When SDP Treasurer Jo Lutness saw the beautiful project by Maureen McNaughton CDA, TDA in the August 2007 issue of Quick & Easy Painting, she was touched by this unique expression of caring and compassion. The wooden card with a floral motif contained a loving message of support and was inspired by the film Pay It Forward.
“A card like this would be the most wonderful way to let those who have sacrificed in Iraq and Afghanistan for our freedom know how much that means to all Americans,” Jo thought. And the Paint for Freedom: Pass It On program was born.
The idea is simple. SDP members paint a card of encouragement, sign the back and present it to a member of the military who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan and needs a lift. When the recipient is feeling better, he or she will put their own name on the back and pass it on to someone else to give them an emotional boost. The card is painted on a wooden surface, so it is durable and can be passed on and on, making many lives brighter.
We have included six free Paint for Freedom card patterns. Select and paint your favorites, or create a design of your own. Contact your local Veterans Hospital and ask the volunteer coordinator how many patients from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts are receiving treatment there. This will give you an idea of how many cards to paint. The week of Veterans Day, Nov. 11, gather your handpainted cards and deliver them. In addition to visiting the hospital, don’t forget the military personnel in your life—the friends, neighbors and family members who have sacrificed so much for your safety and freedom.
Each issue of The Decorative Painter from December 2007 to December 2008 will contain a Paint for Freedom card project.Please enjoy our gallery of Paint for Freedom cards by SDP members. We’d love to add your card to the gallery. Simply mail a photo (jpeg format, please!) of your finished card to teri@decorativepainters.org
We hope you and your chapter members will work together to create as many cards as possible to present to those who have served us in Iraq and Afghanistan. Be sure to contact your local newspaper and television stations to let them know about your involvement in Paint for Freedom. See Get Involved and Spread the Word on the resources tab.
The Surface
The designs are painted on a 5 ¾” by 7 ¾” wooden card. It has slots on the left-hand edge that can be laced with ribbon, raffia, waxed string, leather or the cord of your choice. There are two card styles from which to choose: a solid card with decorative corners and a scalloped-edged card with an oval cut-out.
The card is available from SDP by contacting Shandi at (316) 269-9300, ext. 110. You can also e-mail her. Cost of the card is $6, plus shipping and handling.
Please request the shipping rate for your area when placing your order.
Inside Your Card
Write your own supportive message or use this beautiful original poem by Dorothy Dent. Simply photocopy or scan the poem, or handwrite a message. Cut it out with craft scissors to create a decorative edge. Or trim around the poem or message with regular scissors, then carefully burn a border (the safest way to do this is over your sink!). Glue the poem in place inside your card.
Download poem - pdf
Get Involved and Spread the Word
Create a public relations sensation by letting your local news outlets know about your Paint for Freedom: Pass It On project.
Download info on promoting Paint for Freedom - pdf
Paint for Freedom Gallery...
Have you created a Paint for Freedom: Pass It On card?
Share it with us! E-mail a photo in jpeg format to teri@decorativepainters.org.
