Service Party Location Option: The Hospital

Much thought went into where we wanted to serve.  We visited many locations during our "pennies of time" adventures.  In the end, we settled on helping out two hospitals.  One is very near our home.  The other is not as near but specializes in serving children.  (****NOTE:  I think that we've changed our location, but the following still applies.  More on the *new* place that is also a medical facility later.)

There are two elements to consider when planning to help a hospital 1) patient privacy and 2) infectious diseases.  Hospitals need to protect their patients, and so service projects need to make sure that they do not cause concern in those two areas, in particular.  Also, we need to make sure that our little ones are kept safe from germs as well.

To get this going, I started contacting the Volunteer Coordinators in the local hospitals.  You may be given another person to contact.  Be prepared for a general sense of "nice idea, Lady, but what can kids do" . . . and don't let it derail you.  Give them time to think about it, be prepared with suggestions, and be open to the ideas that they have.  Follow-up if you haven't heard back from them and then don't forget to close the communication loop to let them know what you have decided to do.

What we are doing (and they are all called "secret" because we are Secret "Service" Agents, ssshhhhhhh):

Secret Task #1:  Place "Coin Bags" at the Vending Machines  (the kids LOVE this one)

Secret Task #2:  Deliver Thank You Flowers to the Nurses' Stations  (this is what the hospital wanted)

Secret Task #3:  Deliver "Smile Cards" for the hospital to deliver to patients

At the beginning of the party, we'll make get well cards with jokes and take them to the hospital.

Secret Task #4:  Make and Deliver "Busy Books" for children in the hospital

What is a "Busy Book" . . . explanation from the Children's Hospital

Busy Books for Kids – Often our patients and their siblings are looking for

an activity to do while waiting for appointments. Assemble a “Busy Book” to entertain them as they wait. One of the easiest ways to make these books is by purchasing coloring/activities books and tearing the pages apart, and then attaching several pages together. Use ribbon, yarn or staples to secure several coloring pages, mazes and/or word games into a small packet. You can also print coloring/activity pages from child friendly websites such as http:/ /www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/. We ask that you attach at least3 different colored crayons to the back. Busy books are always on high demand.

Secret Task #5:  Toiletry Kits . . . explanation from the Children's Hospital
 Toiletry Bags – Our patient families often come unprepared to spend the

night. Assemble small bags of personal items including shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, hairbrush and any items that the families would need. We recommend these items be travel size.

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Deodorant (men and women)
• Hairbrush/Comb
• Body wash/bars of soap
• Disposable razors/shaving cream (men and women)
• Lotion
• Hairclips/ponytail holders
• Women’s sanitary items

Helpful Links:
List of Children's Hospitals by State (not sure if list is complete)
Kids' Activities Has Ideas for Service Donations for Hospitals
Consider a Ronald McDonald House in your area.
An Example of what one Children's Hospital says would be helpful.

Detailed List of Ideas Document from Children's Medical Center at Legacy (loaded at acrobat.com)