The FAQs below are general questions about the KidsLink Downrange Project. If you have questions about creating Card Kits, please find answers to those FAQs here.
Where are the Resource Card downloads? Where do we mail our completed Card Kits?
Resource Cards are different for every military installation. In order to find your Resource Cards, please go to www.kidslinkonline.org/locations and find your location. (For example if you live in California you would click on orange for “Fort Lewis, WA.”) On that page you will find a link to download your Resource Cards for printing as well as the address for mailing your completed kits.
What is the current (2010) Project Timeline?
One project (for MOPS groups) was completed in March. These kits will be distributed throughout April and May 2010 (and throughout the year as needed). We are also looking for church and other community groups to complete more kits for Fort Hood and Fort Bragg (1,000 more kits each). There is a great need in these two locations. For more information about this project and to get your group involved, find out more here or contact us.
Do I have to Pledge?
Pledging allows us to tell chaplains and ministry partners how many kits to expect. This helps them in planning and in ensuring all kits will be delivered to kids at their military installation. Although KidsLink staff and volunteers would not know if you do not pledge, we ask that you please do so for the success of the project. (Pledge here)
What does “Downrange” mean?
In military slang, downrange is a term for being deployed overseas, usually in a war zone.
How will the kids receive the card kits?
The packages will be distributed to the children by the Military Children’s Ministry (MCM) staff and volunteers, chaplains, and Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC). Many of the kits are being distributed by Family Readiness groups (FRGs) as well.
What is MCM?
MCM is an acronym for Military Children’s Ministry. Military Children’s Ministry is a partnership between Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) and Cadence International®. MCM touches the lives of military children with Good News Clubs in their on-base neighborhoods and schools. Together, military chaplains and MCM staff members train and equip community volunteers in sharing the message of Christ to this special group of kids. All these partners work together to anchor children in the hope of Jesus and lead them to living fully devoted to Him.
How is MOPS currently serving the military community?
MOPS International is dedicated to meeting the needs of every mother of preschoolers. In order to attain this vision for moms who are either in the military themselves, or have a spouse in the military, MOPS International has developed the Military MOPS program. A Military MOPS group is much like a Classic MOPS group, except that it is chartered, or sponsored, by a base chapel, either domestic or international. Because of the unique situations that Military MOPS groups face by being on a military base, MOPS International has agreed to partner with Cadence International to start a pilot program in Colorado Springs to serve the various military bases there. This pilot program is scheduled to begin in September of 2009.
Can I participate in this project if I am not involved in a MOPS group?
Yes! If you are involved with a group at church or at school (or anywhere!) that would like to be a part of this project, we would love to have you! Please pledge kits and use instructions on this web site in the same way MOPS groups will.
I haven’t received my self-addressed card back in the mail.
Although the hope is that the child who receives one of your Card Kits will return the self-addressed card so that you can know more about him or her, some parents or children may opt to not send the card. We are sorry about this, but the receivers of the Card Kit have the option of not responding.
Please, however, pray for the child (or children) that have received the Card Kit you created even though they are nameless to you.
Will every child who has a parent deployed at specific base receive a Card Kit?
No. School Counselors will help in getting the message out to those who wish to take one. Hopefully, with your help, there will be enough to give one to every child and/or parent who wants it.
What are the ages of the children who receive these Card Kits?
Card Kits will go to elementary school-aged kids.
I would really like my card kits to go to a specific military location; is this possible?
The nature of this project is that we are serving the military families through chaplains, so we are not actually in charge of where the kits go. The chaplains with whom we work decide this based on how many kits are pledged and which military locations are in most need (based on deployment). We do not currently know where those locations will be; we will know once pledges are finished being made. Check back in December to find out what locations were chosen and where to ship your kits!
