Letters, cards and coloring pages go into a Ziploc bag and are packed on the top of of each Comfort and Care Package. These are so important as they remind service members that the community supports and appreciates their service. Many service members are away from home for the first time, the cards and letters remind them we are thinking of them.
Here are the guidelines for cards, letters and coloring pages.
Do’s
- Use a greeting such as “Dear Hero, or Dear Service Member”. Comfort and Care Packages are sent to members in all branches of the service.
- It is ok to say things like “We are praying for your safety.”
- It is great to thank Service Members for the dedication, service, and sacrifices they are making to keep our country safe and free.
- Be positive, Service Members need to remain optimistic and focused on their mission while serving our country.
- If children are signing their name, they should only use their first name, or phrases like “Johnny 2nd grade, Lincoln School” or “Suzi W. Brownie, Troop 281”. This is for the protection of the children.
- If children are too young to write, a colored pre-printed or hand-drawn picture is worth a thousand words.
Do Not Do
- Don’t seal your cards or letters. Each letter is reviewed before sending.
- Don’t address the cards to a specific branch of the military as we send our Comfort and Care Packages to all branches.
- Don’t mention death or sadness. Service Members often have to face these situations and the intent is to boost their morale.
- Avoid political statements.
- Don’t make negative statements about the country.
- Each letter brings joy to our Service Members who are away from home. Service Members love receiving the letters, cards, and drawings. Please keep writing! You are bringing great joy to those serving our country!
Coloring Pages
Service Members enjoy receiving creative art pages from kids. OSOT-America recommends using Patriotic Drawing and Coloring pages to be shipped in Comfort and Care Packages throughout the year. To find coloring pages, go to a search engine (for example Google) and type in ‘Patriotic Themed Coloring Pages’. A number of sites will come up for access to print out and copy coloring pages. Children are also welcome to draw their own pictures with messages of appreciation.
Example Sites:
www.patrioticcoloringpages.com
www.coloringbookfun.com/patriotic/