Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Founded2011 (2011)
FounderJen Rubino
FocusHospitalized and seriously ill children and adolescents
Location
Websitewww.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com

Cards for Hospitalized Kids is an American national charitable organization based in Chicago that was founded in March 2011 by Jen Rubino. The mission of Cards for Hospitalized Kids is to provide hospitalized children with hope, joy and magic through handmade cards. Over 500,000 kids have received cards from Cards for Hospitalized Kids since inception. [1] [2]

Individuals and groups across the United States, and abroad, get involved with Cards for Hospitalized Kids by making handmade cards and sending them to Cards for Hospitalized Kids for distribution in hospitals.[3] Cards for Hospitalized Kids has received support from multiple celebrities such as Lauren Conrad, Nastia Liukin, and Aly Raisman who send in cards and autographed pictures for Cards for Hospitalized Kids to distribute in hospitals.[4][5] Individuals and organizations also become involved with Cards for Hospitalized Kids by hosting their own card-making events where they make cards for Cards for Hospitalized Kids to distribute in hospitals. IndyCar racer Graham Rahal, who is involved with Cards for Hospitalized Kids, and his foundation hosted their own card-making event for Cards for Hospitalized Kids in May 2012.[6] Dolphin trainers at Sea World San Diego also hosted their own card-making event for Cards for Hospitalized Kids in December 2011.[7] As a result of this national support, thousands of children at more than 150 hospitals and Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide have received cards from them. Cards are delivered to hospitals monthly. In 2013, Cards for Hospitalized Kids began to receive international support with cards arriving from other countries such as Japan, Australia, and Israel.[8][9]

Cards for Hospitalized Kids has utilized social media tremendously.[10] They continue to spread the word through their Facebook and Twitter accounts, which has helped them gain support from people around the world. Tweets from MTV Star Lauren Conrad resulted in nearly 500 additional Twitter followers for them.[2] Another way Cards for Hospitalized Kids has spread the word is through the media. Cards for Hospitalized Kids has been featured in many publications such as International Gymnast Magazine, the Sun Times, the TribLocal, Teen Voices Magazine and MTV Act among others. Founder Jen Rubino has also blogged about Cards for Hospitalized Kids and her own experience in the hospital for the Huffington Post.[11] They also maintain a website.[12]

Cards for Hospitalized Kids and its founder, Jen Rubino, have received multiple honors and awards for their service. In November 2012, Founder Jen Rubino received the Daily Point of Light Award for her work doing Cards for Hospitalized Kids.[13] The award was created by President George H. W. Bush to "honor individuals and groups creating meaningful change in communities across America". To this day, President Bush continues to sign all of the awards.[14] In June 2013, Founder Jen Rubino was awarded the Prudential Spirit of Community Award from Prudential Financial for her work doing Cards for Hospitalized Kids.[15] The Illinois House of Representatives also recognized Cards for Hospitalized Kids and Founder Jen Rubino in a resolution in which they detailed some of the accomplishments of Cards for Hospitalized Kids and expressed congratulations to Rubino on receiving the Prudential Spirit of Community award.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "More than 500K handmade cards later, a Park Ridge native is still spreading joy to kids in the hospital". WGN News. 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  2. 1 2 Delgado, Jennifer (December 14, 2011). "Park Ridge teen's illness spurs national endeavor". TribLocal. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Jennifer (March 16, 2012). "Maine South junior sends smiles to sick kids with greeting-card effort". Sun Times. Archived from the original on 2013-02-03. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  4. ↑ Walker, Caroline. "[Interview] Meet 17-Year-Old Jen Rubino, Founder of Cards for Hospitalized Kids". MTV. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
  5. ↑ International Gymnast Magazine. April 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120413044606/http://www.internationalgymnast-digital.com/internationalgymnast/201204?pg=12#pg12. Archived from the original on 13 April 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Make A Card For A Hospitalized Child At The 500 Festival Kids' Day". Indianapolis Star. May 9, 2012. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  7. ↑ Clausen, Joy. "SeaWorld Dolphin Trainers Make Cards for Kids". Blog. Sea World Blog. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  8. ↑ Marrazzo, Amanda (23 January 2013). "Cards for Hospitalized Kids helps kids deal with loneliness". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  9. ↑ "Special Delivery from Jen Rubino!". Teen Voices Magazine online. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  10. ↑ Vadhan, Opal. "Interview with Jen Rubino, Teen Founder of Cards for Hospitalized Kids ". Differences Magazine Online. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  11. ↑ Rubino, Jen (7 August 2012). "4 Things I Learned From Living With a Chronic Illness". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  12. ↑ Hooda, Fatima (March 1, 2012). "Supergirl!". The Mash. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  13. ↑ "Jen Rubino". Points of Light. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  14. ↑ "The Daily Point of Light Award History". Points of Light. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  15. ↑ Johnson, Jennifer (10 June 2013). "Senior Honors Program salutes achievers". Park Ridge Herald. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2013.
  16. ↑ "House Resolution". Illinois General Assembly. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2013.

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