Photo submitted Eileen Miller (shown center in gray shirt) organized a local group of volunteers to make homemade cards for deployed troops to personalize and send home as part of Operation Write Home.

As an Iraq war veteran Miller knows all too well how much it means to receive a package from home. After suffering a disabling injury during a cross-country car accident while transferring from one military base to another, Miller received a box of cards from the organization.

She chose to pay if forward and gathered a group of seven of her family and friends for an inaugural card making party held on February 13.

The basis of Operation Write Home is to create homemade cards which are sent to soldiers, who in turn can use them to send to their loved ones and friends.

Each servicemen receives a box of over 300 all-occasion cards for their personal use. Included in each shipment are around 25 “AnyHero” cards, personalized notes written specifically to show gratitude and appreciation to a soldier. Many times soldiers choose to share these cards with their fellow soldiers. If there is extra space in the shipment, volunteers sometimes include candy treats.

The organization was founded in 2007 when a small group of friends discussed the idea on a message board. What started out as a few cards has grown rapidly and now encompasses the entire U.S.

Thousands of cardmakers and crafters from across America, ranging in age, location and skill level have been joined by other groups, schools, scout troops, companies and church groups, in a common desire to serve those who defend our country.

As of February 22, Operation Write Home has sent 338,359 handmade cards to deployed troops.

During their first card making party the group made 97 cards. Following the party Miller and her daughter, Alyssa Baker created another 67 cards while Miller’s friend E’Dee Schneider, her son Tyler and Schneider’s mother Iris contributed an additional 88 cards. To date the group has donated nearly 300 cards to the organization, although volunteers are not required to send a specific number of cards as any amount is appreciated.

Miller noted that the card making process is simple. In order to make the 4.25" x 5.5" cards, volunteers simply cut a standard piece of 8.5” x 11” cardstock in half then fold the halves into two cards.

She added that store bought cards are not acceptable, unless they are an “AnyHero” card. Miller also emphasized that glitter cannot be used on cards. She explained that this is because if a solider has glitter on them they can be seen through night vision, which may put them in harms way.

Once completed the cards are sent to volunteer shippers located in Federal Way, Wash., Olathe, Kan. and Charlotte, N.C., which is where Miller sends her groups’ cards. Shippers process the donation by counting and sorting cards, logging it into their database and matching cards with envelopes.

Donations are also welcome to help absorb the shipping costs and pay for card making supplies.

Currently Operation Write Home is accepting cards for Mothers Day with an April 1 deadline. Additional deadlines include April 19 for graduation cards and May 15 for Father’s Day cards. All other occasion cards, such as thinking of you, get well soon, birthdays, anniversaries, congratulation and thank you cards, are accepted anytime.

Miller welcomes anyone to attend the next card making party on March 2 at her home at 639 S. St. Marys Street. Interested volunteers may also contact her at 623-217-5690 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Additional information may be obtained on the organization’s Web site at www.operationwritehome.org or on its fan page on Facebook.