Ways You Can Help

The Wishing Well Project

A Community Service Project for Students of All Ages

Each year our children make us proud of their involvement in the community. Many schools have incorporated outreach and community service into their curriculum to provide a well-rounded education. Nine years ago, the Senior Board of Children’s Hospital began a project called "Wishing Well" to increase community awareness of the hospital’s programs for children.

To date, the Wishing Well project has raised over $110,000 with help from 45 different schools and organizations. Donations from this project have gone to support hospital programs such as the Smart Suite, Children’s Feeding Program, Recreation Therapy playroom and most recently, uncompensated care.

Service, Learning, and Fitness Opportunities

Area teachers have taken our ideas and teamed them with math competitions, physical fitness projects, language arts and fine arts to engage their students. Previously used ideas include:

  • Math projects at all levels can be created from the project: adding, estimating, averaging, weighing, percentages.
  • Language Arts classes can write essays about what students learned and experienced at a visit to the hospital.
  • Art classes can make posters to advertise the program.
  • Public speaking opportunities can be created for students to share information about the hospital.
  • Physical Fitness opportunities can be made through pledges for group walks/runs.
  • Students leaders can earn community service hours by organizing the project.

How to Get Started

Schools who participate in this project will organize the project within their schools with the help of a Senior Board Representative. Children will be asked to bring pennies to their school during a particular time of the school year. The pennies collected will be donated to Children’s Hospital.

The Senior Board Representative will provide the school with general information and project supplies, including canisters for collection, posters to advertise the program, hospital logos to sell, and more. At the conclusion of the project, the Senior Board Representative will work with the school to collect the pennies and see that they are properly deposited.

The Senior Board Representative will also work with the school to arrange hospital tours for students. Many students have visited the hospital and seen first hand how their "pocket change" has added up to provide enhanced services that make a big difference for the patients. Children’s Hospital is also happy to provide an individual who will visit with the school to make a presentation on the project and the hospital.

Pennies for Healthy Kids

Last year, Wishing Well raised over $20,000 to help provide specialized medical and therapeutic services. Whether you are a past participant or interested in getting involved for the first time, there are many ways your school can make a difference. Your campaign can last a week, a month, or all school year.

Click here for a list of exciting fundraising ideas!

For further information or to participate, please contact our Special Events Coordinator at (804) 228-5827 or by email.

The information on this site is provided for informational and educational purposes only; it does not contain specific medical advice. If you have specific health questions or problems, consult a health care professional for personal medical advice.