Comfort Kits

I think I have the best job at GUIDEPOSTS—Vice President of Outreach. GUIDEPOSTS is a not-for-profit company. Our outreach division is dedicated to distributing free magazines and books (to hospitals and the military, for instance) as well as answering each of your prayer requests (visit ourprayer.org).

We have other programs like Knit for Kids, where you readers have knit and crocheted an incredible 500,000 sweaters for needy children around the world. Today I want to tell you about another outreach effort, one that’s close to my heart.

A hospital can be a scary place for kids. To help families cope with the often intimidating atmosphere, we’ve created Comfort Kits. Packed into each easy-to-carry box is a plush golden star, a prayer journal, an “I’m Special” wristband to go with the hospital-issued one and a pack of crayons. It’s simple but powerful.

Chaplain Johnnathan Ward at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding gives out 25 kits a month.

“I remember one family, a homeless mom and her three kids,” he says. “They’d been living in shelters, and came to the hospital because the five-year-old was sick. They were frightened. I took out a Comfort Kit, and the five-year-old lit up like it was Christmas morning. This was a child who had nothing. Looking at the prayer journal, the mom wiped away tears. ‘I can’t thank you enough, Chaplain,’ she said. ‘I’ve been trying to teach my kids to pray.’”

Maybe now you understand why I love my job. I get to see the support that you give GUIDEPOSTS put into action. Yes, we are a nonprofit. But what greater profit is there than in helping others?