Many of the cards feature messages for Mother's Day.

A handmade card with an encouraging message can go a long way to help a lonely senior feel loved and appreciated. Cards are easy to make, and the sky is the limit as far as how creative you can be. 

Completed cards can be mailed or dropped off at a care center nearby. For more information, please email us at info@h2houtreach.org 

Below are guidelines to get started.

Guidelines

1. Cards must be legible and handwritten.

Write clearly and in LARGE print. Many seniors have trouble seeing, so make it as easy as possible for them to read the message and see the details of your card.

 

2. Your card should encourage anyone who reads it.

Your card will be given to someone in a care center or a senior who lives in a private home. It can be tricky to encourage someone you don’t know. Focus on the inherent value of every individual. Feel free to include encouraging scripture.

Suggested messages:

    • “Life is beautiful, and you are too!”
    • Today is a new day. Embrace the beauty around you.”
    • You are a child of God. You are loved.
    • God holds you in his hand. (Isaiah 41:13)

3. Please do not date the card.

Do not include the day, month or and year. Please do not reference COVID-19, isolation or quarantine. Focus your message on making the recipient feel good.

We distribute cards for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas. If you’re interested in making a holiday card, please send it a month before the holiday so we can ensure it gets delivered on time.

 

4. Embrace creativity!

Don’t worry if you don’t think you’re artistic; make a card that you’d like to receive. Recipients love to feel their card is unique and time was spent creating it.

Make your cards colorful and fun. Use construction paper, stickers, puffy paint, markers or crayons. Draw designs and doodles. Paste cut-out shapes or interesting designs from magazines.

Note: Please don’t use glitter because glitter is always messy!

Four homemade cards are pictured side by side.

5. Be kind and thoughtful.

This is a one-way act of kindness. Receiving nothing in return is part of the beauty of your act of kindness, and recipients are not burdened by feeling obligated or unable to respond. Think about what you might like to hear in an anonymous message. What would encourage you?

 

6. Include an envelope, if you can!

It’s so much nicer to receive a card with an envelope. Leave the envelope unsealed and unstamped. If you’re sending more than one card in the mail, send them in a larger envelope or box.

 

7. Share your act of kindness on social media!

Take a picture of your creations and tag us on Instagram: @heart2heartoutreach or Facebook: @heart2heartoutreachofsouthflorida.

 

8. Send (or drop off) as many cards as you’d like!

We accept cards year-round, so there’s no deadline for when you must send them by. If your cards are holiday-themed or seasonal, send them or drop them off a month before that holiday or the end of that season.

For any questions, please email us at info@h2houtreach.org

 

Thank you and happy crafting!