2009 Graduate Sending Christmas Cards to Veterans

USAO alumna Ashley Hyde has a longer-than average card list during the holidays. In addition to family and friends, her list includes more than 20,000 cards to VA hospitals and care centers throughout the United States.

Hyde, a 2009 graduate, started “The Art of Encouragement” in 2008. TAOE is a non-profit organization that collects and sends cards to hospitalized veterans. “Our goal is to spread a little Christmas cheer to the men and women of our country who have so bravely sacrificed to keep our country free,” Hyde said on the organization’s website.

 “We originally began by sending Christmas cards to veterans that were in VA hospitals and state VA nursing homes during the holiday season. I saw a need for the tens of thousands of veterans who have fought in the past. Many of them are alone, without or far from their families, and have no reason to truly celebrate the holiday. Unfortunately, they are often forgotten or overlooked. I wanted to start a unique organization that ensured the recognition of all of our nation’s veterans.

Hyde grew up in a military family. She graduated from USAO in 2009 with a degree in psychology and continued her studies at the University of Central Oklahoma. She served as “Miss Altus” in 2008.

Like most non-profit organizations, Hyde says TAOE depends on many volunteers. Volunteers are needed to write the cards. “Each card you write may be the only thing a soldier gets for Christmas and it makes the holiday more than just another day. We are always looking for individuals and groups to host card signing parties with their friends and families.” The organization collects cards throughout the year.

Alumni and USAO faculty and staff completed cards this year as part of Alumni Homecoming in November. “We so appreciate what Ashley is doing and want to help,” said Eric Feuerborn, director of alumni development at USAO.

Hyde graduated from USAO in three years and speaks highly of her education from the college. “My education at USAO has influenced my standard of what a true education should be. Because of my time at USAO, I hope to one day become a professor and provide the outstanding and one-of-a-kind education I received from my school. USAO honed me into the person that I am; no one can ever change that or take that away from me,” Hyde said.

 “This organization began as an idea.  I wanted a simple way to let our veterans know that they weren’t forgotten, especially during what is considered to be the most wonderful time of the year.  I enlisted a few friends to help me sign cards in my first year.  Four-hundred and fifty cards later, I felt on top of the world.”

In addition to volunteers, financial support to TAOE is always appreciated. Only $10 will send a Christmas card to 100 veterans in either a VA hospital or a VA state nursing home.

In addition to cards, TAOE has a program called “Hero of the Month.” “You nominate a hero that needs some encouragement and we do the rest.  Each, month, we select a hero from the nominations and send them an encouragement package with letters from thankful Americans,” Hyde said.

For more information on TAOE, go to http://theartofencouragement.blogspot.com/, http://theartofencouragement.vpweb.com/, or find the organization on Facebook. The organization also can be contacted by email at theartofencouragement@yahoo.com or by mail at The Art of Encouragement; P.O. Box 12922; Oklahoma City, OK  73157.