In January, the Greater Princeton & Far Beyond Branch of AYLUS (GPA) hosted a drive to collect new or used crayons as part of GPA Art Therapy Initiative, sending crayons as gifts to many hospitalized children.
The recycling will not only reduce waste but also bring happiness to hospitalized children through art and creative expression. Studies have shown that art therapy can reduce heart rates, improve cognition, release endorphins, and alleviate stress. Kids and families experiencing extended hospitalization go through insurmountable stress. However, kids at children’s hospitals who had access to art supplies experienced lower levels of stress than those who did not. The Crayons are free and often brought home by parents and kids’ post-hospital.
Many GPA members participated in the drive, spreading the words and flyers and promoting the crayon drive at their schools and neighbors.
GPA volunteers: Cassie Wang (1/19, 1 hr), James Yang (1/19, 1 hr), Emma Yang (1/19, 1 hr), Martin Zhao (1/19, 1 hr), Ethan Jiang (1/19, 2 hrs), James Jiang (1/19, 2 hr), Andrew Huan (1/20, 1 hr), Cici Yang (1/20, 1 hr), Vivien Yang (1/20, 1 hr), Sophia Yu (1/20, 1 hr), Sara Yu (1/20, 1 hr), Claire Hua (1/21, 1 hr), Cindy Chen (1/21, 1 hr), Michael Zhao (1/21, 1 hr), James Jiang (1/21, 2 hrs), Ethan Jiang (1/21, 2 hrs), James Yang (1/21, 1 hr), Jeffrey Huang (1/21, 1 hr)
