Q. What are your fees?
A. We have no fees! This is a free service. We will, however, accept donations, which will go towards postage, cards, and other expenses.
Q. Is Tori Joy's Smiles for children with chronic illnesses?
A. Our mission is to send smiles and joy to children going through all sorts of difficult circumstances, including being in foster care, being bullied at school, having an injury that causes them to be hospitalized or homebound, going through the divorce of their parents, going through the loss of a loved one, being the victim of a crime, being homeless, being in a family experiencing severe financial issues, etc. Chronic illness would definitely also count as a difficult circumstance.
Q. Is it safe for me to have you send mail to my kids? Who is sending this mail, anyway?
A. We screen the members of our group, although we can't yet do full background checks. (Most other mail-sending organizations do not do full background checks either.) Your child's name, address, and other info is given to members of the group, but is not published anywhere on the site for the public to see. If you feel uncomfortable giving out your child's address, you may choose to use an alternate address, such as a neighbor, your work place, a P.O. box, a church, etc. You can also choose to give only your child's first name, or even their initials. The mail will still get to them.
Q. I'm a foster parent. I often have foster children who could use some support, but my agency does not allow me to disclose the names or any other info of the children in my care.
A. Feel free to contact us! If you tell us the general ages and genders of the children in your care, we can send cards and packages with generic greetings such as, "Hi there!" (as opposed to "Dear Jenny." You can also ask us to send batches of generic cards, which you can give out to whichever children you think need them.
Q. Can I ask for a bunch of cards to be sent around a specific date, such as my child's birthday or the first day of school?
A. Yes. We call this a "card shower!" When you make your request, just let us know that it is for a specific occasion.
Q. Should my children write back to the people who send them mail?
A. This is completely up to you, and them. Some parents like their kids to write back, or send thankyou notes, to help them practice their writing skills. Members of our group would certainly be glad to hear from them! But it is certainly not required.
Q. I know an adult with special needs who would love this kind of thing. Would you send cards to him/her?
A. Sure! We can't send cards and other goodies to every adult who demands them, of course... but if you refer an adult with special needs, a senior citizen, or someone who is homebound, we can send them something.
Q. How can I join your group? I want to help!
A. We'd love to have you! Click here to learn how to sign up.
A. We have no fees! This is a free service. We will, however, accept donations, which will go towards postage, cards, and other expenses.
Q. Is Tori Joy's Smiles for children with chronic illnesses?
A. Our mission is to send smiles and joy to children going through all sorts of difficult circumstances, including being in foster care, being bullied at school, having an injury that causes them to be hospitalized or homebound, going through the divorce of their parents, going through the loss of a loved one, being the victim of a crime, being homeless, being in a family experiencing severe financial issues, etc. Chronic illness would definitely also count as a difficult circumstance.
Q. Is it safe for me to have you send mail to my kids? Who is sending this mail, anyway?
A. We screen the members of our group, although we can't yet do full background checks. (Most other mail-sending organizations do not do full background checks either.) Your child's name, address, and other info is given to members of the group, but is not published anywhere on the site for the public to see. If you feel uncomfortable giving out your child's address, you may choose to use an alternate address, such as a neighbor, your work place, a P.O. box, a church, etc. You can also choose to give only your child's first name, or even their initials. The mail will still get to them.
Q. I'm a foster parent. I often have foster children who could use some support, but my agency does not allow me to disclose the names or any other info of the children in my care.
A. Feel free to contact us! If you tell us the general ages and genders of the children in your care, we can send cards and packages with generic greetings such as, "Hi there!" (as opposed to "Dear Jenny." You can also ask us to send batches of generic cards, which you can give out to whichever children you think need them.
Q. Can I ask for a bunch of cards to be sent around a specific date, such as my child's birthday or the first day of school?
A. Yes. We call this a "card shower!" When you make your request, just let us know that it is for a specific occasion.
Q. Should my children write back to the people who send them mail?
A. This is completely up to you, and them. Some parents like their kids to write back, or send thankyou notes, to help them practice their writing skills. Members of our group would certainly be glad to hear from them! But it is certainly not required.
Q. I know an adult with special needs who would love this kind of thing. Would you send cards to him/her?
A. Sure! We can't send cards and other goodies to every adult who demands them, of course... but if you refer an adult with special needs, a senior citizen, or someone who is homebound, we can send them something.
Q. How can I join your group? I want to help!
A. We'd love to have you! Click here to learn how to sign up.