The St. Jude Recycled Card Program — a win-win!

If you don’t know quite what to do with all those cards you received over the holidays — you don’t really want to throw them away but you can’t just save every card in some junk drawer (trust me, you can’t!) — I have an excellent solution for you: The St. Jude Recycled Card Program. Of course if you use them (as my grandmother used to, bless her soul) in crafts or as gift tags or what-have-you, then good for you!

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children takes your old cards — any kind of cards, in fact — and turns them into new cards. They then sell them in an endeavor to support St. Jude’s programs and services. It’s a win-win! Maybe even a win-win-win!

More than 30 years ago, someone came up with the brilliant idea to recycle the previous year’s Christmas cards and create “new” cards to show appreciation to their donors. The recipients of these unique cards were so touched, they wanted to buy them to send to the people on their Christmas card list. The St. Jude Recycled Card Program was born and later expanded to include all-occasion cards. In fact, they accept all sorts of cards — religious and non-religious Christmas cards, Easter cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, you name it!

The St. Jude Recycled Card Program is operated by Kids’ Corp. The children attach a new back to the cards, thus creating a new, unique, and very special card. Through this program, the children at St. Jude’s get paid for their work, learn basic job skills as well as the value of recycling!

Some things to keep in mind:

• Only the front of the cards can be used (so please be sure the back side is free of writing).
• St. Jude’s cannot accept Hallmark, American Greetings, or Disney cards.
• Cards that are 5″x7″ or smaller are preferred.
• If mailing large quantities of cards, St. Jude’s suggests sending them by U.S. mail in a flat rate box, which can hold up to 70 pounds.

You can send your old cards to (they currently have an increased need for birthday and thank you cards):

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children

Recycled Card Program

100 St. Jude’s Street

Boulder City, NV 89005

If you’re interested in purchasing cards through St. Jude Recycled Card Program (they sell packs of 10 for $10), you can call 877-977-SJRC (7572) or send your request and donation to:

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children

ATTN: Donor Office

P.O. Box 60100

Boulder City, NV 89006-0100

I was not compensated for writing this post. I just think it’s an amazing program and wanted to share it with you!