Volunteers will create cheerful penpal letters to brighten the day of hospitalized children, seniors, and students. These letters will be distributed to hospitals, senior centers, and youth programs to help brighten someone’s day and reduce feelings of isolation. Each letter is 1 SSL hour.
Artwork Guidelines:
Artwork can be created using: Colored pencils, markers, watercolor, crayons, digital art, etc. All drawings must be fully colored.
Physical artworks should be created on cardstock, watercolor paper, or letter paper (cardstock or watercolor paper preferred). Fold the paper in half and only draw on one side of the paper. The other side will be used to write the letter. You can draw anything appropriate and encouraging. Please avoid violent and scary themes. Some good drawing ideas include nature landscapes, animals, flowers, sunsets, etc.
Letter Guidelines: Write a letter (6-8 sentences) about: something you did recently, a hobby you enjoy, a favorite place or season, something that made you smile, etc. Please do not mention illness, politics, hospitals or write phrases like “get well soon.” Instead, focus on sharing something cheerful about your life. Each completed card counts as 1 SSL hour. Please start with a friendly greeting such as: Hi there! Hello! Please only include your first name at the end of the letter (Ex. Love, Alex). Letters should be handwritten so they feel more personal and genuine to the recipient.
Please do not include any personal information such as your full name, email address, or home address in your notes. Also, please do not include any real-life pictures or images of yourself.
Submissions must meet basic quality standards. SSL hours will not be awarded if they: Are not fully colored, include AI-generated artwork, appear very low effort (quick scribbles, unfinished drawings), contain inappropriate or negative content, contain unoriginal/copied content (including templates), etc. Please create artwork that you would feel proud to give to a friend or display on your wall. Our goal is to share high-quality, cheerful artwork and messages that can truly brighten someone’s day.
SSL hours for submissions received before Friday, May 22 will be reviewed and sent out on Friday, May 22.
SSL hours for submissions received on or after May 22 will be reviewed and sent out in January 2027.
Please send digital submissions to heartsandhues.project@gmail.com, and physical submissions to 10 Case Street, 20878 Gaithersburg MD.
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.
