Making General Cards
General cards are cards that have a general uplifting message, rather than one specific to a hospital or season. These are cards that we distribute year-round each month, rather than during a specific time of year. The guidelines for making general cards can be found below. These guidelines were created in consultation with Child Life Specialists at our partner hospitals.
1. Gather up some supplies!
You can make a card with simply crayons and paper, or you can gather a bunch of supplies. It is entirely up to you.
You are welcome to use craft supplies, such as: stickers, stamps, etc., so long as the products are not excessive to the point of falling/rubbing off the card (this can create health concerns for some kids). This is especially important to keep in mind when using glitter. Every week, we receive cards with excessive amounts of glitter and are forced to throw those cards away.
Rubbing your finger across the glitter, stamp ink etc., to ensure that little to nothing rubs off, is typically a sufficient way to tell whether the product is excessive.
2. Addressing the card:
Since we do not yet know the child's name, please make sure you do not address the card to a specific person.
If you want to address the card, here are some suggestions:
3. Writing on the front/inside of the card
We recommend writing uplifting messages inside of the card. At the request of hospitals, we ask you not to write "Get well", "Feel Better" or other illness-related comments. We prefer to focus on the child as a whole, rather than their illness. Some of the kids that receive our cards suffer from chronic, life-threatening and/or terminal conditions. Some may also be facing uncertainty regarding their treatment and diagnosis. This is why it is important to write uplifting messages rather than "Get Well" or other illness focused comments.
We recommend writing the following uplifting messages:
These messages focus on the child as a whole, rather than their illness, which is important, according to Child Life Specialists. You can also come up with your own uplifting comments. If you want us to review your comments, feel free to contact us.
4. Make sure that you do not...
- Include any personal information, such as: phone number, address, email address etc. Hospitals will not allow us to distribute cards with this information.
- Write any religious comments such as "God Bless" or "I'm praying for you". Hospitals do not allow us to distribute cards with these comments. Hospitals treat patients of all religions as well as patients that do not practice religion.
5. Sign your name:
Now, sign your first name on the card. (Please do not sign your last name).
If you wish to, you can also sign your state, such as "Katie from Nebraska", or organization such as "Girl Scout Troop # 777" or "Ann Marie from UBS in Washington DC".
6 Lastly, mail out the cards:
Cards for Hospitalized Kids
7290 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
Please include a return address so that we can send a thank-you letter after your cards have been distributed.
You can make a card with simply crayons and paper, or you can gather a bunch of supplies. It is entirely up to you.
You are welcome to use craft supplies, such as: stickers, stamps, etc., so long as the products are not excessive to the point of falling/rubbing off the card (this can create health concerns for some kids). This is especially important to keep in mind when using glitter. Every week, we receive cards with excessive amounts of glitter and are forced to throw those cards away.
Rubbing your finger across the glitter, stamp ink etc., to ensure that little to nothing rubs off, is typically a sufficient way to tell whether the product is excessive.
2. Addressing the card:
Since we do not yet know the child's name, please make sure you do not address the card to a specific person.
If you want to address the card, here are some suggestions:
- "Hey there"
- "Hey you!"
- "To: a very special person"
3. Writing on the front/inside of the card
We recommend writing uplifting messages inside of the card. At the request of hospitals, we ask you not to write "Get well", "Feel Better" or other illness-related comments. We prefer to focus on the child as a whole, rather than their illness. Some of the kids that receive our cards suffer from chronic, life-threatening and/or terminal conditions. Some may also be facing uncertainty regarding their treatment and diagnosis. This is why it is important to write uplifting messages rather than "Get Well" or other illness focused comments.
We recommend writing the following uplifting messages:
- Stay strong
- You are awesome
- Never forget how amazing YOU are
- You rock
- I hope you have a great day today
- You shine brighter than the sun
- You inspire me
- Be Brave
- I believe in YOU
These messages focus on the child as a whole, rather than their illness, which is important, according to Child Life Specialists. You can also come up with your own uplifting comments. If you want us to review your comments, feel free to contact us.
4. Make sure that you do not...
- Include any personal information, such as: phone number, address, email address etc. Hospitals will not allow us to distribute cards with this information.
- Write any religious comments such as "God Bless" or "I'm praying for you". Hospitals do not allow us to distribute cards with these comments. Hospitals treat patients of all religions as well as patients that do not practice religion.
5. Sign your name:
Now, sign your first name on the card. (Please do not sign your last name).
If you wish to, you can also sign your state, such as "Katie from Nebraska", or organization such as "Girl Scout Troop # 777" or "Ann Marie from UBS in Washington DC".
6 Lastly, mail out the cards:
Cards for Hospitalized Kids
7290 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
Please include a return address so that we can send a thank-you letter after your cards have been distributed.
