Summer Fun Kits for Youth

Here is terrific idea to involve your whole network.
Provide kids fun and educational items to ensure a great summer.
Great family and team building opportunity. Get together with family, friends, neighbors, work colleagues, church groups and neighbors to make a difference in the lives of children this summer.  This is a self-directed opportunity for you to put your ingenuity and creativity into and watch the magic happen!

1. Reach out to a community partner and inquire what they would like, what population the kits will serve and in what quantities.  Ideas for community partners, retail outlets and types of kits are below
2. Work with the organization to determine what items will be in the kits.
3. Share your lists with your networks to collect the necessary items.
   1. Create Amazon Wish List or Registry or pdf of items people can buy in stores and donate in person. You can build a Google Form with the items that should go into the kit.
   2. Share your kit lists and get the word out to your social networks to purchase the items that the agency needs.  Family, friends, work colleagues, church members and neighbors.
4. Build the Kit
   1. Have individuals build the kits at their own pace; remember if gathering please do so in a safe way keeping all health guidelines for safety in mind.
5.  Deliver the kits to your selected community party. 

Send your questions to volunteer@uwci.org.
 
*The following lists are meant to be ideas to get you started, feel free to pursue your favorite nonprofit agencies, retail outlets and kit ideas.
 
Potential Community Partners

• Boys & Girls Club of Indianapolis    https://bgcindy.org/
• Child Advocates     https://www.childadvocates.net/
• Children’s Bureau    https://www.childrensbureau.org/
• Christamore House    https://www.christamorehouse.org/contact
• Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFÉ)    https://www.cafeindy.org/
• Concord Neighborhood Center    https://www.concordindy.org/
• Early Learning Indiana    https://earlylearningin.org/
• Families First    https://www.familiesfirstindiana.org/
• Fathers and Families Center    https://fathersandfamiliescenter.org/
• Flanner House of Indianapolis    https://flannerhouse.org/
• Girl Scouts of Central Indiana    https://www.girlscoutsindiana.org/
• Hawthorne Community Center  https://hawthornecenter.org/
• Jameson Camp    https://www.jamesoncamp.org/
• John Bonder Neighborhood Centers    https://jhbcc.org/
• Lutheran Child & Family Services of IN     https://www.lutheranfamily.org/
• Martin Luther King Community Center     https://mlkcenterindy.org/
• Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center   https://www.maryrigg.org/
• Sheltering Wings of Hendricks County     https://shelteringwings.org/
• Southeast Community Services     https://www.southeastindy.org/
• St. Mary’s Child Center     https://www.smccindy.org/
• The Villages     https://www.villageskids.org/
• YMCA of Greater Indianapolis     https://indymca.org/
• Youth Connections of Johnson County   https://www.youthconnections.org/
• Local schools and summer camps – Search for your favorite local organization on the internet and make a connection with them online or by calling or emailing them to determine their kit needs.

 Items that can be included in your kits:

• Children’s Book
• Crayons
• Coloring Book
• School Supplies
• Jump Rope
• Bubbles
• Paints and brushes
• Basketballs
• Arts and Craft supplies
• Notecards
• Books

 Types of kits

• Back to School items for students or teachers
• STEM
• Jewelry making
• Sewing and needlepoint
• Painting
• Cooking
• Gardening
• Nature
• Music
• Wellness
• Easter Crafts
• Crafts for Christmas presents

 Retail stores you may want to consider for purchasing items:

• Amazon.com
• Dollar Days
• Dollar Tree
• Dollar General
• Family Dollar
• Walmart
• Target
• Ollie’s Bargain Outlet
• Big Lots
• Five Below
• Your favorite retail or online store