Every holiday season, Driscoll Children’s Hospital lights up with more than just decorations. These halls shine with hope and creativity that inspires even its youngest patients. These kids, while receiving care, make art that turns into Christmas cards.

But these cards do more than spread holiday cheer — they help change lives.

“It’s so therapeutic for the patients, but also the staff and volunteers,” said Sarah Centeno, volunteer services manager at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi. “When they learn their art could be on a Christmas card, they get really excited. They start to feel famous, knowing thousands of people will see their work.”

The project begins with Driscoll’s Art Cart, a mobile art supply station that visits patients’ rooms yearlong. The opportunity to make art — whether it’s with crayons, paint or colored pencils — is one way Driscoll Children’s Hospital cares for the whole child, knowing health is about more than medical exams.

“It’s incredible to watch a child go from being shy or anxious to sitting up and talking about what colors they want to use,” explained Centeno. “In that moment, they aren’t a sick kid — they’re just a kid making art.”

From bedside art to holiday cheer

The Art Cart isn’t just a creative outlet — it’s a therapeutic escape. For 30 minutes or an hour, children can forget about treatments and just be kids.

“For our patients here in the hospital, the Art Cart helps normalize their stay. The opportunity to make a card is a big part of that,” said Centeno. “We might knock on their door in February and say, ‘Hey, do you want to make some Christmas trees?’ When they hear it could be a card, their faces just light up.”

Each year, a panel of community judges help select the designs that will appear on the cards. Choosing the artwork takes time, with each piece carefully reviewed to find the perfect ones.

“We give them categories and host an event where they select the pieces,” explained Centeno.

This typically takes place in summertime. The winning designs become that year’s holiday cards. Each selected child receives a framed copy of their artwork, along with a package containing cards, shirts or other merchandise featuring their design.

“It’s one of my favorite calls to make,” said Centeno, describing how she tells parents their child’s artwork was chosen. “They can’t wait to tell their kids. It’s such a joyful moment for the whole family.”

More than just cards

The cards are available in packs of seven for just $7 or individually for $1.50. They can be purchased online through Driscoll’s gift shop, in-person at hospital locations or even customized for businesses. Some companies order cards in bulk, adding personalized messages or signatures inside.

This year, Driscoll has expanded its offerings to include gift bags and mugs featuring patient art.

“We even create Christmas shirts with one of the designs,” said Centeno. “This year, we have a snowman and reindeer that’s just adorable.”

Proceeds from the cards and merchandise directly benefit Driscoll’s scholarship program, including the Marcia K. Wilcox Memorial Scholarship. Named after a beloved hospital volunteer, this fund supports current and former oncology patients in pursuing higher education.

“It’s a full-circle moment,” Centeno said. “We’re helping them during treatment, and now we’re helping them go to college.”

Centeno noted the holiday card program wouldn’t be possible without the support of volunteers and the hospital’s in-house print shop, affectionately called “the Rachaels” after the two staff members who run it.

“They work tirelessly, especially this time of year, printing these cards and filling orders around the clock,” she said.

Spreading joy beyond the holidays

The holiday card initiative is part of a larger effort to promote creativity and healing throughout the year. Driscoll also sells greeting cards for other occasions, as well as seasonal shirts and gifts.

Project Artwork, started in 1988 by the Auxiliary to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, has raised more than $200,000 for oncology scholarships. Proceeds support all patients and families at the hospital.

“We’ve seen how much this art impacts the kids,” said Centeno. “One patient with leukemia made art a part of his routine. It was therapeutic for him, something he looked forward to whenever he visited Driscoll.”

After all, Driscoll’s patient-designed cards are more than just festive stationery — they’re a celebration of creativity, strength and the power of art to heal.

“When kids come here, they’re not just a number,” Centeno said. “They’re part of our Driscoll family. And through this program, we get to show them just how much they matter.”