The Art of Encouragement

After my blog yesterday about Making a Difference and Paying it Forward, I thought the best way to follow that up is to brag on a friend who has made "Making a Difference" her favorite past time! I am not sure how Ashley Hyde has time to eat or sleep with all the things she has accomplished in the last almost 5 years! 

Ashley (in red) and myself in the Miss Altus pageant 2006. Ashley went on to be Miss Altus 2008! 

Ashley is a pageant queen and down right genuinely sweet lady. I am going to probably get every single detail wrong but let me tell you the jest of what this amazing lady has been up to. 


Ashley is the founder of an organization called "The Art of Encouragement," which sends Christmas cards to veterans all over the United States! Ashley basically gets to celebrate Christmas year-round as she collects cards and then signs/gets people to sign them! This year, she has her biggest goal yet! She plans to have 20,000 Christmas cards signed by November 1, 2011. 


In 2010, I had the opportunity to help sign cards with a group of my friends. It is so easy and when you think about the impact it makes it almost brings tears to your eyes. Growing up in a military community and knowing so many people who willing sacrifice their time (and sometime their lives) to provide us freedoms we so often take for granted. When was the last time you told a veteran thank you?

Please take the time this year - There are so many ways you can help! 

Check out The Art of Encouragement on Facebook and on their blog! 

The Art of Encouragement is based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 
If you are going to be in the OKC area on Saturday, stop by Quail Springs mall and sign a few cards at The Art of Encouragement's first public Card-A-Thon from 10-3! 


If you are interested in hosting a Card-A-Thon, would like to find out how to help, or want to know more - feel free to ask me or email Ashley at theartofencouragement@yahoo.com! 


By the way Ashley, I am so proud of your little dream that has become a big reality! You are a true inspiration!