Greeting cards of hope, strength and courage

'Joan’s Monarch Wishes’ honors a Monroe woman’s legacy while giving support to cancer patients MONROE — Family members say Joan Smith, a 37-year resident of Monroe who died of lung cancer in August 2010, always appreciated receiving cards from well-wishers during her six year battle with the disease. The greeting cards always lifted her spirits, her daughter Jen Schnaars of Monroe recalled, and reinforced to her that others were thinking of her while providing encouragement to her as she fought her illness. Smith - who raised five children in Monroe with husband Jim - always liked butterflies, too, Schnaars added, and the family noticed there always seems to be butterflies around her home’s yard while she was sick. So when a huge yellow butterfly consistently fluttered around her grave site on the day she was buried, her family was convinced it was a sign from Smith to help them cope with their loss. After her death, her family vowed to make a difference by doing something to help support those living with cancer, said Schnaars, and they decided to blend Smith’s happiness over receiving greeting cards with her fondness of butterflies. 'Journey that must take place’ The newly established group named “Joan’s Monarch Wishes” is the result. “Our mission is to 'adopt’ cancer patients each month and recruit people to send them cards of hope, strength, and encouragement,” said Schnaars. “It’s our hope that by receiving a card in the mail, it will help to lift their spirits, let them know someone is thinking of them and give them the strength to continue their fight. We want them to know to hang tough, and we’re thinking of you. This helps keep my mom’s memory alive. It always would lift her spirits to get a card in the mail.” The group selected the monarch butterfly as its symbol because, according to its Facebook page, the monarch “is a symbolic creature that reminds us of new life and the journey that must take place in order to get to bigger and better things. Just like the butterfly, the journey of a person living with cancer is the same - you have to get through the challenging times in order to get to the good.” The group was established at the end of the summer and has written cards to 15 men and women nationwide living with cancer, three of which are from the Monroe area. 500 cards Now Joan’s Monarch Wishes is embarking on its biggest mission yet: To get 500 cards written and sent to patients at the Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center in Flemington, N.J. for the upcoming holiday season, where Smith’s daughter and Schnaars’ sister Lori Genzel, a Monroe native, lives. Schnaars added the group will be recruiting volunteers for a future effort at local hospitals serving the Monroe area and eventually plans to expand nationwide. The group already has 84 volunteers who regularly purchase or make cards and send them to cancer patients who are nominated by their family and friends to be recipients. Schnaars said the group understands the sensitivities associated with cancer and will not send cards unless they are assured the cards will be welcome by recipients. Volunteers include school and community groups, book club members, girl and boy scouts and individuals who are hopeful to simply put a smile on the face of a cancer patient, according to Schnaars, while providing inspiration as they continue treatment. Through word of mouth, Schnaars said, the numbers of volunteers are growing. And what they have to do is simple. Butterfly release The group will provide a volunteer with an address list of three to four people monthly, who have already been pre-screened. They will select non-religious cards to purchase and/or make cards and, if they desire, write some kind of inspiration message on the card. Lastly, they’ll sign the card with their first name only adding “on behalf of Joan’s Monarch Wishes.” The group is already planning a one year anniversary of its formation in August 2012 with a special monarch butterfly release to support greeting card recipients. “She’d be very proud of this, of our group,” Schnaars said. “I do think she’d be overwhelmed, but she would just be so supportive of everything we are doing to help others. When she was sick, she never complained one day. She always said it was better that she was sick than her children or grandchildren. She was more worried about us than herself. I know she’s smiling down on us for doing this.” “She’d be very proud of this, of our group. I do think she’d be overwhelmed, but she would just be so supportive of everything we are doing to help others. When she was sick, she never complained one day. She always said it was better that she was sick than her children or grandchildren. She was more worried about us than herself. I know she’s smiling down on us for doing this.” Monroe resident Jen Schnaars, one of the volunteer coordinators for “Joan’s Monarch Wishes” Cards do make a difference Here’s some e-mail and text feedback Jen Schnaars and her family have received from Joan Monarch Wishes card recipients: “My grandmother just called and let me know that my grandfather looks at the cards you guys sent every day. She said he really appreciates it. She also said it meant a lot to her to have such thoughtful people check in with them. Thanks all.” “Just got a card in the mail today from Linda, one of our card recipients, my sister’s mother-in-law: 'What a joy it is to go to my mailbox and receive caring, warm wishes and smiles from Joan’s Monarch Wishes. I can’t thank you enough for including me. What a legacy for Joan to pass on love and encouragement.’ And that’s what this is all about. I have goose bumps.” “Thank you Joan’s Monarch Wishes for the wonderful cards you sent to my sister. It was a really bad day yesterday after chemo on Friday and she was so thankful that my friends were thinking of her....it made her day!” “Thank you for the card, your thoughts and prayers. Please give my thanks to all in Joan’s Monarch Wishes -- I received so many cards. It’s a great feeling and I appreciate everyone’s support through this ordeal.” Can you help? To nominate a recipient or to volunteer to write cards: E-mail to joansmonarchwishes@yahoo.com Visit the group’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joans-Monarch-Wishes/259397140759887.