Children "Give Hearts" to US Troops

Valrico, Florida, May 4, 2004

At Alafia Elementary School, a group of students known as USS Alafia has been gathering on a regular basis to show their support for the troops. Throughout the year they have tied yellow ribbons around the school and participated in projects like sending cards and Operation Shoebox.

On May 4th, Jordan, a first grader, came to share her heart. Jordan sketched a patriotic heart design that cleverly used the stars and stripes for the background pattern. She had originally drawn the picture for her father, a Major in the US Air Force, who was deployed overseas at the time.

Jordan’s mother was so touched by the drawing that she submitted it to the Coloring Card Company, a company that creates colorable greeting cards based on children's designs and supports children's charities. The company's founder and Chief Coloring Officer, Dr. Paul Marciano, was so taken with the drawing and story behind it, that he created a "Hero Card" using Jordan’s heart and the wording "Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart."

To honor the brave men and women in our armed forces, the children of USS Alafia spent the morning coloring cards and sending them to the troops recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. It is only appropriate that the "Hero Card" made its debut during May -National Military Appreciation Month.

Adopting the motto that "Freedom isn't free, but saying Thank You is," Dr. Marciano has created a free download of the "Hero Card" on the company's website (www.coloringcardcompany.com ) so now anyone can send their own heartfelt "thanks" to our heroes home and abroad.

Coloring Card Company Combines the Fun of Coloring with Greeting Cards

Courier News, May 5, 2004
By Erica Lamberg, Correspondent

Dr. Paul L. Marciano is the brainchild behind the concept of coloring greeting cards. The company combines the fun of coloring books with the thoughtfulness of all-occasion greeting cards

The fun of coloring books meets the thoughtfulness of all-occasion greeting cards in products offered by the Hunterdon County-based Coloring Card Co.

Instead of simply signing their name to a store-bought card, children put their personalized “signature” by coloring a card which can be a true keepsake for loved ones.

Not only are the cards intended to be colored by the children, they are created by children age 13 and younger, and the artists are compensated with a $25 savings bond for their talent.

Dr. Paul L. Marciano is the brainchild behind the concept of coloring greeting cards. Marciano received his doctoral degree from Yale University in New Haven, Conn., and is a former professor of psychology at Davidson College in Davidson, N.C. He was born and raised on his family horse farm, Hunt Cap Farms, in the town of Three Bridges.

Marciano found the inspiration in the best of all possible places for his new business venture — a child.

“During Christmas a few years ago, I was visiting my godchild who showed me how she had colored all over the greeting card that I had sent to her,” Marciano said. “She was so proud of herself. The light bulb went off — combine the fun of coloring books with the thoughtfulness of greeting cards; the Coloring Card was born.”

Marciano said the cards he sells are extremely versatile and in addition to traditional birthday and holiday cards, Coloring Card Co. offers thank-you cards, miss-you cards, get-well cards and greeting cards for many other occasions.

“We particularly emphasize ‘thank-you’ cards, as we strongly believe in cultivating gratitude in our children,” he said.

Bringing joy to the lives of young people through art is nothing new for Marciano. His maternal grandfather, Ludwig Bemelmans, wrote and illustrated the classic children’s book, “Madeline.” Marciano plans to sell his greeting card through a variety of channels including daycare centers, school and scouting fund-raising events, craft and toy retailers, bookstores and arts and crafts stores. His intentions are to donate a percentage to children’s causes.

“I wanted to raise a million dollars for children’s charities,” Marciano said. “I want to promote the idea that ‘giving is good’ and that for-profit companies should be as concerned about the world around them as they are about shareholder value.”

Currently, cards are available for purchase by visiting www.coloringcardcompany.com. For more information about how to submit artwork for greeting cards, visit the Web site.

For Your Information:
WHAT: Coloring Card Co.
WHERE: 120 Main St., Flemington
FYI: Greeting card company that incorporates the concept of coloring books with the thoughtfulness of greeting cards.
INFO: (908) 237-2500

Coloring Cards Let Kids Show Creativity

Hunterdon County Democrat, May 6, 2004
By Christopher Ruvo

COLORING CARDS — Sarah Buckleitner, 12, of Flemington colors a Valentine’s Day greeting card she designed for the Coloring Card Co., which enlists kids younger than age 13 to design cards that can be colored in.

While spending time with his goddaughter one Christmas, Paul Marciano watched her her color happily all over a traditional greeting card.

The experience turned out to be an epiphany.

“Something clicked,” said Dr. Marciano, who was born and raised here. “That's where I got the idea to start the Coloring Card Co.”

An ex-college profession, he said he is now proud to be the card company’s “chief coloring officer,” enlisting kids under 13 to design greeting cards that can be colored in.

“Our cards combine the fun of coloring books with the thoughtfulness of greeting cards,” he said. “Instead of simply signing their name to a store-bought card, children put their personalized ‘signature’ on them by coloring them. It’s more fun and meaningful for kids and the adults who receive them.’

Dr. Marciano has a PhD in clinical psychology from Yale University, where he specialized in working with conduct-disordered children and their parents.

After 3 years on the faculty at Davidson College in North Carolina, he decided to return to the family horse farm in Three Bridges, where he lives with his grandmother, Madeline Bemelmans.

“I missed it up here and decided to come back,” he said of his return. Working in the interest of children runs in his family. His grandfather, Ludwig Bemelmans, wrote and illustrated the classic children’s book, Madeline. His brother John Marciano writes children’s books too.

“My goal is to make a positive difference in the lives of children,” said the chief coloring officer.

Kids who design a card receive a $25 savings bond. Dr. Marciano said he’s always looking for new card designs and welcomes submissions.

In addition to traditional holiday and birthday cards, the company offers “thank you,” “miss you,” “get well soon,” and general note cards and appointment cards.

It also creates cards for other companies based on the goods and services they provide, or for company theme days, such as “bring your child to work day” and “employee appreciation.”

But Dr. Marciano said, “We particularly emphasize our thank-you cards, as we strongly believe in cultivating gratitude in our children.”

The “Hero Card” is a good example of this effort, he said. It features a heart designed after the American flag and the words “Thank You from the Bottom of My Heart.”

The card encourages kids to express thanks to people such as teachers, doctors, police officers, firemen, coaches, and most of all, armed forces personnel.

Although based here, the card company has a sister operation run by Dr Marciano’s partner Karen Pearson in Florida, where it has engaged an elementary school to color in “hero cards” and send them to wounded U.S. troops recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland.

Although the company is for-profit, 10% of gross proceeds are donated to children’s charities. Consumers select a organization from the company’s partner list of charities and the donation is sent.

Locally, the cards are for sale at Shaker Cafe and Time to Read, both in Flemington. Dr. Marciano said he hopes to have a major retailer sell them. Cards can also be ordered from the Web site, www.coloringcardcompany.com.

Entrepreneur Brings Card Business, Cards to Life

Courier News, Dec. 28, 2004
By Erica Lamberg, Correspondent

Founder, Paul L. Marciano, Ph.D.

FLEMINGTON -- Coloring Card Company designs and produces greeting cards, colorable T-shirts and restaurant placements that feature child-drawn colorable images that resemble those found in coloring books. "The cards take on the fun of coloring books with the thoughtfulness of greeting cards," said Dr. Paul Marciano, company founder and president. Marciano said that when children hand-color the cards, they become personal keepsakes for the recipient.

"Children take the time to color in the cards and it really means a lot," Marciano said. "The card really becomes like a gift."

Marciano is focusing on business development for his greeting card lines that include birthday cards, thank- you cards, Valentine's Day cards, as well as party invitations.

Marciano said breaking into retail accounts remains a challenge.

"The key to our success is exposure," Marciano said. "Once people learn about this business, they realize it's a unique product. I just want to keep getting the word out."

A growing number of card and gift stores throughout New Jersey feature the greeting cards, and some organizations have experienced success through fund-raising initiatives, he said.

"It's a unique idea for schools, troops and other nonprofits," Marciano said. "Everyone can use greeting cards, and kids will love coloring them."

Ten percent of gross proceeds from the sale of the cards is donated to children's charities.

"We believe that giving is good. We hope that our program encourages parents to discuss charitable giving with their children," Marciano said.

Marciano, 38, received a bachelor's degree from Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., and both a master's and doctorate degree from Yale University in New Haven, Conn. Marciano, a former assistant professor at Davidson College, returned two years ago to his family's horse farm in Hunterdon County to a start a private consulting practice. Marciano said he has always had an interest in starting a greeting card company and decided to pursue his goal after his godchild gave him a greeting card that she had colored herself.

"As soon as I saw that card and the expression of pride and joy on her face, the proverbial light bulb went off and I realized the potential of creating cards specifically designed for children that would be fun, creative and meaningful," he said.

Currently, he maintains his consulting practice while cultivating the Coloring Card Company business venture.

Question: Why should consumers select your products?

Answer: I believe that there are three key reasons why people love our product. First, it brings greeting cards to life for children -- creatively engaging them in a process that imbues the cards with meaning, making them one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Second, our cards cost one-third of most standard greeting cards. Third, not only are we raising money for children's charities, but through our Charity Choice Program we allow consumers to have a say in the type of children's organization they wish to support and create the opportunity for parents to talk to their children about charitable giving.

Q: What are the greatest challenges in operating the business?

A: Resources -- time and money -- and obtaining child artwork that would allow us to offer a more complete product line. Although children are paid $10 for each accepted picture and $5 to the charity of their choice, we continue to have higher demand than available artwork. Also, breaking into the fund-raising market, which is heavily saturated. Our product was designed to be used by schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations to raise money for their causes, but we have had a difficult time getting access to the decision-makers.

Q: What are your business risks?

A: Honestly, growing too rapidly. People love our cards. Our repeat-customer business is tremendous. Children love the cards because they enjoy coloring them and take pride and joy in giving them. Parents love the cards because they cost a fraction of store-bought cards, foster creativity in their children and support children's charities.

Q: What is your advice to potential operators of a business?

A: There is a big difference between a great idea and great business idea. Make sure that you get lots of feedback from family and friends, create the business plan and run the numbers.

AT A GLANCE
Coloring Card Company
Flemington, NJ 08822
(908) 237-2500
www.coloring-card.com
Founder Paul L. Marciano,Ph.D.

By Erica Lamberg, Correspondent

America Supports You: "Hero Card " Thanks Servicemembers

Feb. 16, 2005

Colored “Hero Card”

WASHINGTON -- Jordan Pearson drew a simple picture of a heart and colored it red, white and blue to send to her dad, an Air Force intelligence officer deployed on Operation Enduring Freedom. Jordan Pearson poses with her father, Air - Force Maj. Richard Pearson, who was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom, where he received special cards she designed that inspired the "Hero Card."

Now Jordan's heart could touch the hearts of thousands of servicemembers fighting the war on terror. The Coloring Card Company, a New Jersey firm that creates a line of unique greeting cards with black and white illustrations by children around the country, used Jordan's drawing for a new "Hero Card." " Jordan's drawing and the story behind it inspired us to create the Hero Card so that all children could send a heartfelt thanks to their heroes local and abroad," said company founder Paul Marciano. Marciano said his company has made an individual version of the Hero Card available as a free download on the Web, hoping that the cards will go to military personnel and civilian first-responders, such as firefighters and police officers.

"We are only blessed to be here because of what our military does for us," he said. "Whether you're for or against the war, you've got to be for the troops. You got to remember why they are there and what they are doing for us. I walk around every day feeling blessed, safe and secure for what they do."

Marciano, a Yale graduate with a doctorate in child clinical psychology, said he found the message inside the card as inspiring as the drawing itself.

"One day my daddy told me he had to go away," Jordan wrote in her card. "He said he had to keep me and my family safe. I missed him very much so I drew him this special heart to show him how much I love him. I colored it like the flag because my daddy says we love America and the flag. My daddy is my hero."

Karen Pearson , Jordan's mother, submitted her daughter's drawing to the company after finding it among the items her husband, Maj. Richard Pearson, brought back from his deployment to Qatar and Yemen. She said Jordan, who was 6 at the time, would constantly send little drawings and letters to her dad while he was away. "When I saw this drawing, it just clicked with me," she said. "It was obviously special for him to keep, and the more I looked at it, it just really symbolized what America means to our children."

"They just know that they love our country; they love the flag," Karen Pearson noted. "She (Jordan) just knew he was over there to help keep us safe."

Meanwhile, Marciano, whose personal theme in life is "Freedom Isn't Free, But Saying Thank You Is," said he is hopeful the Hero Card will inspire children to express their gratitude to heroes of all types, and to "instill core values in children, such as patriotism, saying 'thank you' and giving."

In the summer of 2004, Jordan's classmates at Alafia Elementary School in Valrico, Fla., colored Hero Cards and sent them to troops recovering at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Jordan also sent one to President Bush thanking him on his inauguration.