Courage Cards

Making General Cards

A small card. A big reminder they are not alone.

Courage Cards are encouraging notes – handwritten or thoughtfully printed – created by our community and delivered to children and teens undergoing cancer treatment at hospitals we serve across North Carolina. Each Courage Card is tucked into a ZTC Courage Kit or shared during hospital visits, pairing heartfelt words with toys and comfort items.

For many children, this simple message becomes the part they keep the longest.  Your message may be the one thing a child reads again and again.

How Courage Cards fit Into Our Mission

At Zach’s Toy Chest, we believe comfort comes in many forms.

  • Courage Kits meet children at the start of treatment with toys, comfort items, and a Courage Card.

  • Courage Cards provide emotional support that travels home with them.

  • Zach’s Toy Club makes it all sustainable – month after month, child after child.

Toys bring joy. Words bring strength. Together, they change a day and make a real impact.

How to Make Courage Cards

Courage Cards should be positive, age-appropriate, and easy to read. Whether handwritten or printed, the goal is for every child to clearly understand the message meant just for them.

Please keep messages:

  • Encouraging and uplifting

  • Neutral and inclusive

  • Focused on strength, bravery, kindness, or hope

  • Clearly legible (important for kids of all ages)

Helpful message ideas:

  • “You are so brave.”

  • “You are stronger than you know.”

  • “Sending you smiles and happy thoughts.”

  • “You’ve got a whole team cheering for you!”

What to Avoid

To ensure cards are safe and appropriate for all children, please do not include:

  • Religious messages or references

  • Medical advice or treatment discussions

  • Statements about illness outcomes

  • Personal contact information

  • Glitter, loose items, or bulky decorations

Simple, flat cards work best for hospital use.

Card Size & Materials

  • Standard greeting card or folded cardstock

  • Flat and lightweight

  • Handwritten or printed notes are both accepted

  • Handwriting must be neat and easy to read

Artwork, drawings, and color are always welcome – just keep everything secure and hospital-friendly.

Who Can Participate?

Courage Cards are a meaningful project for:

  • Individuals & families

  • Schools and student groups

  • Scout troops

  • Corporate volunteer teams

  • Community organizations

Many groups pair card-making with packing Courage Kits or as a volunteer activity supported by Zach’s Toy Club members.

Spanish Courage Cards

We are grateful to supporters who create Courage Cards in Spanish to help us reach and represent more children and families.

Spanish Courage Cards should follow the same guidelines outlined above for message content, materials, and legibility, with one additional step to help hospital staff deliver each card appropriately.

Additional Step for Spanish Cards:

  • Please attach a Post-it note to each card with the English translation of the message.

    • This allows hospital staff to ensure the card reaches the right child and family.

    • The Post-it note will be removed before the card is given to the child.

Important Notes:

  • The card itself should remain fully in Spanish

  • Translations should be clear and accurate

  • Handwritten or printed messages are both accepted

  • All writing must be legible

Your thoughtfulness helps ensure every child receives encouragement in a language that feels like home.

Before You Send Cards

Please contact us before sending Courage Cards so we can share current needs, quantities, and delivery guidance.

📧 [email protected]
📍 Serving pediatric patients across North Carolina

Together, we’re fighting cancer one toy – and one kind message – at a time!

**Zach’s Toy Chest Courage Cards guidelines are independently developed to align with hospital safety standards and our organization’s programs.

Request a courage card for a child

In addition to distributing cards in hospitals, we can also send cards to hospitalized and/or seriously sick kids that are referred to us via the form below. All information sent to us will remain confidential. Once the child is referred to us, a card will be sent to them within a few days. If you have any questions, please contact us via the form below.