Activity Packets for Children in the Hospital

Well, it's been a long time since our last Sending Smiles Project, but we are back and have something very exciting just in time for Christmas! Last week I had an "aha" moment as I was at home with sick kids and desperately trying to keep them busy in the house. They were too sick to go outside and play but not so much that they would just hold still and leave me alone, ha! I raided our craft cabinets for crayons and coloring books and they spent hours coloring, writing letters and playing with play-doh. That's when it hit me. IF I were a mom with a child in the hospital, how wonderful would it be to have some activity packs already put together for my sick child and their siblings and visitor friends.

I've seen too many posts on facebook of little children who are struggling with cancer or other terminal illnesses lately. One child that is sick in the hospital is too many. So this Christmas Season, we wanted to send some activity packets to the hospital to give out to the children. I wanted to start out by helping this beautiful family from Texas:

Their 11 year old daughter, Emma was born with a very rare genetic disorder called Fanconi Anemia (FA). It causes bone marrow failure and different types of cancers, often including leukemia. She's had bone marrow biopsies to find a match and recently had a bone marrow transplant, lots of blood transfusions and chemotherapy. She is fighting for her life and we would LOVE to send her some smiles!!

You can follow Emma's family on Facebook: Our Little Taste of Heaven

So right now we are taking donations for these activity packs that we have put together and will be sending to children's hospitals around the country! 

Each activity pack contains: A Character Play Pack (which includes a coloring book, crayons, and stickers), 4 Pack of Playdoh, Pencil, Hot Wheels Car (for the boys) and a Necklace (for the girls), a Lollipop and a pack of Holiday Stationary Cards & Envelopes! The idea with the cards & envelopes is that each child can color a picture and write a message to someone who has brightened their day; Maybe a doctor, or nurse, or someone who came to visit them! A $9 donation would make 2 Activity Packs!!

We are also teaming up with the Ronald McDonald House in Loma Linda, CA to donate new, unwrapped gifts for the patients there. They are also hoping for pajamas. socks or slippers of any size (Families are usually sent there with only the clothes they have on their back!!) I saw these Dream Lites at Target, normally $30 on sale for $15-- so I thought these would be super fun for someone to play with in their hospital bed and see the images projected on the walls or bed sheets! If you wish to donate to the toy or clothing drive for Ronald McDonald house, please indicate what you'd like your donation to go towards! (click on "add special instructions" in the paypal options)

At this time of the year, I know money can be tight. I know we have been saving all year for our family's gifts. But I just have to think about how blessed I am to have all of my children, safe and healthy. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a child with a terminal illness, or to spend the holidays in the hospital. I know that this project will spread smiles across the country and so happy to be a part of this great organization!!

                                                                
100% of Donations will be used to create Activity Packets or Ronald McDonald House Gifts. Please let us know if you have a preference for which project which items your money goes towards!