3 organizations that let you send heartfelt holiday cards to kids who need them most

On this Giving Tuesday, we're 100% for you donating whatever money, time, and resources you can the causes you care about most. And we know there are a lot of them. While you're at it, consider another group that could benefit from your love: Kids spending the holiday season in a hospital. Donating special holiday cards to kids in need really could make a huge difference — in their spirits and in their hearts. And yours. Especially when you make it a family activity and get your own kids, nephews, nieces, or grandkids involved with you. So I've put together three outstanding organizations you should know, because they'll  help you get those holiday cards into the right little hands.

Related: Lovely gifts that give back on Shop for Good Sunday — or any day

Caitlin's Smiles

Inspired by her craft-loving daughter Caitlin, who passed away from cancer at the age of 7, Cheryl Hornung started Caitlin's Smiles to spread cheer to hospitalized kids in the form of cards and crafting sets. These "Bags of Smiles" contain toys, art supplies, and books, and the organization distributes thousands of them across the country.

Send A Smile 4 Kids

This organization collects personalized cards from all around the country to deliver to patients 18 and under. To make sure yours arrive in the hands of kids by Christmas, be sure to send your cards to Send A Smile 4 Kids by December 5. And be sure to look at their wonderful card-making guidelines — this is a handmade-only kind of a project. And that's awesome by us.

Cards for Hospitalized Kids

When Jen Rubino was hospitalized as an 11-year-old in 2006 with a bone and tissue disorder, she was lonely. When receiving an unexpected card from a hospital volunteer lifted her spirits, she decided to establish her own organization that delivers cards to hospitalized kids in every state in the country. In fact they've helped more than 100,000 kids so far! Ready to add to that number? Bottom photo: congerdesign/Pixabay