UPDATE: Since the publication of this post, letter-writing guidelines have changed and as a result you may not be able to send some of these items through Compassion’s correspondence system. Before you send your letter, please review our letter-writing FAQ.
Do you ever find yourself stuck for a letter-writing topic to your sponsored children?
I know one place you can find lots of ideas.
Want to write about seasons? We have covered the seasons.
Want to write about holidays? We have covered the holidays.
Want to write about playtime? We have covered playtime.
For the past two years, more than 100 members have helped us find over 600 ideas on these topics and many more to share with our sponsored children.
And you can find them ALL on our Second Friday Letter Writing Club board on Pinterest!
So in honor of our two-year anniversary, here are a few of our favorite Pinterest ideas that have been shared by our club members:
Melodie pinned these printable maps. I love how Compassion has helped my knowledge of geography. And I can’t help but think that our sponsored children are a bit curious about where we live compared to where they live. Maps like these help them see that our love reaches across the miles.
Bible verses are wonderful to share! What better way to share a verse then with these love-filled Bible verses pinned by Janet.
Is your sponsored child a budding artist? Drawing tutorials, like this one pinned by Sandi, are perfect for encouraging him or her to be more creative.
Who wouldn’t want to receive a little booklet filled with surprises? Sharlene pinned this creative way to send a themed gift. Valentine’s Day, Christmas, birthdays, Bible stories, encouraging notes — you could fill the pockets with anything!
I love creating simple things to mail! This colorful pop-up card, pinned by Janet, can be made with paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and a bit of glue.
Which of our 600+ pins on the Second Friday Letter Writing Club board on Pinterest are your favorites?
Want to contribute more fabulous ideas like these? Become a member by following us on Pinterest, then zip us an email to [email protected] and let us know you want to join the Second Friday Writing Club Board.
3 Comments |Add a comment
I noticed the booklet has staples and pieces of ribbon. Would that be accepted by Compassion? Thanks 🙂
Hi Kristin! In our letter writing guidelines we note that ribbon is not permitted and we certainly don’t like to encourage our sponsors to send ribbon. However, in very small amounts like in the paper bag booklet you see in this blog, it should get through just fine :). Also, staples (again in very small amounts) can be sent if you’re just using it to hold an item together like photos or in this case, the binding of the booklet. Too many staples can set off the metal detectors and stop up items in customs which in turn delays all letters from reaching the children, which we certainly want to avoid the best we can.
Guys I am a bit confused.
So you can’t send a booklet but you can staple the things together…maybe I still can send a booklet that is 1/10 inch thick? The Disney cute booklet. I really feel silly cutting it and then stapling the pages together and sending them in a letter. So the questing is…can I send a thin booklet?
I always think to myself that the children do not know what the item looked like to begin with. Then I take the thing apart and send the components that matter. I take staples out of booklets and remove the covers etc. It was really hard to take apart a nice paper doll set that I got off of Amazon, but I sent the dolls and the clothes in baggies and later on some folding valentine boxes for her to put the clothes in. The kids only see what they get. Get the stuff through!!
Ryna, I am so sorry for the confusion! We are trying to do everything we can get things through customs safely, quickly, and economically. We send letters declared as documents. This means that we have to make sure everything is paper, under 8 1/2″ by 11″ and 1/4″ thick, and that they don’t look like they have a re-sale value. Our tricks may seem a little silly at times but if we can get more to the children we will do it! For example, we might remove the bindings or covers on books. However, a thin coloring or sticker booklet (most are stapled in the middle anyway) should go through just fine.