Erika Goetz ’21 knows what it’s like to receive some unexpected encouragement—and she wants to spread that cheer to children in need.
Goetz, a resident advisor in Stauffer Hall, is inviting fellow residents to make holiday cards for children in the hospital. She was in their position, before, and one such act of kindness made an enormous difference.
“I remember receiving a holiday card from a stranger and that one piece of paper made such a huge impact on my holiday season,” said Goetz, a business administration major with a minor in English. She wanted to provide the same experience for other children who are facing unimaginable challenges.
In early December, she’ll invite her fellow students to make and decorate 50 cards with personal messages. Once complete, the cards will be delivered to Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles—the largest referral center in the region for children in need of life-saving care.
“I hope that the children are able to keep them and that the simple words written can bring happiness to this tough time the children are going through,” she said. “Many of the patients are constantly battling their illness, and I hope that receiving these cards helps the child get into the holiday spirit!”
Goetz hopes, too, that the card-making will be an opportunity to share with her fellow students the importance and impact of giving back to the community.
“I hope this inspires my residents to become more involved in volunteering and working to create a change,” she said. “We can only hope for a better future and inspiring my residents is my goal to create a positive future where everyone is kind to every individual and understands the true definition of human kindness.”
