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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

  • Card Making for Deployed Military (& Halloween Candy Collection!)

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

    Card Making for Deployed Military (& Halloween Candy Collection!)

    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! 

    If you have bonus Halloween candy you want to put to good use, feel free to bring it along and I'll deliver it with cards. The candy is used to protect the cookies from breaking during shipping. *No suckers, gum, or pixie sticks please.*

    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.

    Can't make the project but still want to drop off cards or Halloween candy? Register under "Can't make the project but will drop off ahead!" and we'll send a porch drop off address in Pewaukee. Cards and candy must be dropped off by Sunday 11/23. 

    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! 

    Show details

  • COMING SOON - At Home Project: Granola Bar & Fruit Cup Collection for Blessings in a Backpack

    • 11/24/2025
    • 12/06/2025
    • Multiple Drop Off Locations Available (see list)!

    At Home Project: Granola Bar & Fruit Cup Collection

    for Blessings in a Backpack

    Overview:

    Blessings in a Backpack provides food to kids who struggle with food insecurity by sending them home with a backpack of food over the weekend. Sunbeam Kids is excited to be partnering with Blessings in a Backpack to collect granola bars and individual fruit cups/pouches to help fill the bags. 

    Drop off details:

    We have porch drop off options in Brookfield, Elm Grove, Menomonee Falls, Pewaukee, 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 Monday, November 24th - Saturday, December 6th. Any size donation is very much appreciated! 

    Needed items:

    Granola bars and individual serving fruit/applesauce cups. Pouches or individually sized cans are welcome, too. 

    ---

    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 11/24 and 12/6. 

    Project Leader: Helena Zaldivar

    THANK YOU for lending a little hand and helping SBK fill up these backpacks! 

    Show details

  • Winter Decoration Making for Kathy's House

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

    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.

    Project leader: Kristen Donlevy

    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 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! 

    Show details

  • COMING SOON - It's back! Elves for Elders

    • 12/01/2025
    • 9:30 AM
    • 12/31/2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • Your Choice!

    Thank you for your interest. We are happy to be able to open this project to Sunbeam Kids members, friends and the whole community! 

    -------------------------------------------------

     It's Back! Our Annual Elves for Elders Art Collection

    Our annual Elves for Elders art collection began in 2013 because we wanted something to do with those adorable art projects that come home from school -- but we can't possibly keep them all, right?

    We knew they were too cute to throw away and hoped we could bring a smile to someone during a tough time.  So, we collected these projects for local Meals On Wheels and Hospice patients so they would have a special "gift" at Christmas. We were happy to meet our goal of collecting 100 pieces of art! 

    Flash forward a few years and we collected over 1000 art projects from individuals, groups, troops and classrooms. Incredible! Each project carefully made its way to someone in hospice, home healthcare, Meals on Wheels or a local nursing home. 

    This year with our December project list full of other in-person projects we decided to change up Elves for Elders a bit to make it flexible for everyone to easily participate. 

    So, here's our ELF CHALLENGE for you -- whether it's art projects you have on hand (no need to be seasonal!) or you create just for this, and whether it's done alone or with a group...gather as many art projects as you can from your family, friends, school, church, etc. and bring them to a local nursing home or assisted living facility.

    You can request that they hand out your projects to the patients who don't get many visitors this time of year.  And, you could even ask at the front desk if there is an opportunity for you and your child(ren) to hand them directly to the residents. Note: it's never a bad idea to call ahead.  

    Before or during your drop off, you can post your pictures on social media and tag @sunbeamkids with the hashtag #ElvesForElders. We'll feature some of your posts on our page to share the love!  We LOVE to see your artwork. 

    While there is no physical meetup for this project, sign up to let us know you are planning to lend a little hand while spreading a little cheer! You can be the "lead elf" for your friends, family, troop, or group! 

    Thank you for lending a little hand, 

    Sunbeam Kids

      Show details

    • COMING SOON - Christmas Decoration Making for LindenGrove

      • 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! 

      Show details

    • COMING SOON - Packing Backpacks with Blessings in a Backpack

      • 12/16/2025
      • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
      • Ben Franklin Elementary School: N81W14701 Franklin Dr, Menomonee Falls, WI

      Blessings in a Backpack

      Overview:

      Everyone deserves to have access to good food. Blessings in a Backpack provides food to kids who struggle with food insecurity by sending them home with a backpack of food over the weekend. Sunbeam Kids will be joining the Blessings in a Backpack team on Tuesday, December 16th from 6:00 - 7:00 pm to help pack the backpacks.

      What to expect:

      We will be filling bags with donated food in an assembly-line fashion so that it can be distributed to kids who need it.

      Capacity & age recommendations: 

      All ages are welcome. We have room for about 2-3 SBK families depending on the size of families that register (please use an accurate headcount in your registration for this reason).

      What to wear: 

      All you need to do is wear your SBK t-shirts (if your kiddos are willing)! 

      Parking information: 

      Please park in the parking lot near the baseball fields and enter via the side door located there. The room we'll be working in is just inside that door to your left. They sometimes start a couple of minutes early!

      Project Leader: Helena Zandivar

      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 SBK Board Member Helena Zandivar 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! 


      Show details

    • COMING SOON - Diaper Duty Calls! Sorting at Milwaukee Diaper Mission

      • 01/21/2026
      • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
      • 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, January 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

      *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!

      Show details

    • COMING SOON - Diaper Duty Calls! Sorting at Milwaukee Diaper Mission

      • 04/22/2026
      • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
      • 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, April 22 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!

      Show details

    • COMING SOON - Diaper Duty Calls! Sorting at Milwaukee Diaper Mission

      • 07/22/2026
      • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
      • 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, July 22 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!

      Show details

    • COMING SOON - Diaper Duty Calls! Sorting at Milwaukee Diaper Mission

      • 10/21/2026
      • 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
      • 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 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

      *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!

      Show details

    Address:
    PO Box 1854
    Brookfield, WI  53008

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