Non-Profit Spotlight: Cards for Kids

Written By Volunteering Untapped Chicago

 

One of the non-profits Volunteering Untapped partners with for our monthly events is Cardz for Kidz. The organization, based here in Chicago, was founded by Ike Nwankwo in 2010 when he organized the first event to make handmade cards for patients at a local hospital.

In the 15 years since that first event, Nwankwo’s mission to provide comfort to people in hospitals has expanded to send thousands of cards to people of all ages, not just kids, around the world. From children, to veterans, to the elderly and to those who speak different languages, Cardz 4 Kidz ships about 13,000 cards a month.

        

 

A volunteer reading through cards for quality check.

 

Several times a year, Volunteering Untapped Chicago partners with Cardz 4 Kidz to assist with a lot of the operational work for this non-profit organization. Being in the Chicago area, we help Nwankwo and his team count, sort and package handmade cards that come in from all over the world.

Our group of volunteers typically meets the non-profit team at a local branch of the Chicago Public Library where we are able to utilize a larger space. Volunteers are then split into teams to count, sort or package the cards. At our September 2025 event, 40 volunteers counted a total of 2,306 cards, packaged 4,836 and shipped 35 batches!

 

VU volunteers prepare bundles of cards for shipping.

 

How you can get involved with Cardz 4 Kidz:

  • Make Cards!

    • Whether you are making them by yourself, or organizing a card drive, creating these handmade notes is at the heart of Cards 4 Kidz mission. You can find out about the requirements and types needed here.  

  • Join their Team

    • Whether you are looking for more opportunities to volunteer to help with fundraising, public relations and more, or looking to set up an internship, there are a variety of positions available.

  • Donate

    • Help the Cardz for Kidz organization offset the costs of shipping cards world-wide, or donate to their scholarship fund to help students in need. 

Keep an eye out for a chance to volunteer with VU Chicago as we partner with Cardz for Kidz for another in-person event, or head over to their website if you can’t wait to get involved!

 
 
Volunteering Untapped Chicago

The concept is simple – we volunteer with a different nonprofit organization in Chicago on the second Saturday of every month from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, then spend the afternoon at a local bar for food, drinks, networking and fun with everyone who volunteered.

This program was created to give young professionals the opportunity for inspiring, rewarding and impactful experiences that will help forge a passion for future volunteering – both with our organization and on their own. Volunteering Untapped was born out of the realization that young professionals in Chicago want to give back to their community, but simply don’t know the best way to get involved. We solve that problem.

Volunteering should be easy. Now it is.

https://volunteeringuntappedchi.org/
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