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COMMUNITY SERVICE AT HOME
For Grades 6-12. If you have a busy schedule and can't make it to the library to volunteer, you can still earn community service by making cards for hospitalized kids at home and donating them back to the library! See below for the "Rules" Section on how to decorate your cards and the "Directions" Section on how to donate them and receive your community service credit.
DIRECTIONS: If you need community service, to receive your volunteer credit you must...- Decorate and write uplifting messages in cards made of cardstock, construction or computer paper. See below sheet for rules on how to decorate and what to include in your cards.
- Fill out this Google Form.
- Drop your cards off at the Adult Reference Desk on the main floor of the Gold Coast Public Library any day or time the library is open.
- After receiving your donated cards and Google Form, Teen Librarian Alex will review them and email you a community service certificate. If you have any questions or need Alex to sign any community service form, email her at acivorelli@goldcoastlibrary.org. Three donated cards = 1 hour of community service.
- DECORATION. You can decorate the card how you wish and use different craft supplies like stickers, markers, etc., as long as it won’t fall or rub off the card. No glitter please!
- ADDRESS. Since we don’t know the name of whoever will receive your letter, DO NOT address it to a specific person. If you want to address the card, here are some suggestions:
- “Hey there!”
- “Hey, you!”
- “To: A Very Special Person”
- WHAT TO WRITE. At the request of hospitals, please DO NOT write “Get Well,” “Feel Better,” or other illness-related comments. We prefer to focus on the child as a whole, rather than their illness, and some kids that receive the cards suffer from chronic, life-threatening and/or terminal conditions. Instead, please write uplifting messages of your own creation, or use an example like:
- “Stay strong!”
- “You are awesome.”
- “You rock.”
- “I hope you have a great day today.”
- “You shine brighter than the sun.”
- “You inspire me.”
- “Be Brave.”
- “I believe in you!”
- OTHER RULES. Please DO NOT include any of your own personal information. Also, DO NOT write any religious comments like “God Bless” or “I’m praying for you.” Hospitals treat patients of all religions as well as patients that do not practice religion, and therefore cannot distribute cards with religious messages.
- SIGNATURE. Please sign your name, but DO NOT include your last name. You can also include your state and/or the library if you wish!
The Gold Coast Public Library will be donating these cards to the organization Cards for Hospitalized Kids. Thank you for donating your time and helping sick kids smile!