Cards for a Cause

My sister and brother-in-law are currently in the process of adopting from Ethiopia their third child. That means that the chances are pretty great that I have a little niece or nephew who is right now in an orphanage in Ethiopia.

The faster they get the money to do this, the faster my niece or nephew gets to come home, be loved, gain a family and have proper care and nutrition. I've been thinking about what I can do to help bring this member of the Winter/Vaughn family home. This past weekend, I found a way to help.


If you haven't heard, I am now a consultant with Usborne Books and More (UBAM), a publishing company that creates and distributes some of your favorite educational children's books (you can see their inventory at sikesbooks.com). This past weekend at our UBAM Training Weekend I learned about a great fundraising program through UBAM: Cards for a Cause.

At some point, we've all contributed to a charity by buying ugly wrapping paper or overpriced popcorn through a family member, a coworker's child, the kid who lives next door, etc. However, that cause or organization you're contributing to often ends up with only 25-30% of the funds—the rest goes to the company they fundraise through. So why am I even talking about Cards for a Cause if it's the same kind of thing? Because Cards For a Cause is SO MUCH BETTER. Why is it that?

1. For $30.00 you get 30 greeting cards. 30! That means each card is a dollar. Plus, as a bonus, just because Usborne is high quality and awesome you get a really, really cute keepsake box that holds them. Now, you may be thinking, "$30.00 for some greeting cards? No, thanks." But before you write them off, these are very high quality cards. Usborne makes really great products. I was skeptical about the cards, too, until I saw them. Each card is individually designed and embellished and wrapped with it's matching envelope that is designed to go with the card—no simple white envelopes. When I saw the cards I was shocked- these things at Walmart or Target would cost anywhere from $4.00-$6.00!

2. There are two choices: a greeting card box and a kids card box. You want some greeting cards?—done. You want some kids cards?—done. It's as easy as that.
***Side note: The kids cards are full of fun things like door hangers, stickers, magnets, etc.

3. The best reason this fundraiser is better: of the $30.00, $13.00 go directly to the cause: that's 42%! Most fundraisers give at most 40%. The remaining $17.00 of that money goes to Usborne, which means you're not only helping a cause but you're also helping a company that promotes literacy.

So here's the thing...

I am selling these boxes, and if you know Bethany and Alex, or if you just have a special place in your heart for adoption, I am asking you to help by either buying or selling boxes, even if that's just finding two people to sell boxes to. Because Bethany and Alex are not a tax-exempt program the boxes will actually be $33.00 to cover tax.

If you are interesting in making this family complete by buying a box or selling some boxes, or are interested in getting some really, really great greeting cards for a great price, email me at hillarysikes@gmail.com.

And obviously, since I want my niece or nephew here as soon as possible, any commission I earn from these sales as an Usborne consultant will also be contributed to this cause.

Aren't they precious!!!

Here's a little glimpse of the cards