Cheerful Encounter - Cards of Care

We appreciate your concern for our patients at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Through the generosity of our community supporters, we are able to distribute cards & handmade items to our patients.

Cheerful Encounter

Our Cheerful Encounter program welcomes various handmade items for our patients. You can participate
on your own, or even get a small group together for these “at home” projects! Your activity choices can include:

Blankets – We are always in need of blankets for our teen and adult patients. You may use any colors or fabrics,
as long as they are new and hypoallergenic. A good size is approximately 50” x 60”. Blankets are a tremendous
comfort to the patients while they are in the hospital, as well as something that they can take home with them.

Pillows - We provide patterns to sew heart-shaped pillows for our heart patients and jelly bean pillows for our cancer
patients. The heart pillow is used for support when the heart patient needs to cough or perform deep breathing
exercises after surgery. You may use any style fabric, but please make sure it is new.

Fundraising - Feel free to be creative with hosting a fundraising event for the patients. This fund helps provide activities,
games and crafts for inpatients and outpatients.

Call Volunteer Services for ideas for school groups or Girl or Boy Scout troops!

Cards of Care

Many patients will come to our facility from around the world for medical treatment. We will be a home away
from home for these patients. During their stay, they are often subjected to long treatments and recovery
periods. Daily mail delivery with a “thinking of you” card from another person can be the perfect distraction to
help them through this difficult time. All greeting cards are reviewed by our staff before they are distributed to our
patients. If you or your organization is interested in creating greeting cards for our patients, we have a few guidelines:

Greetings: Your greeting inside may include your name or group name. Please keep in mind that these cards
will be given to patients of all ages. The degree of illness will vary from mild to terminal, so you will want to be
cheerful. Some suggested greetings include, “Hope you’re feeling better,” “Thinking of you,” or “Have a nice
day” rather than “Get well soon.” To help accommodate our complete patient population, we are also in need
of cards in foreign languages. In addition, Holiday greeting cards are always welcome! Please make sure that
they are delivered to us at least 2 weeks in advance.

Size: A total size of 4 ¼” by 5” is the most useful size. A sheet of 8 ½” by 11” folded 2 ways is perfect! This way
we are able to easily distribute the cards on the patient meal trays. (Envelopes are not necessary)

Materials: Be as creative as you like! You can personally design and decorate the outside by drawing, coloring
or painting. Use of sparkles, glued items, and puffy paints are acceptable.

We offer two ways of delivering your donation:

1. Schedule a time to drop-off your donation at the Volunteer Services office by calling: 909.558.4654

2. Mail your donation to us at:

                Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
                Volunteer Services
                11234 Anderson St.
                Rm. 1191
                Loma Linda, CA 92354