CCF, Envelope Enclosure Ideas

17 years ago

Hi All-- This is my first time to this board, I didn't even know it exsisted until today! I usually frequent the Kitchen or Home buying/selling forums but needed advise on something totally different and wound up here. I hope you can all come up with some better suggestions for me, since I am lacking in the creativity department!

I just signed up to sponsor a child through the Christian Children's Network. Yesterday I received my information packet and address to write "our" little girl. Along with the help our donations provide the community where she lives, I can also, 2 times a year, include a donation to purchase a gift specifically for the child. I look forward to giving these gifts at Christmas and on her birthday. Aside from that, you can include small FLAT items in the letters you send. They can not be cash, or food items and must fit in an envelope.

They made suggestions of things to include, but I am hoping for some more ideas that might make it extra special for her. It's hard to grasp what her life is like. According to the infomation sent, the family of 6's annual income is 180.00 Yes, 180.00 and YES per YEAR! They do not have electricity, or running water and this family has no furniture.

They suggest (and I plan to include at times)

Photos of our family/pets

Postcards from where we live and vacations we may take

Pages from coloring books

hair ribbon

stickers.

I thought about a book mark but honestly, I don't know if she has books or knows how to read (My Mom used to sponsor children from another agency years ago, they were allowed to send a SMALL padded envelope with gifts, she was able to fit a t-shirt and pair of socks in it but later wondered if the child even had shoes) so I will save that for later after I find out a little more about her.

So, putting you creative minds to work, can you think of anything I can add to make this childs day a little brighter?

Thanks!

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Comments (17)

grammahony
17 years ago
Where is this little girl at? Different climates could mean different ideas.
Sounds like a good thing to do.
Leslie
casey_nfld
17 years ago
Balloons are flat. Maybe greeting cards, some with cute pictures on them, just everyday or blank cards?
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Jodi_SoCal
17 years ago
Welcome to the KT JanJan!!! Please give a formal intro in a new post when you get a chance.

You buy or print out some maze games.

A small calendar.

Jodi-
janjan212
Original Author
17 years ago
Balloons! Good idea! Greeting cards are cheerful too, hey they even have those musical ones...

Grammahony, She lives in Sierra Leone, Africa.
gardenspice
17 years ago
I don't mean to be harsh, really I don't. I think what you are doing should be commended. But please reconsider sending postcards of your vacation locals. Consider small books, stickers, even a small tooth brush.
grammahony
17 years ago
Maybe a map of the United States, with your city circled.
FlamingO in AR
17 years ago
Some small, flat puzzles might be fun for a little girl. Fingernail stickers for little girls are cute. Elastics for hair. Really, just go browse the toy and little girl aisles and see what all would fit in an envelope.

Welcome!
carla35
17 years ago
I don't really like the balloon idea. They are a big choking hazard and although your girl may be big enough, a smaller child could get a hold of the balloon and I doubt the adults there would even be aware that ballons are choking hazards.

The ideas they provided you with are the probably the best to go with. I can't really think of anything else that would be suitable and flat enough for an envelope. Maybe cartoon bandaids or something... but again, do they even have water to wash wounds, would kids try to chew the bandaids not knowing what they are, etc? Stick to what they recommend or close variations; thay are probably tried and true favorites You don't want to open a can of worms introducing a new item into a culture that isn't used to it.
sue_va
17 years ago
How old is this child?

Whether she is two or ten would make a difference in what to send.

Sue
janjan212
Original Author
17 years ago
Gardenspice-

I thought the same thing you're thinking in regards to the Vacation Postcards. I certainly wouldn't send them from Disneyland (not that I will be going there anyway, but you get my point)I think scenic shots from different areas around the US would be ok.

Along those lines, They ask that you be mindful even in the photos you send that they don't include many material possessions.
janjan212
Original Author
17 years ago
Yes Sue, age is important!! I can't believe I didn't include that! She is 8. I also know that she has 3 brothers, and 2 sisters..ages unknown.

I just sent off a donation for Christmas and included the family. 100% if this gift goes directly to them.

Christmas in our family has ballooned into an over-abundance of gifts over the years. I have to say, although I will be buying gifts for my family, albeit toned down, it really feels good to donate in this way. I feel blessed to be able to help someone truly in need.
justlinda
17 years ago
There's so many different note papers, with all kinds of backgrounds and colours. Would be fun for a child to draw pictures on, practice writing skills, etc. I've also seen really cute themed pencils that could be included.
lydia1959
17 years ago
How about a stiff board paper doll and a few pieces of clothing for it to wear? You could then send additional paper clothes for it each time you wrote.

If you have her photo, you could do one of the personalized paper dolls... I think our Maryann_TX used to make these.
mariend
17 years ago
At the beginning I would NOT send photos of family and pets. Much of Africa is so unstable, that if these photos fell into the wrong hands, it could be dangerous. A brief general description might be ok. Go on line to see a general desription of her area and then you might find postcards/pictures of similar places here. You would be surprised how much of the USA looks like other places in the world. Check your local $$ store for ideas also, in the children's dept, toy dept and even the scrapbook area. Stickers might be ok also
alisande
17 years ago
The first thing that occurred to me was to have one of those red heart dog tags (the kind they engrave and sell at veterinarians' offices) engraved with her first name on one side and your first name on the other. It's pretty, it sends a loving message, and it's flat!
gardenspice
17 years ago
Janjan - sounds like you have the post cards well thought out and I agree that seeing pictures of other parts of the world would be educational and interesting.
carol_in_california
17 years ago
I sponsored children from the CCF years ago....thank you for spending the time and the money and the caring for your child and her family.
Pictures, postcards, stickers, personal notes....whatever you feel right about sending.
I know our meager donations made a huge difference in the lives our our sponsored children.
Bless you!

CCF, Envelope Enclosure Ideas

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