From the thread on a Global Doperkid Penpal Network was begat the idea of a Global Doper Kid Mail/Postcard Exchange. Here’s how it will work:
If you have a child that would like to receive a postcard or short note from all over the planet (or wherever we find volunteers, please send me an e-mail with the appropriate name and address information).
If you would like to make a child’s day very, very bright, then volunteer to send some postcards or a short note, from your locale, or an exciting vacation, then drop me an e-mail and I’ll put you on the list. I want to try and match at least one person to each child if we can. You can certainly volunteer to send multiples, but I don’t want anyone to feel compelled to do more than what they’re comfortable with.
Also, I think it’s kind of fair that if you want to receive at least a postcard, you should be willing to send at least one out. So I hope that those that sign up to RECEIVE will also volunteer on the SEND side. Good?
So, get those e-mails coming. I’ll probably try to bump this up every few months to half year or so, so that we can get new locations and people involved, without burning everyone out on the concept.
I would be more than happy to send a couple of postcards from Spain. I am going there in July. If you’d like to email me a couple of addresses, I’ll make sure to send them a postcard.
Give me all the names you’ve got. Could I suggest that parents give a hint if their child has a particular fascination with something - for example I imagine Aussie postcards with animals would be popular with most kids but I used to send any postcard with a train on it to a friend’s child who was obsessed with trains. Pretty funny that denizens of a net message board are the advocates of snail mail.
I’ll email later, but as I said in the other thread, very interested in sending postcards from Rome/Vatican. I will also be in England for a bit, but we have lots of UK Dopers already, it seems.
This is great! I just sent out my son’s info and we’d be happy to send out cards–Rhode Island isn’t terribly exotic, but maybe I can find something about Roger Williams’ Root.
Thanks everyone for the great response so far! The emails are pouring in. Don’t worry that where you are doesn’t seem exotic to you. Everyplace that isn’t where they are is exotic to a child. Even Rhode Island has it’s charms (isn’t it the birthplace of Mr. Potatohead and other Hasbro creations?)
Also, don’t forget about the Penpal side if you’re interested, and make sure you specify which parts you’re interested in. I’ll give this through the weekend or so before I start assigning people.
Denmark not exotic? Blinx try living in Michigan.
I am in for this. I love sending postcards. I collect postcards. From anywhere. From anyone. I am a post card whore and proud of it.
