News and Updates

CHRISTMAS CARDS DECORATED FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS

Detention Centers in Eloy, Arizona. 

Please mail to Karen Kohl by November 13, 2023

2130 Leisure World Blvd., Mesa, AZ 85206

karenkohl89@gmail.com

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Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP) hope is that each detainee receives a decorated card for Christmas. It might be the only thing they receive during the Christmas holiday. 

Employees and volunteers place each detainee’s full name and their nine-digit registration number on each envelope on the front. 

Cards and only the back side of the envelope (flap side) can be decorated with unscented colored pens, coloring crayons, watercolors, markers.  Rubber stamps work great with Christmas designs. Trace a pattern of a Christmas tree, angel, bell etc.

Cards and envelopes can’t have any glitter, no stickers, nothing pasted on, no money, no metal of any kind.

You can write words of encouragement in English.  For example: “Merry Christmas, Do not be discouraged, Peace be with you, Blessings to you this season.”

Each card is opened by a guard in front of a detainee and if anything is not acceptable on the card and envelope, it will be put in the trash. They do not get another card.

I like to place the following items in each card (not mandatory):

• 2024 calendar

• USA map

• One page of a word find puzzle (dollar stores have books for $1.)

I made double sided copies with two on a page of 8 ½ X 11 (USA Map and 2024 calendar).  These are useful items as gifts.  They use toothpaste to stick the cards on their walls.

Thank you for your continued support of this project. We made our goal of over 1000 cards last year from so many churches around the country. God bless you all and the wonderful children involved.

Sincerely,

Karen Kohl

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