Nothing used to make me happier this time of year than a stack of construction paper, markers, glue sticks and a pair of scissors. I would pick out all the white, red and pink pieces of paper (green and blue just would NOT do!) and cut out stacks of hearts to be glued on every inch of the pieces that I had perfectly folded in half. Then I would take the markers and write I Love You and Happy Valentine’s Day as big as possible on the card.
A few years ago, I was at my parents’ house and came across a stack of those old tattered cards that my mom had kept almost 30 years. I no longer make them myself, but I make sure my 6 year old son makes them for her and I am guessing they have a specific place – in a specific drawer – that they go (after they’ve lived on the fridge til Mother’s Day, of course!).
Well, if you have stopped making valentine’s yourself, but have a friend, co-worker or family member (or if your New Year’s Resolutions involve forgiveness or being nicer – maybe even an enemy!) that you know would absolutely LOVE to get a Valentine hand-made by a kid, look no further:
For every donation of $25 or more made between now and February 14th, the National Inclusion Project will send a person of your choice an Inclusion-gram* made by the children in our Let’s ALL Play partner programs. Included with the Inclusion-gram will be a note letting them know where it was made, who sent it, why inclusion is so important and that the purchase of the card will help make sure no child sits on the sidelines.
The camps love having a project for the kids to do inside during this time of year and the kids get so excited to have a reason to create even MORE Valentines! It makes them so happy to create more smiles. And smiling is definitely what last year’s recipients were doing when they received an Inclusion-gram in the mail!
Help spread the word about inclusion and make sure that no one sits on the sidelines this Valentine’s Day!
*In case it was not clear, Inclusion-grams are traditional Valentine’s Day cards made from construction paper and a child’s creativity. Each one is unique like the child who made it.
Here’s how it works:
- Go to Donate on our website between now and Feb 13th at 12midnight ET
- Enter a donation of $25 or more
- Select Special Event and write ‘Inclusion-gram’
- Select “in honor of” and write name, address and note to whomever you want the Inclusion-gram to be sent
- Each Inclusion-gram to be sent should be done through a separate donation to keep our records accurate
Your donation to the National Inclusion Project will help create opportunities for children of ALL abilities to participate in life’s activities. Because you choose to give, a child will play, learn, and make friends with their peers for the first time.
Please note: We have no way of guaranteeing an arrival date through USPS. However, Inclusion-grams requested before February 10th will have a better chance of arriving through the USPS by Valentine’s Day. We will begin mailing them the week of Valentine’s Day.