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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

    • 11/08/2025
    • 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
    • American Family Field
    Register

    Cheering Section for Girls on the Run

    Overview:

    On the morning of Saturday, November 8th, the streets & parking lot surrounding American Family Field will be bursting with girls and young ladies running! We will be cheering on the runners of Girls on the Run of Greater Milwaukee at American Family Field, home of your Milwaukee Brewers. GOTR's mission is "we inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running."  We can help inspire the participants...and our own kids!

    Join us to make some noise and cheer on these girls who are working hard to be their best and celebrate this big accomplishment for them. We'll be on site from 8 am to 11:30 am running one of the cheer stations along the 5K course! Note: End time may be slightly earlier depending on where our cheering station is located on the course. 

    What to expect:

    We will meet as a group at 8 am (we'll send a specific meeting spot prior to the event) and walk to our cheering station together. Once the 5K begins, we'll channel all our energy into cheering for the runners and their running buddies as they pass by! 

    IMPORTANT: All adults (18+) are required to register with GOTR directly (including agreement to a background check) in addition to completing your normal Sunbeam Kids project registration. Please go to the GOTR website HERE to register each family member that is 18+ and select "CHEER STATION - SUNBEAM KIDS" from the category drop down. GOTR asks that registration be completed by Saturday, November 1st. As such, we will close registration for SBK project after 11/1 as well. No additional registration is required for minors.

    Capacity & age recommendations: 

    Any ages are welcome and we are happy to bring as many families along that would like to participate- including guests!

    What to bring: 

    There is no need to bring anything specific- your energy and cheering voice are what's most needed! However, if you're looking for ways to boost the fun for the girls running, pompoms, music, signs cheering them on, bubbles, noise makers, family-friendly costumes/inflatables, etc. are exciting additions to the cheer section as well. Whatever you can think of to help pump up the energy!

    What to wear: 

    Dress for the weather since the 5K does take place outside. Sunbeam Kids shirts are welcome! Expect to be outside for the whole length of the event. 

    Additional info:

    • GOTR knows we are bringing kids so they intend to give us one of the closer cheering spots. Feel free to bring a wagon or stroller though if you think that may be easier for little legs getting to SBK's cheering station. 
    • Check out the GOTR website HERE for more general 5K information. 
    • There are bathrooms available, but they may be a walk from the cheering station depending on where we are stationed. 

    Project Leader: Kristen Donlevy

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is open to members* and guests who would like to try a Sunbeam Kids project. 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 Board Member Kristen 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! 


    • 11/12/2025
    • 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
    • West Allis Public Library- Constitution Room (ground floor): 7421 W National Ave, West Allis, WI 53214
    • 1
    Register

    Making Mercy Mats for People Experiencing Homelessness

    Overview:

    On Wednesday, November 12 join Sunbeam Kids from 4:00-5:30 pm to assist the Mercy Mats volunteers at their regular weekly project preparing materials for sleeping mats for local people experiencing homelessness...made out of plastic bags that may have otherwise ended up in the landfill! Please note that it's ok to arrive after 4 pm, but we ask that you attend for at least an hour to maximize our impact as a group. 

    Volunteers from Mercy Mats of West Allis will help new volunteers learn how to do this work, and then they will later distribute the completed mats to a homeless shelter they work with in Milwaukee. Making one mat is quite labor intensive and takes multiple weeks, but what a difference a mat makes to the person who will receive it!  

    What to expect:

    There is a job for everyone, including sorting bags, flattening bags, making plarn (you guessed it...plastic yard made from the plastic bags!). If you crochet and want to learn to assembling a full mat at home, please find Donna to request information.

    Capacity & age recommendations:

    We have space for 5 SBK families to join, and all ages are welcome (although project itself is generally best for age 3 or older)! 

    What to bring:

    Feel free to bring along any single use plastic bags you have at home (optional). 

    What to wear:

    No special requirements, but kids can wear their Sunbeam Kids t-shirts if they would like. 

    Project Leader: Vanessa 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.  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 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! 


    • 11/22/2025
    • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
    • Pewaukee Public Library - 210 Main St, Pewaukee, WI 53072

    Card Making for Deployed Military

    Overview:

    Every holiday season since 2004, a group of volunteers in the Milwaukee area has worked to collect and ship cookies to military members far from home. This group has grown over the years and became Operation Home Baked in 2016 when the nonprofit You Are Special took over the effort. Volunteers from all over the Milwaukee area bake cookies, donate Halloween candy to be used in the shipping boxes to protect the cookies, and gather in early December for a busy day of packing care packages of cookies. In 2024, Operation Home Baked shipped 53,364 cookies to deployed military! Since 2020, Operation Home Baked has also partnered with three local veteran organizations to delivery cookies to homeless vets in the greater Milwaukee area. 

    Join us on Saturday, November 22nd from 1:00-2:00 pm as we make thank you cards, letters, and drawings that will be included in these care packages. All ages are welcome and Operation Home Baked is happy to take as many notes as we can make. These cards will add an extra personalized touch of appreciation to go along with the cookies being sent. 

    What to expect:

    We'll start with brief intros and an overview of what Operation Home Baked is. Then we'll get to work on our cards! We'll have a variety of options for card making supplies, paper to write letters, or coloring sheets - something for every level, just bring your creativity! 

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    This event is open to all ages and we have room for approximately 12 families. Members* will be able to register for the first week, and then we will open any remaining available spots to guests one week prior to the project.  

    What to bring:

    No need to bring any supplies. All needed project materials will be provided by SBK.

    What to wear:

    Feel free to wear your SBK shirt if you have one and bring your lanyard to collect your ribbon if you're a member. 

    Additional information:

    This project will be held in the Community Room of the Pewaukee Public Library. Enter the main doors off the parking lot and the room will be immediately to your left.

    Project Leader: Amanda Barnhart

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    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 allow others to fill the spot. 

    Thanks 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! 

    • 11/30/2025
    • 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Wauwatosa Library - Firefly Room: 7635 W. North Ave, Wauwatosa 53213

    Fall Decoration Making for Kathy's House

    Overview:

    Kathy’s House is a hospital guest house committed to providing affordable lodging and caring support in a “home away from home” environment for families who need to travel to Milwaukee for medical care.  There are 38 guest rooms for patients and families of patients to have a place to stay while receiving medical treatment in the greater Milwaukee area.

    Join Sunbeam Kids on Sunday, November 30th from 1:30-3:00 pm at the Wauwatosa Library to make winter themed decorations for Kathy's House. 

    What to expect:

    One way to make Kathy’s House feel homier is to have homemade decorations for the doors of all guest rooms. In this project, we will meet at the Wauwatosa Library to make fall decorations for the doors.

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    All ages are welcome and we have room for approximately 12 families at this project.

    What to bring:

    No need to bring any supplies- just some creativity! Kids can wear their Sunbeam Kids shirts and bring their name tag lanyards to collect a ribbon.

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is currently open to members* but we will be happy to open it up to guests if space allows after the first week of registration. 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 any lunch packing supplies you signed up for covered. 

    A big thanks to our Board member Kristen Donlevy 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! 

    • 12/03/2025
    • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Brookfield Public Library - 1900 N. Calhoun Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005

    Christmas Decoration Making for LindenGrove

    Overview:

    LindenGrove New Berlin provides a range of care for residents from rehab and skilled nursing to assisted living and memory care. We can make a difference to the residents in assisted living and memory care by making some seasonal decorations to brighten up the hallways. The residents will love knowing the decorations were made by little hands and caring hearts! 

    Join us on Wednesday, December 3rd from 5:00-6:00 pm as we make Christmas decorations that will be hung on bedroom doors at LindenGrove. Feel free to come a few minutes late if needed as this project is flexible and we know after school timing can be tricky. 

    What to expect:

    We'll start with brief intros and an overview of what LindenGrove is. Then we'll get to work on our Christmas door decorations!

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    This event is open to all ages and we have room for approximately 12 families. Members* will be able to register for the first week, and then we will open any remaining available spots to guests one week prior to the project.  

    What to bring:

    No need to bring any supplies, just bring your creativity! All needed project materials will be provided by SBK.

    What to wear:

    Feel free to wear your SBK shirt if you have one and bring your lanyard to collect your ribbon if you're a member. 

    Additional information:

    This project will be held in the Community Room of the Brookfield Public Library. Enter the main doors off the parking lot and the room will be immediately to your right.

    Project Leader: Amanda Barnhart

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    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 allow others to fill the spot. 

    Thanks 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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