About

What is this project?

KidsLink Downrange is a service project designed to involve churches, MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups, and other volunteer groups in helping military personnel and their families. You can be a part of this project by creating Card Kits that include cards that military kids can send to their parent. (See a picture of what’s in a Card Kit.)

KidsLink Downrange exists to provide military children with the means to communicate regularly with their deployed parent downrange. In military slang, downrange is a term for being deployed overseas, usually in a war zone.

Military personnel who are downrange love getting mail from home, and they especially love personal notes from their children. It is a joy and encouragement amidst the long days, homesickness, and hard work.

Want to get involved? Start now by reading the different options of how your group can be involved. You can also see how to become a CUSTOM KidsLink Coordinator or read through the Instructions on how to make a CUSTOM kit.

How are MOPS groups and other groups involved?

During a KidsLink CUSTOM Project, a volunteer group’s part is to design card kits that contain everything a military child will need to write to his or her parent throughout the year. In this way, military children who are separated from a parent can still have the vital interaction they need with their parent as they grow and develop. Anyone can choose to be a part of this project—all it takes is a little time and creativity.

There are a few other ways for large groups, churches, and ministries to get involved as well.

Once your card kits are completed, you will need to send them to the address determined for that particular project (watch for project details to be announced.) If there is not a special project going on, you can simply create kits and send them to Cadence International for use as needed. After received, Cadence staff will sort the kits at participating base(s). Cadence International staff at the military installation will then disperse the kits to children who have a deployed parent in cooperation with on-base school counselors, chaplaincy programs, children’s ministry programs, or Family Readiness Groups.

About Cadence International

Cadence International is the non-profit organization that facilitates this project. Cadence International is an evangelical mission agency dedicated to reaching the military communities of the United States and of the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.Cadence International does this through Hospitality Houses (off-base homes that provide meals, Bible studies, activities, and lodging for military personnel), retreat centers, youth groups, and children’s ministries.Each effort of Cadence International reflects its mission: “Sharing the gospel and our lives with the military community.”

It is the desire of Cadence International to see all children in military communities have the opportunity to know about Jesus Christ and to grow in their relationship with him.

Get started!

• Find out the KidsLink group options
• Start talking with others about the project! Join the Community Forums.
• Become a KidsLink Coordinator, get a group together, and create cards!
• Find out what is in a KidsLink Card Kit.