Daily Activities We serve patients and families in Chicagoland hospitals including: Luries Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospital
Story time- Every afternoon, children gather to listen to stories read by our staff. During special occasions, characters come to read to the children, including Santa during winter time! Crafts- Helping Hands has a designated room in each of our partnered hospitals for children to demonstrate their creativity. Such activities include finger painting, drawing, and to collaborate with siblings, creating tie-blankets. Games- Educational games are available at any time for children and their families to access. There are board games, puzzles, reading games, and more. Recreation- Patients can engage in light physical activity alongside parents, siblings, and friends. In each of our recreation rooms, our community will find a walking track, soccer nets, basketball court, and free space to utilize
Yearly Events
Volunteers and the staff of Helping Hands make these events possible! To sign up or to volunteer for any of these events, click here Hand-in-Hand Walk- Every August, our sponsors and families gather in downtown Chicago to walk a 5k on the lake front. All teams participate on behalf of Lurie Children's and Shriners Hospital. We raise money and awareness from our donation boxes that are held by Helping Hands volunteers who walk the 5k. Helping Hands Family Bingo- In early spring, children and their families participate in many rounds of bingo for a chance to win generous prizes from our sponsors. Proceeds from donations throughout the day are given to Lurie Childen's Hosptial. Shrine Games- During the summer, for children who are able, groups travel to Illinois Wesleyan College in Bloomington, Illinois to pair up with the football team players and learn about the game. This day includes many fun activities like; basketball shoot-out, clowns, etc, that raise awareness for hospitalized children and the battles that they go through.
Special Event 92nd East-West Shrine Game, January 21, 2017 It's on NFL Network, Tropicana Field St. Petersburg Florida. Game starts at 3:00 PM $15.00 for a ticket Created by the Shriners in 1925, the East-West Shrine Game was the nation’s first college all-star football game. The game is driven by the desire to support Shriners Hospitals for Children in its mission to help children in need of expert medical care. More than 1 million children have benefited from Shriners Hospitals’ unique way of providing hope and healing, regardless of the families’ ability to pay for services.
Every year, players and coaches visit the local Shriners Hospitals for Children during game week to meet the patients and gain a greater understanding of the importance of the game. During the inspirational and humbling visit, the teams experience a day they will never forget. Whether dancing to music, playing games or simply sharing stories with one another, the instant friendships that form between the patients and players are a testament to our motto of being more than just a game.