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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

    • 10/10/2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • 10/19/2025
    • 8:00 PM
    • Multiple drop off locations - exact addresses sent in confirmation email
    Register


      Halloween Costume Collection

       

      Has your ghost, robot, dinosaur, or tiny dancer outgrown their favorite costume(s)? Let's pay it forward so another kiddo has just as much fun dressing up and making memories this year!


      Costumes will be donated to Chosen, Inc., a local non-profit fostering/adoption support ministry. The specific program that we will be supporting allows foster and adoptive families to shop, free of charge, for gently used clothing/shoes (newborn-teen). Kids can choose things they feel confident in -- thanks to donations from generous people like you! 


      All size costumes are welcome because kids come in all sizes :) 


      No costumes on hand but still want to lend a little hand? Here is a link to a very easy no-sew DIY cape you could make with your kids for the recipient kids You could even buy or decorate some of the simple eye masks available at party stores to make it a cape + mask combo...this is a great way for groups, troops or classrooms to get involved. 


      Donations can be dropped off anytime beginning Friday, October 10th and must be delivered by the end of the day on Sunday, October 19 to one of our porch drop off locations. Specific addresses will be provided upon project registration but drop off locations will be in the following cities: Brookfield, Elm Grove, Franklin, Greendale, Pewaukee, Waukesha, and Wauwatosa.  Please have costumes protected in a bag you do not need back.  


      The project is open to everyone. PLEASE SHARE with your friends when we post on FB or IG too...let's see how many costumes we can donate! 

      A big thanks to our Board Member Jeff for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

      Amanda Barnhart

      Board President

      • 10/11/2025
      • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
      • Brookfield Public Library - 1900 N. Calhoun Rd. Brookfield, WI 53005
      Join waitlist

      Craft Kits for Ronald McDonald House

      Overview:

      Ronald McDonald House (RMDH) is located near Children's Hospital in Milwaukee and provides a place for families to stay while receiving treatment at Children's and other area hospitals. It has 84 private guest rooms plus kitchens and other common spaces that allow families to stay at little to no cost. 

      Join us on Saturday, October 11th from 1:00-2:00 pm as we pack snack bags for the families staying at RMDH to enjoy while staying onsite or take along for appointments. We will also work on some tie blankets which will be donated to RMDH as well.  

      What to expect:

      We'll start with a brief overview of what RMDH is and then families will spend some time either decorating snack bags or working on the tie blankets (or both!). Around 1:30-1:45, we will pack the snack bags. Any remaining time will be used to finish up the tie blankets. 

      Capacity & Age Recommendations:

      Any ages are welcome at this project 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:

      Your registration confirmation email will contain a Sign Up Genius to sign up to bring some items for the snack bags. Any size contribution is welcome. 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.

      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! 

      • 10/18/2025
      • 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
      • Pewaukee Public Library - 210 Main St, Pewaukee, WI 53072
      Register

      Halloween 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 Saturday, October 18th from 9:30-10:30 am as we make Halloween decorations that will be hung on bedroom doors at LindenGrove. 

      What to expect:

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

      • 10/24/2025
      • 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM
      • St. Vincent de Paul - Cross Roads Kitchen: 931 West Madison Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204
      • 0
      Join waitlist

      Serving Dinner at St. Vincent DePaul (Ages 7+)

      Overview:

      St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) Meal Program has provided hot and nutritious meals to children and adults in the Milwaukee community for the past 40 years. They operate two meal site locations in downtown Milwaukee where individuals can eat for free six nights a week. 

      Join us on Friday, October 24th to prepare and serve a meal to those visiting SVDP's Cross Roads Kitchen meal site. Our start time has some flexibility for this project- we could use some families to arrive as early as 3:30 pm to help set up, but need all families to be onsite by 4:30 pm. We expect to wrap up at 6:30 pm. When you register, you will be asked what time your family is available to arrive that day.

      What to expect:

      We will begin by preparing the meal and getting ready for the guests to arrive. We will then serve dinner when guests arrive, followed by a quick clean up. We will also be sorting donations.

      Capacity & age recommendations: 

      Ages 7+ are welcome to participate in this project. We have room for about 3 SBK families depending on the size of families that register (please use an accurate headcount in your registration for this reason).

      What to bring: 

      No need to bring anything. Kids are welcome to wear their SBK t-shirts if they would like, otherwise just wear comfortable clothes for working in the kitchen and serving food. 

      Project Leader: Marlee Jansen

      REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

      This project is currently open to members* but we will be happy to open it up to guests if there is available space 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 Marlee Jansen 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! 

      • 10/25/2025
      • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
      • Havenwoods State Forest: 6141 N. Hopkins St. Milwaukee, WI 53209
      Register

      Havenwoods State Forest Cleanup


      Overview:

      Havenwoods State Forest is Wisconsin's only urban state forest. The forest was created to provide an urban green space and an environmental education center and features 237 acres of grasslands, woods and wetlands in the city of Milwaukee. Admission is free. Join Sunbeam Kids on Saturday, October 25th  from 9:00-11:00 am as we help care for the forest. 

      What to expect:

      Following your GPS you will arrive at the entrance to Havenwoods' entrance. A vehicle admission sticker is not required at Havenwoods. SBK families will gather outside the Nature Center at 9:00 am to get instructions. We will be attending their Stewardship Saturday. Our focus will be on removing invasive species and keeping the grounds beautiful through litter clean-up.

      Capacity & Age Recommendations:

      Open to all ages and we are happy to welcome as many families as would like to participate, including guest registrations.

      What to bring:

      The nature center has gardening gloves (kid sizes also) and tools but please bring your own gardening gloves if you have a favorite. If it has rained the night before it might be wet or muddy so please dress appropriately for the outdoors. Bug spray and sunscreen as needed!

      What to wear:

      Wear outdoor, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. Kids can wear their Sunbeam Kids shirts if they would like!

      Project Leader: Mary Fenelon

      REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

      This project is open to both members* and guest registrations. 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 Board Member Mary Fenelon 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! 

      • 10/29/2025
      • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
      • *NEW LOCATION ALERT!* 4900 S Pennsylvania Ave, Suite 200, Cudahy WI 53110

      Diaper Duty Calls! Packing Orders at Milwaukee Diaper Mission & Diaper Collection

      Overview:

      Did you know... A third of families in Milwaukee struggle to afford enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry, and healthy and 68% of families with children in Milwaukee qualify for low-income status, yet no state or federal government assistance programs (like SNAP and WIC) supplies these families with diapers. That is why Sunbeam Kids is thrilled to be partnering with Milwaukee Diaper Mission to spend time packing diaper and baby wipe orders in the warehouse on Wednesday, October 29th from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. 

      What to expect:

      Join other SBK families at the Milwaukee Diaper Mission warehouse in Cudahy to pack diaper orders, wrap diapers for future orders, and restock diapers on shelves.

      Capacity & Age Recommendations:

      All ages are welcome. We have space for approximately 4 families depending on the size of families that register - please use an accurate headcount in your registration for this reason. 

      What to wear & bring:

      No need to bring anything to this project, but kids are welcome to wear their SBK shirts/lanyards if they are willing. Closed toe shoes are required since this project takes place in a warehouse. 

      Project Leader: Rachl Sweet

      REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

      This onsite project is open to members* only at this time. We are happy to open any remaining spots to guests if 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 Rachl 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!

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

      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 Friday, October 31st. As such, we will close registration for SBK project after 10/31 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! 


      • 11/30/2025
      • 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! 

    Address:
    PO Box 1854
    Brookfield, WI  53008

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