From January 21 through March 20, Calabasas High School is collecting new, unopened items to donate to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA). The drive is being led by the CHS Science National Honor Society (SNHS). Donations were instructed to be turned in to the club advisor.
However, SNHS is currently looking for a new teacher advisor. Following a recent event on campus where a club bypassed their supervisor to host a speaker with a sexual assault conviction, the liability of being a club advisor has discouraged some teachers from continuing their overseeing roles. The science department has declined requests to advise the club and has informed club presidents that they will no longer be picking up clubs.
The goal of the drive is to support young patients during difficult hospital stays. SNHS Co-President Abigail Freeman explained that the idea came from wanting to make a difference in children’s experiences at CHLA.
“We were inspired to do this drive because there are a lot of children at CHLA, and we want something for them to do while they’re there,” Freeman said. “While they’re in the waiting room or getting treatment, we want them to have fun things like sketchbooks or colored pencils to keep them company and remind them that people care about them through this tough time.”
Treasurer Shreya Kesari said the upcoming holiday also influenced the club’s decision.
“With events like Valentine’s Day coming up, we want to help spread love to children,” Kesari said. “We thought one good way would be making care kits, so we could make kits out of our donations and send them to the kids in the spirit of Valentine’s Day.”
Donated items will be organized by the club members and sorted into activity kits that will be delivered to the children’s hospital.
The club’s board is encouraging meaningful donations. These will include sketch pads, drawing paper, and coloring books.
Kesari shared what types of donations the club hopes to receive to donate to CHLA.
“We’re looking for activities that can be used for children of a variety of ages, like markers, crayons, coloring books, and anything easy to use and enjoyed by all people,” Kesari said.
The club chose to create activity kits instead of collecting toys to make donating easier for students.
“That way, if one person donates markers, another person donates sketchbooks, we could put it together, and each person who’s receiving this has a variety of tools to use,” she said.
Freeman shared the motive for the drive and why they are making activity kits.
“Creating activity kits makes it easier to get more people involved,” Freeman said. “The things we’re collecting are items people often have at home or can easily buy. Also, activity packs are easier to make, so more kids can have them and not feel left out.”
SNHS hopes to make kits to give to the hospital before the end of the drive.
“We’re aiming to put together 150 kits,” Freeman said. “If everyone in the club donates, I think it’s a reachable goal.”
Freeman believes that the kits will provide both comfort and distraction for young patients.
“I think it’ll give them something to do and remind them that people care about them,” she said. “They’ll have an activity to distract them from the tough times they’re going through. When they are in the hospital, there’s not much you can do. This can help take their mind off things.”
The club has extended the drive through March 20 to reach its goal. SNHS is also partnering with another campus club, Mindful Wellness, to write letters to children at CHLA.
All donations will be distributed through CHLA’s volunteer department. The activity kits will help provide distractions to youth during stressful times, and they will receive kits during treatment or upon discharge.
In addition to the children’s drive, the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles and Porto’s Bakery and Cafe are also doing a collaboration, where people can send an electronic Valentine’s Day card to a patient for free. For every card sent by February 13, Porto’s Bakery and Café will donate $1 to CHLA’s Children’s Fund.
Printed cards and messages will be hand-delivered by CHLA’s Child Life team to patients in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
Carol Hamamoto is the Director of Child Life, Expressive Arts & Therapies, and Volunteer Resources at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
According to CHLA.org, Hamamoto stated, “Exchanging valentines gives kids an opportunity to extend kindness toward others.”
Hamamoto also explained the motivation for creating the digital cards.
“We realize the importance of this tradition for our hospitalized patients who miss out on the parties and card exchanges with their friends and family members,” she said. “Our team creates a celebration that includes heart-shaped balloons, goodie bags, and Valentine’s Day cards with special messages from our community supporters.”
Through donations and letters, CHS students are hoping to improve the lives of children who are facing medical challenges.
