Pillar 3 – Gratitude & Intentional Giving
ACTION ITEMS:
Title: “The Art of Giving With Purpose: Cards That Give Back”
URL: /cards-that-give-back
Length: 800–1,000 words. Covers: the mission, the charities supported, how the 10% works, why mindfulness and gratitude matter, the impact of one purchase. Links to Giving Mission page and cluster posts.
- Pillar 3 — Gratitude & Giving
The Art of Giving With Purpose
Every Hummingbird Whispers card carries two gifts: a message for someone you love, and a donation to causes that build a kinder world. Here’s how and why.
- The Mission Behind the Cards
Art with Heart and Purpose
When Debra founded Hummingbird Whispers, she made a decision that many small businesses never make: she committed, from the very first card, to give a portion of every sale away.
Not when the business grew large enough. Not when it felt financially safe. From the beginning, because that’s what a life of purpose looks like in practice.
Ten percent of every card purchase goes directly to organizations working in the areas of mindfulness, gratitude, and community wellbeing. When you choose a Hummingbird Whispers card over any other, you’re not just sending a message, you’re participating in something larger than both of you.
Transparent by Design
How the 10% Works
We believe in clarity. Here’s exactly what happens from the moment you check out.
🏢
You Purchase
You choose a card and complete your order at $10. The transaction is complete.
🎓
We Calculate
10% of your purchase — $1.00 — is immediately set aside in our giving fund.
🎉
We Donate
Funds are distributed quarterly to our charity partners. Every dollar tracked.
🎉
Impact Grows
Each purchase adds to the fund. Every card sent becomes part of the larger giving.
10% of each sale
goes directly to our giving fund. Small indivual contribution, BIG IMPACT!
Each December
funds are distributed to charity partners just in time to ring in the new year!
100% Transparency
We share our giving totals publicly. Ask us anytime how much has been donated to date.
- the ripple effect
One Card, One Gift, One Community
It might seem small — 10% per sale. But consider what that looks like at scale: if 100 people each send one card to someone they love this month, that’s appoximately $50 flowing into organizations doing meaningful work in mindfulness and community care.
And every one of those 100 people has also sent someone a piece of Debra’s unique watercolor art that will sit on a mantle, go in a scrapbook, or be tucked into a drawer for years.
The ripple from a single purchase is longer than it looks.
- why gratitude matters
The Science Behind Saying Thank You
Gratitude isn’t just a feeling — it’s a practice with measurable effects. Research in positive psychology consistently shows that expressing gratitude, in any form, benefits both the giver and the receiver.
A handwritten note is one of the most powerful vehicles for that expression. Here’s what the research shows:
-
Mood and wellbeing improve
for both the person writing a gratitude note and the person receiving it often for days after the exchange. -
Relationships strengthen
when people express appreciation in writing. The specificity that a card allows deepens the connection. -
Recipients underestimate
how much a note will mean to them before they receive it and overestimate how awkward it will feel to send one. Both sides benefit more than they expect.
- our partners
Who We Give To — and Why
We choose partners whose work aligns with the values at the heart of Hummingbird Whispers: mindfulness, gratitude, human connection, and community care.
- Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat
Hiawatha Paddlewheel Riverboat holds a special place for Debra because it combines many of the things she values most—nature, family, friendship, and community. From fishing, hiking, and gardening to relaxing riverboat cruises, Debra has always found peace and joy in the outdoors, and she especially enjoys spending time along the beautiful Susquehanna River, the longest river in Pennsylvania. Riverboat cruises on the Susquehanna give her an opportunity to connect with loved ones while appreciating the beauty, history, and sense of community that the river represents. Her art is inspired by this beauty of love.
- Susquehanna Health Foundation
Susquehanna Health Foundation supports patients and families throughout the region by funding compassionate healthcare services, cancer treatment resources, patient assistance programs, and community wellness initiatives through the hospitals and programs of United Health Services (UHS) Susquehanna Health. They serve individuals and families facing serious medical challenges, including cancer diagnoses, by helping ensure patients receive quality care, emotional support, and access to lifesaving treatments close to home. Debra chose this organization as a partner because when a member of her family was diagnosed with cancer, the care, compassion, and support they received during such a difficult time made a lasting impact and inspired her desire to give back to an organization that truly makes a difference in people’s lives.
- [ See your name here! ]
Caring for our community and our world begins with each of us. Debra believes that when we think globally and act locally, we create stronger communities through kindness, compassion, and giving back. She is always open to supporting new charities and organizations that make a positive difference, so check back often to discover new causes and opportunities to help others — maybe even See Your Name Here!
Your Website Link will be here →
Why Giving Back Is Non-Negotiable
After a career spanning classrooms, universities, and educational leadership, Debra returned to painting. Not just to create — but to reflect on what a life in service had taught her: that purpose and generosity aren’t luxuries you add on later. They’re the foundation.
“I believe that supporting nonprofit organizations and uplifting our communities is essential to a life of purpose. Hummingbird Whispers isn’t separate from that belief — it’s an expression of it.”
Through Magis Associates, LLC, the creative home of Hummingbird Whispers, Debra structures her giving as part of the business model — not a marketing add-on. When you buy a card, you’re buying from someone who has made giving a practice, not a promotion.
- keep reading
From Our Community
What a Card Can Do Stories from people who sent and received a Hummingbird Whispers card.
📷 Photo opportunity: Add real customer photos (with permission) of your cards displayed in their homes — on mantles, refrigerators, desks, or in hands. User-generated content builds enormous trust on this page.
- keep reading
More on Gratitude and Giving
- Gratitude and Giving
The Science of Gratitude (and Why a Card Can Change Someone's Day)
What the research on positive psychology tells us about the power of expressing thanks.
Read more →
- Gratitude and Giving
Intentional Gift-Giving: How to Choose a Present That Reflects Your Values
A guide to shopping with purpose — and what conscious consumers are looking for.
Read more →
- Greeting Card Ideas
Why Sending a Physical Card Is Still the Most Personal Thing You Can Do
In an age of instant messaging, the handwritten card has never been more meaningful.
Read more →
Send Something Give Something
Every card purchased supports mindfulness and gratitude initiatives. Browse the full watercolor collection.