Why Writing Letters to Hospitalized Kids Matters

When I started Signed With A Smile, I wanted to create something simple but meaningful — a way for kids in the community to connect with other kids who might be feeling lonely or scared in the hospital. I’ve always believed that kindness doesn’t have to be big to make a difference. Sometimes, it’s as small as a piece of paper, a few words, and a smile drawn in crayon.

It can be easy to forget how isolating a hospital stay can feel. For many kids, being away from home and friends means missing out on birthdays, soccer games, and ordinary moments that make childhood feel normal. According to Children’s Hospital Colorado, loneliness isn’t just about being alone — it’s about feeling disconnected, unseen, or forgotten. And for kids battling illness, those feelings can be even stronger.

That’s why Signed With A Smile exists. Every letter or drawing we send is a small reminder that someone out there cares. When a child opens an envelope filled with bright colors and encouraging words, it’s more than just art — it’s connection. It tells them, “You’re not alone. Someone is thinking of you.”

Writing these letters has taught me that connection goes both ways. The kids who make the cards learn empathy and what it means to show kindness without expecting anything in return, while the kids who receive them feel comforted and seen. A letter won’t cure an illness, but it can make a lonely day feel lighter and a hospital room feel a little less scary.

For me, Signed With A Smile is proof that small gestures can carry real weight. The more we write, the more we connect — and the less alone any child has to feel.

To follow our mission and learn how you can send your own letters and drawings, visit us at Signed With A Smile on Instagram and on our website. Together, we can keep spreading hope, one smile at a time.

-Maddie Rost