Volunteer and Community Giving

At the Northern California Hospital in Sacramento, there are many ways you can enrich the hospital experience for children and families through special projects and community participation.

Here are some suggestions on ways you, your family or favorite organization can make a difference in the lives of others. For more information, please call the volunteer services office at (916) 453-2087.

Atrium Series
Musicians, singers, performing arts groups, school choruses and others enrich the experiences of those who visit the hospital through performances in the hospital lobby. While many groups and individuals choose to perform during the holiday season, performances are welcomed throughout the year.

Special Projects
Here are some examples of special projects that may be organized by youth groups and other community service organizations to benefit patients and families at Shriners Hospitals for Children.

• Craft Supply Kits: Select a craft and make a basket filled with all supplies necessary to complete the project. These special baskets will give children the tools they need to complete their own craft project.
• Waiting Room Fun Bags: Fill a bag with fun things patients can do while waiting to see the doctor. Separate bags can be made for young children and teens. All bags should be generic enough to be used by either a boy or girl. Crayons, markers, colored pencils, crossword puzzle books, paper and coloring books are among the items you may wish to use to fill the bags.
• Stationery Kits: Create a kit that includes all the supplies necessary for hospitalized children and teens to keep in touch with family and friends. Kits should include stationery, envelopes, stamps, pens, pencils, stickers and other items to enhance the message. Pens with different colors of ink are a fun addition.
• Scrapbook Supply Kits: Make kits with everything a patient needs to create a fantastic scrapbook during his/her stay at Shriners Hospital. Ideas for items include a scrapbook, glue, scissors, markers, stamps, stickers, and disposable cameras.
• Tapes & CDs: Children love to listen to music. You may wish to send tapes and CDs. Please remember that the hospital serves children of all ages. Some patients may enjoy hearing songs sung in Spanish.
• Books on tape: Read your favorite book aloud and save it as a tape recording. The books and recordings will be shared with hospital patients. Send both the book and the tape. Books in both Spanish and English are welcome.
• Videos & DVDs: Collect new and used videos and DVDs appropriate for family audiences and donate them to the hospital. The programs will be made available to patients and families to watch in their rooms. Special screenings are scheduled at movie nights organized by the therapeutic recreation department.
• Toy Drives: As a club project, you may wish to collect new magazines, games, playing cards, books (Spanish & English) and toys for youngsters to donate to the children.
• Holiday Trees:  Shriners Hospital celebrates the holiday season with festive trees throughout the hospital. Service organizations may decorate a tree for the holidays.  The trees are provided by Shriners Hospital, and clubs coordinate directly with volunteer services regarding the ornaments and theme. Groups may choose to make the ornaments as a club project any time of year. There are a limited number of trees, and groups are encouraged to call volunteer services in advance to make arrangements
  

  Please Note:
  
  All donations are made directly to Shriners Hospitals for Children are distributed to patients by hospital staff. Out of respect for our patients’ privacy, community members may not deliver gifts directly to patients. To conform with our infection control policies, only donations of new toys and new clothing will be accepted for distribution to patients. To protect the health of our patients, Shriners Hospital cannot accept latex balloons, fresh flowers or live plants.