Sunbeam Kids upcoming events

At Home Project: School Supplies Drive for Shechem at Hope Street (07/25/2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

At Home Project: School supplies drive for Shechem at Hope Street

Overview:

Hope Street describes itself as "The Greenhouse for People on 26th and Capitol" that provides housing and community to empower broken men, women, and children. Shechem is a community center next door to Hope Street with a gymnasium, café, classrooms, event space, and a resource room that has a thriving after-school program for middle and high schoolers.

SBK will be collecting school supplies for middle and high schoolers. Let's make sure all the kids that spend time at the community center are ready for the new school year!

Drop off details:

We have porch drop off options in Brookfield, Elm Grove, Franklin, and Wauwatosa. Specific addresses of all drop off locations will be e-mailed upon registration. You can drop off at any of the designated locations between Saturday, July 25 - Wednesday, August 5th. Any size donation is very much appreciated!

Needed items:

Shechem's wish list is as follows, with higher priority items listed first:

writing utensils (pens, pencils, highlighters)
folders
notebooks
pencil pouches
coloring items (colored pencils, crayons, markers)
loose leaf paper
binders
basic calculators
erasers
sticky notes
basic headphones
whiteout
water bottles

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To participate, please register with the link above- guests are welcome to participate as well. We will e-mail you a list of drop off addresses with your registration confirmation, and you can drop off any of the above items between 7/25 and 8/5.

Have a youth leader that wants to make a bigger impact? Kids can reach out to their sports teams, clubs, local groups, etc. to coordinate a school supply drive within their group and deliver to one of SBK's drop off points by 8/5.

Project Leader: Vanessa Eisenmann

THANK YOU for lending a little hand and helping SBK provide school supplies to Shechem!

Miracle League Baseball (Ages 10+ player partners; all ages to cheer) (07/27/2026)

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 22:45:00 GMT

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 on Monday, July 27th 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.

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 15 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 if you plan to be a buddy for this event- you will also receive a volunteer t-shirt. 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 is a new location this year (MSOE Raiders Stadium, 2200 W Bender Road, Glendale, WI 53209).

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 and nonmembers, but everyone must register. 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 SBK 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!

Teen Leadership Board - Inaugural Meeting! (Age 12+) (08/08/2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 14:30:00 GMT

Teen Leadership Board - Inaugural Meeting!

Overview:

In honor of Sunbeam Kids turning 13 this year, we're reimagining our Youth Board and creating something new for specifically for the teens of SBK! We are excited to launch the Sunbeam Kids Teen Leadership Board, a volunteer leadership group for teens who want to make a positive difference in our community through service and leadership. This will be our first meeting to start to get input from teens on what they would like to see in this new role and better shape the group to what interests them!

We know teens are busy so we want to emphasize that this group will be designed to be flexible and fun. Attendance at every Teen Leadership Board meeting is not required to participate, but we do hope you'll come to as many as you're able to! We want to create opportunities that our SBK teens are excited about and give them real leadership experience in whatever areas they are comfortable.

What to expect:

At our first meeting, we'll get to know one another, learn about the mission and values of SBK, and discuss what it means to serve as a Teen Advisory Board member. Teens will have the opportunity to share ideas for community service projects, discuss causes they're passionate about, and begin brainstorming ways they can make a meaningful difference. We'll also talk about the role of the Advisory Board, how members will work together to plan and organize future volunteer opportunities for SBK, and what leadership responsibilities they can take on throughout the year.

Bagels, donuts, and juice will be served!

Capacity & Age Recommendations:

This event is open to teens ages 12 and up. The Teen Leadership Board is open to members* only and we have room for as many teens as are able to join us at this initial meeting.

What to bring:

No need to bring anything special for this meeting.

Additional information:

This project will be held in the Heritage Room at New Berlin Public Library. Enter through the Main Entrance and the room is to down the hallway immediately to your left upon entering.

Consistent with our typical project policy, parents (or another responsible adult) of teens under age 16 are required to remain at the library during the meeting. Parents can sit in on the meeting if that is most comfortable for their family, or you are welcome to find a sunny corner of the library to relax for the hour and meet your teen at the end of the meeting.

Project leader: Mary Fenelon & Melissa Bushman

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.

Looking forward to shaping this exciting new option for our teen volunteers together!

Amanda Barnhart

Board President

Book Reading & Service Project at Shechem at Hope Street (08/09/2026)

Sun, 09 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Book Reading & Service Project at

Shechem at Hope Street

Overview:

SBK will attend a live reading and discussion of "Well Moments for Kids," written by Hope Street CEO, Ashley Thomas, with a small service project to follow.

What to expect:

Our event will begin with a live reading and discussion of "Well Moments for Kids," written by Hope Street CEO Ashley Thomas. After the book reading, SBK families and Shechem kids will participate in a craft project. After that, we will do a service project related to the SBK school supply drive where families will write notes to put into each backpack and also help organize the school supplies for the members to pick up at the back-to-school event.

Please note that a portion of the book does contain Christian themes, but we do not expect the majority of the book discussion or related service project to have a religious element.

Capacity & age recommendations:

All ages are welcome to participate in this project and we expect to have room for 12 families.

What to bring:

No need to bring anything. Kids are welcome to wear their SBK 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 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 Vanessa Eisenmann for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand!

Amanda Barnhart

Board President

COMING SOON - Serving Dinner at St. Vincent de Paul (Ages 8+) (08/11/2026)

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Serving Dinner at St. Vincent DePaul (Ages 8+)

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 Tuesday, August 11 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm to prepare and serve a meal to those visiting SVDP's Harambee meal site. We expect to wrap up around 6:30 pm.

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. Generally you can expect to be done with your volunteer duties by 6:30 p.m.

From SVDP: Each night we are open we do "Circle" all together in the dining room, this generally happens about 5:10 p.m. please try and attend that circle. You will be assigned your dinner duties there, meet all of the staff as well as your fellow volunteers & you will be given the opportunity to pray with our guests before the meal starts.

Capacity & age recommendations:

Ages 8+ 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.

SVDP dress code requires all volunteers to have their legs, feet and under arms covered. If you would rather not wear a hair net, please feel free to wear a ball cap or beanie that keeps your hair tucked into place. They also will require you wear an apron and will furnish you with a plastic disposable apron, if you would rather bring your own, that is wonderful.

Project Leader: Marlee Jansen

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

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

COMING SOON - Gardening for Good at Green Power Garden (08/18/2026)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Gardening for Good at Green Power Garden

Overview:

We're heading back to Green Power Garden on Tuesday, August 18th from 5:30-6:30 pm to help in the garden.

Green Power Garden is a volunteer led program that donates all of their produce to area organizations to get fresh food in the hands of people who need it. One of their main recipients is HOPE Center.

What to expect:

For this project, you will get your hands dirty planting, weeding, picking ripe produce, and tending a large community garden!

Volunteers will help with any garden care that is ready to be done- we'll be flexible with whatever help is needed that evening. No gardening experience is necessary. The people that run GPG love to teach kids about gardening!

Capacity & Age Recommendations:

All ages are welcome at this project, and we are able to bring as many families out to the garden that day as want to join us! Guests are welcome to join us at this project.

What to bring:

Volunteers should bring their own gardening gloves if they have some (GPG has plenty to borrow if not) and water bottles. You may also want to bring bug spray and sunscreen since we'll be outdoors for the entire project.

What to wear:

Please wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty in the garden. Kids can wear their Sunbeam Kids shirts if they want!

Additional information:

The garden is located behind a personal residence. Volunteers can park in the driveway (there is space toward the back of the driveway and next to the pole barn), and the project leader will be on the lookout for everyone at the project start time.

Project Leader: Melissa Bushman

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

We're happy to welcome guests to the 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 SBK Board Member Melissa for leading this project and thank YOU for lending a little hand!

Amanda Barnhart

Board President

SBK's 13th Birthday Celebration! (08/23/2026)

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday, Sunbeam Kids,

Happy birthday to you!

Sunbeam Kids is a teenager! You’re invited to celebrate 13 years of lending a hand at our birthday party! We're so excited to commemorate all the ways these little hands (and now big hands!) have made a difference throughout the years.

Please join us from 2-4 pm on Sunday, August 23rd. All are welcome at this gathering- whether you're a regular volunteer or haven't joined for a project lately, we would love to see you. Registration is required. We have a fun afternoon planned with activities, snacks, some mini volunteer projects, and few surprises, too!

Registration:

Registration is required using this link. Event will be held rain or shine. We will send more details to those registered closer to the date, including an expected timeline for the event. We can’t wait to celebrate with all of the families that have made Sunbeam Kids shine brightly these last 13 years -- thank you for lending a little hand!

Meta House Project Details:

As part of our birthday celebration, we will also have a project you can participate in--making “Birthday Party in a Bag” kits for Meta House.

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 are not able to give their children a birthday party with all of the fun things that we usually associate with such occasions. If you are able, please sign up to bring either a small gift and gift bag or a box of cake mix and frosting (sign up HERE). We’ll assemble the party kits together during our birthday party. There’s no better way to celebrate SBK’s birthday than by helping moms set their kids up for some birthday fun as well!

Teen Leadership Board Meeting:

For the last half hour of the party, members of our new Teen Leadership Board will meet briefly to discuss upcoming opportunities and tie dye special teen leader shirts.

Youth Leaders Wanted:

We have a few leadership opportunities for our Youth Leadership Board Members (or anyone age 10+ that’s interested) to help out at the party. Sign up HERE for an hour time slot, and we’ll be touch about specific ways you can help, such as supervising an activity.

Can’t make it that day but still want to help celebrate this milestone? You can register to drop off "birthday party in a bag" supplies ahead of time at our porch drop off location in Pewaukee.

Thank you for lending a little hand all of these years!

Amanda Barnhart

COMING SOON - Havenwoods State Forest Cleanup (08/29/2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 14:00:00 GMT

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, August 29 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 participating in their Stewardship Saturday volunteer opportunities and will most likely be doing a litter clean-up to prepare for the Home and Habitat Fest that will take place later in the day.

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

COMING SOON - Serving Dinner at St. Vincent de Paul (Ages 8+) (10/13/2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Serving Dinner at St. Vincent DePaul (Ages 8+)

Overview:

Join us on Tuesday, October 13th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm to prepare and serve a meal to those visiting SVDP's Harambee meal site. We expect to wrap up around 6:30 pm.

What to expect:

Capacity & age recommendations:

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.

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

COMING SOON - Diaper Duty Calls! Sorting at Milwaukee Diaper Mission (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

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 21 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

COMING SOON - Serving Dinner at St. Vincent de Paul (Ages 8+) (12/08/2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Serving Dinner at St. Vincent DePaul (Ages 8+)

Overview:

Join us on Tuesday, December 8th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm to prepare and serve a meal to those visiting SVDP's Harambee meal site. We expect to wrap up around 6:30 pm.

What to expect:

Capacity & age recommendations:

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.

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