How do you make a hello card?

Fold a paper in half, draw on the front and write a kind message inside. Then give it, with a grown-up, to a neighbor or a helper who makes your day better.

Talon says“A card can make a helper’s whole day!”

This one is made for paper: print it, then write, draw and color on it.

A hello card says “I’m glad you’re here.” A thank-you card says “I noticed what you do.” Both take just a few minutes, and the person who gets one might keep it for a long time.

This page has card ideas you can copy. Each one has words to write and an empty space for your drawing. Your card is from you.

How to make a card

Get a piece of paper. Plain paper or a print of this page both work.
Fold it in half like a book. Press the fold flat with your thumb.
Draw on the front. Use crayons, markers or colored pencils.
Write inside. Copy one of the messages below, or make up your own.
Sign it kindly. “From your neighbor” or just your first name.
Give it with a grown-up.

Card tip: Big, bright pictures are easier to see for people whose eyes are not as sharp as yours. Use thick lines and big letters.

Cards for neighbors

Card 1: Hello, Neighbor!

Front

Inside

Hello, Neighbor!

Draw: your street, a house, a big sun or a flower.

I’m happy you live on our street. I hope you have a great day!

From your neighbor,

Card 2: Stay cool!

Front

Inside

Stay Cool!

Draw: a shady tree, a cold glass of water or a fan.

It’s hot out there! We’re thinking of you and hope you’re nice and cool inside.

Your friends next door,

Card 3: Stay warm!

Front

Inside

Stay Warm!

Draw: a snowflake, a cozy blanket or a mug.

Brrr! It’s cold today. We hope you’re snug and warm.

Your neighbors,

Card 4: Welcome to the street

Front

Inside

Welcome!

Draw: a door with a welcome mat, or a moving truck.

Welcome to the neighborhood! We hope you love it here.

From the family down the street

Thank-you cards for helpers

Lots of people help your neighborhood every day. A community helper is someone whose job helps everyone around them.

Card 5: For the mail carrier

Front

Inside

Thank You for Bringing Our Mail!

Draw: a mailbox, envelopes or the mail truck.

You walk and drive in the heat, the cold and the rain. Thank you for bringing our letters and packages!

From the house with the card in the mailbox

Ask your grown-up if you can tape it to the inside of your mailbox with “Thank you!” on the outside.

Card 6: For the trash and recycling crew

Front

Inside

Thank You, Clean Team!

Draw: the big truck, the carts on the curb, a clean street.

You keep our street clean every week. Thank you for your hard work!

Big trucks need lots of space, so stay back. Your grown-up can tape your card to the top of your cart, or you can wave and hold up a sign from a window.

Card 7: For the crossing guard

Front

Inside

Thank You for Keeping Us Safe!

Draw: a stop sign, a crosswalk, a bright vest.

You help us cross the street every day, even when it’s hot or rainy. Thank you!

Card 8: For any helper

Librarians, bus drivers, teachers, firefighters, store workers, park rangers and repair technicians all help us. (A technician is a person trained to fix machines. Read about one kind on What Does an HVAC Technician Do?)

Front

Inside

Thank You, Helper!

Draw the helper and the tool they use most.

Thank you for helping our town. I noticed how hard you work!

One thing I noticed:

Cards for people who get meals at home

Some groups bring meals to people who can’t easily get out, like older neighbors. Sometimes those groups welcome homemade cards to tuck in with the meals. Every group has its own rules, so your grown-up checks first.

Keep messages cheerful and simple: “Have a sunny day!” or “Thinking of you!”
Write “Dear Friend” instead of a name.
Sign with a first name only, or “A kid in Austin.”
Skip glitter. It gets everywhere!

Why it works: A card is a little piece of you that someone can hold. People often keep cards on a shelf or the fridge and look at them again and again. Your few minutes of drawing can make someone smile all week.