Some greeting cards send a holiday message in a language that translates into help for those who need it most.
Cards sold by charity organizations-such as the MK Rainbow Therapy Dog Club, which helps physically, mentally and emotionally disabled children through animal-assisted therapy; the Chicago Fundraising Committee to Benefit Pediatric AIDS; the American Cancer Society; and the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center-help fund their causes.
Besides the good feeling you get sending these cards, there can be something else extra in it for you. Some groups, for an additional fee, will address and mail the cards to your friends and family, provide an imprinted line free or enclose a handmade bookmark.
The messages range from the comical to the serious, and the designs range from those handmade by children to glitzy sentiments.
Here are some of the organizations that sell cards:
– American Cancer Society: Choose from 29 different card designs to celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas. A box of 25 ranges from $17 to $27.25. Orders must be received by Nov. 27 by the American Cancer Society, Illinois Division Inc., 77 E. Monroe St., Chicago, Ill. 60603; call 312-641-6150.
– American Diabetes Association: Choose from 14 scenes, priced from $12.50 to $28 (plus imprinting) for a box of 20. Order from the association, 6 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1202, Chicago, Ill. 60602; 312-346-1805 or 800-433-4966 for a catalog.
– The Anti-Cruelty Society: Take your pick of a cat or dog on the cover to deliver your holiday message. A box of 25 cards is $15. Shipping and handling: $3 for up to four boxes, $4 for five or more. Make checks payable to the Anti-Cruelty Society, 157 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60610, before Dec. 13. Cards also are available at the society; 312-644-8338.
– Blue Cap, which serves infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities: The cards, designed by folks helped by the organization, sell for $10 for a 20-card package. Mail orders to Blue Cap Christmas Card Sale, 2155 Broadway, Blue Island, Ill. 60406; 708-389-6578.
– Center for Enriched Living: Holiday cards include bookmarks made by the center`s retarded members. Cards are $2.50 each; a minimum order of 100 cards is required. Allow four weeks for production. Mail orders to 1321 Wilmot Rd., Deerfield, Ill. 60015; 708-948-7001.
– Chicago Food Depository: ”Feed the body, free the spirit” is the cover message of the group`s first holiday cards. A set of 10 cards is $15. Mail checks and orders to the Holiday Gift Program, Greater Chicago Food Depository, 4501 S. Tripp Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60632; 312-247-FOOD.
– Chicago Fundraising Committee to Benefit Pediatric AIDS: The artwork on the card was created by a 7-year-old boy who died of AIDS. A box of 20 cards is $25; a box of 40, $50; a box of 60, $75, and a box of 80, $100. Mail orders to CFC, Box 254, Deerfield, Ill. 60015; 708-835-2166.
– Citizens for Trailside Museum: Choose a river otter or a timber wolf on the cover to support the group`s efforts to protect wildlife. The cards, black and white with a dash of red, are $7.50 for a package of 10, or $7 a package for four or more packages. Mail orders to Box 5193, River Forest, Ill. 60305; 708-795-5350.
– Columbus-Maryville Auxiliary Board: The board, which provides a temporary emergency shelter for children, is offering holiday cards for the first time. A box of 25 cards is $19 plus shipping. Call Tom McCormick, 708-294-1825, or write to Maryville Academy, 1150 N. River Rd., Des Plaines, Ill. 60016.
– Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A snowman wearing a top hat, drawn by 6-year old Kelly Dollar, who has spinal muscular atrophy, is this year`s card design. A box of 20 cards costs $10, plus postage. A minimum order of 20 cards is required. Mail orders to Families of SMA, Box 1465, Highland Park, Ill. 60035; 708-432-5551.
– Gastro-Intestinal Research Foundation Women`s Auxiliary, which supports digestive disease research at the University of Chicago: Cards are $1.35 to $1.50 each with a one-line imprint. Minimum order is 25 cards. Volunteers will address and mail cards for an extra fee. 70 E. Lake St., Suite 1015, Chicago, Ill. 60601; 312-332-1371.
– La Rabida Children`s Hospital and Research Center: A box of 25 cards is $30 to $35 with a one-line imprint. One design is by Carmen Mendez, 16, a patient with rheumatism. For free samples or to order, call La Rabida, 312-363-6700, ext. 344.
– The Lambs: Hand-screened cards by retarded adults at Lambs Farm, which is a national vocational and residential center in Libertyville: A box of 10 costs $7.50. Call 708-362-4636 for a catalog. Orders must be postmarked by Nov. 27.
– Lawrence Hall Youth Services: The group, which cares for abused, neglected and abandoned children, sells a package of 25 cards for $12.50; 50 cards, $23. Visa and Mastercard accepted. Write or call Christine Peters, Lawrence Hall Youth Services, 4833 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60625;
312-769-3500, ext. 225.
– Leukemia Research Foundation Inc.: A box of 25 cards sells for $25.25 to $37.25. There are 14 designs to choose from. Cards may be ordered until Dec. 10. Mail orders to 899 Skokie Blvd., Suite LL14, Northbrook, Ill. 60062; 708-480-1177.
– Lincoln Park Zoological Society: Choose from three animal designs-the newest, ”North Pole Neighbors.” A box of 10 is $10; a box of 50, $45. Members: $9 for a box of 10, $40.50 for a box of 50. The other designs are $8 for a box of 10, $32.40 for a box of 50. Members: $7.20 for 10 cards, $32.40 for 50. Deadline for imprinted cards, Dec. 1. Order from the zoo`s Holiday Card Department, 2200 N. Cannon Dr., Chicago, Ill. 60614; 312-935-6700, ext. 37.
– The Lombard Mennonite Peace Center: Choose from six holiday scenes. A package of 10 cards and envelopes is $6. Mail orders to the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, 528 E. Madison St., Lombard, Ill. 60148; 708-627-5310.
– Make-A-Wish Foundation: Cards are designed by critically ill children who have had their wishes fulfilled by the foundation. A box of 24 cards, six each of four designs, is $14 plus $2.40 for shipping (50 cents a box for more than one). Mail orders to the foundation, 640 N. LaSalle St., Suite 282, Chicago, Ill. 60610; 312-943-8710.
– MK Rainbow Therapy Dog Club: A box of 25 cards costs $10. The proceeds benefit the club`s ”Special Dogs, Special Kids” programs. Mail orders by Nov. 15 to Box 531, Northbrook, Ill. 60065-0531; 312-283-1129.
– National Lekotek Center: To support play-centered programs for children with disabilities, choose from four holiday designs: ”Shalom,”
”Merry Christmas,” ”Season`s Greetings” and a blank cover for a photograph with a greeting inside. A box of 10 cards is $10 plus postage. Or cards are available at the center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Evanston, Ill. 60201;
708-328-0001.
– R.P. Foundation Fighting Blindness: A box of cards, with a choice of 19 designs, is $18. Mail orders to R.P. Foundation Fighting Blindness, Chicago Affiliate, 1011 S. Waiola Ave., LaGrange, Ill. 60525; 708-354-8108.
– The Starlight Foundation: The foundation, which grants wishes to critically, chronically and terminally ill children, is offering three different card designs for sale. A box of 10 with a holiday message costs $10; holiday cards that are blank inside cost $8. Write to the Holiday Card Program, 2511 Greenleaf, Wilmette, Ill. 60091; 708-256-5811.
– Women`s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital: Proceeds support the hospital`s ambulatory surgery center. A box of 10 cards is $10. Make checks payable and mail orders to the Passavant Gift Shop, 303 E. Superior St., Chicago, Ill. 60611, or call Ruth Kinsey, 312-908-3314. Orders must be placed by Dec. 7.
