SERVE at Home is a way for your family to spread kindness and help our community on your own, anytime, anywhere! We want to keep Austin volunteering all week long!

Let’s get crafty and make some fun and cheerful activity cards for children who are in the hospital.

You will need to provide the supplies for this activity. You can complete this activity on your own anytime during the month.

Activity Directions

Supplies Needed:

• Construction paper or blank cards
• Markers or crayons
• Stickers, stamps, or other art supplies you may have at home
• A mailing envelope and postage

To start, make fun and colorful designs on the front of your cards. You can include drawings, stickers, stamps and more. Please avoid glitter as it can rub off and can cause health concerns for some kids.

On the inside of your cards, include a message:

• I hope you have a wonderful day!
• You are the coolest!
• You are strong!
• Wishing you laughter and happiness!
• You rock!
• Sending you sunshine!
• Or anything else fun, positive, and uplifting! You can write a joke or draw a picture.
• Please do not put anything religious on the cards. Please do not say anything such as, “Get well soon!” or “Feel better soon!” on the cards as we want the focus to be on the child, not their health condition.

Sign the cards with your first name only. Examples include:

• From Katie in Austin, TX
• Your friend John from Texas

Please try to make 3-5 cards and mail them directly to:

Cards for Hospitalized Kids

7290 W. Devon Avenue

Chicago, IL 60631

Activity Requirements

• This activity is great for all ages!
• This activity is a part of our Family Volunteering program and designed to be a family experience. At least two family members, including at least one adult, are required to work alongside each other for these activities and experience volunteerism together.

SERVE at Home Activity Format Information

Our SERVE at Home activities are a way for your family to spread kindness and help our community at a time that suits your busy schedule! If you are new to this format of service, be sure to read all the details in the link before you RSVP. SERVE at Home activities are usually listed on our calendar at the end of each month, and they should be completed at your family's convenience during that month unless a more specific deadline is outlined in the activity requirements.

Once your family gets started, be sure to take pictures as your family works together on this project so we can certify your submission when you are done. The photos submitted should clearly demonstrate all volunteer’s engagement in the specified SERVE at Home activity and should not be reused at any time.

After you RSVP, we will send you a confirmation email that includes a link to our SERVE at Home form for submission of the photos and information needed to cerifty that your family has completed this activity. This form must be submitted within 7 days of this calendar listing to earn service hours credit in our system, and submissions received after the deadline will not be accepted. SERVE at Home hours are entered manually and often take to 2-3 weeks for process.

More About Our Partner

Cards for Hospitalized Kids was started by a teenager who spent a lot of time in the hospital during her childhood. Her goal is to make kids who are hospitalized feel loved and special. Making these cards will let them know someone is thinking of them. Homemade cards are distributed in all 50 states.