Comments on: How can I make Christmas special for my sponsored friend? http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/ Tue, 21 May 2013 18:31:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Marianne http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3017 Marianne Sat, 19 May 2012 13:49:16 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3017 When a sponsor donates to the gift fund I didnt know that they are then provided with a list of the actual things given to the sponsored child. Here the sponsor was informed that her sponsored child received a bunk bed etc. That makes me want to donate to the fund instead of sending gifts.

]]> By: Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3016 Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:08:58 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3016 Thank you for your question.

Mail larger than the recommended size may be held at the post office on the receiving end for additional fees. These fees can be very high, and the funds to pay the fees would come from funds that are intended to provide benefits to CFCA sponsored friends.

We have explained to our project teams that they may choose to decline mail that requires a fee for delivery. We urge sponsors to refrain from sending any mail that is larger than the 9×12 recommended size (also not more than one inch thick or more than one pound in weight).

Remember, your letters are a great gift to your sponsored friend. Your friend will also receive gifts for birthday and Christmas each year on your behalf through donations to the birthday and Christmas funds, which are used to make sure that all sponsored friends have something for those special times of the year.

If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to check out the new eLetter feature on our website, where you can write a letter to your friend online.

Thanks!

Sincerely,
Claudia Stapley,
Sponsor Services

]]> By: Lukasz http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3015 Lukasz Mon, 14 Nov 2011 01:39:18 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3015 What is going to happen if I send a t-shirt in a little bigger envelope than 9×12 ?? Is there any chance that my child will get it?

]]> By: Julie http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3014 Julie Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:08:05 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3014 I, too had difficulties sending gifts to my sponsored child. Every Christmas I now donate to the “Family Need Fund”. An agent visits the family of your sponsored child to determine a need the family has at that time. Your donation will be used to help your child or his family purchase something needed. In the past my sponsored child has had a year of school lunches provided, bunk beds for him and his siblings, and other things that has made life for the family easier. Just call CFCA to request this donation. No more worries about a package being lost or stolen. Saves alot on postage, too.

]]> By: Diane http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3013 Diane Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:05:51 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3013 I have only been a sponsor for a year. Already I have sent her some stickers, and pictures of my family. She calls me her “Godmother” which makes me feel good. When she writes, she always send me a picture she has drawn freehand. I drew one of her from her photo I have and sent it. Haven’t heard anything back yet. My children are all grown & I am a widow living alone so I really look forward to her letters.

]]> By: Sarah Pickhardt http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3012 Sarah Pickhardt Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:48:04 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3012 Thank you for your wonderful suggestions. I especially like the recordable card – what a great way to send something that can’t be visualized – your voice!! Happy Holidays to all of you and your wonderfuly organization. :)

]]> By: Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3011 Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:31:25 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3011 Hi Sarah,

Thank you for your question. Your ideas of the personalized bookmark and small, inspirational pieces are wonderful!

Some other items to consider are card games, small puzzles or stickers. Another option to make the gift more personalized would be to include a photo of yourself or your family or to send a recordable card with a short message from you.

Just make sure the items will fit in a 9×12 envelope that is an inch or less thick and weighs a pound or less, and it helps to include a note asking your sponsored friend to let you know when the item(s) arrive.

~Sponsor Services

]]> By: Sarah Pickhardt http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3010 Sarah Pickhardt Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:54:14 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3010 Hello,
Does anyone have any suggestions for a 12 year old boy? I was thinking of sending a flat cross or inspirational piece that he could keep in his pocket. Thanks for the bookmark idea – he loves math and I can make one with math facts on it and have it laminated.

]]> By: Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3009 Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:26:21 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3009 Dear Jane,

Thanks so much for a great Christmas gift idea! Appreciate the tip.

~Shanxi Omoniyi, CFCA web editor and writer

]]> By: Jane Lowell Israel http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3008 Jane Lowell Israel Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3008 I sent my little girl elastic hairbands, and in the next photo, I was delighted to see her wearing one!

]]> By: Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3007 Christian Foundation for Children and Aging (CFCA) Mon, 26 Sep 2011 13:47:06 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3007 Hi Barbara,

Sending items in the mail can be costly, and there is always the risk of items becoming lost or stolen in the mail. We have been notified by several projects that many of the packages sent by the sponsors were being ripped open and stolen at the postal office in their country.

Once the item reaches your friendís country, it could accrue very high custom fees, and the project has to withdraw money from the benefit fund to retrieve the packages. Therefore, our projects are not required to pick up packages that have accrued customs fees.

If you would prefer to send something personal, we suggest a small paper bookmark, friendship bracelets, stickers or photos. These items would be small enough to fit in an envelope with a letter. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Sponsor Services at 800.875.6564 or mail@cfcausa.org.

Thanks!
~CFCA Sponsor Services

]]> By: Barbara Karst http://blog.cfcausa.org/2011/09/09/how-can-i-make-christmas-special-for-my-sponsored-friend/#comment-3006 Barbara Karst Fri, 23 Sep 2011 17:21:55 +0000 http://blog.cfcausa.org/?p=7897#comment-3006 I would like to send something personal-for Christmas and birthday– I have every year but always wonder what to send and if it will get there
also it gets harder as what can you send to a teenager that will fit in a 9×13 nvelope and weigh less than a pound?

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