Funny Times is a monthly cartoon and humor newspaper for a world gone weird.
Tickle your funny bone and support a great cause at the same time!
For the fun-deficient, or those that can't get away, we offer some hints and ideas on how to host a Fun-Raiser with your friends! Smiles are contagious. Imagine you are an anti-depressant- being publicly happy and generous of spirit is a public-health action. Fun-raising, for a moment, lifts us a little above this troubled world.
No clowning experience necessary. All you need is the ability to be friendly, thoughtful and a team player.
Yes, our GGO staff offers training both before and during clown visits. We have learned how to encourage you to step out of your “safety zone” and let your inner clown out, in joy.
Yes, and we encourage you to wear clown clothes throughout the clown mission.
No
We have had clowns as young as 2 and as old as 88. Some clown trips are age-restricted. Clowns under age 15 must be accompanied by a parent.
Find the gear you will need here
We discourage gift giving as a general policy. Some small gifts can be appropriate in certain care facilities. Sometimes we ask volunteers to bring vitamins to give to organizations who can dispense them appropriately.
Bubbles, balloons (regular and animal), face paints, rattles, noise makers, percussion, musical instruments, whoopee cushions, puppets, hoolahoops, magic tricks, stuffed animals, goofy things.
Yes, but we strongly encourage you to come mainly to play.
Yes but on a very limited basis. We keep the costs of our missions as low as we can, such that they are affordable for participants and do not lose money for GGO.
Most missions involve clowning in hospitals, so we are almost always near healthcare facilities. Most of our missions include nurse or physician volunteers.
We abide by CDC recommendations for international travel. We also consult with local authorities. Each nation and region is different.
Some yes, some no.
”Safety first” is our biggest concern. We brief all participants on safety practices in our host countries. Our in-country hosts also make preparations for our safety. Our experience in warzones is that the red nose works as a passport. Nevertheless, we emphasize good planning, awareness and group solidarity.
Patch Adams MD & Gesundheit Institute, P.O. Box 307, Urbana, IL 61803
© Copyright 2024 Gesundheit! Institute
If you have ever felt positive about this project and agree with us that it should continue, we hope you'll be able to step up and donate some amount to help us keep going. Thank You!
