Journals

In all the 78 rooms at Ronald McDonald House Cincinnati, our guest families will find a handmade journal containing the stories, thoughts and experiences of the families who have come before them. It may be a comfort to an overwhelmed mother to realize that another mom has been on the same journey she is just beginning. Or a father may want to pay if forward and leave behind an encouraging message for the next dad to come into his room. The journals fill up quickly and we are always in need of fresh pages to be waiting for that next family.

If you search the internet you will find many, many different sites offering instructions for hand crafting journals. You will find very simple ideas that begin with a composition notebook, and you will much more complex plans that involve making your own paper! Your ambitions may fall somewhere in between, but some things that all journals have in common are:

• Journals are always smaller than a regular 8 ½ x 11 notebook, usually about half that size.
• The front and back covers are made from a sturdy, strong material.
• The paper inside is blank, but be can be colored or lined.
• The covers are decorative or inspiring.
• Some have ink pens attached.

Choose the plan that is right for you. Your ideas and creativity are encouraged. It is your own special gift to a family in need, so you really can’t disappoint.

Ideas for decorating the cover:

• Stickers or decals
• Rubber stamp designs
• Fabric or wallpaper
• Wrapping paper, rice paper
• Inspiring quotes or poems
• Scrapbook supplies/software

Ideas for binding:

• Comb binding.
• Use a 3 ring binder
• Loop string, ribbon or yarn through punched holes
• Glue the spine in ‘book binding’ fashion
• Scrapbook album

Web sites to try:

• www.ehow.com/how_2173986_own-journal-book.html
• www.ehow.com/way_5437416_homemade-journals.html
• www.homemadegiftguru.com/homemade-journal.html
• www.associatedcontent.com/article/1351530/how_to_make_your_own_homemade_journal.html?cat=7
• blissfullydomestic.com/2009/easy-homemade-journal
• www.teeshamoore.com/how_to_make_journals.htm
• curiouslycrafty.wordpress.com/tutorials

For the safety of our House children and parents, anyone in your group who is coughing, feverish, has a runny nose or has been exposed to a contagious disease should not visit the House or be involved with this project. Some of our children are in isolation or have immune-suppressed bodies and cannot fight even the simplest cold. We encourage frequent hand-washing during assembly.

This is a great activity for youth/teen groups. Journals can be prepared in your own setting and dropped off at the House any day between 9 AM and 9 PM. Don’t forget to fill out a donation form and have any community service forms signed while you are here. Thank you for your generous support of our families.

Sincerely,

Lisa Davis
Meals and Activities Coordinator
513-636-2760 office
ldavis@RMHouse.org