Interested in hosting a Play Kit Party?
Fill out our Play Kit Party interest form or contact us at contact@smilesfromsarah.org
Connect with a Purpose
Build stronger social connections with your friends and colleagues by hosting a kit-building event! Our team can custom design a project to fit your unique needs, complete with detailed supply lists, playbooks, and other materials. Your team can then build, pack, and ship the kits. Connect with purpose and have fun at the same time!
Support Sip & Smile
Do you have a favorite restaurant, local business, vacation rental, sports connection, concert contact, or one-of-a-kind experience in your network? We'd love an introduction! From behind-the-scenes tours and weekend getaways to signed memorabilia and family-fun packages, every donation helps bring more smiles to children and families supported by Smiles From Sarah.
No item is too big, too small, or too creative — if it makes someone say, "Wow, I'd bid on that!" we want to hear about it!
Email events@smilesfromsarah.org today.
On September 20, 2025, we raised $65,000 to support Child Life Specialists and our partner children's hospitals! Thanks to all who joined us for our third annual Sip & Smile, and those who contributed. You make our mission possible. Enjoy highlights from our 2025 event below.
On September 21, 2024, our Sip & Smile event raised over $80,000 for SFS! Held in Rosslyn, VA, the fun-filled evening included over 200 attendees. Enjoy highlights from our 2024 event below.
The Smiles from Sarah team-building session was a standout activity that not only brought joy to the group but also allowed us to give back through the creation of 150 therapeutic activity kits.
Project Lead, Deloitte
Therapeutic play kits foster the relationship between children and their CCLS.
"Because of your support, we are able to keep these items in stock, giving our team the materials they need to provide their patient with effective (and fun!) therapeutic activities." - Manager of Child Life Services, Children's National
Volcanos allow for sensory play, conversation, and an emotional outlet.
These unique journals inspire children and teens to create something memorable.
Sensory jars are a great calming tool when emotions become overwhelming.
Pillowcases help soothe feelings of stress, sadness, or anxiety, especially while falling asleep at night.
Sand art promotes fine motor skills and emotional expression, helping children identify and process feelings.
September 21, 2024
We are on a mission to support child life programs and therapeutic play in hospitals. Help bring smiles and healing to children while having fun at our annual fundraiser.
Join us at this year's event! Learn more about sponsorship and host committee opportunities to get involved today.
.png)
Salt and chalk become a creative "sand art" project! To assemble the kits, volunteers divide salt and chalk, packaging them for each child. Then, children can create different salt colors with the chalk, and funnel it into different vessels for display.
This therapeutic play activity promotes fine motor skills and emotional expression, helping children identify and process feelings.
Pillowcases and eye mask for a better night's sleep! To assemble the kits, volunteers package supplies for each child, including a mini teddy bear. Then, children can use fabric markers to customize a comforting pillowcase and eye mask.
This therapeutic play activity helps soothe feelings of stress, sadness, or anxiety, especially while falling asleep at night.
Colorful jars of liquid for calming big emotions! To assemble the kits, volunteers package unique beads, glitter, and other fun items for each child. Then, children can shake the jars and watch the different materials fall at different speeds, providing peace and relaxation.
This therapeutic play activity helps calm emotions when they become overwhelming.
Eruptions are fun and emotionally satisfying! To assemble the kits, volunteers package Play-Doh, vinegar, baking soda, mini dinosaurs, and more for each child. The, children have everything they need to create an erupting volcano.
This therapeutic play activity promotes conversations about anger, frustration, and situations that make us want to erupt.
Bring your imagination to this unique project! To create these kits, volunteers add prompting words and phrases to journals. This fun, hands-on activity allows for creativity and making something unique.
This therapeutic play activity promotes celebrating achievements, joy, and gratitude and helps process sadness, anger, and frustration.
Postcards to keep in touch with friends and family! To create these kits, volunteers make sample postcards and package them with blank postcards, stickers, stamps, gel pens, and more. Then, children use the postcards to initiate or strengthen relationships with those they can't see in person. Sometimes, they provide a way to continue friendships that began during their hospital stay.
This therapeutic play activity stimulates creativity, builds resilience, and promotes connection with others.
Sip & Smile by the Numbers
1st
Smiles from Sarah fundraising event
196
attendees
$70K
raised for Smiles from Sarah
Contact Us
SAVE THE DATE
Join us for the second annual Sip & Smile fundraising event on September 21, 2024, at the Deloitte Observation Deck in Rosslyn, Virginia. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are available today!
Support Sip & Smile Fundraising Event
On October 21, 2023, our first Sip & Smile event raised over $70,000 for SFS! Held at the Deloitte Observation Deck in Rosslyn, Virginia, the fun-filled evening included nearly 200 attendees. Guests enjoyed beautiful views of the D.C. skyline while gaining an appreciation of our mission and the vital work of Certified Child Life Specialists.