http://sendasmile4kids.blogspot.com/

Card-makers unite!

Here is a chance to craft smiles for hospitalized children, their families and their caretakers…

Send a Smile 4 Kids is a volunteer group that collects handmade cards from crafters and distributes them to Children’s Hospitals in the US and Canada. 

Card designers send Birthday, Valentine, Thank-You, and other holiday or non-specific cards but leave them unsigned to be used by hospital staff, patients or patient’s families. Children may receive these cards or send one; imagine the pride a kid will feel by giving a card and a moment of happiness to someone else- very empowering!

I encourage you to read the guidelines before creating your cards, but here is a synopsis from their site:

• Cards must be handmade
• From a smoke-free environment only
• Specifically made for kids 1-19 years old
• Avoid loose glitter
• Leave insides blank
• Upbeat cards only, no “get well” or “sorry you’re sick”
• Include envelopes
• No religious themes or symbols

Please see their site for address to mail cards and further details.  http://sendasmile4kids.blogspot.com/

The organization also appreciates donations to cover their postage costs. (Do shipping rates ever decrease?)

Keep common sense in mind when designing; nothing that can be pulled off and wind up in a young child’s mouth for example; older kids will appreciate cards that aren’t too childish.  Get your crafty friends together and create for a cause. Most of all… have fun!

Smiling at you,

Catherine 

CraftaSmile.com