The Woman's Board of the Hadley School for the Blind has held the sale since 1956, and it has a rich history. The idea for the card came from Hadley Woman's Board member and daughter of Hadley founder E.V.L. Brown, Nancy Jones. Jones enlisted the help of fellow member Jackie Mudd, who owned the then Grey Dove Printing Company, which designed, printed and embossed the card in braille. At its height, the card brought in as much as $50,000, making it one of the most successful charity fundraisers of its time. Album cards, wrapping paper and Advent calendars eventually were added, and they continue to be sold today.
"The Holiday Card Sale is one of Hadley's most unique and successful fundraisers. It's a way to give something during this season of giving that benefits not only the receiver but also benefits the larger cause of helping our blind and visually impaired students worldwide," says Hadley Woman's Board President Susan Gould.
About Hadley: Founded in 1920, The Hadley School for the Blind's mission is to promote independent living through lifelong, distance education programs for people who are blind or visually impaired, their families and blindness service providers. The world's largest educator of braille, Hadley enrolls more than 10,000 students in all 50 states and 100 countries each year. For more information, visit Hadley.edu or call 800-323-4238.
