Get Involved
Community Partnerships

Community Partnerships

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Thank you for your interest in providing a special event for the patients and families at Cook Children's. Opportunities are available for both groups and individuals.

Listed below you will find a description of possible events along with the appropriate guidelines for each. All of these options support our Promise to improve the health of every child in our care and our communities.

What to know: frequently asked questions

My group wants to volunteer to help kids in the medical center. What can we do?

Community volunteer groups provide events or volunteer service. Read below for detailed information.

What are the steps that I have to follow for my group to volunteer?

There are four basic steps to follow:

Determine what kind of event service your group prefers.
Submit an application that details the activities that you want to provide, and possible dates that your group is available to host this event.
Your application will be reviewed.
If your event is approved*, a date and time will be confirmed, and other paperwork will be required.

*Sometimes events are not approved because they are not compatible with our environment or with our scheduling restrictions. We are grateful for the spirit of giving that is behind these applications, but situations preclude us from approving every application that we receive.

Do you have age restrictions on who can volunteer for these events?

For all opportunities with patient interaction, volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Performances are the only exception, performers can be any age. For groups bringing volunteers that are between 16 and 18 years of age, adequate adult supervision of volunteers must be provided by the group (one adult for every five teens).

How many volunteers are we allowed to bring with us?

It depends on your type of service, we can work with as few as five or as many as 40, see below for more information.

Our group wants to deliver toys or cards directly to patients, can we do that?

Unfortunately, due to the immunocompromised nature of our patients and for privacy reasons, volunteer groups are unable to go room to room to visit our patients.

How far in advance do we need to schedule our event?

We ask that events are scheduled a minimum of three weeks in advance. For Christmas, Easter, Halloween and other major holidays, we typically schedule at least two months in advance.

Are there days or times that events are typically scheduled?

Events are typically scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. or 3 p.m. While some events require us to schedule outside these days/times, we choose these days and times because we get the highest patient/family participation.

How far in advanced to we need to schedule our event?

We ask the events are schedule a minimum of 3-4 weeks in advance. Some community groups will put their event on the calendar two or more months in advance. For Christmas, Easter, Halloween or other major holidays, we typically schedule at least two months in advance.

Are there days/times that events are typically scheduled?

Events are typically scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. or 3 p.m. While some events require us to schedule outside these days/times, we choose these days and times because we get the highest patient/family participation.

What is a patient project?

A volunteer group can visit with patients in the medical center and provide a specific activity for them. These activities are usually arts and crafts, but can also be game days or activities specific to your group's interests. We recommend providing 2-3 activities for the patients to choose from. Be prepared to list your activities on your application. All activities must be pre-approved. Need an idea? Google and Pinterest are excellent resources for activity ideas.

What is party hosting?

A volunteer group can visit with patients in the medical center and provide a specific party for patients, this is like a patient project, but bigger! Possible party themes include: holiday parties, monthly birthday parties or other special events like: Mother-Daughter Makeovers, Father-Son Poker Party, Cooking Parties, Back to School Party, Luau/ Hawaiian Party, Sport Party, Safari Party, Circus Party, Pirate/Princess Party, Super Hero Party. A party typically involves 5 distinct activities including 2-3 art activities and 2 or more games. Be prepared to list your activities on your application. All activities must be pre-approved. Google and Pinterest are excellent resources for activity ideas.

Who provides supplies for patient parties or patient projects?

The volunteer group is responsible for providing for activity specific supplies. The medical center has basic supplies like scissors, or glue available.

Are there any materials we are not allowed to use?

Hot glue guns may not be used. Latex balloons may not be included in any crafts.

How many patients should we plan for?

When planning for a craft activity, groups are encouraged to plan for 40-50 children. This allows projects to be delivered to patients who are unable to leave their rooms.

What are the ages of patients that might be participating?

When deciding on an activity, plan for children in the 7-11 year old age range. Staff can help make the activity safe and exciting for patients in the other age groups.

What is a performance?

Performances are provided by groups to inspire, entertain and enrich the patients here at Cook Children’s. Performances are varied and may be provided by choirs, bands, theatre groups, dance troupes, magicians or other types of entertainer. Groups must have public performance appearance experience prior to performing for our patients. All song lyrics and scripts must be submitted with the visitor application.

Do we need to submit a sample of our performance?

When possible, it is helpful for you to provide a preview of your performance. Preferably a link or short clip of a past performance. Individual entertainers need to submit an example of their performance.

Are there any special guidelines for magicians?

Magicians' tricks must be approved in advance. There are some very traditional tricks that don't work well in this unique environment.

Are there any materials that cannot be used in our show?

Latex balloons, including any balloon animals, and live animals may not be included in any performance.

What are the guidelines for political or religious content?

Any program content related to race, ethnicity, native language, economic status, age, gender, handicapping conditions, etc., is expected to uphold the value of diversity and the principle of treating other people with dignity, as we all wish to be treated. Program content related to sexuality and sexual issues is largely inappropriate for our pediatric population and must be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Program content may include patriotic material, but may not solicit support for a particular party, platform or viewpoint. For example, "Deep in the Heart of Texas" is an appropriate song to be performed; "Vote for __" is inappropriate.

Cook Children's has a religious non-solicitation policy. We strive to offer the opportunity for all our patients, families and staff to practice the religion of their choice and to protect the rights of families to determine the religious education their children receive. Because we frequently have young, vulnerable patients in the atrium, we have much stricter guidelines about appropriate content than your group may encounter in other settings. Program content may include references to "God's care and protection," for example; but may not solicit toward a particular religion's way of experiencing or relation to God. Thus, "All Things Bright and Beautiful" would be an appropriate selection, while a hymn like "There's Power in the Blood of the Lamb" would be inappropriate. Instrumental music is, of course, welcomed with fewer restrictions.

Those persons who speak during a performance are asked to respect the great diversity of beliefs represented here. Almost every group that wants to offer their talents here understands immediately the constraints imposed by our unique culture and seeks diligently to cooperate for the sake of our patients. If you have difficulty determining whether certain selections will be permitted, we offer content consultation through our Pastoral Care department at 682-885-4030.

What is a special visitor?

Special Visitors include mascots, celebrities and famous athletes who are recognizable by patients, please email before applying for this kind of event.

What is a toy box tidy/playroom cleaning?

We divide a large volunteer group into teams of 2-4 volunteers. Each small team will tackle a deep clean of one of our playrooms. We have ten playrooms throughout the medical center. Toy cleaning usually takes 1.5-2.5 hours. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and groups can be as small as 10 or as large at 40. Toy box tidies are typically scheduled Mon-Fri, between 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

What is a serve and learn event?

Serve and learn events consist of a service activity and a tour. Groups will choose a service activity from a list provided and are responsible for providing all supplies for the service activity. The tour includes the first floor amenity areas, no patient areas. Serve and learns are typically scheduled Mon-Fri during regular business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) and typically last 1.5-2 hours. Alternate times are considered on a case by case basis. Volunteers for this activity must be 10 years or older. Groups can be as small as five or as many as 25. Groups larger than 25 must be approved.

We want pictures of our volunteering to share on social media, how does that work?

Out of respect for patient privacy, every child must have written photo consent from their parent or legal guardian on file with Cook Children's before ANY photo is taken. To be prepared for your visit, it is important that your needs related to media be known in advance. There may be restrictions placed on your group's ability to photograph an activity, but every effort will be made to help you achieve your goals. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you will be soliciting media, please contact Cook Children's Media Relations department at 682-885-1080 prior to making any contact with the media.

Who takes care of the patients while they are participating at our event?

Groups are never responsible for the patients' safety or medical needs. Staff, patient families and/or Cook Children's volunteers are present at all events.

My organization is having a Day of Service for its employees, can we volunteer all day long?

Our corporate volunteer experiences are 2 hours, and can be in the form of patient projects, party hosting, or toy cleaning. Email for details regarding toy cleaning.

Application for Community Group Involvement

Thank you for your interest in providing a special event for the patients and families at Cook Children's. Opportunities are available for both groups and individuals. Please review our frequently asked questions before completing this form.

Group Information and Event Type

I have read the FAQs and I am ready to complete this form.

Group name

Contact person

Address

Contact phone

Email address

I understand that each event type has certain age restrictions for volunteer

Patient Event (All volunteers must be 16 years old)

Performance (No age requirement for performers with no patient interaction)

Special Visitors (All volunteers must be 16 years old)

Volunteer Service (Serve and Learn + Toy Cleaning)

Virtual Programming

Other

Please describe your visitors and/or event.

Does your group have time restrictions?

Yes

If yes, what time is your group available?

Will you need a dressing room?

Yes

Dates • Provide 2 dates in order of preference. • Most events are scheduled for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, at 11 am, 1:30 pm or 3 pm. • All events must be planned at least 4 weeks in advance. Not all dates requested can be accommodated. • Your Event is not confirmed until you have been notified by Community Program Coordinator via phone or email.

1st Preferred Date

Preferred time

11a - 12p

1:30p - 2:30p

3p - 4p

2nd Preferred Date

Preferred time

11a - 12p

1:30p - 2:30p

3p - 4p

Media/Photography and Videoing/Live Streaming - To be prepared for your visit, it is important that your needs related to photography/media be known in advance. There may be restrictions placed on your group’s ability to photograph an activity, but every effort will be made to help you achieve your goals in this respect.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you will be soliciting outside (news) media, please contact Cook Children’s Media Relations department at 682-885-1080 prior to making any contact with the media.

I have read and understood the media and photography statement.

Videoing, or live streaming your performance is not allowed due to patient privacy. Please communicate this policy to every adult attending with your group. To be prepared for your visit, it is important that your needs related to videoing/live streaming be known in advance.

I have read and understood the video/live streaming statement.

Additional Questions?

Thanks in advance for your wonderful gifts of time, talent and treasures! If you have any additional questions, reach out using the contact information below.

Megan Hodges Cook
Community Program Coordinator
Medical Center
801 Seventh Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76104
682-885-4241
Megan.HodgesCook@cookchildrens.org

Community Partnerships

What to know: frequently asked questions

General volunteer questions

My group wants to volunteer to help kids in the medical center. What can we do?

What are the steps that I have to follow for my group to volunteer?

Do you have age restrictions on who can volunteer for these events?

How many volunteers are we allowed to bring with us?

Our group wants to deliver toys or cards directly to patients, can we do that?

How far in advance do we need to schedule our event?

Are there days or times that events are typically scheduled?

Scheduling

How far in advanced to we need to schedule our event?

Are there days/times that events are typically scheduled?

Patient projects and Party hosting event

What is a patient project?

What is party hosting?

Who provides supplies for patient parties or patient projects?

Are there any materials we are not allowed to use?

How many patients should we plan for?

What are the ages of patients that might be participating?

Performances

What is a performance?

Do we need to submit a sample of our performance?

Are there any special guidelines for magicians?

Are there any materials that cannot be used in our show?

What are the guidelines for political or religious content?

Special visitors

What is a special visitor?

Volunteer Service

What is a toy box tidy/playroom cleaning?

What is a serve and learn event?

Other

We want pictures of our volunteering to share on social media, how does that work?

Who takes care of the patients while they are participating at our event?

My organization is having a Day of Service for its employees, can we volunteer all day long?

Application for Community Group Involvement

Group Information and Event Type

Additional Questions?