Volunteer

Why Donate?

When you donate to Crafts & Laughs, you're providing emotional support and comfort to children facing hospitalization and the mental health challenges that come with stays in a hospital. Your handmade items are tangible expressions of your love and care - and as simple an act as it might be to give, it's nonetheless so meaningful an act to receive. And for you, the act of creating, of making art, helps your mental health and reduces the burden on your shoulders, all while enhancing your sense of self and your sense of purpose. We can make a difference, as artists and as students, together.

Why Hospitals, Why Children?

Children in hospitals often face challenging and frightening experiences that can leave them isolated and anxious. This is a feeling we, the founders, know too well, and a feeling we wish on nobody else. Our mission is to bring a touch of warmth and joy to these children's lives during their stays, our gifts a small way to nurture a more positive and welcoming environment. Our gifts are a way of showing that someone is there, that someone cares. We hope to uplift spirits, boost morale - remind these children that they are not alone in their journey.

Guidelines for Crafting

1. A craft must contain a handmade component to them. This adds a unique and personal touch to the finished product.
2. They CANNOT include anything related to violence, contain anything explicit, related to death or sickness, and they must be appropriate to give to children.
3. Remove or smooth out any sharp edges or points that could potentially cause injury. They must be safe to give to children.
4. Make sure that the item is free from any harmful substances, including toxic chemicals or materials that could pose a risk to health and safety. This is crucial to ensure the well-being of anyone who comes into contact with the item.
5. Be creative and have fun.

Look at our tutorials

Donate Crafts

Submission form

Hours will be awarded depending on the quality of your craft. If you believe we've made a mistake, please reach out through our email.

To receive hours for a physical craft, fill out the submission form and wait for an email with shipping instructions.

If you can't donate a physical craft, you can also earn volunteer hours by making a digital coloring book page, a digital card, creating tutorials, or starting a chapter.

Points System

Simple Crafts

• 1 hour for 3
• Paper Crafts
  • Simple origami (paper cranes, boats, etc.)
  • Handmade greeting cards
  • Designs cut into paper (snowflakes, silhouettes, etc.)
• Beaded Jewelry
  • Bracelets
  • Necklaces
• Air-Dry Clay
  • Small figurines
  • Ornaments

Medium Crafts

• 1 hour for 1
• Embroidery/Crochet
  • Stitching patterns on fabric
  • Crochet items (coasters, headbands, etc.)
• Clay
  • Jewelry
  • Figurines
  • Miniatures
  • Handmade beads
• Landscape painting

Complex Crafts

• 3 hours for 1
• Quilting
  • Sewn patterns for blankets or wall hangings
  • Clothing
  • Accessories
  • Stuffed animals
  • Crochet clothing
  • Handbags
• Pottery Wheel
  • Bowls
  • Mugs
  • Vases
• Jewelry
  • Metal rings
  • Necklaces
  • Charms

Virtual Crafts

• 1 hour for 1
• Coloring book page
• Card design

Presidential Volunteer Service Award

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is a prestigious award that recognizes your hard work upon collecting a certain number of volunteer hours. This threshold varies depending on age, and higher thresholds exist for higher ranking awards. Crafts and Laughs is able to award the PVSA. For more information, please visit the PVSA website.