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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

    • 10/01/2023
    • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Wauwatosa Library - Firefly Room
    Register

    "Lunches for Later" Bag Lunch Packing

    Overview:

    Street Angels is a mobile outreach organization that provides assistance to those experiencing homelessness in Milwaukee. Three days a week, the two outreach buses serve dinner to 100-240 individuals. A bagged "lunch for later" is also provided to each person. On Sunday, October 1, Sunbeam Kids families will get together at the Wauwatosa Library from 2:00-3:00 pm to make sandwiches and pack bagged lunches as a group. 

    What to expect:

    During this project, Sunbeam Kids will be making sandwiches & packing approximately 100 bag lunches which will be distributed to individuals experiencing homelessness during the Street Angels' outreach that evening.

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    All ages are welcome at this project, and we are able to include approximately 10-12 families from Sunbeam Kids. 

    What to bring:

    In order to make this project a success, we are asking all families who register to commit to bringing items to pack, no matter how big or small.  Bringing supplies to donate helps kids personally connect to the project, knowing the item(s) they brought are helping others. 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 the full amount of lunches needed.

    Please use this Sign Up Genius link to indicate which items you plan to bring by Saturday, September 30.

    Unable to attend?

    If you are unable to attend in person but would still like to contribute some lunch packing supplies, we will have a bin drop off location in Elm Grove though 9/30. Please register with the ticket type “We will drop off lunch packing supplies!”. The drop off address is included in the confirmation e-mail. Use the Sign Up Genius link above and include “bin drop off” in the notes. Please note that anyone attending the project in person is welcome to bring their lunch packing supplies along that day. 

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is currently open to members* but we will be happy to open it up to guests if 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 and make arrangements to have any lunch packing supplies you signed up for covered. 

    A big thanks to our Advisory Council member Kayte Parkin for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Katie Mleziva

    Founder  | 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! 

    • 10/11/2023
    • 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
    • 9600 S. Franklin Drive Franklin, WI 53132 (will send parking info in project confirmation e-mail)
    Join waitlist

    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. 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 October 11th from 5:30 to 6:30 pm!

    What to expect:

    Join other SBK families at the Milwaukee Diaper Mission warehouse in Franklin to pack diaper orders, wrap diapers for future orders, and potentially sort donated diapers.

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    All ages are welcome. This event was previously rescheduled due to our project partner being ill. As such, we’ve reserved a few spots for SBK families previously registered, but we have space for approximately 2-3 additional families depending on the size of families that register - please use an accurate headcount in your registration for this reason.  

    What to wear:

    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. 

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is open to members* and we are happy to open any remaining spots to guests if 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 Advisory Council member Rachl for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Katie Mleziva

    Founder  | 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!

    • 10/12/2023
    • 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 620 S. 76th St. Milwaukee (located BEHIND the office building)
    Register

    Sorting Clothes for Foster Children at Robyn's Nest

    Overview:

    Robyn's Nest is a program of Children's Hospital (CHW) that supplies new and gently used clothing, hygiene products, infant items, toys, books and other household goods free to the families within the foster care system as well as those identified to have unmet needs through CHW. 

    On Thursday, October 12 from 5:00 - 6:00 pm SBK families will be lending a little hand at Robyn's Nest to sort donations for foster families. 

    What to expect:

    There are two ways to get involved in this project:

    1) Option 1: We have room for several families to join us at Robyn's Nest to lend a hand by sorting items so kids & foster families can easily shop (at no cost!) for the supplies they need. Feel free to bring gently used items to donate! (Members can select this option)

    2)  Option 2Drop off gently used clothing or shoes by October 11th at our project planner's home in Pewaukee. Address will be provided prior to for those that register for this option. (Everyone can select this option).

    Please note that all donated items must be currently in season (fall/winter) as Robyn's Nest does not have space to store out of season items. Most needed items currently include winter coats for little children; boys' clothing 3T, 4T, and 5/6; and teen boy hoodies and joggers. All fall/winter clothing items would be welcomed though!

    Capacity & Age Recommendations:

    All ages are welcome at this project, but please note there are no restrooms readily available on site. We expect to have room for approximately 5 families at the on site project. Initial registration will be for members only, but we are happy to open registration to guests if we have additional space. 

    What to bring:

    Feel free to bring along donations if you wish (see HERE for an acceptable item listing), however no donations are expected/required to attend. Please note that all items must be appropriate for the current season- see listing above for most needed items right now. 

    What to wear:

    Kids can wear their Sunbeam Kids shirts/lanyards if they want.

    Additional information:

    A volunteer application is required to be completed for each individual attending. We will e-mail a copy to all registrants a few days prior to this project. Please bring the completed application with you to the project. 

    REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. 

    This project is open to members* only, but we will be happy to open it up to guests if 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 Advisory Council member Adam for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Katie Mleziva

    Founder  | 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! 



    • 10/17/2023
    • 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
    • HAWS - Schallock Center for Animals: W330S1205 County Trunk Hwy C, Delafield, WI 53018

    Lending Our Paws to HAWS

    Project details coming soon! Registration typically opens 2 weeks prior to the project date. Please sign up for our email list to know when the project goes live. 

    • 10/25/2023
    • 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM
    • West Allis Public Library- Constitution Room (ground floor): 7421 W National Ave, West Allis, WI 53214
    • 5

    Making Mercy Mats for People Experiencing Homelessness

    Overview:

    On Wednesday, October 25th join Sunbeam Kids from 3:15-4:30 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. 

    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 Advisory Council member Vanessa for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Katie Mleziva

    Founder  | 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! 


    • 10/25/2023
    • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Rite Hite YMCA - 9250 N Green Bay Road Brown Deer, WI
    • 6

    Project details coming soon! Registration typically opens 2 weeks prior to the project date. Please sign up for our email list to know when the project goes live. 

    • 11/11/2023
    • 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
    • JOMM - 4180 N. Lydell Ave, Glendale, WI 53212
    • 4

    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 11th from 9:00 to 11:00 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 4 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 bring a jacket if it's unseasonably cold or dress light if it's warm. 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.

    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 Advisory Council member Marlee Jansen for leading this project, and thank you for lending a little hand! 

    Katie Mleziva 

    Founder | 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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