Girl Scout Troop 50166 and the Reed Intermediate School PTA has launched Sheets From Home: Sheets Drive 2014.

The groups are collecting new sheets for children who are in hospitals for a lengthy period of time. Their hope is to bring a smile to their faces while they undergo some tough health situations.

Donated sheets must be new.

“Many children undergoing cancer treatments have weakened immune systems which [are] susceptible to infection. Therefore most hospitals can only accept new sheets,” according to the FAQ page at sheetsfromhome.org.

The public is invited to help the groups achieve their school goal of 100 sheet sets. Collection bins have been set up near the security desk in the main lobby of the school, at 3 Trades Lane, and will remain in place until April 4.

According to the group’s website, full size bed sheets are the best fit for hospital beds. Sheets From Home also provides sheets for crib size beds for younger children.

Patterns and bright colors are encouraged. “Choose a Disney character, sports, or any other pattern that you think would make a child happy,” says the SFH website.

The sheets donated through this year’s Reed collection will be added to an ongoing sheet collection. They will be included in a donation to a pediatric oncology units somewhere in the country.  

For more information visit www.sheetsfromhome.org website or the organization’s Facebook page.