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Make a Jared Box for Kids
The Jared Box Project
About the Organization
For more than 20 years Jared Boxes have delivered countless smiles, laughter and hope to children in hospitals across the country.
Jared Boxes are a great way for you, your children, school or organization to bring the gift of play through toys in a box to young patients as they navigate through their hospital experience.
About the Challenge
A Jared Box is a plastic shoe box filled with games, toys, activities and notes for a child undergoing medical treatment in a hospital. Boxes are easy, fun, and inexpensive to make and can lift the spirits of a child in a hospital NEAR YOU! Whether you make one or more Jared Boxes, you can help entertain children going through a tough period in their young lives by giving the gift of play.
Items Needed
1. Shoe box sized clear plastic container with lid (or multiple if making more than one)
2. Small toys, games, stuffed animals, art supplies, books, stickers, etc. for a selected age group (i.e., boy, age 4-8)
3. Stickers to decorate your box
4. A printer, peel-and-stick labels and card stock
Challenge Directions
1. Purchase a clear, plastic shoe box size storage bin at a local craft, department, or dollar store OR online.
2. Select whether you want to make a box for a boy or a girl and the approximate age of the child.
3. Go to a local craft, department and/or dollar store OR online to select some items for your box. Items can include books, small games, stuffed animals, toys, balls, stickers, arts and crafts and anything else you think might be fun and easy for a child in the hospital to enjoy. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY FOOD OR CANDY.
4. Once your box is full, download the Jared Box labels and standard note card here. Put the labels on the box and write a card with special well wishes and warm thoughts from you.
5. Snap a picture of your box(s)
6. Check the hospital directory on our website: www.thejaredbox.com to find a local hospital near you that could benefit from your donation (if you don't have one in mind already). If you run into any problems finding a hospital, please email the thejaredbox@gmail.com and they can help!
7. Contact the hospital and ask if they would like to receive your special box of toys for one (or more) of their patients. Find a time to make the delivery. Be sure to confirm with the healthcare facility how COVID-19 may be impacting their ability to receive Jared Boxes. If unable to accept at this time, hold your Jared Box until restrictions are lifted.
8. Drop off your Jared Box and know you helped brighten the day of another child!
9. Fill out a "Share Your Results" form to earn your points.
10. You can also apply for reimbursement for the items you purchase using the button below.