Austin Volunteers Prepare Hundreds of Valentine's Cards for Kids with Rare Diseases

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Austin families with children facing rare medical conditions recently returned home after an unforgettable week in Park City, Utah, where they participated in adaptive skiing, equestrian activities, indoor rock climbing, and adaptive cycling at the National Ability Center. While the families were away, volunteers in Austin and beyond were busy creating hundreds of handmade Valentine's Day cards for CC4C's annual Project Valentine, which sends personalized messages of love and encouragement to the spotlighted children each February.

Why it matters

CC4C focuses on removing barriers to experiences that many families assume are out of reach, matching resources and support to children with rare conditions so they can access adaptive recreation, gain confidence, and make lasting memories. Project Valentine serves a complementary mission, reminding children that a broad community is thinking of them, celebrating them, and standing with them.

The details

The Park City trip was organized by CC4C, Cheyanna's Champion 4 Children, a nonprofit that flew 26 parents and children to the National Ability Center, where the kids took part in a variety of adaptive activities. Each child was paired with a trained private instructor to meet their individual needs, ensuring the trip was barrier-free. Meanwhile, local groups in Austin including Rough Hollow Elementary School, Young Men's Service League, National Charity League, Girl Scout troops, and area businesses, as well as volunteers from as far away as Spain, created hundreds of handmade Valentine's Day cards for CC4C's annual Project Valentine.

• The Park City trip took place in early 2026.
• Project Valentine cards are sent to the children each February.

What’s next

CC4C's annual fundraising gala, Night to Uplift, will be held on February 20, 2026 to help fund programs like the Park City trip and Project Valentine.