photo drive: help brighten the day of some sick kids
Monday, November 16, 2009 by Guest Shutter Sister 
Some time ago, a year or two, maybe, I was talking to my friend Kelly on the phone. She was having a bit of a rough time of it, so I spontaneously said, "Give me your address. I want to send you something." She gave it to me, and later that day, I slid a photograph of a sunflower in an envelope with a note that said, "Hey -- a friend of mine once told me that she couldn't look at a sunflower without smiling. Hopefully this will work for you, too." Then I stuck a stamp on it, and put it in the mail.
Over this past summer, I saw Kelly at the BlogHer conference, and at one point she mentioned that she still had the photograph, placed in a location where she could see it. "It works," she said. "I smile when I look at it."
I was so touched that she told me this, and it made me realize that photographs can be so powerful, you know? I mean, words are definitely meaningful, but you send someone an email, often it eventually gets deleted. Letters are better, but even those get tucked away in a drawer or a shoebox, to be looked at only occasionally. But images, man, they get displayed. They're constant little reminders of memories, or sweet sentiments.
So then I started thinking: if photographs are so powerful, maybe I can do something with them, you know? It's getting to be holiday time, and while we tend to do things for the needy (donate old clothes or cans of food, that sort of thing), I was thinking that it would be cool to do something more tangible this year. So I came up with this idea:
What if we just sent photos (or handmade postcards) to people at hospitals who won't be able to go home for the holidays, and who could use a little brightening up around their beds? I thought to start with, we could send photographs for the kids at Texas Children's Hospital -- photographs (or art cards), with perhaps a little sentence on the backs of them that will help lift spirits, and our names (or aliases) and our hometowns, so they know someone is thinking of them from far away? That way they can have the image next to their beds at all times ...
... who's with me?
If this sounds cool to you, here's how it would work:
1. Print a favourite photo of yours -- one you're proud of, one that is meaningful for you, whatever. Please, no smaller than 4"x6", and no larger than 8"x10". It can be of anything -- your favourite pet, a flower, a sunset, whatever. You can print one or more, or lots of prints of one image, or lots of prints of lots of images. Whatever. It's up to you. And seriously: this doesn't have to be professional quality -- just pick a photo you've taken that you love. If it means something to you, trust me, it will mean something to the person who receives it.
2. On the back of the image(s), say something sweet. It could be the story behind the picture, or just a short, lovely sentiment, or whatever. I spoke with the Volunteer Services officer at Texas Children's Hospital, and she had some advice:
- nothing religious in nature (like "Merry Christmas!" or "Happy Hannukah!" or whatever, since we don't know the religious backgrounds of the kids who will be receiving the phtoographs or cards)
- nothing that says "Get well soon!" because well, frankly, some of the kids won't be getting well
- restrict your notes say the kinds of things that a kid would love to hear. You know, things like "You're amazing!" or "You rock!" or "Dream big dreams!" or "Sending you warm thoughts!" You get the idea.
3. Also on the back of the image(s), sign your name (or alias, if that makes you more comfortable), and the city/country you're writing from. Because I'm thinking that the kids would be tickled pink to receive photographs from far away places like "Fargo, North Dakota," let alone "Auckland, New Zealand."
4. Send your photo(s) to me postmarked no later than November 30th, 2009, to the following address:
Karen Walrond -- Chookooloonks
650 W. Bough, Suite 150-108
Houston, Texas 77024
United States of America
and I'll be sure to get your image(s) to the hospital.
So, are you in? I hope so. Just think of the karmic cool points you'll get from doing this.
If, instead, you'd like to organize your own photo drive in your community, by all means, go for it! Before you do, however, here's a couple of pieces of advice you might find helpful:
2) Find out how late the organization will accept the photos, and adjust your deadline accordingly. You want to make sure that any international participants will have enough time to get their photographs to you, so you can include them in the package you deliver to your organization.
On that note, go forward and make merry. I can't wait to see the photographs you share with these kids.
(Crossposted at Chookooloonks)
Reader Comments (28)
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=965
Thank-you for organizing such a wonderful mission!!
this idea rocks. i'm just one city over from you, and i'm excited to get some images in the mail to you!
Thanks for an inspiring idea. My son and I are taking a sick day today, and I'll let him choose. :)
Why I put it in this way is: I know those who have a deep antichrist spirit will skip over, or drop out, once it become obvious, this being a Christ glorifying message, rather than being a message that puts “Jesus the Christ” and all that He stands for down.
Yes, sad but true just the same, we seemingly move into more of a Christ denying…also a Christ hating society day by day. However, the truth of the matter is: this should not be a surprising issue for believers. For just like within this world that our God of love has created, He has given us both light and darkness. As we each know there is a time for both. The light makes it more convenient for working and getting things done, whereas, darkness makes it more convenient for rest from all the work we’ve accomplished during the daylight hours, as all will know.
Within the spiritual realm it is pretty much the same. The difference being: now we’re to work while it is yet day, in preparation of our soul’s salvation. The night (which, much of it, we’re now within.) is for checking out…as a person would do when in preparations for making a long trip. For they sure don’t want to forget anything. Also making preparations for a long, long trip, the electricity is soon to be turned off.. After which, they’ll not be able to see anything, therefore making it very hard to stumble around in the darkness making preparations to make their departure.
To make a long, long, story short folks…we’re now within the preparedness hour. What I’m saying in shorter words…will we now get ready…put differently…will we now set our house in order…or, will we chose, by not doing so, to be left behind?
John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
WilliamDunigan
keep a lookout for a photo from Singapore!!!:D
A lifeguard at my favorite Beach (Rehoboth Beach, DE) goes out in the mornings, when the water is calm, on his surf boards and lets the dolphins come to him. There is something so peaceful and wonderful about the photo that I just love to share it.
It will be in the mail by the end of today.