We ask that you read and follow these simple guidelines before making and sharing your cards.
-All cards must be handmade - no computer card-making programs please, such as Hallmark, etc. and no store bought cards.
-Please DO NOT SMOKE while making or packaging cards for our kids. We cannot give sick children cards that smell of smoke.
-All cards should be made specifically for children ages 0-19.
-Please use loose glitter sparingly (make sure to shake off excess) - stickles or glimmer mists are a great alternatives to regular shake-on glitter.
-Small embellishments such as brads, buttons, googly eyes should not be used on cards intended for very young children (choking hazard).
-Please leave cards completely blank on the inside so the nurses and staff can write messages to the patient and their family. If there is something on the inside of your card, we can cover it with a blank inside piece or you can.
-Keep the cards upbeat (no "sorry you're sick", "get well soon", etc.), these cards are intended to take the focus off of the hospital and just be a cheery holiday, or any day greeting. **We would ask for fewer cards that are specifically for birthdays. A fun card that would work for any day can be used by the staff for a birthday card, but a card that says specifically Happy Birthday can not be used for a child not celebrating a birthday while in the hospital.**
-If you are able to, please include envelopes, especially if your cards are not the standard A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2). If you cannot provide envelopes, you can still send cards and we will provide envelopes where needed.
-The hospitals ask that we not include religious symbols or themes in the cards. Many families have many different faiths and beliefs and the hospital staff is not always aware of what faith a child is.
-Suggested deadlines: Halloween and Fall Cards October 10th; Christmas December 1st; Valentines January 20th; Easter: 3-4 weeks before the day it falls on this year; Mothers Day (to give to the children to give to their Mom) April 30th; Fathers Day (for Dad from the hospitalized kids) May 20th.
If we receive cards later, we will save for next year or try to get delivered before the holiday. We accept any type of children's card anytime as long as it follows these guidelines. Please remember everyday cheer cards too and think of our teenage patients when designing cards as well, as that is the type of cards we receive the least of.
-All cards must be handmade - no computer card-making programs please, such as Hallmark, etc. and no store bought cards.
-Please DO NOT SMOKE while making or packaging cards for our kids. We cannot give sick children cards that smell of smoke.
-All cards should be made specifically for children ages 0-19.
-Please use loose glitter sparingly (make sure to shake off excess) - stickles or glimmer mists are a great alternatives to regular shake-on glitter.
-Small embellishments such as brads, buttons, googly eyes should not be used on cards intended for very young children (choking hazard).
-Please leave cards completely blank on the inside so the nurses and staff can write messages to the patient and their family. If there is something on the inside of your card, we can cover it with a blank inside piece or you can.
-Keep the cards upbeat (no "sorry you're sick", "get well soon", etc.), these cards are intended to take the focus off of the hospital and just be a cheery holiday, or any day greeting. **We would ask for fewer cards that are specifically for birthdays. A fun card that would work for any day can be used by the staff for a birthday card, but a card that says specifically Happy Birthday can not be used for a child not celebrating a birthday while in the hospital.**
-If you are able to, please include envelopes, especially if your cards are not the standard A2 size (4 1/4 x 5 1/2). If you cannot provide envelopes, you can still send cards and we will provide envelopes where needed.
-The hospitals ask that we not include religious symbols or themes in the cards. Many families have many different faiths and beliefs and the hospital staff is not always aware of what faith a child is.
-Suggested deadlines: Halloween and Fall Cards October 10th; Christmas December 1st; Valentines January 20th; Easter: 3-4 weeks before the day it falls on this year; Mothers Day (to give to the children to give to their Mom) April 30th; Fathers Day (for Dad from the hospitalized kids) May 20th.
If we receive cards later, we will save for next year or try to get delivered before the holiday. We accept any type of children's card anytime as long as it follows these guidelines. Please remember everyday cheer cards too and think of our teenage patients when designing cards as well, as that is the type of cards we receive the least of.
-About Donations Thank you for your support of SAS4Kids! We do have expenses such as envelopes, shipping and blog costs and if you would consider donating a check to help with those expenses, it would be greatly appreciated. You may send with or without a donation of cards.
Please send your check and/or donated cards to:
SAS4Kids c/o Sarah Taylor, 3419 7th Ave., Sioux City, Iowa 51106 OR
SAS4Kids, C/O Karen Hasheck, 5507 Hickory St., Schofield, WI 54476 OR
SAS4Kids (Canada) c/o Shelley Dureau, 20125 Bruce Ave., Maple Ridge BC V2X9P2 , Canada OR
other addresses found here on their blog.
-Please include an email address and your name so we can acknowledge your gift of cards or monetary donation.
SAS4Kids c/o Sarah Taylor, 3419 7th Ave., Sioux City, Iowa 51106 OR
SAS4Kids, C/O Karen Hasheck, 5507 Hickory St., Schofield, WI 54476 OR
SAS4Kids (Canada) c/o Shelley Dureau, 20125 Bruce Ave., Maple Ridge BC V2X9P2 , Canada OR
other addresses found here on their blog.
-Please include an email address and your name so we can acknowledge your gift of cards or monetary donation.
-If you would like to be a huge help to us, you could contact us and we will send you the SAS4Kids back label that you could print and attach in advance of sending in. And/or if you could label the cards in groups of boy or girl, birthday, holiday or everyday that would be great. You do not need to tuck the envelope or put the cards in plastic envelopes. You do not need to add a back label or label the cards, but it would be a great help to us if you did.
Other than that, let your creativity run wild and put some smiles on those little faces!! You may sign or stamp the back of your cards if you wish, but please no advertising or large back labels. All cards received will be labeled "Send A Smile 4 Kids" on the back.
Thank you again! We can't wait to see what you send us for our kids!
Other than that, let your creativity run wild and put some smiles on those little faces!! You may sign or stamp the back of your cards if you wish, but please no advertising or large back labels. All cards received will be labeled "Send A Smile 4 Kids" on the back.
Thank you again! We can't wait to see what you send us for our kids!
