The holidays may be over, but

don't throw away those Christmas cards! Residents at St. Jude's Ranch

for Children in Nevada can recycle them.

Fayetteville First United Methodist

Church and Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Peachtree City are just two

of the many area churches that annually collect cards for St. Jude's.

Hundreds of holiday greeting

cards have already been received by at the religious education office

at Holy Trinity and Fayetteville will continue its collection until Feb.

19.

Once the cards are delivered

to St. Jude's, the children carefully cut the card fronts and glue them

to preprinted card stock. For each acceptable card created, the child

receives 15 cents, which is divided between his or her savings and college

fund, "cottage fund" for special group outings, and to provide

some extra individual pocket change.

The card recycling project

began 30 years ago. The children used the previous year's Christmas cards

to make new cards to be sent to supporters of St. Jude's in appreciation

of their donations. The recipients of the handmade cards were thrilled

and asked the children to sell them the special cards. Since then, the

project has grown to include all types of greeting cards and custom orders

are accepted for any occasion.

St. Jude's Ranch provides a

home for children between the ages of five and 18 who have suffered abuse,

neglect or abandonment. It was started by Father Jack Adam in 1967 and

serves children of all races and faiths. The ranch exists almost exclusively

through private donations and fund raising efforts.

To send cards, forward them

to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, 100 St. Jude's Street, Boulder City,

NV 89005-1618. Cards may be purchased by writing to St. Jude's Ranch for

Children, P.O. Box 60100, Boulder City, NV 89006-0100.