Students at Twin Lakes School are spreading kindness beyond their campus this Valentine’s Day, sending thousands of heartfelt digital cards to children receiving care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
For the past five years, Twin Lakes staff member Melissa Rogers has coordinated the school’s participation in the hospital’s twice-annual digital greeting campaigns, held each Valentine’s Day and Halloween. The program invites students to brighten a young patient’s day by choosing a colorful card design and writing a short message of encouragement.
The hospital’s campaign shares a simple message: “Being a kid in the hospital is hard. During a fun holiday like Valentine’s Day, it’s even harder.” By sending a digital card, students help make the day more special for children receiving treatment.
Each year, Rogers and the Twin Lakes staff organize the effort by distributing flyers and encouraging teachers to set aside time for students to participate in class or at home. Several classes have even turned the activity into classroom projects, giving students the chance to reflect on empathy, compassion and community service.
Some of the especially dedicated classes have consistently contributed thousands of cards, helping to generate thousands of dollars in donations through the program’s sponsors. This inclusive community service project involved all grade levels, including SOAAR students with exceptional needs who contributed to the effort.
As in year’s past, the event is sponsored and this year Porto’s Bakery & Cafe pledged to donate $1 to the hospital’s Children’s Fund, up to $50,000 for all cards submitted by Feb. 13.
Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of Twin Lakes students, the school helped raise $11,921 for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles this Valentine’s Day. During the Halloween campaign last fall, students helped raise more than $17,000.
“Sometimes we sent cards as a class and sometimes, if you were done with your work, you would send cards on your own,” said Isaac Rodriguez, a fifth grade student at Twin Lakes. “It felt great to send money and cards to the kids in the hospital.”
“I had a cousin who was a patient at CHLA, and I wanted to do something to help the hospital so they could help kids like my cousin,” said Rigoberto Rosales, a fifth grade student at Twin Lakes.
Rogers said the project is a simple but meaningful way for students to learn the importance of giving back.
“This is an opportunity for our students to show kindness and compassion to children who may be having a very difficult day,” Rogers said. “Even a short message can make a big difference.”
By taking part in the hospital’s digital card campaign, Twin Lakes students showed how small gestures can carry real impact. Their messages offered comfort to young patients while helping raise critical funds for care and treatment at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. More information about the hospital’s programs and ways to give is available at https://www.chla.org.
