As we reflect on this Thanksgiving season, I’m dubbing 2013 as the Year of Lessons. In the inaugural year of our Thanksgiving Project back in 2011, I either mailed the gift cards personally or had generous donors send them directly to families in need. While this approach worked for 438 recipients, a few cards went missing due to honest oversights—missing stamps, misplaced envelopes, or the holiday sneaking up on everyone. After sending out way too many cards via express mail just before Thanksgiving, I made a commitment to take full control of the process moving forward.
In 2012, I opted for a new approach: I arranged for the cards to be shipped directly from the grocery stores, accompanied by handwritten notes sent separately. While this method was sufficient, it involved two different shipments, and the standard Walmart envelopes lacked the warmth I wished to convey. Clearly, there had to be a better solution.
This year, the plan was to return to handwritten notes; however, once we reached 2,000 recipients, that task became overwhelming. So, I made a bold decision: I partnered with a company that could personalize each card without additional costs and offered a fantastic deal on printing my designed greeting cards. They handle millions of shipments annually and were undoubtedly better equipped than I was. At last, I thought I had found a fail-proof solution!
But then, things took a turn. Due to circumstances I can’t fully disclose, the beautifully crafted and personalized $50 Visa cards were shipped late this afternoon via USPS (see the attached image). This was not the update I aimed to provide, but it was the only option to ensure everyone received their cards. The company collaborated with me throughout the day to devise a better solution, but it simply wasn’t feasible.
I understand that your Thanksgiving may not go as planned, but I hope you can use the gift card for a late holiday meal or even for Christmas dinner. Or perhaps for groceries or other essentials to make life a little easier. The Thanksgiving Project is designed to alleviate holiday stress, not add to it, and I sincerely apologize for this unexpected development. I empathize with those feeling frustrated and angry; I share your sentiment. Multiply your frustration by 2,700, and that’s how I feel. For those who have shown understanding, I deeply appreciate your kindness and patience.
Amidst this chaos and disappointment, I want to highlight the positives: we raised over $150,000 in just a few weeks, and thousands of families will benefit from the generosity of strangers. I assure you that if you require assistance next year, you will receive it in ample time to prepare for the holiday—no matter what it takes, even if I have to personally deliver each card.
Update on the Gift Cards
After days of persistent inquiries with the reputable global gift card company managing our Thanksgiving Project, I finally received clarity. Despite their assurances that the cards had been printed and shipped, I discovered today that they had not been dispatched as promised. Fortunately, the company is working tirelessly to correct this oversight, and the cards are now scheduled for FedEx delivery on Wednesday. This means everyone will still enjoy their Thanksgiving dinners, which is what matters most.
In summary, while we faced challenges this year, the generosity of our community has been overwhelming. Thank you for your support, and let’s keep striving to make every Thanksgiving a memorable one.
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