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Ready to Lend a Little Hand? 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Sunbeam Kids! While membership benefits go beyond just in person projects, they are the cornerstone of our work -- we love getting families of all types together to build community, show the kids their collective impact, and give them confidence that they can make a difference by lending a little hand.  

NEW! Our all-volunteer leadership team has been hard at work planning and listing projects here further ahead to give you more notice to save the date. Then, registration typically opens 2-3 weeks prior to a project start date. Most projects are open to SBK Member families first as a benefit of your membership*, and then we open the registration to guests a few days later if space allows. 

*while we rely on the $40/family/year donation to keep the good work going, we never want that to be a hurdle to volunteering with us. If your family would like to request a waiver, we are able to do that no questions asked for a handful of families per year based on a private donation earmarked for that purpose. If that's the reason you haven't joined, please ask! 

Upcoming projects

    • 07/27/2024
    • 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
    • JOMM: 4180 N. Lydell Ave, Glendale, WI 53212
    Join waitlist

    Sorting & Rescuing Food at Just One More Ministry

    Overview:

    Just One More Ministry (JOMM) is a food rescue program that began back in 2008. The organization receives prepared foods, bakery, produce, and nonperishable donations from numerous businesses and redistributes it to over 90 Milwaukee area churches, food pantries, and homeless organizations.

    This project has been a favorite among SBK families and we are excited to be back again on Saturday, July 27th from 8:30 to 10:30 am! Note: This date is updated from what was previously listed in our July newsletter. 

    What to expect:

    Our tasks may change based on their most immediate needs to get food out the door, but we expect to be assembling outreach bags of food.

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    Any age is welcome at this project. We have space for approximately 3-4 families to sign up, dependent on the size of the SBK families attending (please use an accurate headcount in your registration for this reason). 

    What to wear:

    This is an indoor warehouse so dress light if it's warm. Kids are welcome to wear their SBK shirts/lanyards if they would like.

    Parking information:

    The JOMM facility is located in an industrial park with warehouses. From Capitol Drive, turn north onto 1st St., which becomes Lydell St. Use your phone's navigation as there is not good signage from the road.

    Project Leader: Laura Eisenmann

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is currently open to members* but we will be happy to open it up to guests of space allows approximately one week prior to the project date. Please only sign up if you know you can attend. We understand illness and emergencies do come up so if you register and can no longer attend, please let us know ASAP so we can fill your spot. 

    A big thanks to our Project Leader Laura for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Amanda Barnhart

    Board President

    *While we rely on member donations to keep the good work going, we never want the $40/family/year to be a hurdle to volunteering with us. If you are in need of assistance, we do have a limited number of scholarships available that are 100% confidential, just email and ask! 

    • 08/05/2024
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Pewaukee Public Library: 210 Main St, Pewaukee, WI 53072
    Register

    Celebrate SBK's 11th Birthday with

    Birthday Bags for Meta House

    Overview:

    Meta House is a treatment facility helping moms overcome substance abuse. One of the things that sets it apart is allowing children to stay with their mothers during inpatient treatment. These mothers face many challenges, and often they are not able to give their children a birthday party with all of the fun things that we usually associate with such occasions. We’ll assemble the party kits together as a way to celebrate SBK’s 11th birthday by lending a little hand! 

    Join us at the Pewaukee Library from 6:00-7:00 pm on Monday, August 5th to make birthday bags for the kids staying at Meta House and have a little birthday fun to celebrate 11 years of SBK families lending a little hand! 

    What to expect:

    During this project, Sunbeam Kids will be packing "birthday party in a bag" kits that will be delivered to Meta House. Kits will include a small gift, gift bag, blank card, cake mix, frosting, and some other small surprises. We'll also provide cupcakes to enjoy at this project (please note any allergies in the project registration) in celebration of SBK's birthday!

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    All ages welcome and we're happy to have guests join us as well!

    Location: 

    We will be meeting in the Community Room which is located immediately to the left as you enter through the library doors off the parking lot.

    What to bring:

    In order to make this project a success, we are asking all families who register to commit to bringing items to pack, no matter how big or small. Bringing supplies to donate helps kids personally connect to the project, knowing the item(s) they brought are helping others. NOTE: If you would like to participate but are unable to bring items, please let us know via email (confidential) and we will buy supplies on your behalf. We just want to make sure we have enough supplies to spread equally across the birthday kits.

    Please use this Sign Up Genius Link to indicate which items you plan to bring by Sunday, August 4th.

    Unable to attend?

    If you are unable to attend in person but would still like to contribute some lunch packing supplies, we will have a bin drop off location in Pewaukee though 8/4. Please register with the ticket type “We will drop off birthday supplies!”. The drop off address is included in the confirmation e-mail. Use the Sign Up Genius link above and include “bin drop off” in the notes. 

    Project Leader: Amanda Barnhart & Laura Eisenmann

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is currently open to members and guests. Please only sign up if you know you can attend. We understand illness and emergencies do come up so if you register and can no longer attend, please let us know ASAP so we can fill your spot and make arrangements to have birthday kit supplies you signed up for covered. 

    Thank you for lending a little hand! We're excited to celebrate together!

    Amanda Barnhart

    Board President

    *While we rely on member donations to keep the good work going, we never want the $40/family/year to be a hurdle to volunteering with us. If you are in need of assistance, we do have a limited number of scholarships available that are 100% confidential, just email and ask! 

    • 08/07/2024
    • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
    • Wauwatosa Public Library (Firefly Room) - 7635 West North Ave. Wauwatosa, WI 53213
    • 19
    Register

    Toiletry Kit Packing for Cathedral Center

    Overview:

    Cathedral Center serves up to 28 unaccompanied women and 8 families with children in emergency shelter for up to 90 days and 4 unaccompanied women and 8 families with children in flexible housing for up to 2 years. Families include single mothers, single fathers, two parent households, and multigenerational amalgamations.

    On Wednesday, August 7th, Sunbeam Kids families will get together at the Wauwatosa Library from 4:00-5:30 pm to make toiletry kits and pack the kits as a group.

    What to expect:

    We'll start with a brief explanation of Cathedral Center and how we're supporting their work, then we’ll get to work packing toiletry kits. We are hoping to pack approximately 100 kits, but we'll make as many as we have supplies for! We will also have kids make a few encouraging notes/drawings to include in the kits.

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    All ages are welcome and we do not have a capacity limit for this project -- members and guests who want to try out a project are welcome! 

    Additional information:

    This project will be held in Firefly Room on the first floor of the library.

    What to bring:

    In order to make this project a success, we are asking all families who register to commit to bringing items to pack, no matter how big or small. Bringing supplies to donate helps kids personally connect to the project, knowing the item(s) they brought are helping other families. NOTE:  If you would like to participate but are unable to bring items, please let us know via email (confidential) and we will buy supplies on your behalf. We just want to make sure we have enough supplies to pack.

    Please use this Sign Up Genius link to note what supplies you’ll be bringing in an effort to provide some variety. 

    Unable to attend?

    If you are unable to attend in person but would still like to contribute some kit packing supplies, we will have a bin drop off location in Elm Grove though 8/6. Please use the Sign Up Genius link above and include “bin drop off” in the notes. The drop off address will be included in the project registration email. 

    Project Leader: Laura Eisenmann

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is open to members* and guests.  Please only sign up if you know you can attend. We understand illness and emergencies do come up so if you register and can no longer attend, please let us know ASAP so we can fill your spot. 

    A big thanks to our Project Leader Laura for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Amanda Barnhart

    Board President

    *While we rely on member donations to keep the good work going, we never want the $40/family/year to be a hurdle to volunteering with us. If you are in need of assistance, we do have a limited number of scholarships available that are 100% confidential, just email and ask! 

    • 08/14/2024
    • 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM
    • University School Milwaukee - 2100 W Fairy Chasm Rd, River Hills, WI 53217

    Let's Play Ball with Miracle League Baseball

    Overview:

    The Miracle League through the YMCA allows people of all ABILITIES play organized baseball. Players with diverse-ABILITIES dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases, just like their peers in standard baseball leagues. 

    This is a great chance for our SBK kids who love sports to play with some new team members, however, no sports experience, equipment, or knowledge of baseball is necessary. Players will have a range of abilities and volunteers age 10+ are paired with a player to assist during the game as player partners. In the past, we even had the chance to dress up as the mascot, Homer!  It's all about making it a great experience for the players and their families.

    This project has been a favorite among SBK families, and we are excited to be headed back to play ball on Wednesday, August 14th from 5:45 to 7:00 pm!

    What to expect:

    One of the most important elements of a Miracle League game is the "player partner" program. Each player is paired with a friend to assist them on and off the field during a two-inning game.

    Check out this brief video from TMJ4 to see what you can expect. 

    Note: usually there is a formal game, but sometimes when fewer kids show up they do drills instead. Please know that any role your family plays is meaningful to the participants! 

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    Player partners must be age 10+ years per the YMCA, but all ages are welcome to come cheer! We have committed to bringing 10 player partners (kids or adults) and can bring as many fans for the cheering section as want to join in the fun. 

    What to wear:

    Dress in clothes comfortable to play ball. We love it when you wear your SBK t-shirts, but player partners typically are offered a YMCA volunteer t-shirt as well if you'd like one. You can bring a baseball glove if you want, but this is not required. 

    Location information:

    If you've been to this event in the past, please note that there was a new location as of last year at University School Milwaukee (2100 W Fairy Chasm Rd, River Hills, WI 53217).

    Details regarding specific meeting location will be provided in the days leading up to the event. 

    Project Leader: Vanessa Eisenmann

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is open to members* for the first week of registration, and we're happy to welcome guests if we have additional space in the week leading up to the projectPlease only sign up if you know you can attend. We understand illness and emergencies do come up so if you register and can no longer attend, please let us know ASAP so we can fill your spot. 

    A big thanks to our Project Leader Vanessa for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Amanda Barnhart

    Board President

    *While we rely on member donations to keep the good work going, we never want the $40/family/year to be a hurdle to volunteering with us. If you are in need of assistance, we do have a limited number of scholarships available that are 100% confidential, just email and ask! 


    • 08/24/2024
    • 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
    • South Shore Park Pavilion: 2900 S. Shore Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53207.

    Milwaukee County Parks Beach Cleanup


    Overview:

    With the warm summer weather, it's great to be able to utilize our county parks and enjoy some time outside! Unfortunately with all this use some trash is inevitably left behind. However, this is where Sunbeam Kids families can help! We will be heading down to South Shore Park on Saturday, August 24th (rain date Sunday, August 25th) from 9:00-10:00 am to clean up trash and debris found around the beach.

    What to expect:

    We'll meet at the South Shore Pavilion beer garden at 9:00 am for introductions and housekeeping items. SBK families will then walk the Bay View beach, Oak Leaf trail, and/or surrounding park/playground to clean up trash. We'll then meet back at the beer garden at 10:00 am to adjourn. Trash pickup has been coordinated with Milwaukee County Parks.

    Feel free to stay for lunch or a beverage at the beer garden. The farmer’s market won’t be open for the season yet, but we will plan for another beach clean up in late summer/early fall where this will be available for you and your family and friends as well!

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    Open to all ages but must be able to walk for up to an hour on sand, grass, and pavement without limitations or restrictions.

    What to bring:

    Bring gardening gloves (if preferred over exam gloves that will be provided). 

    Each volunteer will need to fill out a Milwaukee County Parks Volunteer Agreement HERE. (This only takes <5min, type in Sunbeam Kids Inc. for the affiliated group). FYI - Sunbeam Kids Inc. does not retain these forms, they get submitted directly to Milwaukee County Parks.

    What to wear:

    Wear outdoor, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. 

    Additional information:

    • If there is light drizzling rain, we will still plan on doing the cleanup. If severe weather is forecasted, you will be sent a cancellation message no later than 7 am the morning of the event and the event will be rescheduled to Sunday 8/25/2024 (same date, timeframe, and location).
    • Latex-free gloves, buckets, grabbers, and trash bags will all be provided courtesy of Keeping Greater Milwaukee Beautiful.
    • Volunteers are not allowed to collect needles, sharps, or otherwise hazardous objects. If found, these items should be reported to staff. 

    Project Leader: Merissa Lauzon

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is currently open to members*. Please only sign up if you know you can attend. We understand illness and emergencies do come up but they are counting on our hands, so if you register and can no longer attend, please let us know ASAP so we can work to fill your spot. 

    Thank you to our Project Leader Merissa Lauzon for leading this project, and thank YOU for lending a little hand! 

    Amanda Barnhart

    Board President

    *While we rely on member donations to keep the good work going, we never want the $40/family/year to be a hurdle to volunteering with us. If you are in need of assistance, we do have a limited number of scholarships available that are 100% confidential, just email and ask! 


Address:
PO Box 1854
Brookfield, WI  53008

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