Inspiring Youth Roots & Shoots Project: Halloween Hospitality

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have respected one another to ensure we all stay healthy by maintaing social distance and avoiding social gatherings to stay safe. Since even before the pandemic, however people who are in intensive care or otherwise hospitalized often miss out on the activities that they most enjoy doing, especially around favorite holidays. That’s why one Roots & Shoots group decided to make a difference with 🔗 Halloween Bags for kids at All Children’s Hospital! 

This project started when Roots & Shoots group leader Rachel read Dr. Jane’s book, Doctor White, to the young changemakers. They listened to the story and learned from this charming true tale how the power of kindness can heal! They used the Roots & Shoots 4-Step Formula and were Step 1: Inspired to spread kindness, just like Doctor White!  

Since Halloween was fast-approaching, they Step 2: Observed that many of the kids in their nearby children’s hospital would have to stay there during this exciting holiday. These young changemakers used their empathy—one of nine Roots & Shoots 🔗 compassionate traits—to put themselves in the shoes of these other young people and imagined what Halloween activities they’d want to do. They then used this brainstorming to Step 3: Take Action by putting together Halloween bags for the kids in the hospital. 

This project required a lot of creativity! The bags included activity books, miniature pumpkins, and stickers to decorate those pumpkins, which would be a lot less messy than carving them. The kids also decorated handmade felt masks with sequins that could be worn as costumes, as well as the bags that everything came in. As a personal touch, they also wrote cheerful cards to the recipients of these Halloween bags, and added a selection of pretty Autumn leaves from outside! 

It’s pretty easy to guess how this group Step 4: Celebrated their successful project—by enjoying their Halloween knowing that they had made someone else’s day a bit better!  

P.S. Though Halloween might be over, the Holiday season also means plenty of delicious treats! As you’re getting ready for ways you might celebrate this season, remember to avoid foods that contain 🔗 unsustainable palm oil , and to try reusing or upcycling your decorations!

INSPIRED TO START YOUR OWN PROJECT? WE GOT YOU. 

Once you’ve signed up as a member and come up with a project, be sure to register it on our website for a chance to be featured in a future project of the month! Not a Roots & Shoots member yet? You’re only a few clicks away! 

Become a Member and Register your Project 

Not sure how to start a project? Use our 🔗 4-Step Formula to find ways to make an impact in YOUR community! Remember to invite your friends to help out, because even when we take small actions, they’re multiplied by collaboration. You can even create a Roots & Shoots group at your school, or join one already in your area! 

Looking for a simple way to help out? Here are some 1-ClickAactions you can take to spread compassion! 

🔗 Compassionate Traits Quiz: Discover your top compassionate traits—and how you can use them to inspire change—with this fun personality quiz! 

🔗 The Write Amount of Good: Encourage your fellow community-members and remind them that they matter by writing kind notes from the heart.