Share some love and cheer by sending cards to patients at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center.
The Joyful Gathering Team has collected Christmas Cards and envelopes, to make sharing the love of the season as easy as picking up a pen and writing a note. (Feeling inspired to make your own cards? That’s awesome! Bring them to the box!) The Team will deliver our cards shortly after Thanksgiving, so complete your cards and drop them into the special collection mail box by Sunday, November 23, 2025. Can we share gratitude with every patient at the VA? That number varies, but our goal is to write 280 cards. Can we do it? With your help we can!
Need some inspiration of what to write?
Remembering that the patients at the hospital include God’s children from many different faiths and backgrounds, we can send messages centered on gratitude for their service and empathy for their current situation.
🎁 Focus on Appreciation and Service
- “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
- “Your dedication to our country is something we are thinking about and grateful for this holiday season.”
- “Wishing you peace, comfort, and deep gratitude for all you have given.”
- “May your days be filled with the warmth of knowing how much your service means to us all.”
💖 Focus on Empathy and General Cheer
- “We hope you feel the deep appreciation and positive thoughts coming your way from your friends in Brecksville.”
- “Thinking of you and sending wishes for a restful, healing time.”
- “May you find strength and peace in the simple, quiet moments.”
- “We are sending good energy and wishes for a bright and hopeful New Year.”
- “Sending you warm wishes for comfort and good cheer this time of year.”
✍️ Write Your Own Message
Want write a message that’s inclusive and empathetic? Here are some points to ponder….
- What is a universally uplifting message?
- Focus on words like peace, comfort, gratitude, hope, strength, and appreciation rather than specific religious terms.
- How can I acknowledge their service without assuming their holiday?
- Frame the message around who they are (a veteran, a hero) and the time of year (winter, year’s end, holiday season) rather than a specific celebration. For example: “Thank you for your service; we’re thinking of you this winter.”
- How can I acknowledge they might be having a tough time?
- Use gentle, supportive phrases like, “We hope you are comfortable,” “Wishing you a healing and comfort,” or “Please know you are not alone.” Avoid overly cheerful phrases that might feel dismissive of their current situation.
- Should I mention our church or focus on community?
- While our church is coordinating the effort, a truly inclusive message focuses on the community’s gratitude. Signing the card from a more general group, like “A grateful family/neighbor in the Brecksville community” is a good option.
✅ Quick Dos and Don’ts for Unconditional Love and Inclusivity
| Do | Don’t |
| Do mention their service and sacrifice. | Don’t assume they celebrate Christmas. |
| Do wish them comfort, peace, and healing. | Don’t ask personal questions about their health or family. |
| Do sign off simply, like “With gratitude” or “Thinking of you”. | Don’t write long, detailed stories about your own life or holiday plans. |
| Do keep the message short and positive. Focus on universal kindness. | Don’t include religious phrases because we don’t know the patient’s religion. |