We Agree

“No! I disagree!”

That was the first part of our conversation with one of our trusted advisers. This was sparked when we highlighted our first “big” donation to a hospital….a standard DVD player. They highlighted how they still have all their old school Disney movies AND some of their overall favorite movies on VHS. So when it came time to consider getting a DVD player, they disagreed. Later we asked if they had DVD player.  Turns out they had a DVD/Blue Ray player. And owned the majority of those movies on DVD and/or blue ray.

“I just think that money should go to hospital supplies!” We definitely agree that gloves, gowns, medication, etc are all essential. The only thing is that our overall goal is to uplift the spirits of these children. We strive to take their mind off their condition by doing fun things such as opening a card or watching a DVD; able to simply tap one button and automatically skip a “scary” scene in a movie.

We’re thankful that some of the hospitals we partner with have the latest systems in their playroom and independent TVs for each room. That’s soooo important. But it’s a shame, that although there are multiple patients in a room, some hospitals don’t have a TV in any of the patients’ rooms. So we’re going to focus on partnering with some of the smaller hospitals we send cards and provide them with “fun activities”. Here are pictures from one of the playrooms:  

           

At that hospital they only have a VCR in their playroom with VHS tapes. We learned they have a partnership with Disney. Based on that they have some DVDs, but those can only be played on the two “mobile” TVs with video game systems that can play discs.

So although a trusted adviser doesn't think that we should spend money uplifting spirits with electronics, We Agree that we can continue to find ways to brighten these kids’ day. Here’s a pic of the staff holding the brand new DVD player, as well as, posing with some cards.

 

Now we just need to make sure they have the best movie of all time, The Lion King!....yeah we're a bit biased.... but the adviser who disagreed has it too!!

#upliftingspirits #weagree

To see more pictures and stories please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter , visit our Google+ page, or visit our LinkedIn page!

Guaranteed Good Time

We only have about a couple weeks left. Please make sure you pick your favorite three cards!

How it works is that everyone selects their favorite three cards. Then we invite the artists who made the TOP 5 cards to come play games and make crafts with pediatric patients and their families. Based on the continual excitement from the past events it's clear that meeting up with these patients is a Guaranteed Good Time. 

Click here to vote: Top 5

To see more pictures and stories please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter , or visit our LinkedIn page!

#upliftingspirits #guaranteedgoodtime

They Are Special

ART BOXES!!

Now that we started fundraising we decided to dedicate some of our funds to purchasing art supplies and little boxes for some of our hospitals. How it’ll work is that when kids get admitted, they can immediately get a little plastic box that will have glue sticks, construction paper, markers, and supplies to make necklaces. Our goal is to help these kids feel special, even if we’re unable to deliver a card at that time. Also, in the future we’ll work to raise funds to help update some of the fun equipment in hospitals.

Our volunteer work has shown that children are DEFINITELY happier in playful settings that keep them active and interested.  Our hope is to eventually meet that need for hospitals by identifying their specific needs for art supplies and to secure fun equipment to make the hospital stay kid friendly.  We will work to make sure the child's needs for fun are met.

In summary, our overall goal is to make sure the children know that THEY ARE SPECIAL no matter the size of their hospital.

If you would like to participate in helping please feel free to make a tax deductible donation. 

Here’s a link to make your donation:

Art Supplies Donations

#theyarespecial #upliftingspirits

To see more pictures and stories please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter , or visit our LinkedIn page!

Nope I'm All Set!

Often people get a bit nervous when they first make cards! In front of them lies a LARGE table FULL of markers, construction paper, scissors, glue sticks AND, if that wasn’t enough, three and a half bottles of glitter glue. Then they remember all of our ranting and raving about how each hospital guarantees that ALL the cards will be hand delivered. That means that in a couple weeks a little child will be holding their modified construction paper.

Other folks start to get scared because their masterpiece may be the only gift this child gets. Since A LOT of the hospitals we work with are too small to receive other donations, their gift could be the only thing the child receives to uplift their spirits.

Finally, there are those who begin to shake because their card may be some children’s first interaction with ANYONE in the United States! As of December 6, 2013, Cardz for Kidz! has sent 175 cards to children outside of the USA; four separate countries.  

BUT DON’T WORRY! We’re here to help. Below is a list of some cute sayings that can be used to create your world renowned cards. After reading these suggestions, if someone asks, “do you need any ideas?” Your response can be “NOPE I'M ALL SET”

English:

Frog:

·       Time’s fun when you’re having flies

·       You make my heart leap

·       Why are frogs lucky? They get to eat what bugs them!!

·       Oh, HOPPY DAY!!!!!

Garden:

·       If friends were flowers, I’d pick you!

·       All the flowers of tomorrow are in seeds of today.

·       Friends are the flowers in life’s garden. You’re in full bloom!!

·       If you had a flower for every time someone thinks of you, you could walk forever in your garden

Laughter:

·       A smile is a whisper of a laugh. Thanks to you we’re all telling secrets.

·       Everyone laughs in the same language. Thanks to you we’re all fluent!!

Happiness:

·       Free hugs!!!  One size fits all.

·       You’re entering the Hug Department.   Always Open!!!

·       Happiness adds and multiplies when we divide it with others. Thanks to you we’re doing the math!

·       Thanks to you our happiness is homemade.   (use with “jams” pies, breads….

§  Seasoned with love.

§  Mixed with kindness.

§  Stirred with sincerity.

§  Blended with love.

·       Happiness isn’t the easiest thing to find, but one place we’re guaranteed to find it is in your smile.

Other:

·       Sending you lots of big hugs

·       Wishing you sun shiny days
·       You're One in a Minion or You're One in a Melon
·       We Owl Love You
·       You're perfect in every way

Spanish:

Sonreir:

·       Sé feliz.

·       Tú me haces sentir feliz.

·       Cuando pienso en  ti me siento en las nubes

·       Sólo una tarjetita para hacerte sonreír.  

·        

Sol y Flores:

·       Te envío unos ratitos de sol.  

·       Saludos desde mi rinconcito del mundo

·       Eres las más hermosa de todas las flores

Abrazos:

·       Aquí tengo un abrazo que lleva tu nombre.  Te lo envío con todo mi corazón.

·       Sólo quiero enviarte un fuerte y cálido abrazo.

·       Un abrazote mío sólo para ti.

·       Te mando un gran abrazo

·       Te mando este caluroso abrazo

·       Te envío un abrazo caluroso / grande / enorme/ fuerte

·       Te mando un gran saludo

·       Enviándote un abrazo

Otros:

·       Que tengas un día grandioso.

·       Pienso en ti.  Sólo quería que lo supieras.

·       Que hoy sea un día de buenos momentos.

·       Te envío un gran saludo.

·       Pensando en ti.

·       Un amigo como té es difícil de encontrar, fácil de querer y difícil de olvidar.

·       Que tu vida esté colmada de sueños que se hagan realidad.

·       Que todos tus deseos se vuelvan realidad

·       Tu haces mejor la vida.

·       No me digas que tu madre no es pastelera, porque un bonbón como tú no lo hace cualquiera

• ¡Eres Flan-tastico/a!

Spanish Teens:

• Tú eres especial. Eres fuerte, todo lo puedes superar. Recuerda que aquí hay alguien a quien le importas. Serás un gran ejemplo para tu familia y amigos. Recuerda: Eres especial y nada es imposible.
• Recuerda que tú eres increíble y más fuerte que todos. Tú lograrás tus objetivos. Cuando crezcas recordarás todo lo que superaste y te vas a acordar de esta carta. Sigue adelante. Eres fuerte, eres positivo. Confía y mira hacia el futuro. Tus sueños se harán realidad.

Somali:

• Waa la ku jecel yahay
• Lftiinkaaga waa weyn
• Noloshu was safar

Arabic:

• أنت محبوب

French:

• Tu es un rayon de soleil!
• Passe une journée magique!
• Tu es extraordinaire!
• Je n'ai que d'yeux pour toi!
• Tu es fantastique!
• Tu es parfait!
• Briller comme une licorne!
• C'est cerf-tain que tu es formidable!
• Tu es super!
• Tu es chouette!

Portuguese:

• Você é amado
• Te mando um abraço animado 
• Continue sorrindo
• Nunca diga que eu não posso, sempre diga que vou tentar.
• Que todos os seus desejos se realizem.

German:

• Ich wünsche dir einen erholsamen Tag!
• Du bist einzigartig!
• Du bist ein Sonnenstrahl!
• Du bist süß!
• Du bist fantastisch!
• Du bist perfekt!
• Du bist unglaublich!
• Du bist super!
• (Harry Potter Card) Glaube an deine Magie!

Simplified Chinese:

• 祝你有一个积极向上的一天！
• 你是最闪亮的那颗星！
• 你很美“喵”！
• 你是冠军！
• 你是我的小苹果！
• 祝你有神奇的一天！
• 你很可爱！
• 我的眼里只有你！
• 你是超人！

Special thanks to Senora Kalata, Sarah F, Elvis, and DePaul Modern Language Department for researching and finding these key phrases.

#upliftingspirits #nopeimallset

To see more pictures and stories please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter , or visit our LinkedIn page!

Helpful Hints

Since we guarantee each hospital that NONE of the cards will say ‘Get Well Soon’, we look through every card that’s made. 

Based on our experience of reading over 5,000 cards here are some Helpful Hints:

1. Use glitter glue  rather than sprinkling glitter on glue
• Glitter glue makes it much easier to transport the cards. Also stays on card better
• Okay and let’s be honest. Our couches are covered in that sprinkle glitter J
2. Sign your first name on all your cards so they seem more personal
• Now that we have locations ranging from Alaska to New York it’d be fun to state your city too.
• We asked some of our friends at Senior Living and Elementary Schools to write their ages as well.*
3.  At the end of the quarter, keep your eye out for the OVERALL TOP 10
• The top artists are invited to make cards with children at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. Please reach out if your masterpiece is selected.
4. Based on the long distance the cards have to travel, we do not recommend gluing on small “fuzz balls”
• Our concern is that they may come off during the shipping. Either way still works. Still looks good. But be careful.
• Limit the religious references or specific holidays (i.e. Christmas)
• We can’t promise those cards will be delivered room to room since they must go through a separate group at the hospital.

Either way we can deliver all the cards as long as they don’t say ‘Get Well Soon’, but we still wanted to provide these Helpful Hints!

#helpfulhints #upliftingspirits

*From,

Your Buddy in Chicago,

Marcus, Age 82

To see more pictures and stories please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter , or visit our LinkedIn page!

Today's Special!

Here’s a question we often receive.

Do you guys accept cards on….

• The last Thursday in November?
• Yup we definitely do! Kids LOVE turkey cards and we’re thankful!!! :) 

• December 25^th?
• Yeah!!! It’s a shame that kids are in the hospital at this time, but receiving cards around the holidays would definitely cheer them up!

• January 1^st?
• Yes for sure! Getting a creative card is an excellent way to start out the year!

• February 14^th?
• Of course! The kids would LOVE to receive cards this day

• Well what about March 10^th, May 11^th, August 11^th, October 2^nd…..
• YES!!! Those dates are all PERFECT too!

Now some may say, “wait wait there’s no picture under those dates! They’re not holidays so they’re not important.”

Our response: no picture no problem!

Although it’s horrific that some kids spend holidays in the hospital, hospitalization is traumatizing no matter what day of the year. Based on our conversations with volunteers and staff, we learned that more people donate around “special” dates. Don’t get us wrong, if you are contributing, don’t stop that is AMAZING!!

It’s just Cardz for Kidz! believes that no matter what day of the year, Today’s Special, and we need to make sure the kids feel cherished each and every day!

#todaysspecial #upliftingspirits

To see more pictures and stories please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter , or visit our LinkedIn page!

*FYI. Dates were selected because this post was written on 11/8/2013 at 1:15pm. Those dates are all just mixes of those numbers used to convey that every day is important!

Not Too Thin!

It’s official. Cardz FROM Kidz! has launched;  our partnership with the Salvation Army and Little Brothers – Friend of the Elderly!!!

Background. How it works is we ask grade school students to make cards. Then grade school teachers get to choose if they’d like their students’ cards to go to isolated seniors or to hospitalized and/or traumatized children. If teachers don’t indicate a preference, we split it up to make sure we have enough cards for the seniors, as well as the children.

Now some may think, “Cardz for Kidz! is still in the growth phase! They shouldn't expand to reach other citizens.” Our response: it’s a partnership. Actually, we’re benefiting more! The seniors at the Salvation Army’s Booth Manor and Little Brothers- Friends of the Elderly, have created and donated THREE times as many cards as we've sent them.

Our buddy, Shirley at Booth Manor, posing with some cards that she made during the first event. 

During her free time she made 40 more cards. 

This partnership touches “solitary seniors” and “hospitalized and/or traumatized children”. Often these seniors get encouraged knowing that not only is someone thinking of them, but the cards they’re making are uplifting a child’s spirit. This inspires them to make even more.

A picture of Christine an employee of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly posing with the cards made by elementary school students in Maywood, Illinois. Also, with cards that her participants made for patients.

In summary, our elder friends are activated to create more cards. Based on that partnership in terms of spreading ourselves….we’re definitely Not Too Thin!

#upliftingspirits #nottoothin

To see more pictures and stories please check out our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter , or visit our LinkedIn page!