Hallmark has announced today (May 21) that it is to give away half a million greeting cards across the UK to help the UK public show gratitude and appreciation for the everyday heroes in our lives – doctors, nurses, care workers, postal service workers, teachers, supermarket workers, cleaners, caretakers, delivery drivers and many more, who do the jobs that are right now keeping the nation going. The greeting card publisher is partnering with Royal Mail for the UK initiative, who will be collecting, posting and delivering the cards on Hallmark’s behalf.
As well as promoting the giveaway on its website (www.Hallmark.co.uk/careenough, from where the cards can be redeemed) and via social media, the company has also made a special film, which is being hosted on YouTube which brings the initiative to life, highlighting how “a word of thanks, can make a world of difference.”
Click below to watch the Say Thank You to the Heroes in your Life video:
Hallmark’s greeting card giveaway revolves around packs of three cards: one that reads ‘You Are So Amazing’ one with an illustration of helping hands forming a heart shape which reads ‘What You Do Matters’ and a Crayola card to colour-in which reads ‘Not All Heroes Wear Capes’.
As Amanda Del Prete, md of Hallmark UK stresses: “Now more than ever we should take the time to connect and show how thankful we are to those who truly are going above and beyond providing essential care, deliveries, food, education and more. We’re inspired every day by the many heroes who are stepping up right now. Each one of them deserves a huge thank you for everything they’re doing in these unprecedented times. We hope our half million card giveaway will allow people to show the gratitude we know many are feeling right now – and to ensure those receiving the cards know just how much they’re appreciated.”
The emotional significance of the written word during lockdown has been made clear by new Royal Mail research, which reveals that one in five (18%) UK adults have been sending more letters and cards since measures began. Nearly three quarters (74%) of Britons also feel that writing letters has positive mental health benefits.
“Handwritten cards and letters are a really powerful way of connecting and showing a special someone that you care; particularly during these difficult and sometimes isolating times. Keeping the nation connected is of vital importance to us, so we’re delighted to partner with Hallmark for this initiative,” relayed David Gold, director of public affairs and policy for Royal Mail.
Royal Mail’s involvement in Hallmark’s greeting card giveaway comes at a time that our postal operator has launched a Send a Letter campaign. The consumer-focused campaign centres around encouraging members of the public to send letters and cards.
‘Tell them how you’re feeling, tell them what you miss about them, tell them a joke or something funny that’s happened in your home. You could send them a recipe for their favourite pie. Write a poem – it could be sensitive or silly,’ is some of the inspiring text on the dedicated area on Royal Mail’s website (https://www.royalmail.com/sending/sendaletter/how-to)
The website includes tips and templates for writing great letters, examples of great historic letters, videos on creating your own cards, as well as a direct link into the GCA’s gallery section of its Thinking of You Week website (https://www.thinkingofyouweek.cards/gallery/) to source some suitable cards.
As well as some short humorous viral clips highlighting some situations when texting just doesn’t do it which end with the message ‘Sometimes better to send a letter’, there are some easy to follow tutorials on faux calligraphy, making collaged designs and drawing.
Here is one of the Royal Mail videos which forms part of the campaign…
Top: The trio of cards in Hallmark’s gratitude pack giveaway.
