During the holidays, and when we’re considering our New Year’s resolutions, we think about ways that we can help people in our communities. If your child has ever had to stay in the hospital, you know the stress and fear that comes with the territory. Families with children in the hospital deal with financial and logistical challenges in addition to facing health issues, providing care, and coping with grief.
Whether you have had personal experience with children in the hospital, or simply wish to learn more about helping children and their families, Phoenix Children’s Hospital provides several ways to get involved.
Hold a fundraising event. Bring people together for a race, a bake-off, a talent show, a flea market – anything that raises money can be donated to nonprofit hospitals like Phoenix Children’s. Get your work, your religious organization, or other community groups involved.
Volunteer at the hospital. People over the age of 16 who are in good health can apply to be volunteers. Jobs for volunteers include teaching, tutoring, answering family’s questions, transporting patients, assisting with therapy and rehab, and more.
Join a charitable group. There’s no need to start from scratch with community organizing. Check out the groups you can join to help hospitalized kids.
Donate blood. Donating blood helps people in your community and beyond recover from injuries and illnesses. Blood has a limited shelf life, so there is always a need.
Donate items. Books and toys help children learn, develop, and bond with their families and friends. Hospitals have donation guidelines for health and safety, because children may have special diets or medical concerns.
Donate money. Do your research when donating money. In addition to supporting nonprofit hospitals directly, you can also help by donating to foundations. Rare diseases seldom receive grants or federal funding, and charitable foundations fill in the gap.
Learn from families. When people face difficult situations, we often don’t know what to say. We fear saying the wrong thing. A good way to avoid this is to reach out and listen compassionately to parents of children in the hospital. Give them an outlet, and ask how you can help. Could you prepare a meal, or do some household chores?Sometimes, simply being there is the best you can do.
