Correspondence

Guidelines

We want to encourage every child sponsor to communicate with his/her child. through letters and/or small packages. In order for us to provide this opportunity for everyone, we made some changes to our guidelines as of January 1, 2012.

Packages:

• Size limited to quart-size baggie
(packages larger than quart-size-
contents will be divided among
children not receiving gifts)

• Write Child ID# and Name on
  the outside of the baggie.
• Send only 1 baggie per sponsored
  child

Send all correspondence to:
      Horizon International
      Attn: Child Sponsorship Gifts
      P.O. Box 180
      Pendleton, IN 46064-0180
(Note: Horizon International reserves the right to review all correspondence)

You have the opportunity to send correspondence to your child three times each year. In order to have your letters and/or packages included, please have all items in our office by the following dates:

• March 1
• June 1
• October 1
  

In order to prevent confusion and protect your identity, please do not include your address on correspondence to your child. All correspondence between you and the child will come through the Horizon office. Also do not include any cash inside your letters/envelopes.

When writing to your child, please be sensitive to the environment and culture in which your sponsored child lives and try not to talk about the material aspects of your life. Instead, tell your child about yourself, your family (include pets) and any interests you have. Include photos of yourself and your family. You might also let your child know that you are praying for him/her and provide encouragement to them especially in the area of education. Help them to understand the importance of remaining in school.

Remember that you are an important part of your child’s support system and the impact that your love and kindness can have on your child is immeasurable. You truly make a difference in your child’s life!

Gift Ideas: (see restrictions at bottom)

• Photos of you and your family
• Brightly colored postcards
• Coloring books/crayons
• Stickers, small notepads
• Flashlights (wind up-not battery)
• Small Bibles
• Children’s inspiration Christian books
• Diaries/journals, stationery
• Personal safety lights for night visibility
• Personal safety sirens
• Small bags
• Inexpensive jewelry (bracelets, necklaces, watches)
• Small stuffed animals, dolls
• Headbands, hair pins, bandanas
• Toy cars
• Toiletry items (toothbrush/paste, comb, brush, lip balm, lip gloss, nail polish)
• Paper, pens, pencils, colored pencils (include pencil sharpener)
• Gum, hard candy