Because YOU matter bags - homeless care package - GIVING BACK - IDEAS on how to fill - Service project - hygiene kits


I'm doing a series of great ways kids can get involved with giving back. These are all activities we've done at home or with a large group. 

Here are my five categories we'll be involved with this month and I'll post ideas for each one.

Because you matter bags are little care packages.
This is easy for little kids to help put bags together.

WHY DO THIS?
I'm sure you've seen someone on the side of the road with a sign asking for help. A lot of times I don't have the means to give money. This is a way to give them something they might need. A small care package or hygiene kit.

We keep a few in the car in case we see someone in need.

We purchase travel size toiletries when they're on sale and save sample size snacks and coupons.

Things we include in bags:

Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Shampoo
Conditioner
Soap
Deodorant
Wet wipes
Small snack bar or crackers
Candy (nothing that melts easily) or gum
Gift card/coupon for food
Fabric shopping bag
Lotion
Chapstick
Socks
First aid kits (homemade) - alcohol wipes, q-tips, cotton balls, and individual Neosporin cream. 

I found these clear bags at our local HEB on sale.


Added flossers, homemade first aid kits, and a treat of non-melty candy.

Snack sample and restaurant coupon or gift cards.

Cloth grocery bags are a high demand item.

Rolled and attached to each bag with a rubber band. 


For women use an old purse and fill with feminine products along with the list above.

Bags can be filled with anything. 

Often we hand out toiletries so the kids filled bags with cookies, note pad, pen, deck of card, snack, and a mini flashlight. 

I love these bags the volunteers made. 




I also have awesome friends that save their hotel toiletries. We pass them out downtown to a highly populated homeless area.



OTHER IDEAS
Make hats and scarves during colder months.

Don't know how to knit? No problem.
I purchased knitting looms at Micheal's to make hats. They sell a scarf loom but we haven't tried it yet.

We made a joke that we were Friday night party animals.....knitting party animals. :D

So easy and the boys loved them.

Knitting in the car.

Notice his ring?? It's the decoder ring from Santa's message about family time. He still wears it. :)

Knitting while out to dinner.

He even took the loom to school to knit. We ended up knitting for not only the homeless, but for refugees. Our local library had a month long drive to collect hats and he turned in 12!!!

Please share other ideas!

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FIRST RESPONDERS - Thank you IDEAS - GIVING BACK - Police, Firefighters, EMT, Paramedics, Dispatchers, Military


I'm doing a series of great ways kids can get involved with giving back. These are all activities we've done at home or with a large group. 

Here are my five categories we'll be involved with this month and I'll post ideas for each one.

Notes, cards, treats, cook a meal, or just saying a simple THANK YOU!

WHY DO THIS?
First responders work long hours away from their families and it doesn't matter if it's a holiday or ice day, they still go to work. They are ready for the next call and deal with situations that we can't imagine. Expressing your gratitude to our police, firefighters, EMT, paramedics, dispatchers and military can show respect and appreciation for what they do.

Thank you notes or cards.

Lunch, snacks, treats, fruit, or cookies.



Don't forget holidays when they're away from their families.

Please share other ideas!

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PAPER FLOWERS - Fun Activity for Kids - Retirement residence - GIVING BACK - How to help - Great volunteering ideas!

Paper flowers are a great way to brighten someone's day! Perfect idea for your local retirement residence.

I'm doing a series of ways kids can get involved with giving back. These are all crafts we've done at home and with a large group. 

Here are my five categories we'll be involved with this month and I'll post ideas for each one.

ENVIRONMENT
ANIMALS
RETIREMENT RESIDENTS
FIRST RESPONDERS

WHY DO THIS?
Who wouldn't love a homemade colorful flower!? Seniors enjoy the company and just coming to visit could brighten their day. The flower is a bonus. :)

This craft is easy for little kids to do. Parents can pre-cut circles and kids can pick colors, layer circles and help with the pipe cleaner. We've done this with kids as young as three!


Tissue paper
Circle cardboard template
Scissors
Stapler
Pipe cleaner

You pick how big or small you'd like the flowers to be. In groups we used templates cut from old cereal boxes.


You could also trace a cup or bowl for the template.

I fold the tissue paper and cut several of the template at a time. Be careful not to stack too many because the tissue paper shifts a little.


 10-12 circles of tissue paper per flower. I used 12 for these since I was keeping a pattern. Normally 10 will work fine.

Staple in the center.

Since we are making 4 table centerpieces we did a mass assembly.


Cut a slit on either side of the staple by folding over just a little.


Insert pipe cleaner from the bottom of one side and down the other side making both them the same length.


View from underneath. 

Twist the two pieces together. This makes them a little more sturdy.


Now just bunch together each layer one at a time. I like to bunch and press down.



(optional) Take a 4" pipe cleaner to add as a leaf.

Sihouette Christmas Tree Mason Jars TUTORIAL


Other ways to show the seniors you care:

Bring real flowers!! This was 2006!!!
Every flower came with a hug. :D

It's better to bring something small if they don't have room or ability to take care of it. Air plants or succulents would be a great idea.


Holidays we bring candy, mini cupcakes, or small gifts.

For Valentine's day we brought lotion and St. Patrick's Day little clover necklaces.



Chocolate dipped Nutter Butter cookies

RICE KRISPIE lollipop treats 

Ask if you can come help with special events or bingo days.


He started calling bingo at 4 years old and.....

Now 15 and still calls bingo at the same residence. 

Recently someone brought the flowers after their wedding. I bundled up small bouquets and the boys handed them out to all the ladies.

Please share other ideas!

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