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Ready to Comfort The Sick?

Welcome Baskets

DURATION

2-4 hours

WHERE

At home (or at school, Scouts, or any other place where you gather with friends).

WHEN

All year long.

WHOSE HELP IS REQUIRED

Class, Scout troop or family members.

HOW IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE

The families that come to Boston for medical care come, at times, in an emergency situation, packing only the necessary things they need for the trip. These Welcome Baskets provide relief during those first days of their stay until they feel more familiar with Boston and also help them keep their focus on their loved ones getting treatment. A gift as simple as a few toiletry items show that someone cares.

DESCRIPTION

When families arrive at a host home for the first time from far away, they feel even more welcome and comfortable if they have the basics that they need for their stay upon their arrival. Collecting items for and assembling Welcome Baskets is a great activity for individuals and groups of all ages, and can be done any time of year.

ITEMS NEEDED

Basket or gift bag for one of the following:

'First Meal' Welcome Baskets (e.g. pasta, salsa, canned soup, instant noodle soup)

Snack Bags ( e.g. individual waters, beef/turkey jerky, fig bars, Chex mix bags, crackers, apple sauce, cookies) *Only non-perishable individually wrapped items. No nut products.

Toiletry Bags (e.g. travel size shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, toothpaste)

Gift card to local coffee shop such as Uber, Lyft, Dunkin Donuts, Au Bon Pain, Starbucks, etc.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS


NEXT STEPS

Follow "VIEW INSTRUCTIONS" below. If you have questions or to schedule delivery of your baskets, contact Denise Duclos, Outreach Coordinator, at dduclos@hosp.org or at (888) 595-4678 ext. 1.

WEBSITE


Sound like fun?VIEW INSTRUCTIONS▼ to get started.
Sending or dropping off items to a nonprofit? Don't forget to tell them you found them through PGK! Download and print a packing slip here.
  1. Grab a basket or gift bag large enough to hold your collected items. If needed, decorate the gift bag.
  2. Collect the designated items for your basket/bag. You may want to do a drive and ask friends, neighbors, classmates, or others you know to bring a designated item to a birthday or holiday party, or as part of another activity you are participating in. Be sure to specify a date by which all items should be returned (if not collected at a particular event or on a particular day).
  3. Arrange all of the collected items in the basket/bag.
  4. Consider making a "Welcome to Boston" card to add to your special basket/bag.
  5. Drop off your basket(s) at Hospitality Homes, 1018 Beacon St. Suite 201, Brookline, MA 02246.
  6. Any questions, contact Denise Duclos at dduclos@hosp.org or call 857-225-7712.
  7. Be sure to let us know that you found this volunteer opportunity through PGK.
  8. Kindly fill out this PGK impact form when you’ve completed the activity.