Absolutely Incredible Endorsements

In the past 10 years, more than 600 million people have heard about the Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® letter-writing campaign. Here’s what some youth and family development experts and actual letter-writers have to say about Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® and its effect on youth.

Experts Endorse the Day

“I have found that letter writing is an extremely effective, non-threatening alternative and can touch kids when they are alone in ways nothing else can. That’s why I support Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® and invite all adults to write to a son or daughter, grandchild or other child in their lives.” – Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
“A letter of encouragement sent to a child will make the child feel more secure and loved; or you could provide the important pivotal inspirational that will give a child you don’t know hope for a happier, more fulfilling life ahead.” – Sylvia Rimm, Ph.D., director, Family Achievement Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center
“Adults have a unique opportunity and responsibility to let kids know how special and wonderful each of them is. Letters can be powerful tools, because kids feel special when they receive a letter, and its message can be read over and over again. Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® reminds us all of the power of the written word.” – Dr. Frank Farley, professor, Temple University; past president American Psychological Association
“Time and again as a professional counselor, I have seen the huge, positive impact this kind of communication has in a young person’s life. It does make a difference.” – Dr. Gregory Jantz, counselor, speaker, author of Becoming Strong Again: How to Regain Emotional Health
“Writing a letter for Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® can light a fire in a child that will warm both your hearts.” – Carole Lieberman, M.D., Ph.D., talk show host, on-air personality “Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® gives children and adults and opportunity to share important thoughts and feeling. Children should be told they are loved and appreciated in as many ways as possible, and writing these sentiments can be as beneficial to adults as it is for children.” – Pat Baxter, licensed therapist, co-author of An Owner’s Guide to Parenting Teenagers
“A genuine, thoughtful letter from a parent can provide important emotional support to a child. I hope everyone will take the time to write to a child on Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®. It’s an easy way to say you care a lot.” – Barbara Berg, clinical social worker, author of What To Do When Life Is Driving You Crazy
“I write letters, cards, etc., to my kids and nieces and nephews all the time. It helps us get to know each other. It sets a good example and shows kids how to care for others." – Lisa Marie Coffey, Ph.D., TV personality and author of Getting There! Nine Ways to Help Your Kids Learn What Matters Most and The Healthy Family Handbook
“Given the tremendous challenges and threats facing our children today, connecting caring adults and young people is more important then ever. The Partnership for Children and I support the efforts of Camp Fire USA to make such connections through Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®. Take the time to tell a youngster that you care about him or her. This is good for children!” – Jim Caccamo, Ph.D., executive director, The Partnership for Children

Parents Support the Day

“Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to do something special like this for our kids. I know sometimes we get so busy we forget to take the time to tell them just how special they are to us, and just assume they already know. This is such a wonderful way to tell them how wonderful they are!”

– Kristen and Brian, parents of an absolutely incredible kid

“Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® is an absolutely incredible idea sure to enhance kids' lives for years to come.”

– Tamara, mother of an absolutely incredible kid

"What children continue to need most are adults who love them, who teach them, who discipline them, and who stand up and fight for their interests. Each of us can make a difference in the life of some child every day if we are willing to take the time to reach out with care and compassion. Letter writing is an effective way to reach out to the children we love and to assure them of our unconditional love and of our belief in their God-given potential."

– Hillary Rodham Clinton, United States Senator

“I was touched and impressed by the impact of Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®. I honestly believe every adult in the country can make a positive difference in the lives of our children, and this event provides everyone with an opportunity to be involved and make a difference.”

– Tipper Gore, well-known child advocate and wife of former Vice President Al Gore, 1998-99 Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® spokesperson

“Every child deserves to know they are loved and appreciated, and children need adults to encourage them to achieve their personal best.”

– Sen. John Glenn, first American astronaut in space, United States Senator

“Remember as a kid how exciting it was to get a letter in the mail? It still is. I wish you could have seen her eyes light up as she read it— it was wonderful! Thanks for reminding us of the power of telling our daughter how special she is and for giving us another way to let her know we believe in her, treasure her, and love her.”

– Kim and Greg, parents of an absolutely incredible kid

 

Absolutely Incredible Stories

“What I wanted to say to Emily came very naturally. I don’t usually write stuff like this, but I thought it would be a good idea to let my daughter know that I loved her. I get accused of being quiet and introspective. Too often, I hold my feelings in.

“This letter gave me a chance to tell Emily that I love her when I can’t always say the words out loud. She flashed a huge smile and gave me a big thank-you hug for the letter.”

– Mark Matson, father

Senior centers in Texas participated in Absolutely Incredible Kid Day® by writing, not only to young children, but to their own adult children, who were in their 30s and 40s. Some seniors wrote in their native Spanish, and center employees translated for them.

“I had been focusing on myself for a long time. I moved away from my family to New York City, began a new job, and hadn’t really focused on Jonathan in a while. I wanted to focus on him for a minute — to make some time for him. My brother has Down’s Syndrome. He’s had numerous personal challenges related to his health. Through it all, his focus was never on himself, but on my parents and me.

“Due to the Down’s Syndrome, Jonathan has trouble reading. My mother read my letter to him, and they both started crying. He called me right away to thank me and told me ‘You always make me cry, Ronda.’”

– Ronda Music, sister

A 12-year-old burn victim at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, received a letter from a local Camp Fire member encouraging him to focus on life beyond his burn injuries. Hospital staff reported marked improvement in the child’s morale during a very difficult time.

“I waited until the kids were in bed and the house was quiet, sat down at the computer and started writing. I was crying as I wrote the letter. I wanted to tell Daniel how special he was and how proud of him I was. I had Daniel when I was 17, and we’ve both grown up so much together.

“I read the letter to Daniel who intently listened. He blushed a few times, but he hugged and kissed me, thanked me, and asked me to save it for him. I plan to pull the letter out when he enters his teens as a reminder that I did, and still do, love him!”

– Stacie Perrine, mother

A grandmother, who had been out of contact with two of her grandchildren due to a divorce, read a letter over the phone and now enjoys a new relationship with both children. She also corresponds with all nine of her grandchildren, telling them how absolutely incredible they are.

“I was in the middle of a huge project at work when our employer encouraged us to write a letter to a child on Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®. My teenage daughter, Katherine, is such a good friend to her friends, and I wanted her to know that I value her compassion for others. I e-mailed a note to Katherine, but she received it before I could get home to watch her expression.

“She never really said anything to me, but I noticed she’d taped the note to her vanity mirror next to the pictures of her friends and important keepsakes. That was all the affirmation I needed to know I had done the right thing. I hope all parents get the feeling I did when I saw that note on her mirror.”

– Patty Rice, mother

Six years ago, Tana Fedric, a member of the Camp Fire USA First Texas Council, Fort Worth, decided to jot down on paper some affirming thoughts for her 19-year-old son. A few months later he died unexpectedly. She recounted the anecdote in a moving letter to persuade other parents and adults to participate in Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®.