Recycle those greeting cards

Now that we’re into the New Year, you may be wondering what to do with all those Christmas cards. They’re too pretty to throw away, and that would be a waste of paper, anyway. Recycle them—but not by tossing them into your recycled-paper bin. Gather your 2008 Christmas cards (and any other unneeded, used greeting cards you have stockpiled) and send them to the recycling program of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, Nev. (Cards will be accepted through February.)

St. Jude’s Ranch—whose mission is to rescue and provide a home for abused, abandoned and neglected children—began its popular card-recycling program 30 years ago. The kids who live there (and volunteers who help them) remove the front of each card, and attach a backing of recycled paper to create a brand-new, “green” greeting card. Cards are then sold in packs of 10, each costing $8, with the money going to the children of St. Jude’s.

Where to send your used cards:

St. Jude’s Ranch for Children Card Recycling Program 100 St. Jude’s St. Boulder City, NV 89005

For information on purchasing St. Jude’s recycled cards (in several categories, including Christmas, birthday and all-occasion) go to www.stjudesranch.org/help_card.php.