Sunbeam Kids upcoming events

2027 SBK New Project Leader Info (10/30/2026)

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:55:00 GMT

The Sunbeam Kids Board invites you to learn more about becoming a Project Leader!

We have lots of little (and big!) hands ready to volunteer through Sunbeam Kids! Can you lend a hand leading those opportunities?

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The short version... We are all volunteers, and SBK can plan as many projects each month as we have adult volunteers to lead them. This could be a turn-key project we've done before and you are primarily the SBK host greeting families and taking attendance, or a new idea that may take a little planning on your part (but with our guidance and all member communications taken care of through our system).

Either way, if you love to make good things happen and make people feel welcome, we want to talk with you!

Want more details before you sign up to learn more?

Why be a Project Leader?

Being a project leader is a great way to get more involved in the community and meet other SBK families, but without a big commitment. This is a very flexible role, we just ask that you lead at least 2 projects per year.

You can put a project on SBK's calendar that fits your family's schedule and geographic area best. Plus, it's a great way for your kids to help you plan and lead!

What to expect:

When you register, you will be asked for the best way to reach you to discuss further. We'll be in touch to share more information on this role, answer any of your questions, and see if it's the right fit.

Frequently asked questions regarding leading a project:

What is the time commitment? We ask leaders to coordinate two projects a year at minimum. These can be as easy as coordinating a date at an established turnkey project partner and showing up, or the project could be something more planning-heavy. True time commitments vary widely depending on the project, but it could be as little as a half hour of planning and 1.5-2 hours on day of the project.

Who handles communications? All project communication will be done by us. You will provide any needed info during the planning process, and emails will be handled directly through our system.

Are project expenses covered? Yes, we do have a budget for covering project expenses (part of what our membership fees are used for!). Project expenses must be approved ahead, and we will provide instructions on how to be reimbursed or have the supply costs covered.

Are there specific projects or topics that need a leader? Yes! We strive to offer a wide variety of organizations and causes for SBK families to get involved with through our projects. As of right now, some categories we are light on include food pantries/community resources, working with animals, projects supporting the elderly, adaptive sports, and a variety of other more specific opportunities. We have established connections in all these areas, we just need more leaders to keep these projects in our rotation. We're always open to new projects and connections as well!

Can preteens or teens participate as leaders? We love giving our older kids a chance to build and showcase their leadership skills. They're welcome to lead with adequate adult support! Please note if you have a youth leader interested when registering so we can respond with that specific information.

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We hope you'll consider lending a hand in this way. Our goal is to make this Project Leader role an easy and impactful way to be involved with SBK. This role is essential in keeping SBK's work going strong to make a positive difference in our community while we also help give kids confidence they can make a difference.

Thank you for considering!

Amanda Barnhart

Let's Hear It for the Girls! Cheering Section for Girls on the Run 5K (11/08/2026)

Sun, 08 Nov 2026 14:45:00 GMT

Cheering Section for Girls on the Run

Overview:

On the morning of Sunday, 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 8:45 am to 10:45 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:

Please arrive early and allow 15–20 minutes to park and walk to your assigned Cheer Station. Portions of the 5K course will be closed to traffic from 8:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Volunteers will still be able to access the Aaron Lots, but traffic and parking may be busier than usual. Once the 5K begins, we'll channel all our energy into cheering for the runners and their running buddies as they pass by!

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. Girls on the Run provides each cheer station with a bag of supplies but feel free to bring bubbles, noisemakers, cowbells, clappers, or horns. Homemade signs featuring positive, encouraging messages for every participant—remind participants to believe in themselves, celebrate their STAR POWER, and go at their own Happy Pace! Tutus, costumes, and colorful decorations Plenty of high-fives—and even a human cheering tunnel.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. Wear comfortable, supportive shoes—you’ll be on your feet and cheering! Sunbeam Kids shirts are welcome! Bring water, sunscreen, extra layers and anything else you need to stay comfortable outdoors. 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: Mary Fenelon

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 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!

(Waitlist) Making Mercy Mats for People Experiencing Homelessness (11/11/2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Making Mercy Mats for People Experiencing Homelessness

Overview:

On Wednesday, November 11th 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!

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

(Waitlist) Sorting & Rescuing Food at Just One More Ministry (11/14/2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 14:30:00 GMT

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, November 14th from 8:30 to 10:30 am!

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 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 appropriately for the weather. 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. The warehouse is set back from the road; it is a white building painted blue at the top.

Project Leader: Mary Fenelon

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 Mary for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand!

Amanda Barnhart

Board President

COMING SOON - Sandwich Making for Guest House of Milwaukee (11/21/2026)

Sat, 21 Nov 2026 16:45:00 GMT

Sandwich Making for Guest House

Overview:

Please join us from 10:45 - 11:45 am on Saturday, November 21st at the Waukesha Public Library to make sandwiches that will be handed out to Guest House of Milwaukee's clients the following day.

Guest House provides shelter, housing, education and services to Milwaukee’s homeless who seek to transform their lives with dignity and purpose.

What to expect:

We'll start with a brief explanation of Guest House and how we're supporting their work, then we’ll get to work making sandwiches. Guest house serves 200-400 sandwiches daily. We will be dividing up the supplies to make 200 sandwiches & assembling the sandwiches, getting them ready to distribute the next day.

Capacity & Age Recommendations:

All ages are welcome and we have for about 2-3 families at this project.

Additional information:

We'll meet in the Room B inside the Waukesha Public Library.

What to bring:

We are asking families to bring loaves of bread to this project if you are able. SBK will provide all other sandwich making supplies for this project.

What to wear:

Please wear comfortable clothes and tie long hair back. Kids can wear their Sunbeam Kids shirts if they want!

Project Leader: Jennifer Loether

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.

This project is open to members* only, but we will be happy to open up any remaining spots to guests 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.

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:

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, 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:

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.

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

COMING SOON - Diaper Duty Calls! Sorting at Milwaukee Diaper Mission (01/23/2027)

Sat, 23 Jan 2027 16:00:00 GMT

Diaper Duty Calls! Packing Orders at Milwaukee Diaper Mission

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. Since 2020, MDM has given away over 4.6 million diapers and 2 million disposable period products! 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 Saturday, January 23 from 10:00 am to 11:30 AM.

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. Occasionally a group may also pack period product orders.

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