Service/Outreach Ideas

Here is a compiled list of Service Project Ideas that I, at some time or another, have been involved in. Community Service Projects are a great way to build character while cultivating a servant’s heart in your children. Rather you have one child or a quiver full of them, there is something on this list for you!

Click to download your own copy of Community Outreach Program Ideas:

ANIMALS

• Call your local animal shelter and get a list of items needed such as: used blankets and towels, bleach, newspapers, kitty liter, toys with fiber (no beans), etc.
• Volunteer to brush and walk the animals at the animal shelter.
• Make dog biscuits for the local animal shelter.
• Collect dog and cat food in cans.

SENIOR CITIZENS

• Make cards for the residents.
• Deliver meals to the elderly.
• Singing (Christmas carols) at nursing homes.
• Color pictures and hang on doors.
• Make centerpieces for the nursing home tables.
• Make tray favors, decorated napkin rings for dinner trays.
• Play games (bingo) with the residence on a weekly basis. Call the game coordinator to find out availability.
• Make small crafts or pins.
• Adopt a “grandma” or “grandpa” and send them cards, bake cookies, and spend time with them.
• Make a book on tape to contribute to a state department of the blind; a local daycare center; or pediatric patients.
• Read books to the elderly (Great for those beginner readers).
• Do a Fashion review or a talent show for the residents.

CHRISTMAS

• Adopt a Salvation Army Angel Tree
• Operation Christmas Shoebox
• Make Christmas cards for Armed Forces overseas, contact Red Cross for specifics.
• Christmas Caroling
• Bell ringer at Salvation Army (usually in front of Wal-mart)
• Toy drive for local children’s home.
• Stuff Christmas stockings for the local boys and girls club.

COMMUNITY BEATIFICATION

• Plant spring flowers and fall bulbs.
• Plant flowers (local fire station, or nursing home).
• Plant trees (local school or park).
• Pick up trash at beach, local school or park.

CHILDREN’S HOME OR ORPHANAGE

• Babysit for the “Family Care Program”.
• Coordinate an outing for an activity such as bowling or Putt-Putt golf.
• Host a back to school party.
• School supply drive with book bags/back packs, journals, pencil cases, pocket folders, pens, pencils, binder paper, calculators, etc.
• Craft supplies such as coloring books, pipe cleaners, colored pencils, crayons, ribbon, scissors, construction paper, glue, etc.
• Household items such as laundry soap, cookware, glassware, cutlery, kitchen utensils, can openers, window cleaner, bleach, dish soap, etc.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

• Collect baby blankets.
• Make get well cards.
• Contact http://www.makeachildsmile.org of items needed such as stuffed animals, cards, tie quilts, and letters.

SHELTERS/ FOOD KITCHEN

• Brand new socks/underwear/mittens for homeless or shelter families.
• Gently-used coats for shelters/homeless.
• Collect canned goods.
• Toothpaste toothbrush disposable cup wrapped up in a cellophane baggie.
• Sleeping bags and blankets.
• Toiletry items.
• Volunteer to serve at a soup kitchen.

FOSTER PARENTS / PREGNANCY CRISIS CENTER

• Make baskets of baby of needed baby items.
• Baby furniture, diapers, blankets, bottles, wipes, baby clothes are items that are needed to have on hand.

Special items for multiple usage:

Valentine boxes: fill shoe box full of items included a heart lollipop made into a flower, a pack of little lifesavers made into a bee, a pencil, small notepad, stickers, they laced a little heart pouch together (think back to lacing cards when we were little, just put two hearts together punched holes around except at the top and then tied a little handle at the top and decorated these and then put little heart chocolate foiled covered candy in there, and a coupon from Burger King or McDonald’s for a free hamburger.

Birthday-n-Box: cake mix, disposable pan, icing, sprinkles, balloons, party hats, Tube of icing to write birthday name on cake with, Birthday candles, Matches, Balloons, Crepe paper streamers, Noisemakers or similar party toys, Paper tablecloth, Loot bags, Loot to put in loot bags!, Container of Kool-Aid or a package of 10 juice boxes, Paper goods (plates, cups, napkins, forks, etc), Candy, Party games such as pin-the-tail on the donkey (might include a new bandanna w/that game), Maybe print rules for 2-3 simple party games that need no special equipment (like Fruit Basket, etc), Small unwrapped birthday gifts such as Beanie baby, new book, Tissue paper or gift wrap.

Project Linus: Providing security through the gifts of handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.

Color A Smile: collects crayon drawings from school children. Every month we distribute these drawings to Nursing Homes, Meals on Wheels Programs, and Individuals all across the country.

Holiday Mail for Heroes: American Red Cross collects signed Christmas cards and then they distribute to the soldiers abroad.