Virtual Volunteer Activities Through Facebook
We're excited to share information about our new virtual volunteer programming that we have scheduled through Facebook!
Each week we will offer a new theme so your family can help a different community need and nonprofit partner. We'll track your kids' volunteer hours in our Generation SERVE system if you email us their names, the time spent serving, and a photo to leah@generationserve.org.
Each week we will offer a new theme so your family can help a different community need and nonprofit partner. We'll track your kids' volunteer hours in our Generation SERVE system if you email us their names, the time spent serving, and a photo to leah@generationserve.org.
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Week 5: Supporting Seniors, May 8-10
Week 9: Mental Health,
June 5-7 Week 13: Experiencing Homelessness, July 3-5
Week 17: Supporting Kids, July 31 - August 2
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Week 6: Helping Animals, May 15-17
Week 10: Helping Healthcare, June 12-14
Week 14: Supporting Seniors, July 10-12
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Week 7: Environment,
May 22-24 Week 11: Food Insecurity, June 19-21
Week 15: Helping Animals, July 17-19
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Week 8: Supporting Kids,
May 29-31 Week 12: Learning and Literacy, June 26-28
Week 16: Helping the Environment, July 24-26
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Thanks to the generosity of our donors & Houston Founders Circle we are able make programming like this possible. Become a supporter today!
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Register your family to join our list to be notified about our activities and programs.
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Supporting Kids - July 31 - August 2
This week we are helping kids in our community! BEAR - Be A Resource for CPS Kids - provides hope and help for abused and neglected children and the caseworkers who protect them within Harris County. Each month BEAR Rooms provide more than 1,100 children basic necessities like diapers, wipes, formula, new clothes, pajamas and more. Those children in need of diapers are provided two bundles of diapers (2 packs of 8 individual diapers and 1 package of wipes). This vital resource is critical in the care of little children who oftentimes would go without.
This week Generation SERVE is helping BEAR by bundling and donating diapers and making cards of thanks and appreciation for CPS workers.
You will need: Diapers or Pull Ups (can be a new box or an already opened box; any size ranging from NB-Size 6), Rubber, Bands, Gloves, Construction Paper and Markers/Crayons for cards.
What you will do:
Please visit here for a flyer with detailed instructions.
1. Open your box of diapers. Remember all diapers should be bundled by size. For example: only size 4 can be bundled with size 4.
2. Count out 8 diapers at a time and place a rubber band around them. Should you end up with an extra diaper or two, you can bundle them in one of your stacks making 9 or 10 in your stack.
3. When you have bundled the entire package, place them back in the box for easy transport.
4. Once your box is complete, use our contactless drop off/mail/ship items to BEAR HQ!
***Remember all diapers should be bundled by size***
You can also make some homemade cards out of construction paper and markers/crayons and add inspiring messages of appreciation and thanks, such as “Thank you for all you do!”, “You are appreciated!”, etc.
You can drop off or mail your completed diaper bundles and handmade cards to our Generation SERVE Bins at:
HCRJ, 801 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77027
Or to Bear Headquarters at: BEAR: A Resource for CPS Kids, 3572 East TC Jester Blvd., Houston TX, 77018
This week Generation SERVE is helping BEAR by bundling and donating diapers and making cards of thanks and appreciation for CPS workers.
You will need: Diapers or Pull Ups (can be a new box or an already opened box; any size ranging from NB-Size 6), Rubber, Bands, Gloves, Construction Paper and Markers/Crayons for cards.
What you will do:
Please visit here for a flyer with detailed instructions.
1. Open your box of diapers. Remember all diapers should be bundled by size. For example: only size 4 can be bundled with size 4.
2. Count out 8 diapers at a time and place a rubber band around them. Should you end up with an extra diaper or two, you can bundle them in one of your stacks making 9 or 10 in your stack.
3. When you have bundled the entire package, place them back in the box for easy transport.
4. Once your box is complete, use our contactless drop off/mail/ship items to BEAR HQ!
***Remember all diapers should be bundled by size***
You can also make some homemade cards out of construction paper and markers/crayons and add inspiring messages of appreciation and thanks, such as “Thank you for all you do!”, “You are appreciated!”, etc.
You can drop off or mail your completed diaper bundles and handmade cards to our Generation SERVE Bins at:
HCRJ, 801 Bering Drive, Houston, TX 77027
Or to Bear Headquarters at: BEAR: A Resource for CPS Kids, 3572 East TC Jester Blvd., Houston TX, 77018
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Our wonderful Generation SERVE volunteer Jag interviews BEAR to find out about the work they do to help kids and how we can help from home.
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Today our Little Helpers Storytime presents "Be Kind". Even our youngest helpers can learn how to make a difference with the power of a story.
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Helping the Environment - July 24-26
This week we are supporting our nonprofit partners who serve the environment. Urban Harvest works to cultivate thriving communities through gardening and access to healthy, local food. Generation SERVE has volunteered with Urban Harvest by helping in their many community and school gardens. Here are some fun projects we can do from home to help our environment!
1. Let’s Start a Garden at Home with an Egg Carton!
All you will need are egg cartons and seeds! Here is a link on how to start seeds from an egg carton.
You can buy seed packets or even use seeds you already have in your pantry or refrigerator. See this link for ideas on how to get seeds from your refrigerator!
Here's more information on seeds that sprout quickly.
You can learn more about starting gardening in your own backyards by taking one of Urban Harvest’s many webinars on culinary summer vegetables:summer gardening, composting, ecological pest management, and herbs for small spaces. Share what you do with us and send a review of what you learned from the webinar to Urban Harvest. Be sure to also report your 'volunteer' hours in building resilience for our environment and for Urban Harvest!
2. Make an Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder!
All you will need are:
Pinecones - whatever you can find
String
1 cup peanut butter
2 T shortening or butter
2-3 cups birdseed
See instructions here.
3. Help Our Environment By Making Donations or even Organizing a Donation Drive!
Did you know you help the environment when you make a donation? So many of our kids’ toys, sippy cups, shoes, etc. end up in a landfill. Someone else's trash is another person's treasure and by donating unused items, you are making sure they don't end up in a landfill. Some of the wonderful non-profits we partner with are always looking for donated items that help their clients.
Check out the following organizations and their needs!
Step Up Houston
BEAR Houston
SEARCH Homeless
You can also check out Urban Harvest’s volunteer page.
1. Let’s Start a Garden at Home with an Egg Carton!
All you will need are egg cartons and seeds! Here is a link on how to start seeds from an egg carton.
You can buy seed packets or even use seeds you already have in your pantry or refrigerator. See this link for ideas on how to get seeds from your refrigerator!
Here's more information on seeds that sprout quickly.
You can learn more about starting gardening in your own backyards by taking one of Urban Harvest’s many webinars on culinary summer vegetables:summer gardening, composting, ecological pest management, and herbs for small spaces. Share what you do with us and send a review of what you learned from the webinar to Urban Harvest. Be sure to also report your 'volunteer' hours in building resilience for our environment and for Urban Harvest!
2. Make an Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder!
All you will need are:
Pinecones - whatever you can find
String
1 cup peanut butter
2 T shortening or butter
2-3 cups birdseed
See instructions here.
3. Help Our Environment By Making Donations or even Organizing a Donation Drive!
Did you know you help the environment when you make a donation? So many of our kids’ toys, sippy cups, shoes, etc. end up in a landfill. Someone else's trash is another person's treasure and by donating unused items, you are making sure they don't end up in a landfill. Some of the wonderful non-profits we partner with are always looking for donated items that help their clients.
Check out the following organizations and their needs!
Step Up Houston
BEAR Houston
SEARCH Homeless
You can also check out Urban Harvest’s volunteer page.
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Thank you to our wonderful Generation SERVE volunteers for interviewing our partner Urban Harvest on the various ways we can help make a difference in our environment with project ideas we can do from home.
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Little Helpers Storytime today presents "Not For Me, Please". Even our youngest helpers can learn why they make a difference through a story and volunteer projects.
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Helping Animals - July 17-19
This week we are supporting our nonprofit partners who serve animals. Let’s make some pet toys this weekend to be delivered with pet food by our nonprofit partner Animeals on Wheels. Animeals ensures that the pets of homebound seniors are fed and cared for by delivering pet food to them. Let’s send some toys to help entertain those pets too!
All you will need to make the dog toys are an old t-shirt or any fabric and scissors! To make a cat toy, all you need are straws, some string and some fabric. Instructions and a video are below!
Animeals would also appreciate donations of pet food through "Project Porch Pick Up." You can coordinate drop offs of pet food donations in your neighborhood for Animals! For a flyer and more information, visit here.
Please coordinate any deliveries of pet food donations with Scyrus Cartwright at scartwright@imgh.org.
You can deliver pet toy donations to our Generation SERVE Bins at:
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
801 Bering Drive
Houston, TX 77057
(If doors are closed, you may leave the donations in a bag outside the doors marked Generation SERVE).
You may also deliver directly to Animals between the hours of 11AM-2PM when the Animeals door is open to:
Interfaith Ministries - Animeals on Meals
c/o Scyrus Cartwright
3202 San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas 77002
All you will need to make the dog toys are an old t-shirt or any fabric and scissors! To make a cat toy, all you need are straws, some string and some fabric. Instructions and a video are below!
Animeals would also appreciate donations of pet food through "Project Porch Pick Up." You can coordinate drop offs of pet food donations in your neighborhood for Animals! For a flyer and more information, visit here.
Please coordinate any deliveries of pet food donations with Scyrus Cartwright at scartwright@imgh.org.
You can deliver pet toy donations to our Generation SERVE Bins at:
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
801 Bering Drive
Houston, TX 77057
(If doors are closed, you may leave the donations in a bag outside the doors marked Generation SERVE).
You may also deliver directly to Animals between the hours of 11AM-2PM when the Animeals door is open to:
Interfaith Ministries - Animeals on Meals
c/o Scyrus Cartwright
3202 San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas 77002
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Here's this week's partner interview with Generation SERVE volunteer Madelyn and
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (Official Page) AniMeals on Wheels! |
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Helping Animals, our Little Helpers Story is "'Let's Get a Pup!' Said Kate".
This is the story of Kate and her parents, who head to the local animal shelter where there are lots of dogs waiting for new homes. Let's see who they meet! |
Supporting Seniors - July 10-12
This week we are supporting our nonprofit partners who serve our seniors. While our senior citizens have to stay home to stay safe, let’s make cards to send them supportive messages and brighten their day! We will be sending cards to
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston's Meals on Wheels Program whose volunteers will deliver them along with the meals they bring to over 4,400 homebound seniors and disabled adults. We will also send cards to Seven Acres, the largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian, long-term care campus for the aged on the Texas Gulf Coast.
All you will need to make the cards is construction paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home. If you would like, you can also include a crossword or suduko puzzle in your cards. Here are links for some free printables. Link 1. Link 2.
Please drop off your completed cards to the Generation SERVE Bins located at:
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
801 Bering Drive
Houston, TX 77057
If you would like to help further, Meals on Wheels has also requested birthday cookie packets for the seniors they serve. Each packet contains a homemade birthday card and commercially packed, individually wrapped cookie packets. Generation SERVE volunteers can help by making the cookies packets from home! For instructions, please click here!
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston's Meals on Wheels Program whose volunteers will deliver them along with the meals they bring to over 4,400 homebound seniors and disabled adults. We will also send cards to Seven Acres, the largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian, long-term care campus for the aged on the Texas Gulf Coast.
All you will need to make the cards is construction paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home. If you would like, you can also include a crossword or suduko puzzle in your cards. Here are links for some free printables. Link 1. Link 2.
Please drop off your completed cards to the Generation SERVE Bins located at:
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
801 Bering Drive
Houston, TX 77057
If you would like to help further, Meals on Wheels has also requested birthday cookie packets for the seniors they serve. Each packet contains a homemade birthday card and commercially packed, individually wrapped cookie packets. Generation SERVE volunteers can help by making the cookies packets from home! For instructions, please click here!
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Supporting Seniors!
Here's Activity Lead Gracie Vogel explaining this week's theme, why important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Penelope, Generation SERVE Volunteer, and Meals on Wheels!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Supporting Seniors, our Little Helpers Story is "Mr. George Baker".
This is the story of two friends, George and Harry. Now, George and Harry have some things about them that are the same, and some things that are different. Let's find out what makes their friendship so special! |
People Experiencing Homelessness - July 3-5
Join us to create face coverings for SEARCH Homeless Services to provide to people experiencing homelessness and people living on the streets of Houston. The CDC recommends that we all use cloth face coverings to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19. SEARCH would appreciate help with making face coverings available for people living on the streets. The CDC website includes instructions for sewing and no-sew masks with ties or elastics to secure them can be found here. You can also see these tutorials here, here, and here for different kinds of masks you can make.
Please drop off the masks to our Generation SERVE Bins located at:
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
801 Bering Drive
Houston, TX 77057
Please remember to send us an email at houstonteam@generationserve.org to let us know you are making a drop off donation so we can collect them from the bins.
You may also contact SEARCH’s Molly Martin at mmartin@searchhomeless.org to make arrangements for a drop-off time to drop off at SEARCH.
Please drop off the masks to our Generation SERVE Bins located at:
Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
801 Bering Drive
Houston, TX 77057
Please remember to send us an email at houstonteam@generationserve.org to let us know you are making a drop off donation so we can collect them from the bins.
You may also contact SEARCH’s Molly Martin at mmartin@searchhomeless.org to make arrangements for a drop-off time to drop off at SEARCH.
Learning and Literacy - June 26-28
We will be helping Books Between Kids create home libraries for Houston children by collecting books for their drive-by book drop off and making bookmarks to give with the books we collect!
All you will need is a bag to collect books and paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home to make the bookmarks!
It is more important than ever to help Books Between Kids get books into the hands of Houston kids! You can clean out your own book shelves to find gently used books to donate. Feel free to ask neighbors and friends to help with your book drive and you can collect them maintaining a safe social distance by having them leave books for you at their door.
You can also make bookmarks to be donated with the books we collect. Feel free to get creative! Here is a link for fun ideas!
You can drop off your donations to our Generation SERVE bins located at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism (HCRJ) located at 801 Bering Drive. You can also sign up here to schedule a time to drop off directly to Books Between Kids.
All you will need is a bag to collect books and paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home to make the bookmarks!
It is more important than ever to help Books Between Kids get books into the hands of Houston kids! You can clean out your own book shelves to find gently used books to donate. Feel free to ask neighbors and friends to help with your book drive and you can collect them maintaining a safe social distance by having them leave books for you at their door.
You can also make bookmarks to be donated with the books we collect. Feel free to get creative! Here is a link for fun ideas!
You can drop off your donations to our Generation SERVE bins located at Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism (HCRJ) located at 801 Bering Drive. You can also sign up here to schedule a time to drop off directly to Books Between Kids.
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Learning and Literacy!
Here's Activity Leads Isbella and Letty explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more. |
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Here's this week's partner interview with David, Generation SERVE Volunteer, and Books Between Kids!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Learning and Literacy, our Little Helpers Story is "Waiting for the Biblioburro". It's a story about a little girl who lives in Columbia and loves reading and telling stories. One day a special visitor comes to her village. Let's find out who it is!
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Food Insecurity - June 19-21
We will be helping Kids' Meals, Inc. by decorating paper lunch bags so they can fill them with food and deliver them to hungry children in Houston.
You will need standard lunch bags then you can decorate them with markers, crayons, stickers, riddles, jokes, mazes, inspiration, or encouragement (no glitter please). You also have the option of packing the lunch, but those lunch bags will need to be delivered to Kids' Meals.
We recommend these two pages for ideas! Page 1. Page 2.
When you are finished with your bags, you can either mail them to Kids' Meals or deliver them M-F 9 am - 3 pm:
Kids’ Meals
330 Garden Oaks Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77018
You will need standard lunch bags then you can decorate them with markers, crayons, stickers, riddles, jokes, mazes, inspiration, or encouragement (no glitter please). You also have the option of packing the lunch, but those lunch bags will need to be delivered to Kids' Meals.
We recommend these two pages for ideas! Page 1. Page 2.
When you are finished with your bags, you can either mail them to Kids' Meals or deliver them M-F 9 am - 3 pm:
Kids’ Meals
330 Garden Oaks Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77018
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on food insecurity. Here's Lira Ramirez, Activity lead, introducing the topic and why it's important to participate in the activity!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Food Insecurity, our Little Helpers Story is "One Potato Two Potato". It's a story about two people who have a problem - they don't have enough to eat. Find out what happens and what we can do to help. Enjoy!
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Helping Healthcare - June 12-14
Make some cards this weekend in support of our community's healthcare workers! Thrive Pro Bono has kicked off an initiative to deliver meals from local restaurants to our healthcare workers who need our support! Your homemade cards will be delivered alongside those meals and will let our community's medical teams know how much we appreciate them!
When finished, you can mail the cards to:
Thrive Pro Bono
C/o Daniela Torres Marco
1919 Huldy St.
Houston Texas 77019
When finished, you can mail the cards to:
Thrive Pro Bono
C/o Daniela Torres Marco
1919 Huldy St.
Houston Texas 77019
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Helping Healthcare!
Here's Laurel, an Activity Lead, and her son Gabriel, a Generation SERVE Volunteer, introducing the topic and why it's important to participate in the activity! |
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week is Helping Healthcare, our Little Helpers Story is "Bear Feels Sick". It's a story about a bear who doesn't feel so well and how his friends come to help! Enjoy
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Mental Health - June 5-7
This week we are focusing on mental health! Especially in these trying times, taking care of mental health is so vital. We are partnering with Baylor College of Medicine, which works with vulnerable populations who have experienced significant trauma and are in their own process of recovery. COVID-19 has complicated the situation for many, and many of Baylor’s patients struggle with getting their varied needs met. We are helping Baylor this week by providing craft kits that will be provided to patients to help alleviate distress!
GET CREATIVE! Any craft that can keep people busy and mentally active is so helpful. What do you have at home that could be put together as a craft kit? Maybe you have jewelry making supplies, crocheting supplies, adult/teen coloring books and colored pencils you can put in a bag that you can decorate with uplifting, positive messages? Be sure to include some simple instructions! Here are some ideas we found too!
PONY BEAD NECKLACE MAKING KIT - supplies needed: (1) bag of pony beads, (2) elastic string or jewelry string, (3) bag you can decorate with markers, (4) simple instructions. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own necklaces. Include instructions to cut the string to size for a necklace of desired length, knot one end, bead as desired and tie together!
RAINY DAY KEY CHAIN CRAFT KIT - supplies needed for each key chain: (1) 2 pieces of gimp/plastic lacing (each 1 yard long), (2) 1 lanyard hook or split ring, (3) small bag you can decorate with markers, (4) print instructions here.
Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own key chain.
RUBBER BAND BRACELET CRAFT KITS - supplies needed for each bracelet: (1) 26 latex-free rubber bands, (2) 1 plastic “c” clip, (3) small bag you can decorate with markers, (4) print instructions here. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own bracelets.
ORIGAMI CRAFT KITS - supplies needed: (1) cut scrapbook papers in squares 6” x 6” or smaller on paper cutter, (2) origami instruction ideas you can print here, (3) small bag you can decorate with markers. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own Origami.
DREAM CATCHER CRAFT KITS - supplies needed per dream catcher: (1) 1 chenille stems, (2) 1 piece of yarn – 24” long, (3) 1 piece of yarn – 16” long, (4) dream catcher instruction sheets you can print here, (5) small bag you can decorate with markers. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own dream catchers.
Please deliver completed craft kits to:
Neuropsychiatric Center at the Ben Taub Hospital
Attn: Mirelise Cartagena, Psy. D.
1504 Ben Taub Loop
Houston, TX 77030
GET CREATIVE! Any craft that can keep people busy and mentally active is so helpful. What do you have at home that could be put together as a craft kit? Maybe you have jewelry making supplies, crocheting supplies, adult/teen coloring books and colored pencils you can put in a bag that you can decorate with uplifting, positive messages? Be sure to include some simple instructions! Here are some ideas we found too!
PONY BEAD NECKLACE MAKING KIT - supplies needed: (1) bag of pony beads, (2) elastic string or jewelry string, (3) bag you can decorate with markers, (4) simple instructions. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own necklaces. Include instructions to cut the string to size for a necklace of desired length, knot one end, bead as desired and tie together!
RAINY DAY KEY CHAIN CRAFT KIT - supplies needed for each key chain: (1) 2 pieces of gimp/plastic lacing (each 1 yard long), (2) 1 lanyard hook or split ring, (3) small bag you can decorate with markers, (4) print instructions here.
Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own key chain.
RUBBER BAND BRACELET CRAFT KITS - supplies needed for each bracelet: (1) 26 latex-free rubber bands, (2) 1 plastic “c” clip, (3) small bag you can decorate with markers, (4) print instructions here. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own bracelets.
ORIGAMI CRAFT KITS - supplies needed: (1) cut scrapbook papers in squares 6” x 6” or smaller on paper cutter, (2) origami instruction ideas you can print here, (3) small bag you can decorate with markers. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own Origami.
DREAM CATCHER CRAFT KITS - supplies needed per dream catcher: (1) 1 chenille stems, (2) 1 piece of yarn – 24” long, (3) 1 piece of yarn – 16” long, (4) dream catcher instruction sheets you can print here, (5) small bag you can decorate with markers. Put items in a bag with positive messages to allow patients to make their own dream catchers.
Please deliver completed craft kits to:
Neuropsychiatric Center at the Ben Taub Hospital
Attn: Mirelise Cartagena, Psy. D.
1504 Ben Taub Loop
Houston, TX 77030
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Supporting Mental Health!
Here's Krupali, Teen Activity Lead, explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Generation SERVE Volunteers Lucas and Sophie and Baylor College of Medicine!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Supporting Mental Health, our Little Helpers Story is "In My Heart: A Book of Feelings".
Can you remember a time when you've been happy, or sad, or even scared? Everyone has those feelings every once in a while. Let's read this story to learn about all different types of feelings. |
Supporting Kids - May 29-31
This week we are helping kids in our community! BEAR - Be A Resource for CPS Kids - provides hope and help for abused and neglected children and the caseworkers who protect them within Harris County. Each month BEAR Rooms provide more than 1,100 children basic necessities like diapers, wipes, formula, new clothes, pajamas and more. Those children in need of diapers are provided two bundles of diapers (2 packs of 8 individual diapers and 1 package of wipes). This vital resource is critical in the care of little children who oftentimes would go without.
This week Generation SERVE is helping BEAR by bundling and donating diapers and making cards of thanks and appreciation for CPS workers.
You will need:
Diapers or Pull Ups (can be a new box or an already opened box; any size ranging from NB-Size 6)
Rubber Bands
Gloves
Construction Paper and Markers/Crayons for cards
What you will do:
Please visit here for a flyer with detailed instructions.
1. Open your box of diapers. Remember all diapers should be bundled by size. For example: only size 4 can be bundled with size 4.
2. Count out 8 diapers at a time and place a rubber band around them. Should you end up with an extra diaper or two, you can bundle them in one of your stacks making 9 or 10 in your stack.
3. When you have bundled the entire package, place them back in the box for easy transport.
4. Once your box is complete, use our contactless drop off/mail/ship items to BEAR HQ!
***Remember all diapers should be bundled by size***
You can also make some homemade cards out of construction paper and markers/crayons and add inspiring messages of appreciation and thanks, such as “Thank you for all you do!”, “You are appreciated!”, etc.
You can drop off or mail your completed diaper bundles and handmade cards to BEAR HQ:
BEAR: A Resource for CPS Kids
3572 East TC Jester Blvd.
Houston TX 77018
This week Generation SERVE is helping BEAR by bundling and donating diapers and making cards of thanks and appreciation for CPS workers.
You will need:
Diapers or Pull Ups (can be a new box or an already opened box; any size ranging from NB-Size 6)
Rubber Bands
Gloves
Construction Paper and Markers/Crayons for cards
What you will do:
Please visit here for a flyer with detailed instructions.
1. Open your box of diapers. Remember all diapers should be bundled by size. For example: only size 4 can be bundled with size 4.
2. Count out 8 diapers at a time and place a rubber band around them. Should you end up with an extra diaper or two, you can bundle them in one of your stacks making 9 or 10 in your stack.
3. When you have bundled the entire package, place them back in the box for easy transport.
4. Once your box is complete, use our contactless drop off/mail/ship items to BEAR HQ!
***Remember all diapers should be bundled by size***
You can also make some homemade cards out of construction paper and markers/crayons and add inspiring messages of appreciation and thanks, such as “Thank you for all you do!”, “You are appreciated!”, etc.
You can drop off or mail your completed diaper bundles and handmade cards to BEAR HQ:
BEAR: A Resource for CPS Kids
3572 East TC Jester Blvd.
Houston TX 77018
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Kids Helping Kids!
Here's Generation SERVE's Houston Site Director Caren Sweetland and Volunteer Alex explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Kids Helping Kids, our Little Helpers Story is "Be Kind".
In this story, Tanisha spills her juice and is really upset. Tanisha's friend tries to figure out the best way to help her. The friend's mother always tells her just be kind, but what does it mean to be kind? Let's read the story and find out. |
Environment - May 22-24
This week we are supporting our nonprofit partners who serve the environment. Urban Harvest works to cultivate thriving communities through gardening and access to healthy, local food. Generation SERVE has volunteered with Urban Harvest by helping in their many community and school gardens. Here are some fun projects we can do from home to help our environment!
1. Let’s Start a Garden at Home with an Egg Carton!
All you will need are egg cartons and seeds! Here is a link on how to start seeds from an egg carton.
You can buy seed packets or even use seeds you already have in your pantry or refrigerator. See this link for ideas on how to get seeds from your refrigerator!
Here's more information on seeds that sprout quickly.
You can learn more about starting gardening in your own backyards by taking one of Urban Harvest’s many webinars on culinary summer vegetables:summer gardening, composting, ecological pest management, and herbs for small spaces. Share what you do with us and send a review of what you learned from the webinar to Urban Harvest. Be sure to also report your 'volunteer' hours in building resilience for our environment and for Urban Harvest!
2. Make an Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder!
All you will need are:
Pinecones - whatever you can find
String
1 cup peanut butter
2 T shortening or butter
2-3 cups birdseed
See instructions here.
3. Help Our Environment By Making Donations or even Organizing a Donation Drive!
Did you know you help the environment when you make a donation? So many of our kids’ toys, sippy cups, shoes, etc. end up in a landfill. Someone else's trash is another person's treasure and by donating unused items, you are making sure they don't end up in a landfill. Some of the wonderful non-profits we partner with are always looking for donated items that help their clients. Check out the following organizations and their needs!
Step Up Houston
BEAR Houston
SEARCH Homeless
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM LIVE! Let’s make egg carton gardens together! Grab your supplies and join us on Instagram Live on Saturday, May 23rd at 11AM. Find us @generationservehtx.
1. Let’s Start a Garden at Home with an Egg Carton!
All you will need are egg cartons and seeds! Here is a link on how to start seeds from an egg carton.
You can buy seed packets or even use seeds you already have in your pantry or refrigerator. See this link for ideas on how to get seeds from your refrigerator!
Here's more information on seeds that sprout quickly.
You can learn more about starting gardening in your own backyards by taking one of Urban Harvest’s many webinars on culinary summer vegetables:summer gardening, composting, ecological pest management, and herbs for small spaces. Share what you do with us and send a review of what you learned from the webinar to Urban Harvest. Be sure to also report your 'volunteer' hours in building resilience for our environment and for Urban Harvest!
2. Make an Eco-Friendly Bird Feeder!
All you will need are:
Pinecones - whatever you can find
String
1 cup peanut butter
2 T shortening or butter
2-3 cups birdseed
See instructions here.
3. Help Our Environment By Making Donations or even Organizing a Donation Drive!
Did you know you help the environment when you make a donation? So many of our kids’ toys, sippy cups, shoes, etc. end up in a landfill. Someone else's trash is another person's treasure and by donating unused items, you are making sure they don't end up in a landfill. Some of the wonderful non-profits we partner with are always looking for donated items that help their clients. Check out the following organizations and their needs!
Step Up Houston
BEAR Houston
SEARCH Homeless
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM LIVE! Let’s make egg carton gardens together! Grab your supplies and join us on Instagram Live on Saturday, May 23rd at 11AM. Find us @generationservehtx.
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Helping the Environment!
Here's Activity Lead Vinayak Joglekar and Co-Lead Tulsi Joglekar explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Generation SERVE Volunteers Jane and Eliana Wexler and Urban Harvest!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Helping Our Environment, our Little Helpers Story is "Not for me, please! I choose to act green".
In this story, a boy named Luke tells us all about our Earth and about some things we can do to take care of it. |
Helping Animals - May 15-17
This week we are supporting our nonprofit partners who serve animals. Let’s make some pet toys this weekend to be delivered with pet food by our nonprofit partner Animeals on Wheels. Animeals ensures that the pets of homebound seniors are fed and cared for by delivering pet food to them. Let’s send some toys to help entertain those pets too!
All you will need to make the dog toys are an old t-shirt or any fabric and scissors! To make a cat toy, all you need are straws, some string and some fabric. Instructions and a video are below!
Animeals would also appreciate donations of pet food. Please coordinate any deliveries with Scyrus Cartwright at scartwright@imgh.org or deliver the food and toys directly between the hours of 11AM-2PM when the Animeals door is open to:
Interfaith Ministries - Animeals on Meals
c/o Scyrus Cartwright
3202 San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Our program specialist is happy to arrange contactless pickup within Bellaire/West U. Please contact her at (713)557-5832 to arrange this.
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM LIVE! Let’s make pet toys together! Grab your supplies and join us on Instagram Live on Saturday, May 16th at 11AM. Find us @generationservehtx.
Here is a video with instructions on how to make the toys!
Here are instructions for making a dog toy:
-Find an old t-shirt or fabric that you are ok turning into a dog toy
-Cut the material into 3 equal length 1" strips of fabric
-Tie a knot at one end of the three strips of fabric (leaving a little material at the end)
-Braid the 3 strips of fabric until you almost reach the end
-Tie one more knot at the other end and you have a pull toy!
Here are instructions for making a cat toy:
-Find a straw, some thick string or yarn, and some fabric (or an old t-shirt you can cut into material to use)
-Cut the string/yarn to a length about 4 inches longer than the straw
-Put the string/yarn through the straw leaving about 2 inches of string/yarn coming out of both ends of the straw
-Knot the string/yarn on each end and tie small strips of the material around each end of the string/yarn for the cat to play with!
All you will need to make the dog toys are an old t-shirt or any fabric and scissors! To make a cat toy, all you need are straws, some string and some fabric. Instructions and a video are below!
Animeals would also appreciate donations of pet food. Please coordinate any deliveries with Scyrus Cartwright at scartwright@imgh.org or deliver the food and toys directly between the hours of 11AM-2PM when the Animeals door is open to:
Interfaith Ministries - Animeals on Meals
c/o Scyrus Cartwright
3202 San Jacinto Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Our program specialist is happy to arrange contactless pickup within Bellaire/West U. Please contact her at (713)557-5832 to arrange this.
JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM LIVE! Let’s make pet toys together! Grab your supplies and join us on Instagram Live on Saturday, May 16th at 11AM. Find us @generationservehtx.
Here is a video with instructions on how to make the toys!
Here are instructions for making a dog toy:
-Find an old t-shirt or fabric that you are ok turning into a dog toy
-Cut the material into 3 equal length 1" strips of fabric
-Tie a knot at one end of the three strips of fabric (leaving a little material at the end)
-Braid the 3 strips of fabric until you almost reach the end
-Tie one more knot at the other end and you have a pull toy!
Here are instructions for making a cat toy:
-Find a straw, some thick string or yarn, and some fabric (or an old t-shirt you can cut into material to use)
-Cut the string/yarn to a length about 4 inches longer than the straw
-Put the string/yarn through the straw leaving about 2 inches of string/yarn coming out of both ends of the straw
-Knot the string/yarn on each end and tie small strips of the material around each end of the string/yarn for the cat to play with!
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Helping Animals!
Here's Activity Lead Erin Stage and her family explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! They even demonstrate how to make animal toys! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Generation SERVE Volunteer Madelyn and Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston (Official Page)'s Animeals on Wheels!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Helping Animals, our Little Helpers Story is "'Let's Get a Pup!' Said Kate".
This is the story of Kate and her parents, who head to the local animal shelter where there are lots of dogs waiting for new homes. Let's see who they meet |
Supporting Seniors - May 8-10
This week we are supporting our nonprofit partners who serve our seniors. While our senior citizens have to stay home to stay safe and can’t have visitors, let’s make cards to send them supportive messages and brighten their day! We will be sending cards to Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston's Meals on Wheels Program whose volunteers will deliver them along with the meals they bring to over 4,400 homebound seniors and disabled adults. We will also send cards to Seven Acres, the largest not-for-profit, non-sectarian, long-term care campus for the aged on the Texas Gulf Coast.
All you will need to make the cards is construction paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home. If you would like, you can also include a crossword or suduko puzzle in your cards. Here are links for some free printables. Link 1. Link 2.
Please mail or deliver completed cards to:
Meals on Wheels
c/o Lauren Lewis
3202 San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77004
Seven Acres
c/o Activity Supervisor Phyllis Kemp
6200 North Braeswood Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77074
If you would like to help further, Meals on Wheels has also requested boxes of cereal and oatmeal for the 1300 Breakfast Bags they distribute to seniors each week! Every box of cereal feeds a senior for a week, and every box of oatmeal with individual packets feeds 2 seniors for a week. Please send only healthy cereal such as cheerios, corn flakes, plain shredded wheat and rice krispies. Please coordinate deliveries of cereal with Lauren Lewis at llewis@imgh.org.
NEW THIS WEEK! JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM LIVE! Let’s make cards for seniors together! Grab your card making supplies and join us on Instagram Live on Saturday, May 9th at 11AM. Find us @generationservehtx.
All you will need to make the cards is construction paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home. If you would like, you can also include a crossword or suduko puzzle in your cards. Here are links for some free printables. Link 1. Link 2.
Please mail or deliver completed cards to:
Meals on Wheels
c/o Lauren Lewis
3202 San Jacinto Street
Houston, TX 77004
Seven Acres
c/o Activity Supervisor Phyllis Kemp
6200 North Braeswood Boulevard
Houston, Texas 77074
If you would like to help further, Meals on Wheels has also requested boxes of cereal and oatmeal for the 1300 Breakfast Bags they distribute to seniors each week! Every box of cereal feeds a senior for a week, and every box of oatmeal with individual packets feeds 2 seniors for a week. Please send only healthy cereal such as cheerios, corn flakes, plain shredded wheat and rice krispies. Please coordinate deliveries of cereal with Lauren Lewis at llewis@imgh.org.
NEW THIS WEEK! JOIN US ON INSTAGRAM LIVE! Let’s make cards for seniors together! Grab your card making supplies and join us on Instagram Live on Saturday, May 9th at 11AM. Find us @generationservehtx.
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Supporting Seniors!
Here's Activity Lead Gracie Vogel explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Here's this week's partner interview with Penelope, Generation SERVE Volunteer, and Meals on Wheels!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Supporting Seniors, our Little Helpers Story is "Mr. George Baker".
This is the story of two friends, George and Harry. Now, George and Harry have some things about them that are the same, and some things that are different. Let's find out what makes their friendship so special |
People Experiencing Homelessness - May 1-3
Join us to create care kits for Step Up Houston, which provides clothing, toiletries and other essentials to Houston's homeless population. Have some fun with your kids and search through your closets for items you can donate that are vital to people experiencing homelessness! We will send delivery instructions as soon as Step Up Houston can again accept donations.
View the SCAVENGER HUNT LIST here. You do not have to include everything on the list! Anything you have that you can donate is appreciated! After your scavenger hunt, you can place your items in grocery or gift bags and you can even decorate the care kit bags with inspiring messages to show you care. You can also create uplifting cards to brighten the day during these hard times.
View the SCAVENGER HUNT LIST here. You do not have to include everything on the list! Anything you have that you can donate is appreciated! After your scavenger hunt, you can place your items in grocery or gift bags and you can even decorate the care kit bags with inspiring messages to show you care. You can also create uplifting cards to brighten the day during these hard times.
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on People Experiencing Homelessness.
Here's Activity Lead Heather Kinvig and her daughters Avery and Jewel explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more! |
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on People Experiencing Homelessness, our Little Helpers Story is "A Place to Stay; A Shelter Story". In this story, a little girl and her mother don't have a place to live, so they are headed to a shelter. A shelter is a safe place for people to stay when they don't have a home of their own. The little girl feels pretty nervous about being in a new place. Let's learn about what shelters do to help people who don't have a home of their own.
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Learning and Literacy - April 24-26
We will be helping Books Between Kids create home libraries for Houston children by collecting books for their drive-by book drop off and making bookmarks to give with the books we collect!
All you will need is a bag to collect books and paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home to make the bookmarks!
It is more important than ever to help Books Between Kids get books into the hands of Houston kids! You can clean out your own books shelves to find gently used books to donate. Feel free to ask neighbors and friends to help with your book drive and you can collect them maintaining a safe social distance by having them leave books for you at their door.
You can bring the books to their book drop off on May 11th (9AM-12PM) and May 12th (12PM-3PM). Thank you!
9947 Harwin Dr. Suite B & C
Houston, TX 77036
You can also make booksmarks to be donated with the books we collect. Feel free to get creative! Here is a link for fun ideas! You can also print these bookmarks at home to color!
All you will need is a bag to collect books and paper, scissors and any markers, crayons or stickers you may have at home to make the bookmarks!
It is more important than ever to help Books Between Kids get books into the hands of Houston kids! You can clean out your own books shelves to find gently used books to donate. Feel free to ask neighbors and friends to help with your book drive and you can collect them maintaining a safe social distance by having them leave books for you at their door.
You can bring the books to their book drop off on May 11th (9AM-12PM) and May 12th (12PM-3PM). Thank you!
9947 Harwin Dr. Suite B & C
Houston, TX 77036
You can also make booksmarks to be donated with the books we collect. Feel free to get creative! Here is a link for fun ideas! You can also print these bookmarks at home to color!
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week will focus on Learning and Literacy!
Here's Activity Leads Isbella and Letty explaining this week's theme, why it's important to get involved, and more. |
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Here's this week's partner interview with David, Generation SERVE Volunteer, and Books Between Kids!
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week focuses on Learning and Literacy, our Little Helpers Story is "Waiting for the Biblioburro". It's a story about a little girl who lives in Columbia and loves reading and telling stories. One day a special visitor comes to her village. Let's find out who it is!
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Food Insecurity - April 17-19
We will be helping Kids' Meals, Inc. by decorating paper lunch bags so they can fill them with food and deliver them to hungry children in Houston.
You will need standard lunch bags then you can decorate them with markers, crayons, stickers, riddles, jokes, mazes, inspiration, or encouragement (no glitter please). You also have the option of packing the lunch, but those lunch bags will need to be delivered to Kids' Meals.
We recommend these two pages for ideas! Page 1. Page 2.
Here is more information about Kids' Meals.
When you are finished with your bags, you can either mail them to Kids' Meals or deliver them M-F 9 am - 3 pm:
Kids’ Meals
330 Garden Oaks Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77018
You will need standard lunch bags then you can decorate them with markers, crayons, stickers, riddles, jokes, mazes, inspiration, or encouragement (no glitter please). You also have the option of packing the lunch, but those lunch bags will need to be delivered to Kids' Meals.
We recommend these two pages for ideas! Page 1. Page 2.
Here is more information about Kids' Meals.
When you are finished with your bags, you can either mail them to Kids' Meals or deliver them M-F 9 am - 3 pm:
Kids’ Meals
330 Garden Oaks Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77018
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Our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week revolves around food insecurity. Here's Lira Ramirez, an Activity lead, introducing the topic and why it's important to participate in the activity!
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Here's this week's partner interview with Noa Fink, Generation SERVE Volunteer, and Kids' Meals, Inc.
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week is Food Insecurity, our Little Helpers Story is "One Potato Two Potato". It's a story about two people who have a problem - they don't have enough to eat. Find out what happens and what we can do to help. Enjoy!
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Helping Healthcare - April 10-12
Make some cards this Friday and Saturday in support of our community's healthcare workers! Thrive Pro Bono has kicked off an initiative to deliver meals from local restaurants to our healthcare workers who need our support! Your homemade cards will be delivered alongside those meals and will let our community's medical teams know how much we appreciate them!
When finished, you can mail the cards to:
Thrive Pro Bono
C/o Daniela Torres Marco
1919 Huldy St.
Houston Texas 77019
When finished, you can mail the cards to:
Thrive Pro Bono
C/o Daniela Torres Marco
1919 Huldy St.
Houston Texas 77019
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Here's Laurel, an Activity Lead, and her son Gabriel, a Generation SERVE Volunteer, introducing the topic and why it's important to participate in the activity!
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Enjoy our interview with our partner, Thrive Pro Bono, discussing what they do in the community, how families can continue to support them, and more.
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Since our Virtual Volunteer Activity this week is Helping Healthcare, our Little Helpers Story is "Bear Feels Sick". It's a story about a bear who doesn't feel so well and how his friends come to help! Enjoy!
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