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    Gwen
    **Creating a memorable thank-you package**
    Conversation posted April 2, 2012 by GwenGold, last edited May 4, 2012 , tagged Thank-You Package
    12434 Views, 764 Comments
    Title:
    **Creating a memorable thank-you package**
    Content:

    Do you know what makes a great thank-you package? Offer tips and suggestions for creating thank-you packages that are memorable and meaningful to your donors, or ask for advice on how to improve the thank-you packages you send from your classroom.  

    Share any stories about unique thank-you packages you’ve compiled, what you’ve learned really makes an impact on your donors, and why it’s such an important piece of the process.

     

    ** Thanks for your contributions and congratulations to the lucky contest winners.

    Comment

    • Ann Taylor
      posted April 2, 2012 by Ann Taylor  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies
       Since I got cameras for my students, I sent examples of their work.
      • Therese Brady
        posted April 2, 2012 by Therese Brady  Permalink
         Since I am requesting a camera, I will do the same! I am also requesting basic art supplies, so I will take pictures of their artwork, too.
        • Mrs. Lori
          posted April 13, 2012 by Mrs. Lori  Permalink
           This is a great idea! Next time I am sending pictures with the thank you notes.
      • Pamela
        posted April 12, 2012 by Pamela  Permalink
         I also got cameras, so we incorporated our photos into our thank you cards.
        • Laura Loutensock
          posted April 12, 2012 by Laura Loutensock  Permalink
           Great idea! I will use photos to make our thank you cards also.
          • Mrs. Haines Drezek
            posted April 12, 2012 by Mrs. Haines Drezek  Permalink
             Thanks for this idea, everyone! I have been thinking of various ways to say thank you and since I love photography, pictures will definitely one way to show our appreciation.
            • Teri Landy
              posted April 13, 2012 by Teri Landy  Permalink
               These are great ideas. I hope I get the camera I am requesting. If so, I am thinking of a collage with the students. I think that would be fun!
      • Greg Stewart
        posted April 12, 2012 by Greg Stewart  Permalink
         I also take pictures of my students and then paste them on construction paper with a handwritten note as a special thank you attachment
        • y s
          posted April 14, 2012 by y s  Permalink
           I recently received a document camera for my classroom and my students were so excited. When I posted my pictures I wanted my students to do something that would allow them to say thank you. One of my students suggested we write thank you, so that it would be projected and that I should let them project their shadows so the picture could show what this new technology was capable of doing. It was fun for them and they really wanted people to see the capacity of the new technology.
      • Donna Charipar
        posted April 13, 2012 by Donna Charipar  Permalink
         I like the idea of adding real pictures. I imagine donors really enjoy that more than just the colorful thank-you.
        • Alexis McCoy
          posted April 13, 2012 by Alexis McCoy  Permalink
           I had a problem where parents did not want their student's faces shown in pictures. I teach special ed which brings an added element into the equation. So instead of photos with their faces we made thank you signs into masks that they held up in the photos and took photos from angles where the students faces were not seen.
          • Mike Karbo
            posted April 13, 2012 by Mike Karbo  Permalink
             That's clever... thanks for the unique idea!
          • Stacy Tauber Krapf
            posted April 13, 2012 by Stacy Tauber Krapf  Permalink
             I think that was a great idea. I also teach special education and have some parents who don’t want their children’s faces shown on the web or in thank-you notes. I have been able to take some pictures of the student’s using the books we received from behind or above their heads. Some of the shots were really cute. We have also used their handprints to make cards. Since they are in preschool their handprints are cute.
          • Mrs. Colton
            posted April 14, 2012 by Mrs. Colton  Permalink
             That's a great idea! I think pictures make a thank you much more personal and fun to receive, and the thank you signs would be creative as well!
          • Rebecca Gage
            posted April 15, 2012 by Rebecca Gage  Permalink
             Similar privacy issues in our classroom. I like the MASK idea. I am also considering using photos of the teachers using the products we make with our camera to incorporate into our Thank you.
          • Michele
            posted April 15, 2012 by Michele  Permalink
             Great idea! I, too, have parents who do not want their child's faces sent to strangers so this is a wonderful idea.
      • Cindy
        posted April 16, 2012 by Cindy  Permalink
        I was just wondering if you have to get special permission to send in pics ?
    • Room 13 Students
      posted April 2, 2012 by Room 13 Students  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies
       Besides pictures of my students using our donors choose materials, the children will create handmade thank you cards, acrostics poems, and illustrations. ;)
      • Laura Glynn
        posted April 3, 2012 by Laura Glynn  Permalink
         This is my first time using DonorsChoose so when we are able to thank someone I will definitely send a photo plus I think personal handmade thank you cards are so important.
      • Laura Glynn
        posted April 3, 2012 by Laura Glynn  Permalink
         I love the idea of handmade thank you cards. I think it is so important for the students to send a thank you too.
        • Rebecca Hester
          posted April 12, 2012 by Rebecca Hester  Permalink
           Many students do not know how important thank you cards are. I believe it is important to teach students the value of sending a thank you card. This is such a great opportunity to thank the wonderful donors and teach students how to write and send thank you notes!
          • Cory Ulrich
            posted April 12, 2012 by Cory Ulrich  Permalink
             My students were the same. For my first project, I asked them to write thank you cards to our donors, and some of them actually complained! The second project went better because I kept the students updated on how close our project was. Once they knew more about how it was funded, they were more interested and appreciative. Still, my students all come from backgrounds where thank you notes aren't a common occurrence. It was helpful to talk about what needed to be included, pass around several examples of really well written notes, and show that the standards were really high. Even with that, my high schoolers are so deficient in skills that I wish I'd done several "rough drafts" of their thank you notes. That way, we could do peer edits, talk about spelling, and get ideas from other students about how to make the notes as meaningful as possible. This is my first year teaching, and I was really surprised at how much support my juniors and seniors needed in writing good thank you cards.
            • Tammy Ferguson
              posted April 13, 2012 by Tammy Ferguson  Permalink
               Writing thank you cards has almost become a lost art. It is important to remind our students to be appreciative of gifts they receive. Keeping them in the loop is a great idea.
            • Jewel Bregel
              posted April 13, 2012 by Jewel Bregel  Permalink
               Keep up the good work! I teach 2nd grade and I have to have my students write several drafts too. They might not "like" it but I tell them that they cannot use the gift without thanking the person who gave it to them. That has helped them get rolling with a better attitude.
              • Lani
                posted April 13, 2012 by Lani  Permalink
                 I've said the same thing! Now, many of them will gladly write thank you letters, and they are sincere. Some of the comments they include are funny, or heartfelt, but totally kid-like and unique, and I think that is what the donors want to see; the kids receiving the gift and being thankful for it.
              • Connie
                posted April 13, 2012 by Connie  Permalink
                 I love that idea. I bet it would work just as good with high schoolers too :) I'll be trying it out if my next project gets funding.
            • Joanna Edie
              posted April 15, 2012 by Joanna Edie  Permalink
               I teach high school too, and I had the same trouble with spelling and grammar mistakes. Next time, I will devote 2 lessons to writing, revising and re-writing a error-free thank you note. First, I'll have the students write a rough draft and peer edit. Then, I'll edit them. Finally, I will do what I did the first time and put all the art supplies I can find on a table (construction paper, markers, colored pencils, crayons, stickers, glue, scissors, letters leftover from bulletin boards, ribbon, etc.), turn on some music and let the students write their final drafts in a creative format. They really got a kick out of the creativity behind the colorful cards.
            • Joanna Edie
              posted April 15, 2012 by Joanna Edie  Permalink
              I teach high school too, and my students had the same trouble with spelling and grammar mistakes. Next time, I will devote 2 lessons to writing, revising and re-writing an error-free thank you note. First, I'll have the students write a rough draft and peer edit. Then, I'll edit them. Finally, I will do what I did the first time and put all the art supplies I can find on a table (construction paper, markers, colored pencils, crayons, stickers, glue, scissors, letters leftover from bulletin boards, ribbon, etc.), turn on some music and let the students write their final drafts in a creative format. They really got a kick out of the creativity behind the colorful cards. Some of them asked if they could team up to write a note together and I thought that was a great idea.
          • Karen Arsenault
            posted April 13, 2012 by Karen Arsenault  Permalink
             I agree, it is a great opportunity to teach students to thank people for what they do for them. My students write personal thank you cards when ever they receive something or have special guest visit our class. We also send personal letters to soldiers for Veteran's Day and the holidays. My students write a "Friendly Letter", photos,a poem, and art work. They enjoy doing this.
            • Ms. Alvarado
              posted April 14, 2012 by Ms. Alvarado  Permalink
              I think writing letters to soldiers is a great idea! In this day of emailing and texting, letter writing is becoming a lost art. Everyone loves receiving a letter. My students learn to write thank you letters and friendly letters but I think it would be a great experience to write to soldiers. Great idea!
        • Laura Trudeau
          posted April 13, 2012 by Laura Trudeau  Permalink
          I completely agree. I don't think it matters what form the "thank you" is in. Just of the act of thinking about it and then doing it is a valuable life lesson for the students. The ideas posted here are great and I can give my students some examples from which they can choose.
      • Wanda Haley
        posted April 12, 2012 by Wanda Haley  Permalink
         Like you, I have my kids write their own thank you notes. Usually my students will ask if the donor would like a picture they have drawn themselves. So the pictures get included too. I envision the pictures hanging on someone's filing cabinet!
        • Amber Radjeski
          posted April 16, 2012 by Amber Radjeski  Permalink
           Student thank you notes are such a wonderfully personal way to thank the donors. My students love writing letters, especially to say thank you!
      • Pamela Tellier
        posted April 12, 2012 by Pamela Tellier  Permalink
         I just had my 1st Donors Choose project funded. I will have my students make handmade thank you cards to the donors.
      • Cheryl Barker
        posted April 12, 2012 by Cheryl Barker  Permalink
         wow.. you are creative.. for me they said I couldn't sent photographs to the donors... just a FYI make sure you read your thank you packet informations.
      • Jennifer
        posted April 13, 2012 by Jennifer  Permalink
         I had my students write letters but the idea of a homemade card is so sweet. Thank you for sharing this common but often forgot handmade gesture :)
        • Jennifer
          posted April 13, 2012 by Jennifer  Permalink
           I do the letters but include one or two handmade cards that all of the student sign. It looks better to display a card but the letters are good English practice!!!
      • Nathan
        posted April 13, 2012 by Nathan  Permalink
        When I was teaching 3-5 year olds with moderate to severe autism, the best thank you would be something they create since they have difficulties with language. Since we had an art/sensory activity everyday using different mediums, this allowed us to send some amazing art(abstract) to our donors. Even the pioture I use in my profile is something they helped create. It still hangs in my classroom to this day!
        • Heidi Leyton
          posted April 13, 2012 by Heidi Leyton  Permalink
           I like the idea of using different art projects. I also teacha class of students with autism, most of whom are non-verbal and unable to write. We have the students use Boardmaker to make choices about what they want to say in their letter. Every comment is chosen by them but it is hard to actually get the students' real voices.
      • Gloria
        posted April 14, 2012 by Gloria  Permalink
         Thanks for the idea of including poems with the thank you cards.
      • Charlyn Fijan
        posted April 14, 2012 by Charlyn Fijan  Permalink
         I like photos too but I think the most important thing to include is a handwritten letter with illustration from the students. Their work is unique and makes a direct connection between the students and the donor. The donors also know that the student spent time thinking and writing about the gifts they received.
    • rikki Fayne
      posted April 2, 2012 by rikki FayneSilver  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

      I know that DonorsChoose only required 6 or 7 handwritten notes per donor, but for my last project, I used all their letters, added my own, then created a cover (with the DonorsChoose logo clearly displayed on the front!), spiral bound it and mailed it off.  I heard from the donor that she was SO excited about the beautiful book, she keeps it on her coffee table in her waiting room...hopefully it will inspire other donors!

      • Daria
        posted April 2, 2012 by Daria  Permalink
         What a great idea! I'll try it next time! Thanks for sharing!
      • Cassie
        posted April 2, 2012 by Cassie  Permalink
         Super idea. I actually received feedback about one of my thank-you packages. For that particular package I kept a weekly journal about the book we were reading and about all of the things going on in my class as a result of that particular donation from Donors Choose. It was a hit!
        • Kari Odenbach
          posted April 12, 2012 by Kari Odenbach  Permalink
           That is a terrific idea! I also like Rikki's idea of the spiral bound thank you letters with a cover! I just had a project funded today and can apply some of these ideas! Thanks so much!
        • All students
          posted April 16, 2012 by All students  Permalink
           This is very thoughtful.
      • Michele Hetland
        posted April 2, 2012 by Michele Hetland  Permalink
         This is a fabulous idea! I will definitely try it on the next go around. What creative thinking!
      • Faith Reeves
        posted April 2, 2012 by Faith Reeves  Permalink
         I LOVE this idea. I buy fun stationary at the dollar store, then use the Thank You package as a lesson in writing Thank You notes. Each student gets to choose from two or three fun papers, then writes their letter. I am so going to borrow your idea next time I write a grant. This is a wonderful idea.
        • Todd Bessey
          posted April 12, 2012 by Todd Bessey  Permalink
           I love your idea of writing letters. I just had my class make thank you cards using construction paper, but I could have them put their paragraph writing to use and write a paragraph about how the donation will be helpful to our classroom!!!
        • Dena
          posted April 12, 2012 by Dena  Permalink
           I am also planning to create our thank you notes as part of a letter writing unit. I usually have my middle schoolers write a thank you note to one of their teachers(or coaches, administrators, etc.) as an "end of the year" project... I'm so excited that this year we will be writing thank you letters for Donors Choose as well!
          • Elizabeth Reynolds
            posted April 15, 2012 by Elizabeth Reynolds  Permalink
             Our classroom wrote thank you letters, as it is one of our main standards in 3rd grade. As an added thank you the students had to explain how the project award was helping to contribute to their education.
        • Vanessa Rosenberg
          posted April 12, 2012 by Vanessa Rosenberg  Permalink
          I love the idea of using it as a writing lesson too :-) My kinders enjoyed me taking a picture of them using their materials. I love the idea of making a book of thank yous...we will definitely do this next time! We love class made books and it so meaningful to the special donors!
        • Kate
          posted April 12, 2012 by Kate  Permalink
           I agree that making the THANK YOU package part of an authentic writing experience really helps validate the whole process for my students and me. I find it really helpful to model and/or use sentence stems with my 2nd graders so that they write more than the 1 sentence they might generate independently?! Another way that I've gotten buy-in from my kids is by allowing or encouraging them to use pseudonyms at the end of their letters. Since they are discouraged from using their surnames, the idea of manufacturing a name REALLY excites my students--go figure?! Anyway, we have a lot of fun and always structure enough time so that we include some artwork too...
      • Ms.Holland
        posted April 2, 2012 by Ms.Holland  Permalink
         That is a great idea, consider me inspired!
      • Jodie West
        posted April 2, 2012 by Jodie West  Permalink
         What a great idea! I never know if my students' thank-you letters make an impact or not on the donors, I am going to try your idea for the next package.
      • anonymous
        posted April 2, 2012 by anonymous  Permalink
         This is a great idea!
      • Veronica Fowler
        posted April 2, 2012 by Veronica Fowler  Permalink
         I love this idea! Making the thank-you notes into a book makes them more special and it makes them more permanent. I have only recently posted my first project, and when the project gets funded, I will make a book with the kids' letters and pictures. Thanks for sharing this idea.
      • Louise Kupfer
        posted April 2, 2012 by Louise Kupfer  Permalink
         What a great idea this is! My students all have special challenges of their own, and this would be something they would take great pride in. They really like to do hands on activities and projects-thanks for the idea!
      • Pat
        posted April 2, 2012 by Pat  Permalink
         I love this idea. I'm sure donors would love to hear from all students. Plus, I'm sure students felt proud to send their thank yous. Very thoughtful.
      • RMS Supporte
        posted April 2, 2012 by RMS Supporte  Permalink
         I love the idea. As a teacher we usually collect the cards and a group of students help me to pick the top seven. There are always some that show strong effort but may not make the cut. As a regular donor as well I love to see that envelope come and check out the cards. It sounds like with a little effort, which can be transfered to some of my top students everyone can be included and a memorable "book" will be the results. Thank you for the idea
      • Mari & Mike
        posted April 2, 2012 by Mari & Mike  Permalink
        I love this idea! Thanks for sharing :)
      • Erma
        posted April 3, 2012 by Erma  Permalink
         That is a great idea! I also include all the children's letters. I think letting the children illustrate them adds a nice personal touch as well.
      • Denise Adkins
        posted April 3, 2012 by Denise Adkins  Permalink
         This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing! I will definitely use this in the future.
      • Dawn Monroe
        posted April 3, 2012 by Dawn Monroe  Permalink
         I love this idea. To be able to share with all the donors the impact that they had on you and your classroom. Even better is that the one donor has it out so that all can see it!
      • Bobbi Jo
        posted April 3, 2012 by Bobbi Jo  Permalink
         What a great idea!
      • Courtney Heath
        posted April 4, 2012 by Courtney Heath  Permalink
         I LOVE this idea...I am getting ready to complete and send my very first thank you package and this is such a great idea. Thanks for sharing. :)
      • Heidi Harrell
        posted April 4, 2012 by Heidi Harrell  Permalink
         I love this idea! I think I am going to use this for the thank you package I am creating right now!
      • Theresa Sapp
        posted April 6, 2012 by Theresa Sapp  Permalink
         What a thoughtful way to say thank you.
      • Jenny Kerola
        posted April 7, 2012 by Jenny Kerola  Permalink
         I love this idea! I currently have my first project on donors choose so hopefully when it's funded, I'll be able to use this idea!
      • Diana Barcelos
        posted April 8, 2012 by Diana Barcelos  Permalink
         Fantastic!
      • Mary Lib Zeigler
        posted April 8, 2012 by Mary Lib Zeigler  Permalink
         Great idea! Others who see the book might be inspired to contribute to DonorsChoose also. I agree with having all of the students write thank you notes. After all, they are actually the primary beneficiaries of the items received. This also serves as an excellent lesson in good manners!
      • K. Schow
        posted April 11, 2012 by K. Schow  Permalink
         WOW! I thought about that, but you tried it! I am going to do that next time! Great choice and I am happy to hear that you even got a response back....Thanks for sharing!
      • Denise
        posted April 12, 2012 by Denise  Permalink
         Wow! I really LOVE that idea! I also think it is great that you heard back from your donor about her displaying it for others to see. I have been struggling for an idea to make our current thank you package memorable. The letters have been typed and a few decorations added, but no WOW factor. Thanks for the inspiration!
      • Wanda Haley
        posted April 12, 2012 by Wanda Haley  Permalink
         Love that idea! Thanks for sharing it.
      • Tracy Braatz
        posted April 12, 2012 by Tracy Braatz  Permalink
         I am new to DonorsChoose, but am excited to have my first project funded and be able to make the thank-you notes. We make a lot of classroom books so what a perfect idea for a thank-you project!
      • Paulette Fonda
        posted April 12, 2012 by Paulette Fonda  Permalink
         Love this idea. Thanks.
      • Jessica
        posted April 12, 2012 by Jessica  Permalink
         Awesome idea! It sounds much more "practical" for a donor to have letters sent like this :)
      • P Miller
        posted April 12, 2012 by P Miller  Permalink
         This is what I do also. My students draw a picture and write a thank you (k's) and we bind it with a cover. Sometimes we add some pictures from our classroom to the cover.
      • Michelle Hanscom
        posted April 12, 2012 by Michelle Hanscom  Permalink
         What a super cute idea. I thought we needed to stick tot he rules of the 6-7 handmade cards. I will definitely go the extra mile. I am just so thrilled when a project gets funded and can't seem to say thank you enough for the generous donations.
      • Kristi Stricklin
        posted April 12, 2012 by Kristi Stricklin  Permalink
         I think that would be an excellent idea for other kinds of project thank-yous, for example donors that support a robotics team.
      • Syhann Shoemake
        posted April 12, 2012 by Syhann Shoemake  Permalink
         I think this is a great idea! Thanks for sharing your thank you package! I think going that extra step to say thank you makes it more special for the kids and the donor. Great Job!!
      • Lexi Coffee
        posted April 12, 2012 by Lexi Coffee  Permalink

         I absolutely agree. It does not take much to have all the students who benefit from the project write a thank you note. This also allows for more donors to receive more letters! As an art teacher, I like to have the students include a drawing or other type of crafty item (homemade card, photograph, etc.). I think it is the least my students and I can do to thank the generous donations given by donors. I think your comment about the donor then displaying it for others to see is great! I never thought about that as a perk!

      • Aggie Sassani
        posted April 12, 2012 by Aggie Sassani  Permalink
         Great idea, Rikki, I will do something like that the next time I receive a DonorsChoose donation.
      • Rhonda Franklin
        posted April 12, 2012 by Rhonda Franklin  Permalink
        This is a great idea. I just had my first project funded and will be using your idea to create the Thank You package. Thanks for sharing.
      • Andrew Wesley
        posted April 12, 2012 by Andrew Wesley  Permalink
        This is an awesome idea. I always send the number requested because I thought extra work would burden their workload. However, it sounds like they were fine with it and that extra effort seemed to be appreciated by the donor. If the donors are happy and feel appreciated, then they'll probably be more inclined to help in the future. Thanks for sharing!
      • Kelli
        posted April 12, 2012 by Kelli  Permalink
        I'm glad to hear that someone thought outside the box and implemented it successfully! I considered making a book of thank you notes the first time I had a project funded, but decided I should just stick to the directions. I wish I'd been less cautious :)
      • Jennifer
        posted April 13, 2012 by Jennifer  Permalink
         This is such an excellent idea! I think that I will try this idea out because I am finishing up my first thank you package next week. Thank you for sharing this idea!
      • Risa Halpren
        posted April 13, 2012 by Risa Halpren  Permalink
         My students actually wrote and decorated thank you letters today. Since we have to write to one donor, I think binding them as a book is a terrific idea! Thanks for sharing!
      • Katherine Sickle
        posted April 14, 2012 by Katherine Sickle  Permalink
         What a fantastic idea! That is so sweet that the donor contacted you. I had a very nice anonymous donor finish my last project but didn't ask for any thank you notes. I really wished my students and I could have done something like that because it was a substantial amount of money and we wanted to show our gratitude. However, I will use your idea when my current project becomes fully funded. Thanks for sharing! :)
      • Nicole Gans
        posted April 15, 2012 by Nicole Gans  Permalink
         I am requesting chapter books for novel units and I think it would be a cute idea to incorporate their thank you cards in a book as well. I was thinking of using a photo album or small spiral bound scrapbook to have students illustrate and write in. An inexpensive yet memorable piece.
      • All students
        posted April 16, 2012 by All students  Permalink
         This is the best idea I've heard thus far. I hope to do the same for our donors before the end of the month!
    • Glenda Johnston
      posted April 2, 2012 by Glenda Johnston  Permalink

      I love to let my little Kindergarten Pandas just create and use their imagination! The cards are pure, and heartfelt. Since I have the camera now I believe I will follow Ms. Taylors Suggestion and add a picture or 2 to the package! 

    • BJ Bowden
      posted April 2, 2012 by BJ Bowden  Permalink

      Having the kids write and do hand made cards is really a great way for the kids to show how much they really appreciate the donations. One of the ways I work with my kids is to really have them give examples of how we are using the item so that the person can really hear from the kids how they are using this item. I am sure the donors love these cards as I love reading and looking at them before I put them in the mail to see what the kids have written. 

    • Gina Pastino
      posted April 2, 2012 by Gina Pastino  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

       My classroom received a Samsung Galaxy Tablet.  I teach students with Autism and I think it is helpful to my donors to see how unique each of my students really are.  Each wrote a handwritten thank you note despite the fact that it was rather difficult for them.  You can see through their thank you notes that they really worked hard. 

    • Laura Williams
      posted April 2, 2012 by Laura Williams  Permalink

      The love and excitement that the students put into their handwritten notes expresses their tahnkfulness.

    • Elizabeth
      posted April 2, 2012 by Elizabeth  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

      The best thank you package I received was from an elementary classroom; they sent me one of the magnets they made with the materials. The magnet is still on my fridge as a reminder. I see it everyday and think of them and Donorschoose!

      • Donna
        posted April 2, 2012 by Donna  Permalink
         I love this idea, sharing something made with the donated materials. I did something similar a few years ago when I sent the first pictures my students painted with their new art supplies. I know as a donor, I would be thrilled to receive something made with the materials I had help to fund.
    • Angie Lancaster
      posted April 2, 2012 by Angie Lancaster  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

       My favorite thank you package is when each of my students create a thank you letter and we bind the letters into a Thank You Book! 

      • Gloria
        posted April 2, 2012 by Gloria  Permalink
         I think I am going to do this for my next thank-you project. We always write handwritten letters but always send them individually. Great Idea!
      • K. Schow
        posted April 11, 2012 by K. Schow  Permalink
         I am going to bind our individual letters this next time as well!! Thanks.
      • Bethany Singer
        posted April 12, 2012 by Bethany Singer  Permalink
         I am just starting my first thank you package and I think that my kids will really enjoy seeing all of their letters made into a book as will the donors enjoy receiving a book of thank you letters.
    • Philip wallen
      posted April 2, 2012 by Philip wallen  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

       I took my students to the computer lab and had them write and print thank you letters.  I was suprised how good the letters were and how much the new stuff had meant to the kids.

      • Jordan Hoffman
        posted April 2, 2012 by Jordan Hoffman   Permalink
         My students also enjoy using the computer lab in addition to coloring and drawing on their own. They are more confident about their writing and can check their spelling beforehand.
        • Gloria
          posted April 14, 2012 by Gloria  Permalink
          I tell my students, "Yes, spelling counts. That is why we are going to type our final draft." This helps them to focus more on what they want to say rather getting stuck on a word and loses their train of thought.
    • Donna Bogard
      posted April 2, 2012 by Donna Bogard  Permalink

      My kindergarten English Language Learners have written hand written 5-6 thank you notes for every project we have had funded, plus the pictures on the site, but i really like the idea of binding all their notes into a book and sending that off--Good idea! I plan on doing that with our newest project that just got funded!

    • Arden Newman
      posted April 2, 2012 by Arden Newman  Permalink

      We also take pictures of students using the materials received from our Donors!  All of the students want to write Thank You cards so we send the whole class of notes and letters in our Thank You Packages.  Student drawings are the best so it is fun to send what ever they create!

    • Anne
      posted April 2, 2012 by Anne  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

       My kids love art projects. My thank you package included cards that were made entirely by the kids.  I gave each of them a snapshot of themselves using the product and that became the cover of the card.  Each card was labored over by the students who used various mediums of paint, crayons, etc.  I even included a card written by one of my parents who happened to be volunteering that day and of course I included my own card.  The students wrote at least one thing they learned while using the blocks or especially enjoyed about them.  I included one 5x7 size class picture.

    • William Brame
      posted April 2, 2012 by William Brame  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

      Student letters are the the one thing that can make or break a thank-you package.  I have my whole class write them but I choose the best 5 to send.  Students can be so kind and clever, for instance one of my theater kids thanked a donor to our spotlight by telling her how important the gift was to our program.  She said it had become like "Mr. Brame's second wife".  Classic.

      • Roben Alarcon
        posted April 12, 2012 by Roben Alarcon  Permalink
         Oh I agree. You really have to read them because sometimes kids are unintentionally rude. When I find that, I ask the student to rewrite the note. I gently explain the issue, but they need to learn manners.
    • Lucille Mozzillo
      posted April 2, 2012 by Lucille Mozzillo  PermalinkShow/Hide Replies

      I only had one project completely funded.  It was actually funded by one individual and they didn't request a thank you package.  So I am interested in reading what others have done, just in case I am able to have another project funded in the future. 

      • Emily Owens
        posted April 2, 2012 by Emily Owens  Permalink
         I have done a few Thank you packages and I always find that my best thank you notes include individual comments and student-drawn pictures. They are cute, they are descriptive, and it is nice to make it a little more personal. I hope that helps!
      • Barbara
        posted April 2, 2012 by Barbara  Permalink
         Even when donors don't request a thank you pkg, I have my students write thank you notes! Even if I don't mail them, I want them to have the experience of saying "thank you". It is important. At my last school the children (high poverty, special needs students) were very disappointed if letters were not required, that's why I stopped telling them!
        • Bonnie Kahl
          posted April 7, 2012 by Bonnie Kahl  Permalink
           I teach similar students in a similar school. I also require thank you cards even if the donor does not want them. I think it is valuable that students understand that people are the reason that we receive the extras that we have gotten. They are often given items that they need because of their poverty but nobody has taught them where they come from. The students love creating the projects/letters. It is always a fun lesson!
        • Wanda Haley
          posted April 12, 2012 by Wanda Haley  Permalink
           Thank you for sharing your story. You made me smile big time!
        • Roben Alarcon
          posted April 12, 2012 by Roben Alarcon  Permalink
           Good idea. I wouldn't tell them either. I love that you have write them because it's the right thing to do no matter what. I wonder why some donors don't request thank you packages. That would make me sad.
      • Sharon Long
        posted April 3, 2012 by Sharon Long  Permalink
         I have not completed my thank you package yet but it's good to hear some great ideas. Can't wait until my students write their notes and see what they will say to our wonderful donators!
      • Lorraine
        posted April 5, 2012 by Lorraine  Permalink
         I have also never had to prepare a thank you package though I have had several projects funded. This Spring I will have to prepare my first two thank you packages. The ideas above have been very helpful. I like the idea of binding the letters into a book. The donor may be more likely to show it around in book form.
        • virginia ott
          posted April 12, 2012 by virginia ott  Permalink
           My last funded project was a large area carpet for my students to sit on. It has five bold colors that are divided into six squares. This defines a child's sitting area. My students wrote thank you letters and mentioned the colored square they sit in. We also did a paper weaving project. The students glued their letters to the paper weaving project. We laminated the letters and used a book binder to bind them. The donor wss overwhelmed with the book and wrote the class an email in response.
        • Gloria
          posted April 14, 2012 by Gloria  Permalink
           Good point about making a book for the donors can show others how one person can help so many! Inspirational!