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The origin of the Christmas seal is an inspiration to youngsters everywhere and helps children understand how one simple idea put into action has lasting effects! This event happened over one hundred years ago in Denmark when a kindhearted postal worker thought of a way to help unfortunate children by selling a special stamp—or “seal”—during Christmas season. The seal was in addition to the regular postage but raised money for charitable causes like hospitals for children. With the millions of cards crisscrossing the country at Christmas time, he not only raised funds but spread the word on every card that was received. His idea caught on in other countries and eventually came to the United States where Christmas seals helped pay for research to reduce terrible diseases that were often fatal. Today the Christmas seal tradition continues with funds dedicated to other health issues. Think what you could do with a simple idea to help others! This issue may inspire something new!
In this issue budding philanthropists will:
- Read expository text about the history of Christmas seals
- Unscramble words to spell cities correctly
- Scour the illustration to locate hidden items for mail delivery
- Find Christmas seal patterns
- Hunt through the newspaper for stories of helping and kindness
- What’s your point of view? Compare giving and receiving in an opinion piece
- Design your own Christmas seal and write about what you would do with the funds you raise
- Understand that philanthropy comes in all sizes and incomes
6 page PDF
