Volunteer or donate
Organize a small charity drive or volunteer project: collect items, design posters, plan a donation drop-off, and reflect on community impact.
Step-by-step guide to organize a small charity drive or volunteer project
🙋♀️ Volunteering for Kids | International Volunteer Day | 5 December | Twinkl USA
Step 1
Choose one cause you care about and pick a local charity or shelter to help.
Step 2
Tell a trusted adult your idea so they know what you want to do.
Step 3
Ask that adult for permission and for their help during the drive.
Step 4
Set a clear goal for how many items to collect and choose start and end dates.
Step 5
Make a short list of the exact items you will accept for the drive.
Step 6
Gather the materials you will need for signs and the collection box.
Step 7
Build a collection box from a sturdy box or bag and put a big label with the cause name on it.
Step 8
Create bright posters that say what you are collecting the dates and where to drop donations.
Step 9
With your adult’s help put posters in allowed places like your home school or community board.
Step 10
Tell friends family and neighbors about the drive and invite them to donate.
Step 11
Check each donated item to make sure it matches your list and is clean and safe to give.
Step 12
Sort donations into labeled boxes by type to make drop-off easier.
Step 13
With your adult helper pack the donations securely and go to the charity to drop them off.
Step 14
Write a short reflection about how many items you collected who it will help and how it felt to give.
Step 15
Share your finished project and reflection on DIY.org so others can see your good work.
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we can't find a sturdy box or poster supplies?
If you don't have a sturdy box, use a clean laundry basket or tote and attach a taped paper or pillowcase as a big label, and make posters from printer paper or an old bedsheet if poster supplies are missing.
What should we do if people bring items not on our list or dirty donations?
If donors bring items not on your list or dirty items, follow the 'Check each donated item' step by separating and labeling them, clean safe items with your adult's help, and politely tell donors which exact items you accept.
How can we adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger kids, have the trusted adult choose the charity, build and label the collection box, and place posters with help, while older kids can set goals and dates, coordinate drop-off at the charity, and write the full reflection to share on DIY.org.
How can we make the drive more engaging or personalized?
To enhance the drive, decorate the collection box and posters with cause-themed art, add a visible progress chart showing items collected versus your goal, and include photos and a short reflection when you share the finished project on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to organize a small charity drive or volunteer project
Can Children Volunteer At Food Banks? - Child Welfare Network
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Can Children Volunteer At Food Banks? - Child Welfare Network
What is a Charity? Donating, Giving, Volunteering, and Supporting | Beginners Guide
Youth Volunteerism
Facts about community service and volunteering for kids
📦 A "donation in kind" means giving items (like clothes, toys, or canned food) instead of money.
🖼️ Bright, simple posters with big letters and pictures catch people's eyes much faster than lots of tiny text.
🌍 Even small drives—one shoebox or a few grocery bags—can make a real difference for a family in your neighborhood.
🎒 Food banks often rely on volunteers and can distribute millions of meals annually to people in need.
🤝 Volunteers worldwide contribute billions of hours each year helping communities and causes.
How do I organize a small charity drive or volunteer project with my child?
What materials do I need to run a kid-friendly donation drive?
What ages is this charity drive activity suitable for?
What are the benefits of doing a volunteer or donation project with my child?
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