by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
For eight years the I.M. Sulzbacher Center’s Holiday Cards were always one design by one child and $11 per card. But this year, center officials decided to try something different.
Every year the center has art week where the children work on different paintings. In years past, one of the children’s paintings would be chosen and turned in to the center’s holiday card. Those cards are then sold to help generate revenue for the Sulzbacher Center.
“Instead of one child being chosen, all of the kids win,” said Jordan Boss, chief development officer at the Sulzbacher Center. “This is very different from what we have done in the past.”
This year, all of the cards show a decorated front door which is the door of the new children’s building that is currently under construction. Some of the cards have a holiday theme and others are of different seasons throughout the year.
“For many years, a night of shelter cost $11 and now it is about $25 a night because of all of the services we provide,” said Boss. “Now we are going to do a box set of 10 cards each at $25 and that still represents a day of care.”
During art week in June, Boss said there were about 30 kids between the ages of four and 14 painting pictures.
“Those that were finished will be made into cards,” she said. “Each box of 10 cards will contain a combination of the different cards.”
On the back of each card there is a short paragraph about the children’s program and the new building. The new children’s building will have a library, computer lab and a place for after-school tutors to come and work with the kids on their school work. Boss said the building will be a place for kids to have fun and learn.
“When the kids found out about the cards they were really excited,” said Boss. “And to be a child with your own painting on a card, it is pretty cool.”
Boss said the cards always make a great holiday card or a gift for someone and all of the proceeds from any sales go directly to the Sulzbacher Center.
“We are hoping by making this change that the cards put a spotlight on the children’s program,” said Boss. “We hope it sheds light on the 80 to 100 kids that call the center home.”
Boss said the center is hoping that by having the box sets and the different cards, that more of them will circulate throughout the community during the holiday season.
The Sulzbacher Center ordered 8,000 sets of cards which equates to 80,000 cards potentially hanging on doors, walls and refrigerators during the holidays. They will go on sale the week of Oct. 24 and the center’s goal is to bring in $250,000 to help support the center. Cards can be bought at the Sulzbacher Center, at local gift stores, online at www.imshomelesscenter.org or by calling 359-0457 ext. 265.
“Each painting is very unique,” said Boss. “This is an opportunity to educate people on the family and children that are homeless.”