DUE TO CONCERNS AROUND OMICRON THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ONLY A DROPOFF OPTION. WE WILL NOT BE MEETING AT THE GAZEBO NOR COLLECTING COMPLETED KITS AT THE GAZEZBO.
Small Things Matter's helps those in need by providing them with food, literacy, and general support.
We are looking for volunteers to help us put together cleaning care kits to share with the those in need in our community in honor of MLK Day.
We will be doing a socially distanced project outdoors at the gazebo (7035 Carroll Ave, Takoma Park MD) on Monday, January 17 from 10am-12pm. Youth and their families will be assembling household cleaning kits for food insecure families in Takoma Park. We will invite families to bring items for these kits as well as put together kits from items we have on site. These will then be donated to a low-income housing apartment that we serve. We will also give families the option of assembling the kits at home and dropping them off before or during this event (see Dropoff option below).
While we will have items to assemble 50 kits onsite we ask that everyone participating purchase some of the items below so that we can make enough kits for everyone in the apartment complex (220 apartment units). Cleaning items listed below can be purchased inexpensively from the Dollar Tree.
Cleaning and disinfecting one's home is always a good practice and this is even more important in homes where a family member has coronavirus. In some of the apartments we serve half of the residents there have at least 1 member of their household who has COVID-19. We would love to have individuals and groups helping us put together these cleaning kits.
Middle school and high school students are eligible to earn SSL hours by putting together a cleaning care kit with a cheery note at home and bringing them to us.
1 cleaning care kit plus note = 1 SSL hour of service.
All items can be purchased inexpensively from the Dollar Store/Dollar Tree.
Each kit will contain 4 of these 6 items (each item must be different/ no duplicates):
- - bleach (Clorox or similar)
- - laundry detergent
- - dishwashing soap
- - multipurpose disinfectant cleaner (pinesol/lysol or similar)
- - scouring powder (comet or similar)
- - liquid hand soap
PLUS 2 sponges or a roll of paper towels
AND a kind note
Instructions:
-Please document your work by taking an action shot photo of them being assembled and a group shot of the finished package once you've finished
-Purchase the cleaning supplies and make a nice handmade note
-Place the items in a clean plastic bag (please double bag)
-Make a log by writing down the number of kits made, along with your name and date and have your parent initial it
-Submit the log and your photos, etc via the 2022 google form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSediZ90q8kB_AIIAK702rGYlGTPnq5z29zoFKiSbcggxaHDrg/viewform?usp=sf_link
In order to receive SSL credit, you must submit both a photo of your kits and your log. Please submit your work via the form only once. I will be sending out emails with your SSL form each Sunday night (submit your work by Saturday). Please be patient.
DROPOFF Option
While we are hoping that families will come out to the gazebo on Monday, January 17 from 10am-12pm to assemble kits in person we also realize that some might want to do this at home and drop the completed kits off.
Please assemble the kits at home and drop them off at our office Small Things Matter, 14516 Bauer Drive, Rockville, MD on Saturday January 15, Sunday January 16, or Monday, January 17 from 10am-6pm. Please note that we can only accept items on these dates and places.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- Do I need to sign up? Please send an email to us at thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com with the SUBJECT: MLK Cleaning Kits
- Is there a limit to how many I make? No limit.
- Is this approved for MCPS SSL hours? YES.
- Are these items still needed? YES, it is still an ongoing need.
- How will I receive my SSL hours? You will receive your SSL form via email once your service is complete and you have submitted your log and photos via the Google form.
- We are helping over 1000 families in Montgomery County by providing food assistance and are very busy so and trying to limit emails about this opportunity. If you see the dates posted please be assured that this opportunity is still ongoing. Thanks for understanding!!!
Please read the guidelines here:
https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/ssl/virtual.aspx
Please email Roxanne (thesmallthingsmatter@yahoo.com) if you would like to help brighten someone's day.
Thanks!
Small Things Matter
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
