Made with Love is a student-run club dedicated to creating crafts for kids in the hospital, focusing on simple things that can brighten someone’s day. Each meeting centers on making things that are easy, meaningful and useful for the kids who receive them.

“We’ve made cards, which are nice to receive, and bookmarks, which they can use every day,” Club president sophomore Anushka Reddy said. “And signs with kind words on them which are a kind reminder that they are great.”

Reddy plans ideas ahead of time to keep meetings running smoothly. Reddy said that choosing what to make is all about balancing creativity with practicality.

“I look on Pinterest for inspo,” Reddy said. “The meetings are very stressful, so I like to get snacks to lighten the mood.”

She also prepares a slideshow with step-by-step craft instructions to make the process easier for everyone.

Still, running the club comes with challenges.

“I assume the worst and think that less people will come, so when more people come it gets stressful because I feel a bit underprepared, especially in the morning,” Reddy said. “Everytime I tell myself it will run smoothly, but it usually doesn’t.”

She says she hopes adding an officer position soon will help with the workload.

Despite the stress, the club continues to grow, drawing in members who want their mornings to feel meaningful. Freshman Valentina Salinas Carrillo said that she joined because the club’s purpose stood out to her.

“A lot of the kids that are sick…don’t have little things that bring them joy,” Salinas Carrillo said. “So we’re able to give them that little bit of joy with the crafts.”

She also said the club is rewarding on a more personal level.

“Personally, I love crafting,” Salinas Carrillo said. “It brings relaxation and joy…and it helps the people around me.”

Even though members never actually meet the kids, Salinas Carrillo said the impact still feels real.

“We know that it still made someone’s day,” Salinas Carillo said.

With every card, bookmark and sign, Made With Love aims to make hospital days a little softer for the kids who receive them, and they work on the understanding that small things do often go a long way.