The Jared Box Project - A “Give Local” community service effort on a mission to bring smiles and joy to children in hospitals across the US since 2001
Good afternoon, What’s scarier than a child that is sick or injured and needs to go to the Emergency Room or be admitted to the hospital? Probably not much, other than the terrified look on the face of their parents. What could help alleviate some of that stress and concern? Something that could bring a smile to their face and joy to their heart? A random act of kindness that could take their minds off of the situation at hand? Well, that’s what 5-year old Jared was trying to accomplish when he went to his medical appointments during his terminal cancer treatment in the late 1990s. Jared would share his toys with the other children who didn’t bring anything to their appointments, providing them with the gift of play. We picked up where Jared left off - the Jared Box Project has been on a mission since 2001 to bring smiles and joy to children in hospitals. What was intended as a one-time project to honor Jared and his faith, wisdom, and compassion for others, has grown into a 21-year nonprofit that reaches into the hearts of children and their families throughout the United States.. Fast forward to today, the Jared Box Project, based out of State College, PA, near Penn State University, has spread to all 50 states and nearly 400 hospitals. Jared Boxes are given to young patients in emergency rooms, hospital rooms, surgical centers, and clinics. Each box contains small gifts, toys, games, crayons, coloring books and fun activities for the children to keep. Over 986,000 boxes have been made to date. What makes the Jared Box Project so incredible is that the efforts stay local. We help connect hospitals with local community groups (scouts, Kiwanis, Parent-Teacher Organizations, etc.) to make the boxes in each area. Jared Boxes are inexpensive and easy to make - they are a great community service project. Thousands of groups, families, and individuals have made and delivered Jared boxes to hospitals in their own communities. Children and their parents are so thankful for these boxes that showcase the importance of play and are filled with well wishes, hope and love. Would Random Acts of Kindness be interested in sharing the Jared Box Project with your subscribers? We’d love to spread Jared’s legacy even further. Wouldn’t it be amazing if every medical facility in the country had Jared Boxes to provide to their young patients? Please contact our Executive Director if you have questions or want to learn more. In addition, we would be delighted to join a zoom call to present information about the Jared Box Project to your organization. Cindy Kolarik Executive Director The Jared Box Project www.thejaredbox.org cindy@thejaredbox.org 814-883-8615 Thank you for your time and for the amazing work you do in your community.