Make a Difference :: MONDAY :: Make a Child Smile

I think it would be safe to say that everyone loves getting "real" mail. There's nothing like sifting through bills, advertisements and junk mail to find a hallmark size, handwritten addressed envelope with the return address of a friend or family member. Even if the note or card inside is simple with a brief message, I can't speak for others, but it just makes my day!

So now imagine you are 8 and experiencing what many of us will never even face in a life time - a life threatening illness. After long days and nights spent in the hospital and one too many days spent at home in bed sick, when all you want to do is join the neighborhood kids playing in the backyard out your window. Since many of them may not be able to move about and enjoy things that once made them smile and happy, imagine what a simple cheerful and personal card can do to one of these children or their siblings, who have been fighting alongside their brother or sister.

This is why Make A Child Smile was started. Once you spend even a few minutes on their website, you will be inspired to make or buy a simple card with a few encouraging words or fun stories written inside. Each child has a bio that includes the type of illness, their birth date, a paragraph describing their interests, etc. These boys and girls are fighters and have gone through more in their short lives than many of us will ever experience.

I also love how this organization not only encourages brings a smile to these children with life-threatening illnesses, but also gives you the opportunity to send a card to their siblings as well. Growing up we had a very close family friend who had lukemia when she was only 3. Her three older siblings spent a lot of time at our house while their little sister and parents went to the hospital for chemo or other medical reasons. Although we enjoyed ourselves, these three siblings also struggled with their sister. They dealt with some heavy stuff! These siblings (and parents too!) need just as much encouragement to continue to fight for both themselves and their sibling.

I love this organization! I am going to try to write at least one child a week and also make a birthday calendar to send birthday cards during each month.

Check it out! A simple, fun, and extremely practical way you can not only make a difference, but {Make a Child Smile}