The Drop Instructions
DAYS UNTIL WE DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT!
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ADDRESSING THE ENVELOPE
This is INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT! If you do not address the envelope correctly, we will get them back. Every year, we get hundreds of Christmas Cards returned because they did not include the INMATE NUMBER or the writing was not legible.
Make sure you follow the instructions, and it tells you everything you need to know.
Inmate Name (Inmate Number)
Institution Name
Address 1
Address 2
BLACK OR BLUE PENS ONLY
We know, we know… It’s a Christmas Card, and we want to use fun colors and markers. However, Ohio Prisons have very strict rules on what is and what is not allowed. Each year we get hundreds of cards sent back to us because people used colored pens or markers.
Please only use a blue or black pen on the envelope and on the Christmas Card. This is also the same for drawing pictures on the Christmas Cards, it MUST be a blue or black ink pen.
NO STICKERS OR ADHESIVES
Cue the sticker police. Unfortunately, Ohio Prisons do not allow adhesives or stickers on any envelope or piece of mail. They do this because of contraband reasons.
So please DO NOT put any stickers on your envelopes or Christmas Cards so your card will get delivered this Christmas season!
WHAT DO I WRITE?
With every pack we send out, you will receive some example letters and wording you can use. However, if you want to create your own, we love that!
Send a message of hope and love, letting them know they matter and that they are loved. You can include Scripture, a short story, or even your favorite funny jokes.
The most important part is making sure that you remember you are writing people who are in prison and speaking life into them, but not judge or berate them. Also, a helpful hint, in the state of Ohio, the average reading level for inmates is seventh grade, so just write as you would to friends or a teenager and limit the number of big words you choose to use.
CAN MY KIDS HELP?
The Drop is an awesome way to serve as a family each Christmas season. Though there are a lot of restrictions with using markers, colored pens, or highlighters, kids can still draw on the Christmas Card or the back of the envelope with a BLUE or BLACK pen!
They can also write a short message on the card. People in prison, especially when they are a mom and dad, can be impacted positively when they see artwork or a message from kids because it reminds them of their kids. Be creative and find a fun way to make this a WHOLE FAMILY outreach.
I'M DONE - NOW WHAT?
Yay! We are so excited that you finished your Christmas Cards. However, DO NOT MAIL THEM YET! We call it The Drop because everyone will drop their completed cards in the mail on the “Day of the Drop” and that allows us to FLOOD the Ohio Prison System with love and grace! To find out the Day of the Drop, check out our website. www.continuethestory.org
I AM MISSING ITEMS IN MY PACK
Well, we hope this never happens. However, we are not perfect, and let’s be honest, packing over 20,000 Christmas Cards + Envelopes + List of names.
So if you are missing an Envelope or a Christmas Card, or something else, please email us at contact@continuethestory.org, and we will help you get what you are missing.
HOW DO I SIGN MY NAME ON THE CARDS?
When it comes to signing your Christmas Cards, we have some people who don’t want to sign them at all and some who want to sign with your full name.
We ask to keep some anonymity but still have a feeling of personalization, we simply ask after you write your Christmas Card out, just sign it with your First Name ONLY.
So an example for me would be: Merry Christmas and God Bless, Mic
CAN I SEND ADDITIONAL THINGS WITH THE CARD?
Ohio Prisons allow up to 5 sheets of paper in each mailing. With the Christmas Card being 1 of those, technically, you can send 4 more sheets of something to those in Ohio Prisons. However, there are a lot of restrictions, and if you send something NOT APPROVED, then there is a high chance the person to receive your Christmas Card will not get it.
So we recommend either emailing us first at contact@continuethestory.org or simply just sending the Christmas Card by itself.
HOW THE DROP WORKS
ORDER YOUR PACKS OF CARDS
Each pack sends hope to 10 Ohio Inmates. Help us reach our goal of 21,000 Inmates given hope this Christmas.
WRITE AN UPLIFTING MESSAGE
STOP: JUST HOLD ON TO THEM
DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT!!!
On Friday, December 16th, DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT and “DROP” all your cards in the mail and share on social media.
contact us
Address
Pickerington, OH 43147