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Summer is Here and it’s time to think of all the different types of fun things you can do with your family. We have been thinking a lot about different ways we can help others, mostly through the act of cooking for and feeding others. But we had a great idea last week for how we might be able to help in a new way - What if we had kids of all ages decorate Place mats for the sick children who are at our local Children’s Hospital?

I called the Children’s Hospital in Oakland, and the director of food services told me about that joy that their patients express when they receive cards from other children.

Because I teach cooking classes to children, we spend a lot of our time learning about how to build community through food, cooking and eating together. Why not blend the caring and creative act of art with the nourishing act of eating?

What would brighten up a sick child’s day more than eating a meal served on a beautiful Get Well or Happy Birthday placemat made by another child. Yes, some kids are in the hospital for their birthdays… Why not make it a little better, if we can?

We challenge you to decorate and design placemats for sick kids in your community…and encourage others to do the same.

• Post our Recipe for Action image (at the top of this post) and our simple instructions on your blog.
• Let us know you will be joining us.
• Placemats should be 10 inches high by 14 inches wide. You can either make your own from blank butcher or construction paper, or you can purchase simple colored ones at any restaurant supply store.
• Your placemat should express a special message, such as “We are thinking of you”, “We hope you feel better”, “You are in our thoughts,”  or “Happy Birthday”.  (One director at the hospital suggested that we avoid phrases like “Get Well”…sadly, some kids at the hospital will not get well.)
• Decorate your placemat with your beautiful art work. (My kids drew birthday cakes with candles on their birthday mats, and drew balloons with their get well ones.)
• Say who your place mat is from(first names only, please), and include your age. Feel free to write a little note or say something else about yourself, too.
• PLEASE take a photo of your placemats and send them to us. We can’t wait to see your work and will be sharing our favorites at the end of July.
• And then send your placemats to your local children’s hospital…of course!

This is an ideal activity for family members of all ages to do together. Or try it with the kids who come to play this summer. But most of all, feel good that you are doing something positive with your children that you can all be proud of. The recipients will appreciate it!