Wednesday, November 26, 2003

By Nancy Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

One tradition that persists despite e-mail is sending real holiday cards to friends and family.

	"Skating Through the Holidays" is an original painting by Jess Hager, commissioned as a Christmas card for the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania.

According to research from the Greeting Card Association, 92 percent of us will send cards this season, and 76 percent of those will send out 20 or more.

This is good news for local charities that rely on annual Christmas card sales to raise funds.

Once again, nonprofits in Pittsburgh are offering dozens of card designs, including three by well-known Pittsburgh artists who for years have donated their talents to help their favorite causes.

Buying cards from a local charity serves the dual purpose of sending out a warm greeting to loved ones while supporting a worthy cause in your own back yard.

The Christmas card to benefit People Concerned for the Unborn Child is designed by Joan Newman.

Here, in alphabetical order, is our annual roundup of groups offering cards (and sometimes more) this season.

The Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is offering 12 designs -- some drawn by Alzheimer's patients -- with different greetings inside each. The cards are $25 for a box of 25; imprinting is available. Call 412-261-5040.

Artist Linda Barnicott's sixth holiday card, "Skating Together at PPG Plaza," is one of many designs offered by the American Cancer Society. Another original drawing is James Sulkow- ski's "A Holiday Evening at Quail Homestead." Other designs are available. Prices range from $22 to $38 for a box of 25. Inside greetings vary; imprinting is available. Call 1-888-227-5445.

	"Moon Over South Side" is an original artwork by Mary Lois Verrilla donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society for its annual Christmas card.

The winning entries in the American Diabetes Association's Holiday Art Search are featured on 36 card designs, including a manger scene, birds, a snowman, a dove, rural scenes and otters frolicking in the snow. ADA offers one of the largest greeting card selections, plus calendars and gifts. All are displayed in a colorful 20-page brochure. Boxes of 20 cards range from $11.99 to $23.99. Call 412-824-1181, press 0.

Dee Paras' watercolor of the Fort Pitt Block House in the winter (8 for $7) is offered again by the Fort Pitt Society of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Also available is the Block House with a Santa in front (10 for $6). The cards, blank inside, can be purchased at the Block House or by calling 412-371-5715.

Mary Lois Verilla's watercolor "Moon Over South Side" is her seventh card designed for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of America. The inside message reads, "May the joy and light of the holiday season shine brightly throughout the coming year." Cost is $20 for a box of 20. Call 1-800-726-2873.

One of the four card designs offered by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. All four contain the message: "May all your wishes come true this holiday season."

The Little Sisters of the Poor are offering a simple but lovely card designed by Sister Martha of the Pittsburgh Home. It features the Nativity under a bright star and has two different messages inside. There is no charge but a donation is welcome. Call 412-761-5373.

Artist Jess Hager's original drawing, "Skating Through the Holidays," features the Christmas tree and skating rink at PPG Plaza. It's the eighth in a series of Pittsburgh scenes he has drawn for the Lupus Foundation of America, Western Pennsylvania chapter. The message inside reads, "May you be encircled with the warmth of family and friends this holiday season and throughout the New Year." A box of 20 cards is $16. Call 412-261-5886.

The four whimsical, brightly colored designs offered by the Make-A-Wish Foundation were chosen from dozens of entries in a contest open to children who participated in the program. All cards contain the message, "May All Your Wishes Come True This Holiday Season." Each packet of 15 cards contains one design and costs $10. Call 412-471-9474. They can also be bought at the foundation's fourth-floor office in the Omni William Penn and at Fireplace and Patioplace stores.

This is the first year the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society has had a holiday card for sale. Pat Ruskin of Beechview won the contest for best design; her card features white trees against a blue background with the word "Hope" in gold letters. Cards are 15 for $20 (with verse or blank). Call 412-942-1011 to order.

A snowy road through trees and the words "Peace on Earth" adorn the cover of the Myasthenia Gravis Association's card. The inside is blank. Cost is $10 for a pack of 10, and $8 for each additional pack. Call 412-566-1545, ext. 22.

People Concerned for the Unborn Child's card -- a drawing of Madonna and child -- carries a message of joy for the holiday. A 10-card set is $6. Call 412-531-9272.

Three dogs in harnesses, sitting beside a snow sculpture of a dog, is an appropriate theme for The Seeing Eye, the organization that trains dogs to assist people who are blind. The message on the glossy card reads, "Warmest wishes for the holiday season." Cards come 20 to a box for $15. Small gifts -- nightshirt, cap, mug, tote bag -- are also available. For an order form, call 1-973-539-4425 or check online at www.seeingeye.org/store.

A manger scene of the Holy Family and a message of joy and love is the Seraphic Mass Association's card, which includes a novena of Masses. Order as many as you want for a freewill donation. Proceeds benefit Capuchin missionaries. Call 412-683-4700.

E-mail this story   Print this story