Personalized coloring book journals for children of deplo...
Personalized coloring book journals for children of deployed or fallen U.S. soldiers
Idea Description
Launch a grass-roots effort to engage the creative community (artists, writers, etc.) in producing personalized, keepsake coloring books for children of deployed or fallen soldiers, as a way for kids to express and journalize their feelings, hopes and fears. These would be special in that they would be individualized with the first name of the child and family members, and perhaps even family pets, and could serve as tool to encourage children to communicate openly. The effort would be funded primarily through charitable contributions from the community (businesses, churches, and social organizations) as well as government grants as available.
What will you do if you win $10,000 for this idea?
I'd use my own time and resources to recruit appropriate professionals to write a business plan on a volunteer basis, and have research conducted to secure long-term funding. The $10k would go directly toward production/distribution of 10,000 initial coloring book journals, 80% of which would go to children in need (as identified through military associations, school counselors, etc.), and 20% of which would go to media and potential donors to raise awareness and funds. Concerted efforts would be made to secure free printing/distribution so every dollar is stretched. The booklets could even be designed as self-mailers to save on postage.
Vote for it now.
I think this is a great idea. My brother-in-law is a career army Major and has been deployed twice already to Iraq. I know his family members would have loved to receive one of these personalized books.
I think this is a great idea. Yet, I think you are making this way too complicated and the book is too hard to get and produce.
If you have all the personalization on the front, back, and maybe one other page; then you could find a printing press that can be adjusted for very thick paper. Then set the type for the person and just run one of the standard booklets thru to personalize it. This should include the address, so you could just seal it and mail it. MS Word is able to do this easily! The problem is getting a printer to accept the booklet like card-stock.