April 30, 2011
My daughter and I first found out about the Alexandra Chiles Foundation through the Stanford Hills Chapter of National Charity League in 2000. Sadly, Alex had died just a few months before we joined NCL. We learned about the work she did creating various crafts and bead projects for hundreds of hospitalized children while herself fighting her battle against cancer. Here we were: a healthy mother and daughter. Our own volunteer work paled in comparison to what Alex had done.
Over the past ten years I have worked on Alexandra Chiles Foundation projects with both of my daughters. We have packaged beautiful craft kits for hospitalized children who crave something to do while recuperating. The instructions for preparing the kits are lovingly laid out with clear attention to detail. The kits are a gift in themselves and then through craftsmanship become a gift for sick children to use or give as gifts to others. The packaging materials are colorful and of high quality. All items are carefully counted and compiled. Every last detail is considered.
Over the past ten years I have worked on Alexandra Chiles Foundation projects with both of my daughters. We have packaged beautiful craft kits for hospitalized children who crave something to do while recuperating. The instructions for preparing the kits are lovingly laid out with clear attention to detail. The kits are a gift in themselves and then through craftsmanship become a gift for sick children to use or give as gifts to others. The packaging materials are colorful and of high quality. All items are carefully counted and compiled. Every last detail is considered.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The grassroots effort by the Chiles family evolved into a Foundation to make sure that children at local San Francisco Bay Area hospitals had activities to pass the time while recuperating. There are many volunteer groups that prepare the kits. The Foundation ships them out. The work is easy with clear instructions. We prepare kits in groups, around the kitchen table, at meetings or in front of TV. The work is a refreshing break from computer screen time.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I wouldn't change a thing other than get the word out so that more groups could make kits for hospitalized children.
MY ROLE:
Volunteer & I have worked on kits with my daughters and in groups. There is a true sense of accomplishment to complete a few hundred kits at a time and be able to send them out to hospitals. As a result of this work, my daughter channeled her volunteer efforts by w.