Arc recycled greetings card program a success

Carroll County Times
12/31/2009

Arc employee Lisa Bello, top, admires a card made by Tina South from recycled materials at the Arc of Carroll County on Wednesday.

When volunteers and staff at The Arc of Carroll County started a recycled holiday greeting card program two years ago, they never anticipated the level of support they have received from the community so far.

This year, residents purchased nearly 3,000 re-created cards made by clients of The Arc, an organization that advocates for and supports people with developmental disabilities in Carroll County. Less than a week after Christmas, they’ve already started making more for next year.

Valerie Westbrook, wife of Arc Program Coordinator Floyd Westbrook, initially came up with the idea to collect used Christmas cards from people in the community and put them to good use.

The word has spread, and the organization now has a huge box and a couple of crates overflowing with donated cards that are ready to be cut up and redecorated for next year.

“We get these cards all year long, [even] in the middle of summer, when it’s 100 degrees outside,” Executive Director Don Rowe said.

To make the cards, volunteers at The Arc help the clients cut out pictures and messages from the donated cards and glue them onto card stock. They use ribbon and other materials to add their own personal touches.

This year, they started using the materials to make gift tags as well.

“As much as we can, we try to make them be the product of our clients,” Floyd Westbrook said.

During the holidays, several local businesses and organizations sold 10-packs of the cards for $5 and 25-packs of the tags for $3. The proceeds go back to The Arc to support the program, Rowe said.

Next year, The Arc will also sell Christmas tree ornaments made from recycled greeting cards glued to CDs and DVDs.

According to volunteers, the program helps people with disabilities, because they develop vocational skills and gain a sense of pride from their creations.

“It gives you something to do,” said Tina South, an Arc client who also volunteers for the Red Cross. “It makes everybody happy.”

Jan Russell, who also receives support from the organization, said she loves Christmas and enjoys spreading the message with the greeting cards she makes.  “My mom made Christmas cards, too, but now she’s up in heaven,” Russell said.

Residents might soon see a similar line of Valentine’s Day and birthday cards available at local stores.

Rowe said the greeting card program has been so successful that the organization plans to start making cards for other holidays and occasions.

If it can increase the volume of cards made, The Arc will be able to save money on materials by purchasing card stock and ribbons at bulk prices, he said.

The Arc is still requesting materials or monetary donations from the community, but staff members are confident that there won’t be a shortfall.  “People in the community have been extremely generous,” Westbrook said.

To donate

The Arc of Carroll County is still accepting used greeting cards and other donated materials for its recycled holiday greeting card program. For more information, call 410-848-4124 or visit www.arccarroll.com.

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