Lucky Painted Rocks for Cancer Patients

CLOSED: This opportunity is currently closed to submissions. If you started working on or before Wednesday, July 22, 2026, you are welcome to submit the rocks at your convenience. Otherwise, we strongly encourage volunteers to hold their submissions until we can accommodate more. Thanks for your support and understanding!

IMPORTANT: This volunteer opportunity is available by pre-approval only. If you're interested in painting rocks, please email volunteer@kitstoheart.org with photos of your work for approval before submitting. Please allow at least 2 weeks for approval.

Earn 1 verified service hour for every 3 completed painted rocks.

MAXIMUM: 30 rocks per volunteer submission each month.

Help spread hope and encouragement to adults affected by cancer by creating hand-painted inspirational rocks. Each rock becomes a small reminder that someone is thinking of them during treatment and recovery.

Our volunteers decorate rocks with uplifting artwork and encouraging messages that are included in Kits to Heart's free cancer care kits.

IMPORTANT: We can only accept lightweight, flat rocks that are no more than approximately 2 inches wide (smaller than the palm of your hand). Larger or bulky rocks will not fit safely inside our care kits.

Project Guidelines

Each rock should include:

Hand-painted artwork
An uplifting handwritten message
Bright, cheerful colors
A protective clear sealant to help prevent chipping during shipping

Please use acrylic paint and/or paint pens for the best results.

Message Ideas

We encourage messages that offer hope, encouragement, and support, such as:

Sending Love
You Are Strong
Stay Positive
You Rock
Keep Going
You Are Not Alone
Be Brave
You Are Loved
Believe in Yourself
Hope

Symbols such as hearts, stars, rainbows, flowers, sunshine, butterflies, and other uplifting designs are also wonderful additions.

Please Avoid

To help ensure every recipient feels supported, please do not include:

"Get Well Soon"
"Keep Growing"
"Shine"
Messages that may unintentionally minimize someone's experience
Religious or political messages
Holiday-themed artwork
Profanity or inappropriate language

Getting Started

Paint rocks from the comfort of your home, school, workplace, or with a volunteer group. You're welcome to create your own original designs or use our recommended tutorials and inspiration below.

After painting:

Allow the paint to dry completely.
Apply a clear sealant to help prevent chipping.
Let the sealant cure completely before packaging.
Follow our submission instructions.

If mailing your rocks, please package them with plenty of protective cushioning to prevent damage during transit.

Your painted rocks will be distributed to adults affected by cancer through Kits to Heart's free cancer care kits.

Service Hour Information

For volunteers completing this project for service hours:

3 completed rocks = 1 verified service hour
Maximum of 30 rocks per submission each month
Exceptionally detailed rocks that demonstrate significant artistic effort may be considered for additional service hour credit at our discretion.

Students from Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) using the service portal should:

Record the time spent painting.
Upload photos of the completed rocks.
Upload a photo of the packaged shipment or drop-off confirmation.

Thank you for sharing your creativity and helping brighten someone's cancer journey—one rock at a time.

Recommended Materials

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How to Submit

Please follow these steps to ensure your work is received!