Caring At Christmas instigator Matt Genower bangs the drum on local radio
With Festive Friday just a couple of days away, the Caring At Christmas campaign is in full swing as the greetings industry goes all out to remind people of the importance of sending those seasonal missives.
And Matt Genower, Five Dollar Shake’s co-owner and md who sparked the GCA campaign, has been busy with staff visiting a number of care homes around their Hastings base, as well as explaining the scheme on local radio.
“BBC Radio Sussex & Surrey interviewed me on Friday, 24 November, to talk Christmas card writing in care homes,” Matt told PG Buzz, “I was banging the drum loud and clear!
“On the back of it, we’ve had some really positive feedback from members of the public including asking if they too can volunteer to take cards into care homes for the elderly. Food for thought for next year.”
The initiative came about as a result of Matt picking up a leaflet listing Christmas card writing as one of the activities for a pensioners’ association last year and, with his father-in-law recently taking up residence in a care home, he decided to ensure everyone could join in the spirit of the season by visiting a couple of local ones with a selection of Christmas cards.
This year industry folk across the country joined in by taking cards to give festive cheer to people who can’t get out to the shops, and it’s given a welcome boost to the annual Festive Friday event that’s designed to get Christmas card sending off with a bang.
The 2023 event is on Friday, 1 December, when the greetings industry aims to have its own festive cards in the post to remind everyone about the joy of sending and receiving them, and continuing to enjoy them as part of the seasonal decorations at home.
Cardgains buying group has already got in on the action with a card-writing session at its Sheffield hq on Wednesday, 22 November, during a lunch-time staff meeting.
MD Penny Shaw said: “We’re happy to support the GCA campaigns where we can and will be posting all the staff cards next week. The GCA has some fantastic initiatives for retailers, plus informative articles and webinars for support partners too.
“Our staff are embracing the #Cardmitment campaign and enjoyed writing their donated Christmas cards early ready to post for #FestiveFriday.”
There’s more information about Caring At Christmas, #Cardmitment and Festive Friday on the GCA’s website with lots of tools and artwork to download.
