National Card and Letter Writing Month Essay Writing Contest at the Giftsin24 Blog
5/15/2009 Update:
Giftsin24.com and Samara O’Shea are pleased to announce the winner of their National Card and Letter Writing Month Essay Contest. We are pleased to share with you Don Blankenship’s winning essay and his grandmother’s letter.
From April 1st to May 1st 2009
Win a $150 Gift Certificate and 2 Books on Letter Writing & Keeping a Journal
Hi this is Samara O’Shea. I’ve written two books proclaiming my love of writing. If I told you that you had the power to make someone’s day, would you do it? I’m telling you: You have that power. There is a very simple act that takes a little bit of time and the best of intentions, and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on the recipient’s face. Write a letter! I kid you not. Even in today’s world of fast food and faster communication, a letter is still worth its weight in gold. It is proof positive that someone cares about you enough to sit down (rather than text on the go) and thoughtfully say thank you, I miss you, I love you, get well, or let’s get together. Imagine receiving a handwritten letter amidst all the junk mail and bills that usually clutter your mailbox. It’s a breath of fresh air. I count it among life’s greatest pleasures-right next to an afternoon at the spa. 
Participate in Giftsin24’s Essay Writing Contest for National Card and Letter Writing Month
Since the art of letter writing is to be cherished and (ideally) continued, there is a whole month dedicated to the cause. April is National Card and Letter Writing month (NCLWM). This year, we at Giftsin24 would like to invite you to participate by
- A) Writing a letter to someone you love and / or
- B) Entering our essay contest.
Essay Writing Contest Details and Prizes
In 500 words or less tell us about a letter you have held onto for years. What prompted you to keep it? Why does it mean so much to you? I look forward to reading your stories! Is now a good time to mention that I’ll be the judge? We’ve got some great prizes for you:
- a $150 gift certificate to shop for personalized stationery on www.giftsin24.com
- signed copies of both my books on letter writing and keeping a journal as a prize.
More details below. For National Card and Letter Writing Month this year, I’m going to write one letter each day of the month, and I’m going to blog all along the way-saying who I’m writing to and how long it’s been since they’ve heard from me. I invite you to follow along at LetterLover.net .
Essay Writing Contest Fine Print
Contestants will enter the essay writing contest by sending an e-mail. Please send your essays (500 words or less) as an attachment to Essay@giftsin24.com. Giftsin24.com will collect entries from April 1, 2009 to May 1, 2009. Samara O’Shea will review all entries and choose one winner to be announced on May 18, 2009. The winner will be contacted on May 18, 2009. Giftsin24 will award the winner a $150 gift certificate and two autographed books by Samara O’Shea (worth $19.95 each). Giftsin24 will feature the winner and the winner’s essay on its Web site.
RSS Feeds
Merle Hirschman:
I know what you mean about letter writing being a lost art. I chair the correspondence committee for my church — last year we sent over 375 hand written notes (we have note cards printed with our church logo on the front). I can’t tell you the number of folks who have commented that they actually carry the note with them so when they need an uplift, it is there. And yes, it is so wonderful to get something hand written in the mail.
1 April 2009, 8:27 amadmin:
Indeed, Merle, that is one of the ideas behind the contest!
1 April 2009, 12:58 pmIt’s so sad to think that people’s thoughts and feelings will not be preserved in years to come because they are all electronic. Even if folks print out emails and such, it still does not carry the same weight as a handwritten note.
You should tell some of the folks who carry your notes around to enter the contest!!
Samara:
What a wonderful undertaking Merle. Thanks for spreading the handwritten love!
2 April 2009, 10:42 amfamouslibra:
Hi,
6 April 2009, 7:29 amI agree with you Samara, the worth of hand written note is much more than e-mails, or, text messaging. Letter writing will remain a trendy style to present your feelings to your dear ones. The contest sounds really interesting.
Samara:
FamousLibra you should enter! You possess an admirable appreciation for the medium. It’s always nice to “meet” a fellow letter lover.
16 April 2009, 8:40 amDee LeRoye:
My mother-in-love sometimes refuses to put on her shoes in the morning. “Don’t need ‘em”, she says, “I’m going to heaven.”
We know that one of these days she will do just that. But until then we try to keep little notes and cards in her mailbox at the nursing home.
Thank you for reminding us.
19 April 2009, 5:49 amSamara:
Dee, your mother-in-law sounds like a wise woman! I hope you receive as much pleasure from writing the notes as she does from reading them.
23 April 2009, 10:24 amEssay Writing:
I would like to add one more thing, when planning a persuasive essay, follow these steps:
1. Choose their position.
31 August 2009, 3:02 am2. Analyze their audience.
3. Research their topic.
4. Follow the proper format for their persuasive essay.
Heather Wachter:
Thank you very much for your input in helping us, our readers and our customers refine our writing skills.
31 August 2009, 1:23 pm