Create For Kids is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to providing art and entertainment to children in hospital, through cards, kits and care packages.
The organisation is partnered with many different children’s hospitals in America, including Children’s Minnesota Hospital and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, however, has branches worldwide in countries such as India, Singapore and Canada as well as many more.
This means that, although there are opportunities online for those not near a branch there is also the chance to volunteer in person through one of the chapters, or even to set up your own chapter if there is not a branch in your area.
Volunteering can be done from anywhere by posting cards, kits or care packages to either a P.o. box or directly to a hospital where volunteers distributing cards can go through them to give each child a card specific to their interests, ensuring that every child in the program will enjoy and appreciate their card.
When asked how members of the public can help support their work Suma Gadde, Founder of Create for Kids replied, “I know a lot of people want to help paediatric patients, but don’t know how or where to start. We offer several opportunities for you to make your impact and gain volunteer hours. All ages and countries are welcome to volunteer with us. Whether you volunteer virtually, in person or donate you are guaranteed to make an impact on a kid's life!”
While working with children in hospitals the organisation aims to show these children that they are not alone, and help them to cope with their illness, as well as allowing them to explore their own creativity as they connect with people from all around the world.
The idea being for the art to uplift and inspire the children, as well as the volunteers helping to make and distribute the art and packages.
When asked what the inspiration for setting up this organisation was Gadde replied,” I witnessed many kids go to the hospital growing up, and I remember in my second grade class we made cards for a local hospital. There wasn’t an organisation that did something like this near me and I thought to start it up!”
If you would like to volunteer or support the Create for Kids organisation, this would be greatly appreciated, their website is www.createforkids.org
