Our goal is to give kids the opportunity to serve people in need in a safe and warm environment, with age-appropriate activities, easy-to-follow instructions, and enthusiastic leaders.
Well-founded research shows kids who make volunteering a regular part of their lives are more confident, happier, and more empathetic. Caring for others helps us develop patience and strengthens relationships. We all know working together on a common goal, like a service project, is an ideal environment for developing leadership skills as well. And the sweet, well deserving people who will benefit from the projects we have hand-selected will be beyond thrilled to know they were the focus of the children at the Kids for Kindness event. Major win-win.
But the simplest reason kids should serve others is because it’s the right thing to do. The KIND thing to do.
What We've Achieved*
*Please visit our Facebook page to see photos of each and every Kids for Kindness event held since 2019.
Kickoff Event: Kids Helping Kids
Our kickoff event was a huge success! October’s theme was KIDS HELPING KIDS. Our projects included: 1) making cookie-mix-in-a-jar for the Singletons, an organization that benefits single-parent families dealing with cancer, 2) assembling activity packets for patients - and their siblings - at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and 3) putting together bags full of art supplies for Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona, which provides creative and therapeutic art programs for abused and vulnerable children. We had about 30 people attend, including kids ranging in age from 1 to 12, and our only regret is that we couldn’t have accommodated more. Something to aim for next month! Thanks to ALL the beautiful people who came and gave of their time and energy to helping others. I know the kiddos who will receive these donations will feel your love. You can see all the photos from the event here.
Homelessness Awareness
In November 2019, we had nearly 60 service-minded little ones there to improve the lives of homeless individuals living in Phoenix. And they did exactly that! The teens at UMOM, the children who are served by Family Promise, and Aris Foundation’s “kids” are sure to love the beautiful projects the children created. We made dozens and dozens of donations, but it’s impossible to quantify how much fun we had doing it! Check out all the photos on FB!
This Holiday Season, Our K4K Kids Gave Kindness
The very kind kiddos who came to December 2019’s holiday service project outdid themselves. They made dozens of Christmas ornaments for hospice patients, a big fat stack of holiday placemats for Meals on Wheels, and a mountain of fluffy, cozy scarves for Child Crisis Arizona. I couldn’t be more proud of the incredible kiddos - and their phenomenal parents - who made this event one that would make Santa himself proud! Thank you to all who made this evening so special! All the pics are posted to FB!
Giving Back to Those Who Give to Us
We spent January 2020 doing three separate projects just for those people who serve our community: we made survival kits for police officers and firefighters (heavy on the puns for this one), decorated chocolate bars for the kids’ most SUPER teachers, and wrote personalized cards - long distance hugs included! - for our service men and women. We ended up with another small mountain of donations, and all our hearts were just bursting with appreciation for the people who help improve our lives every day. Additional photos can be found on FB!
Love Your (International) Neighbor
In February 2020, our kind kiddos created friendship bracelet kits for teens being housed at immigration detention centers; they made uber creative recipe cards for Students Rebuild, an organization that has agreed to donate $3 for every recipe submitted to support programs providing immediate hunger relief; and they created some adorable little teddy bears that American soldiers overseas can give to children living in the Middle East through The Hugs Project.
Being Kind Is Sweeter Than Candy
In October 2020, our kindness crusaders made Halloween-themed soap dispensers that any kid - and their family - would love! We also made loads of spooky looking gloves filled with arts and craft supplies, as well as a Halloween and Fall-themed craft project for kids in need.
Gratitude Is Grand
In November 2020, Kids for Kindness spent time making cookie turkeys for Center for Compassion, which assists homeless families. We also made an adorable popcorn treat and kindness rocks for a nearby retirement center. It felt so good to give of ourselves during this special month that focuses on being thankful.
Feeling Jolly From Our Heads to our Mistletoes
In December 2020, our Kids for Kindness cuties went full force on holiday giving. They created holiday themed craft bags, cozy candy snowmen - complete with their own set of kid gloves for kids in need, and holiday ornaments for seniors living nearby. We all left with more joy than we could possibly fit into a gift bag.