Craftibilities: giving back

Showing posts with label giving back. Show all posts

Thursday, January 10, 2019

GROUP Service Project Idea - Assemble DIY Mini First Aid Kits for the Homeless - Homemade bag - Supply ideas - Downloadable tag

I love ideas that are easy ways to give back.

These DIY mini first aid kits are inexpensive to make large quantities and a perfect group service project.

Last Sunday we did this with the retirement residents. It's a nice opportunity for them to give back without leaving the building. They assembled the kits and we'll take them downtown to a highly concentrated area where the homeless gather.

You could also give the kits to a group that benefits the homeless.

SUPPLIES:

Band-Aids - different sizes

Alcohol wipe

Q-tips

Hand sanitizer wipes

Ointment

We wanted to make it easy to remember what to put in the bags. TWO of everything except the tag & ointment.

2 small round band-aids

2 large band-aids

2 alcohol wipes

2 Q-tips

2 hand sanitizer wipes

1 tag

1 ointment (optional)

I ordered individual ointments from Amazon but they didn't arrive in time.

They were added afterwards.

Tips for assembling:

We reminded everyone they would have 6 different items. This way they could set it out and count to make sure they weren't missing anything.

Things I would do differently or add:

We had 4 table and went around with each item and added to the table. It would've been better to add ALL 6 items on a table and before moving to the next table. It caused some confusion since not all items were on the table before starting.

When we do this again, I will make a board with a large photos of each item and a large #2 above it. This way we could set the board at the front of the room or walk around with it to show each table.

With all that said, it went great. All the residents speed filled 60 bags perfectly in under 20 minutes!!!

I ordered the antibiotic cream on amazon. 144 for about $12.

FREE DOWNLOAD

4x6 size - 6 first aid logos per print.
Print at your local Walgreens, CVS, print lab or print at home.
(Click link below and right click and save.)

FIRST AID TAGS

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.

ENVIRONMENT
ANIMALS
RETIREMENT RESIDENTS
FIRST RESPONDERS
HOMELESS

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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Saturday, December 23, 2017

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.

ENVIRONMENT
ANIMALS
RETIREMENT RESIDENTS
FIRST RESPONDERS
HOMELESS

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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Monday, December 18, 2017

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

HOMELESS

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.