Filed Under LiveJournal, Writers Block
This is a Writer’s Block that came from LiveJournal. I use to be a LiveJournal user,
bizcards. This question was posted by
balljointed.
Do you have a favorite urban legend?
Yes, My favorite one is the story about Craig Shergold. It was about a boy with brain tumor that wanted greetings cards and it got switched and said business cards.
I posted about this back in 2005. (My post about Craig Shergold.)
When did you first hear it?
I first heard about it from the International Business Card Collectors (IBCC). It was well told, since we all collect business cards.
What’s the story behind the story?
I am reposting my post from 2005 below …
I have been getting a lot of this lately. I have sent off a tons of business cards to this young boy dying of cancer… I hate to tell you this, this has been going on since 1980′s. It started out he really wanted greeting cards, but changed to business cards. If you send any mail to the Make-A-Wish foundation, it will go to lost mail. Lost mail is unclaimed mail. This is what I mention in my web site about it:
An old chain letter still circulating around the internet and other ways (Since 1989). This is for a young boy named Craig Shergold. He was asking for business cards as part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Well, it is false, he wasn’t looking for business cards, but greeting cards instead. But no need for them now! Please if you get this delete and tell the people that sent it about the legend and refer them to the web sites about it. It is just an urban legend. Read about the legend. Find about other False Make-A-Wish Foundation Chain letters.
This is copy-pasted from http://www.wish.org/home/chainletters.htm web site about it:
If you receive a chain letter…
- Please reply to the sender and inform him or her that the Make-A-Wish Foundation does not participate in these kinds of wishes.
- Refer the sender and all recipients to this page.
- Please do not forward the chain letter.
Craig Shergold, Craig Sheldon, Craig Sheppard, Craig Shelton, and Craig Shelford
In 1989, a then 9-year-old boy named Craig Shergold wanted to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving the most greeting cards. His wish was fulfilled by another wish-granting organization not associated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
You can also find more information by googling this. You will find a whole bunch of info. I would like to thank the newspapers that are making it public that is a false one. So remember to check things out. Not everything you see or read on the internet is true.
This was taken from http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/children/shergold.htm:
Claim: A child dying of cancer in England needs your business cards to get into the Guinness World Book of Records.
Status: False
Origins: An urban legend rivaled in tenacity by only the infamous Cookie Recipe (and even that monster runs a distant second), this appeal from a dying child touches the generosity in all of us and taps into our urge to do something — anything — in the face of unthinkable tragedy. In a perfect world, children wouldn’t die of horrible diseases. Our natural impulse upon encountering such cosmic injustice is to look for some way to make up for the tragedy. That such a child would have a final wish — and especially that the wish would be such a simple one — moves us to action. We can do little to alter the harsh reality of young lives snuffed out by incurable disease, but we can collect a few business cards. So we do.
It’s hard to believe that so much good will and fine intentions could wreak havoc, but they have. And they still are.
There really is a Craig Shergold, and he did have cancer. In 1989 an appeal was made on behalf of this then 9-year-old English boy afflicted with a terminal brain tumor. Young Craig wanted to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for having received the most greeting cards. By 1990, 16 million cards had arrived, and his wish had come true. (According to the 1997 edition of that book, by May 1991 he had collected 33 million.)
Ah, but that was then, and this is now. Shergold’s tumor was successfully removed in March 1991, and this lad (born 24 June 1979) is now a healthy young man. However, like the implements in the Sorceror’s Apprentice, the cards and letters have proved impossible to stop — they just keep rolling in. Several versions of the Craig Shergold appeal still circulate, and almost every one of them now asks for business cards, not greeting cards. (In yet another form of the same hoax, compliments slips are solicited.)
The child’s name also gets munged on a regular basis. “Craig Shelford” and “Craig Stafford” and “Craig Sheppard” and “Greg Sherwood” are common variations, but there’s a double handful of similar-sounding names out there too. With some of the names, it’s difficult at first to be sure if they’re Shergold mungings (“John Craig” comes immediately to mind. And yes, it is.) In those cases, a quick look at the address where the cards or slips are to be mailed will settle matters — many Shergold appeals direct mail to an address on Selby, Selsby, or Shelby Road. (The real Craig Shergold did at one time live on Shelby Road in Carshalton, England. The family has since left that address.)
One of the addresses used in the “request for cards” letter is that of the “81 Perimeter Center East” in Atlanta, which before the emergence of the hoax was the office of the Children’s Wish Foundation International. The foundation had to relocate because of all the unwanted Shergold mail. The U.S. Postal Service in Atlanta holds the hoax mailings (now more than 100 million) for a required length of time and, after they remain unclaimed, releases them to an Atlanta paper recycler. So end all those thousands of business cards everyone was scurrying around to gather up and mail off.
A related “dying wish” request goes out in the name of Ryan McGee of Virginia. (His name is sometimes munged as Ron McKee.) Though the child is real and he is battling a form of cancer (for which the prognosis is, and always has been, good), the request being made in his name is not. He never expressed any wish for cards or to get into the record books. Somewhere along the line, someone starred him in a version of the Craig Shergold hoax, transforming him into a dying child with a jones for cards.
Because of the volume of mail being sent to his home, the family halted mail delivery to their address. They also moved. To give you an idea of how specious appeals like these can impact real people, a woman with the same last name who lives in that area is contemplating getting an unlisted number — there have been days when she’s found 18 messages on her answering machine from people looking for information about the boy.
Though the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America has never been involved with this appeal, it became a permanent fixture in the standard chain letter. Kind-hearted souls are invariably directed to mail business card offerings to it. Make-A-Wish has made repeated requests that “people please stop sending business cards or greeting cards to Craig Shergold” but these continue to go unheeded. They’ve set up a special 800 number people can call to hear a recorded message about Craig Shergold and Ryan McGee: 800-215-1333. They also have a Craig Shergold web page.
Having learned its lesson about Pandora’s Box and dying child appeals, Guinness World Records retired the category for the most get-well cards, leaving Craig’s 1992 record of 33 million unchallenged. Cards continue to flow in, though, and the latest guesstimate has it that over 200 million have been received. Years ago Craig’s Shelby Road home was granted the British equivalent of its own postal code.
Guinness explains its position very clearly in the FAQ on their web site, saying of Shergold record:
This record attempt has ceased. Many years ago, a boy fighting cancer started a campaign for people to send him get-well messages in order to set a record for the most items received. Not only was that boy successful in getting a mention in the 1991 edition of the Guinness World Records book, he also made a full recovery. However, since then chain mails have started up with variations on the original story, some requesting business cards or compliments slips rather than get-well messages. If you get any such request, please destroy it, and if anyone asks you about it, please tell them it is a hoax!
Make-A-Wish and Guinness World Records aren’t the only ones pleading for the madness end: both Craig and his parents have granted a number of interviews in an attempt to put an end to this, including an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America on 26 October 1997. No such luck so far though.
Thanks,
Steve Patterson
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Filed Under Business Cards, Where's George
I have been asked about business cards and Where’s George.
BUSINESS CARDS
I still do collect business cards. I just have had a lot go on and haven’t got to keep up with it. I do hope that I will get back to counting the new business cards I have received over the last year I believe or so. So be patient with me and you will soon start to see my total of business cards start to increase on my blog. I keep my total there on the side bar of this blog. So please keep the business cards coming into me. If you include an E-mail address with the cards I personal send you an E-mail saying thank you for the business cards you have given me. I appreciated any and all business cards that you send!
WHERE’S GEORGE
I have gotten behind in doing Where’s George too over the last year. Lack of internet access is one reason why. Plus, lack of carrying cash. For those who are reading this blog entry and asking, What is Where’s George? Where’s George is a Web site where you can track your US Currency. (www.wheresgeorge.com). I do hope to be able to start to EMS again. EMS if you don’t know what that means is Enter, Mark and Spend! So if you see a bill marked for Where’s George, enter it! You never know, it could be one of my bills. But, if not, you will be making the day of some happy Georger (a person that uses Where’s George). I also hope to be able to start going back to some of the Where’s George gatherings. I am sorry I missed this past Knoxville gathering.
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Stevez Designz is owned and operated by Steve Patterson. Steve is a freelance graphic designer and he is also an Eagle Scout. Being a freelance designer, Stevez Designz can set his own rates and give you the best deal possible and better service. When it comes to printing cost, Steve calls around to get the best deal for you. His rates are reasonable. If you find it better somewhere else, get back in touch with Stevez Designz he can see what he can do for you. So contact Stevez Designz with what kind of design work you need? Stevez Designz can pretty much do it all! Don’t forget, Stevez Desginz can also do digital photography for you too! Stevez Desginz accept cash, money order and pay pal for payments.
Advertisement Design
Do you need an advertisement designed? Stevez Designz is just the place to design that advertisement you need to go into that publication. Steve have worked for several newspapers where he has been designing ads since 2000. Just tell Stevez Designz what you want designed, when you need it and where it needs sent. Just contact Stevez Desginz and and we can go from there, including a price quote. You will also get an ad proof before it is sent and placed to the publication you need it sent to.
Business Card Design
If you need business cards designed, then Stevez Designz is the freelance designer for you! Steve, the owner/designer collect business cards, so he know a thing or two about business cards. It is one of his specialities. Because of this hobby, Stevez Designz has some connections and can get you the best possible deal on printing. Just contact Stevez Designz to get you a quote. Just mention exactly what you need and we can go from there. Stevez Designz will also include an electronic proof in a pdf format. Stevez Designz is currently running a special on full color business cards! These business cards include a bleed, design, printing, full color available on both sides — at no additional cost, 16 pt. thickness and UV protection available on sides with full color. Below is the current specials running. Shipping is extra and based on destination.
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QUANTITY
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PRICE
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1,000
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$50*
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2,500
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$80*
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5,000
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$150*
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10,000
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$250*
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Need bigger quantities printed, Contact Stevez Designz and let them know. The more of one design you print, the cheaper it gets per business card. Hurry now! These prices won’t last long. Prices are subject to change without notice. When calling mention the BIZCARDS WEB SITE DEAL to get this offer.
Do you have a special event? Do you need a photographer? Contact Stevez Desginz to get help in taking some snap shots of that special one at that special moment. May it be a sporting event, birthday party or even other type of function. Stevez Designz will take the digital photographs for you and will include all photographs taken on a CD.
Graphic Design
Do you need a flyers, brochures, booklettes, newsletter, postcards, posters, greeting cards, letterheads, envelopes, business cards, advertisements, trading cards and anything else designed and printed? Then Contact Stevez Designz to get a quote on anything you wanted designed and printed.
In need of a web page? Then contact Stevez Designz to get you set up with one. If you don’t have a host,Stevez Designz can get you up and running with prices starting at $100. This includes a basic 4 page Web site, domain name registration and hosting for one year.
Blog Set-up
In need of a blog? Then contact Stevez Designz to get you set up with one. If you don’t have a host,Stevez Designz can get you up and running with prices starting at $150. This includes a basic blog set-up, domain name registration and hosting for one year.
Portfolio
Steve Patterson’s Online Portfolio.
Experience
Steve Patterson, owner/designer of Stevez Designz took graphic arts for 2 years at Fulton High School. Steve also went onto get his Associates of Applied Sciences in Communications Graphic Technology at Pellissippi State Technical Community College. Steve even completed training for iPix (360° pictures). Steve has worked for Star Publications in Gaylord, MI; Infosite Survey Group of Knoxville, TN; The Knoxville Journal of Knoxville, TN and Farragut Press of Farragut, TN. Overall Steve Patterson has been involved in graphic design since 1992.
*All prices are subject to change without notice.
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Filed Under Business Cards, Media & News
According to the Vancouver Sun, a drug arrest was made using business cards. Can we say some stupid criminals handed out business cards to high school students. The smart students turned them in and led the the arrest of two men. (READ THE FULL STORY!).
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Filed Under Business Cards
I while back I posted a blog entry about “The OvernightPrints.com and ShoeMoney’s Business Cards for Life Contest.” (VIEW THAT ENTRY) The winner is Chiwun Smith. They had over 470 entries for this contest. As I mentioned in the previous post about this contest, I didn’t have time to design and submit and entry. The winning design is a nice design. Very interesting, I wouldn’t have come up with that one. VIEW THE WINNING DESIGN!.
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Filed Under Business Card Tips, Business Cards, Facebook, Tips, Twitter, Web site, graphic design
Creativity is the key to keeping a small business flourishing in tight economic times. And while creativity will make your business grow stronger, there are also other free tools and opportunities small businesses should use to their advantage.
Many resources are available for small business owners to develop a plan for success, says “Mr. AllBiz” Steve Strauss, author of “The Small Business Bible.” He shares some of his tips here:
Make your small business appear big.
You might not have a huge warehouse or more than a dozen employees, but you can still give your business the professional appearance of one 10 times your size. First impressions are important. Print some professional-looking business cards and pass them out, design a great logo for your company and put that logo on a sign where everyone can see it.
Smart business planning
Develop a
Web site, and see if you can get it linked to your community’s Chamber of Commerce or city
Web site. Join social networking sites like Facebook,
Twitter and LinkedIn to broaden your network of people who know who you are and what you do.
Get free help.
Organizations like the Small Business Administration and SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” exist to provide assistance. They can give you help specifically tailored to your business. Also, retail organizations are creating tools for small business owners to find additional resources. For example, Office Depot has created “The Survival of the Smartest” Web site as part of its Small Business Self-Bailout Plan.
Included on the site at www.TheSurvivalOfTheSmartest.com, are weekly videos with smart tips, special product and service offers, small business resource tools, up-to-date news provided through feeds from small business Web sites and blogs, promotions specifically for businesses and expert advice on topics like how to connect your wireless network, how to save money while greening your office, information security and more.
Focus on your X Factor.
Recognize what you do and why you do it, and then research your competition. When you discover the factor that makes your business better and different from the competition, learn how to focus and multiply that “X Factor” to achieve success.
If you have a smart survival strategy that has helped your small business get through these tough times, you can enter the Office Depot Adopt a Small Business Contest. The company will recognize 500 small businesses nationwide for their smart survival strategies and award them each with more than $2,000 in Office Depot gift cards, tech support for a year and copy, print and shipping services. That’s $1 million in bailout money available. To enter, upload an original 2-minute video starting June 1 that explains the smart things your business is doing to survive these challenging times to TheSurvivalOfTheSmartest.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
If you need business cards, graphic design or even a Web site designed up, feel free to contact Stevez Designz. Stevez Designz is my freelance graphic design, photography and Web design business.
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Filed Under Business Card Tips, Business Cards, Tips, graphic design
Could color be the secret ingredient to helping your business survive in a down economy? Yes, according to a study on color and its impact on small businesses conducted by Xerox and International Communications. It found that color has a strong ability to attract new customers, make companies appear larger, increase customers’ memory retention and make marketing collateral and presentations more effective.
Leslie Harrington, Ph.D., director of the Color Association of the United States, has teamed up with color experts from Staples, Inc. to offer these tips to help companies make smart color decisions:
1. Know Your Audience: Research which colors are associated with specific emotional responses or meanings. For example, purple is often used to convey prestige, while green is seen more as a neutral color. Red is symbolic of leadership and strength; yellow is seen as intellectual and innovative. The color orange is vibrant, which is why it’s often used to represent cleaning products.
2. Present in Color: Color is the fastest and strongest touch point with people. According to the study, 90 percent of small businesses surveyed believe customers remember presentations and documents better when color is used. Other research shows that 60 percent of customers base their purchasing decision on color.
Research also reveals that readers decide whether to read or reject pamphlets and direct-mail pieces in just 2.5 seconds, and that 55 percent of people are more likely to pick up a full-color piece of direct mail first. Color can help keep your materials out of the junk mail pile.
Color also increases readers’ attention spans and recall by 82 percent and makes an impression that is 39 percent more memorable than black and white.
3. Get Creative: Some companies select nontraditional colors for their products to get customers’ attention. Think about how you can differentiate a specific product or service with bold, out-of-the-ordinary uses of color to make them memorable.
4. Less Is Often More: Color is a powerful way to communicate, so be careful not to overdo it. Use one key color and a few accents. Simple, strong color messages can keep your brand memorable. Work with no more than three colors to keep things clean and concise.
To give businesses innovative ways to bring projects to life through color, Staples offers a wide range of color printing services for everything from business cards to proposals as well as Xerox-trained color experts and Xerox equipment at 1,500 Copy & Print Centers in stores nationwide.
For more information, visit www.office.xerox.com and www.staples.com/copyandprint.
Compliments of NAPS
If you need business cards, graphic design or even a Web site designed up, feel free to contact Stevez Designz. Stevez Designz is my freelance graphic design, photography and Web design business.
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Filed Under Business Cards
What person wouldn’t want business cards for life? Now you have a chance to get business cards for life. OverNightPrints.com, a company I have used to print business cards that I have designed before in the past, is running a contest. You get to be the designer of Jeremy Schoemaker, Mr. ShoeMoney will carry with him on his travels. This contest ends soon! So get creative with designs. I wonder if someone I know will win? I would like to enter the contest, but at this present time, I don’t have the extra time to come up with a design, but it would be a great prize: Business Cards For Life. If anyone enters this contest let me know you did. Don’t show me the design, just mention I entered it. If you were the winner, please let me know too. The winner should be selected on June 26, 2009. Good luck to whom ever may win this wonderful prize. Please be sure to tell your friends that might be designers, they might like to have this challenge.
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Filed Under Business Cards, Famous Business Cards, Vols
Below are a couple baseball coaches from the University of Tennessee.
Todd Raleigh, current Head Baseball Coach
Rod Delmonico, former Baseball Head Coach
I am concerned about privacy. That is why I blur out any contact information on business cards I use on my blog.
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