We've been reading The Day It Rained Hearts in preparation for Valentine's Day and the premise of the book is that it starts raining hearts and Cornelia Augustus collects them and makes special Valentines cards for each of her friends. We've been talking about sending valentines and who we want to spend special notes to and we decided to send them to one of our very favorite organizations - Cards for Hospitalized Kids.
Cards for Hospitalized Kids collects homemade cards and distributes them to children in hospitals all over the country. There are a few requirements (no glitter and a few restrictions on the messages you can write), but other than that they just ask that they're encouraging!
Once you're done with the cards, you just pop them in a big envelope and mail it to
Cards for Hospitalized Kids
6567 N. Olmsted
Chicago, IL 60631
I set out a bunch of different supplies including our new heart punch (seriously - so easy!!! Luke can do it and he had the best time punching out lots of hearts for all of us to use) and let the kids go to town. I had a few ideas in mind, but they had their own ideas, so I didn't stress :)
You can't put any identifying information on the inside, but you can sign your name and say where you're from.
We ended up with close to a dozen cards and before we packaged them up we prayed over them and the kids who would be receiving them. We prayed for their families and doctors and that they would feel Christs love and our prayers when they received the cards.
This was a super easy and fun way to spend some time after school. The cards don't have to be elaborate and it's a great way to craft and then not be overwhelmed with keeping all of the art. ;)
I'm hoping to do this with the kids a couple of times a month and challenge you to pop a few in the mail as well.
If you need more ideas (and a few templates) you can read about the cards we made last time HERE... just keep scrolling... it's at the bottom of the post.
See y'all tomorrow for Friday Favorites!!!
PS - This post contained affiliate links which means that if you clicked on a link and purchased an item, I may receive a small commission. THANK YOU!
What a fabulous idea!!! You have managed to make it about others and be fun for the kiddos. You are a wonderful role model! I think I'll have my teens make some cards ASAP!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome!! What a great idea, friend!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, Andrea!! The Slaughter kids love when we get out the craft stuff. I need to do this with them ASAP!
ReplyDeleteI love this!!! Going to do it with both my son and work kids!!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good idea!!! And now, I want a heart hole punch. Just because.
ReplyDeleteWell, isn't this the sweetest little idea! Good job, mama!
ReplyDeleteI saw your last post about this and at Thanksgiving my boys and all their cousins made cards for the winter holidays and New Years. It's a such a great idea for all ages and as I always remind my boys...a little bit of kindness goes a long way. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteMy students did this last year when you first posted about it and we sent almost 400 cards! Seeing that Lent has just started and I have been encouraging my own children to either sacrifice something that they really enjoy, or do extra acts of kindness, this is a great activity. We often pray for the sick people that we don't know, and this is a concrete way for my children to pray and then act on the prayer. Thanks for sharing the idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing these ideas and resources! This is something I'd love to do with my children.
ReplyDeleteI love this idea!! Thanks for sharing, I had never heard of Cards for Hospitalized Kids!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love this post! I teach middle school & have some students who are always out of things to do by our study hall at the end of the day. This would be such a great way to keep them busy & make a difference!
ReplyDeleteI love love love this x1000 😃
ReplyDeleteP.s. You have the sweetest little ones!
Love this so much! We will definitely send some cards sometime soon.
ReplyDeleteWell this is just the sweetest thing ever! Thank you so much for letting us know about it. I can't wait to make some with my kids!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute family project! I think I am going to do this during Bible School this year as a service project for the kids!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful thing to do. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI love that you prayed over the cards before you sent them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet idea!! Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeletesooo cute! i'm from Chicago! and never knew this was up my alley. Most def will be doing this with my kiddos
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