by Lauren Heaton
Student’s chatter and laughter filled the UC second floor on Thursday, Dec. 1. Roughly 30 students showed up to write and decorate Christmas cards for children in hospitals around the United States.
The event was put on by the Circle K Club, one of CMU’s philanthropic student organizations. Kate Bowman, a CMU freshman, pushed for the Circle K Club to give back by writing the cards because she wanted to do something for Christmas.
“It’s the time for the holidays and a time to be thankful and give to other people,” Bowman said.
When asked about what inspired the Circle K Club to host a Christmas card making event Jamie Hyatt, Circle K treasurer and event organizer, said “We did blankets for kids in the hospital,” referring to Project Linus, the Circle K Clubs service project done earlier this fall, “so I thought maybe we could do something holiday related, like Christmas cards.”
Students were instructed to make a variety of holiday cards from “Merry Christmas!” to “Happy Hanukkah,” decorated with snowmen, Christmas trees, menorahs, etc. The insides of the cards were filled with warm holiday wishes and encouragement for the children with sayings like “You inspire me” and “You are amazing,” focusing on the children themselves and not their illnesses.
“It kind of touches me because I think, like, when I am sick at home and how little gestures can be so meaningful,” Hyatt said. “A friend sends a text ‘Hey I hope you get better soon.’ and I feel cared about. I feel like we can be doing that for kids in the hospital who are sick.”
