25 Days Of Volunteering—Day 16: Create Cards of Cheer For Hospital Patients

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — 'Tis the season for giving back to your community. There are a number of ways that you and your family can help others through the holidays.

Every day through Christmas, Patch will be highlighting a way you can provide compassion and resources to those in need.

Volunteer New York! makes it easy to find ways to help — through donations, supporting nonprofits and even volunteering from home.

Today's opportunity is volunteering to create "Cards of Cheer" for The Winifred Masterson Burke Rehabilitation Hospital | http://www.burke.org

Burke Rehabilitation Hospital invites volunteers to help enhance the patient experience by creating "Cards of Cheer." These colorful cards with positive messages will then be distributed to (adult) patients at the hospital to help brighten their day. Volunteers may complete this project from the comfort of their own home, workplace, or school and on their own time. Community service credit can be granted upon request.

To create Cards of Cheer:

• Keep cards simple and easy to read
• Use white or colorful construction paper and markers
• Be creative and decorate cards; colorful pictures and stickers are welcome
• Consider simple inspirational messages such as:
  • "Healing thoughts"
  • "Best wishes for continued recovery"
  • "Thinking of you"
  • "One day at a time"
  • "Warm wishes for recovery"
  • Uplifting quotes (please keep them on the shorter side)
• If cards are winter holiday-themed, please write "Happy Holidays" to be inclusive and mindful of patients of all backgrounds
• Feel free to sign your first name and last initial, or first and last name (optional)

Important tips:

• Do not write "happy" (unless it's "Happy Holidays" for winter-themed cards); patients are going through a difficult time
• Do not write in pencil since it can be difficult for patients to read
• Be sure to write in clear, large print (avoid script)
• No envelopes, please
• No glitter, please
• No religious references or pictures, please

This is a self-directed project:

Express interest here to record this opportunity in your Volunteer New York! profile and to alert the opportunity coordinator.

Create cards of cheer following the guidelines above.

Deliver or mail completed cards of cheer to:

ATTN: Robin Goldberg, Director of Volunteers
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Building 7
785 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605

Check out all the volunteer opportunities around the Hudson Valley by visiting the Holiday Volunteering web page.