let’s come together and spread smiles across our country
On April 2nd, I read the following Facebook post and immediately wanted to help. My work began with thinking of how to do this in an impactual way, and contacting friends and family in the medical field about where to send these notes of encouragement! And I then began creating artwork for cards of all kinds…
“Please keep all the patients in hospitals in your prayers. As a nurse it has been so sad to see these patients alone with no one to comfort them in times of need but us healthcare workers. I've written cards to my patients telling them we are here for them. If you have downtime, writing cards of hope and prayers are what these patients need. We all need each other during this time!”
- Leah Lynch | Baltimore, MD
That afternoon, this project was launched on Instagram. My goal was to receive 100 cards to send to local hospitals within the month of April. By the next morning, I had received sign-ups from almost 50 people from the following states: Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Utah, California, Illinois, Colorado, and Washington State. I know we’ve already surpassed our initial goal… so I have a new one!
Not only would it be awesome to receive cards from every US State, but I would also
love to SEND them to people in ALL 50 STATES also, and I need your help!
If you work at a US hospital or medical facility treating COVID-19 patients, or know someone who does, we’d love for you to complete the Recipient Suggestion Form so we can add them to our list! We’d love to send cards to patients, nurses, grocers, mechanics, teachers, law-enforcement officers, and more!
If you’d like to be part of this initiative, complete the form below. I’ll be in touch shortly thereafter about how to create your “Smiles” and where to send them. Thank you for being a part of this with me!
XO,
Kirsten
PS - Please share our link on social media and with your loved ones!
#thesendingsmilesinitiative
FAQ
Who are we sending “Smiles” to?
We’re currently sending them to patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. We also plan on sending cards to nurses, grocers, law enforcement officers, teachers, and others as time goes on and we receive more “Smiles” to send. If you have a specific group you’d like your Smiles sent to, please indicate with a note when you mail us your cards.
Should I sign them?
Sure! We are encouraging everyone to write a little something special in each card. What would you be encouraged by if you were in their shoes? Write that. :) And feel free to sign it however you want... your first name, your full name, “with love, Brad Pitt”…
What size should they be?
A normal card size if you can, please.. about 8” max.
What about the envelopes?
Cards are not required to come with an envelope. However, if they do, DO NOT LICK OR OTHERWISE SEAL YOUR ENVELOPES! And leave the front of the envelope blank so that the nursing staff can write the patient’s name on the front for us.
Do I need to hand make my cards?
Not at all, lots of people are ordering cards from Amazon, signing them, and them sending them off to us!
How should I send them to you?
If you live locally, you are welcome to drop them off on my doorstep! Or, you can head to the post office and stuff one of the Priority Mail envelopes with your Smiles, which is probably your safest bet. You could also use a manila envelope, just make sure it’s decently larger than your cards so they are protected when traveling through the mail.
Please email kirsten@kirstensmithphotography.com with all other questions.
Sending Smiles Registration
If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM or email!