I’ve decided to refer to 2013 as The Year of Lessons.
Back in 2011, during the inaugural Thanksgiving Project, I either mailed the gift cards myself or had generous donors send them directly to the recipients. While this approach worked for 438 families, a few individuals unfortunately didn’t receive their gift cards—some well-meaning donors forgot stamps, misplaced envelopes, or simply lost track of time. These honest errors led me to scramble, overnighting several gift cards just before Thanksgiving. I resolved to take better control of the process the following year.
In 2012, I arranged for cards to be shipped directly from specific grocery stores, accompanied by handwritten notes sent separately. While this was a step forward, it resulted in two separate mailings, and the generic Walmart envelopes didn’t quite capture the heartfelt sentiment I wanted to communicate. Clearly, there had to be a more effective solution.
Fast forward to this year. I aimed to return to handwritten notes and cards, but as we hit 2,000 recipients, that task became overwhelmingly daunting. So, I took a leap and partnered with a company that specializes in personalized cards. They offered to customize each card at no extra cost and provided me with a great deal on printing my custom design. They are a major player in the card shipping industry and far more equipped to manage the logistics than I could ever be. Finally, I thought, a foolproof plan!
Or not.
Due to various unforeseen circumstances, the gorgeous customized $50 Visa cards were shipped late today via USPS (see the image below). This wasn’t the update I was hoping to share, but it was the only way to ensure everyone would receive their cards. The company did everything possible to find a better solution, but it just wasn’t feasible this time.
I know your Thanksgiving may not look as you had envisioned, but I hope you can use the gift card for a delayed Thanksgiving feast or perhaps for Christmas dinner. You can also use it for groceries or anything else that might make your life a bit easier.
The goal of the Thanksgiving Project is to alleviate holiday stress, not to add to it, and I am truly sorry about this situation. For those feeling frustrated and upset, I completely understand. Multiply your frustration by 2,700, and that’s how I feel right now. And for those who have shown understanding, a heartfelt thank you. Your patience and kindness mean the world to me.
In the midst of this chaos, I want to highlight the incredible generosity this year: we raised over $150,000 in just a few weeks, which will benefit thousands of families thanks to the kindness of strangers.
I promise you this: if you need help next year, you will receive it with plenty of time to prepare for your holiday, even if it means I have to hand-deliver every card myself.
Update 11/25/2013:
Hallelujah!
After four days of relentless follow-ups with the reputable global gift card company handling the Thanksgiving Project, I finally got to the bottom of the issue. I had been asking them daily, “Are you sure the cards were sent out?” And every day, the answer was a confident yes. Until today.
After numerous calls and a growing sense of unease, I learned that the cards had neither been printed nor shipped as expected. So much for outsourcing to ensure a smooth process.
The good news? The company is now doing everything possible to rectify this mess, and the cards will be delivered via FedEx on Wednesday, ensuring that everyone will still have their Thanksgiving dinners after all. That’s what truly matters.
For more insights and stories, feel free to check out this related blog post that might interest you. Also, if you’re exploring options for home insemination, I recommend visiting Make a Mom for reputable at-home insemination kits. Lastly, the CDC offers excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination that can guide you through the process.
In summary, the Thanksgiving Project faced unexpected challenges this year, but we are committed to ensuring that every family receives support and love during the holidays.
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