Children give back through hospital’s holiday card project
Little Claire Alston and her family are more familiar with the Arkansas Children’s Hospital than most. Freckle-faced Claire, 6, was treated for a dislocated elbow there when she was 2, and her 4-year-old brother has undergone two open-heart surgeries there in recent years, with more operations scheduled.
In fact, all four of the Alston children of North Little Rock — ages 4, 6, 9 and 11 — have been treated at the hospital in Little Rock at one time or another. This year, Claire is giving back through the hospital auxiliary’s Holiday Card Project.
She and five other current or former patients were chosen to have their handmade cards featured in this year’s collection for sale by the auxiliary. Reproductions of the cards will be sold in bundles of 20 for $20 a packet as a fundraiser for the hospital.
In her usual pigtails and dimpled smile, Claire proudly accepted a framed copy of her card titled “Handcrafted Stockings” at an unveiling ceremony for the chosen artists and their families in the hospital lobby Sunday afternoon. Made with cookie cutters, ripped construction paper and cotton balls, Claire’s card shows four stockings hanging on a mantel over a fire next to a Christmas tree.
“It’s true you can buy a card anywhere, but if you can do something that helps others and gives back to the hospital, I think you should do that instead of just going to buy inexpensive, pretty cards — not that these aren’t pretty,” said Claire’s mom, Kimberli Alston. “Plus, it’s been really neat to get the kids involved and keep them involved.”
Camden Tucker, 9, of Rogers has had her artwork featured for six straight years in the project’s collections. She was diagnosed with a severe heart condition when she was 2 and underwent open-heart surgery at Children’s Hospital in 2009. Her card, “Winter Wonderland,” is a picture of Frosty inside a snow globe — an image inspired last year when she hoped for snow during the holidays.
“We didn’t get snow last year, but I’ll have to shake [the snow globe in the card] this year, and maybe we’ll get some,” Camden said Sunday, gripping her framed card.
Krista Mussler, 14, of Springdale, who was born with soft spots in her skull and was treated at the hospital, drew a scene of baby Jesus in a manger. Her card is titled “The Miracle of Christmas.”
Jaymie Angtuaco, 7, of Little Rock drew “Magical Angel.” She was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder at age 5 but is now healthy after her treatment at Children’s.
At age 2, Alice McMains of Little Rock became the youngest selected artist. Alice, who was diagnosed with respiratory distress because of a severe egg allergy before her first birthday, finger-painted “O Christmas Tree.”
Samuel Moutos, 11, of Little Rock underwent surgery at Children’s Hospital in 2009 to remove a kidney stone — a rare diagnosis in children. His card, “Moonlit Trees,” depicts moonlit, snowy woods with lighted
Christmas trees.
“Being in the hospital [inspired me to draw it],” Samuel said. “I’m pretty excited because I have my own Christmas card now, and I think that is pretty cool. Plus, it’s pretty neat that this is a way to give back and help all the children.”
The Holiday Card Project is the oldest fundraiser sponsored by the hospital auxiliary. President-elect Sharon Bale said patients have been drawing, coloring, cutting and pasting since the hospital opened in 1912, and the auxiliary decided to showcase those skills through the card project in 1968. All of the proceeds go to the hospital, and this year, the goal is to raise $550,000.
Cards can be purchased by phone at (501) 364-1259 and 1-800-595-6498 or on the Web at www.archildrens.org/holidaycards. They are also available in the Playaway Gift Shop in the hospital lobby, Buerkle Drug Co. in Stuttgart and the following locations in Little Rock: Catering to You, The Frederica Collection in the Regions Building, Jones & Son Diamond and Bridal Fine Jewelry, Learning Express and all Tipton & Hurst locations.
“You will never buy a Christmas card that will keep on giving like these cards do,” Bale said.