Answer the Call: How to Help Houston Kids Now

For weeks, Kids Meals has encouraged those who are able to decorate lunch sacks (they need more than 6,000 bags every day!) and drop off certain food and drink items. To learn how to help, click here.

The Arts of Healing Foundation, which unites the worlds of art and medicine by celebrating art as therapy and raising funds for hospitals and causes, has put out a similar call for help. Its Heart of Art initiative seeks to deliver craft kits to pediatric patients and their families under strict quarantine in the hospital and at home. “Imagine being confined 100 percent of the time to a small hospital room with only one caregiver allowed in the room — no exceptions,” says executive director Kristen Collins. “No other visitors, no family, no one other than medical staff.” She says that sending these kids crafts and educational activities will help them feel loved and supported.

Arts of Healing has set up an Amazon Smile account so supporters can purchase basic craft supplies to be included in one-gallon zip-lock bags along with handmade cards for nurses and doctors. The organization’s staff will sanitize, label with stickers and deliver to fellow nonprofit Sunshine Kids for distribution to hospitals. The group is asking participants to disinfect all items and surfaces, and use gloves (plus proper hand-washing, of course) for assembly, and to contact Collins at collinskristen7@gmail.com to arrange the drop-off of completed bags.

Another way families can come together to support some of the individuals most impacted by COVID-19 is through BIG Love Cancer Care’s fun run on Sunday. The patient-support organization is inviting folks to enjoy some fresh air in the name of charity. Participants can register online and print bibs from the registration confirmation email; on Sunday, get out and walk, run or bike (while maintaining proper social distance). Participants will receive a fun-run t-shirt with the phrase “#InThisTogether.”

In the last month, BIG Love has delivered groceries, supplies, hot meals and gift cards to pediatric hematology and oncology patients and their families who are unable to leave their homes due to being in a high-risk category.

AT TOP: Arts of Healing’s cards for doctors and nurses accompany craft kits delivered to pediatric patients.