'Send a Card' program offers ray of hope to families during COVID

By Tom Kirvan
Legal News

Hannah’s Care Packages, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “delivering hope” to families who have children hospitalized with life-altering or chronic illnesses, recently extended its reach through a “Send a Card” program designed to touch the hearts of those feeling particularly isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program is part of the continuing outreach efforts by Hannah’s, founded in 2015 by Jessica Ball, a resident of Richmond, Ky. who has served as president of the organization since its inception.

“Our mission from the start has been to provide care packages to the families whose children are hospitalized for more than a week or are in long term care for their illnesses,” said Ball. “Those packages, which are delivered by our staff of volunteers, include various toiletries and personal items that offer some of the comforts of home.”

However, the delivery of those packages has been delayed or altogether interrupted during the pandemic due to safety measures, Ball indicated, prompting HCP officials to seek other ways to help out.

“We need to still show people that we care, and what better way to do that than by sending a hand-written card that expresses compassion and concern for what they are going through during this difficult time,” Ball said. “It's rare to get a card from anyone nowadays, but we think this program will touch people in a meaningful way, reassuring them that they are not alone and that we are offering the hand of friendship.”

The cards are written by HCP volunteers and board members “who have worked closely with our Hannah’s Families and also have a huge heart for the trials and tribulations that many people face,” according to Ball. Among the board members is Brian Miller, manager of IT Services for The Detroit Legal News.

For those who would like to provide a lift to an individual or family through the Send a Card program, a form is readily available on the HCP website at hannahscarepackages.org.

“Once we receive the form, we will send out a card to them within the following week,” said Ball. “Please be sure to include any specific wording you want enclosed in the letter in the comments’ section as well as any details you want to or feel comfortable providing.”

The Send a Card project has been given a boost by Thrivent Financial, which has provided funds through its member “action team” program to help pay for the cards and postage, according to Ball.

Since its founding, Hannah’s Care Packages has distributed more than 1,000 care packages to families across 26 states. Donations can be made by visiting its website or by sending a check made payable to Hannah’s Care Packages, P.O. Box 329, Richmond, KY 40476-0329.