Three-year-old Kendyl proudly shows off her winning artwork of a melting snowman at last year’s celebration of the Driscoll Children’s Hospital Christmas card project. Courtesy photo
Starting in early spring, the Driscoll Children’s Hospital makes a call for artwork for its annual Christmas card project. Eligible applicants are patients at the hospital. The cards are submitted throughout the year, and winners are chosen by a panel of volunteers.
The hospital has held its Christmas card project since 1988, and it has since become a major fundraiser. All profits from Christmas card sales go toward the Marsha K. Wilcox scholarship fund, which has raised more than $100,000 since the program began.
“The artwork is submitted all year long,” said gift shop manager Kathy Kramer. “Once the committee picks about 25 favorites, we bring in a panel of outside judges, and they help us choose the top 10.”
The deadline to receive artwork is May 1. In September, the artwork is chosen. The hospital starts selling the cards in September at the Celebrity Party, where the artists enjoy cookies and chocolate milk — in champagne glasses, of course. The afterparty is held at Chuck E. Cheese.
“When the cards for the season are revealed at the Celebrity Party, the children that are selected get to go down the red carpet,” Kramer said. “The families are interviewed; there are cameras everywhere and lights. We’ve been doing the Celebrity Party for over 15 years.”
The artwork goes well beyond use as traditional holiday cards. The colorful creations are used to make Christmas ornaments, sterling silver charms and hundreds of T-shirts. All items are available in the gift shop as well as on the hospital’s website at driscollchildrens.org.
While the artwork can only be submitted by hospital patients, Kramer stressed that the entire program is led in part by more than 300 volunteers at the Driscoll Children’s Hospital.
For volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Services Department at (361) 694-5011 or toll free at (800) DCH-LOVE.
