St. Petersburg is an excellent place to spread good cheer to those in need this holiday season. From food banks to pack-a-sack events to outdoor projects, families can make a big impact with hands-on opportunities for even the littlest helpers. Here are a few fun ways to include your kids when giving back in the Sunshine City.
Babycycle
Babycycle, south Pinellas County’s only diaper bank, is always looking for volunteers. Duties for kids ages 5 and up and adults include counting inventory, wrapping diapers and organizing/sorting items. Email Jillia Koger, Babycycle’s Director, at [email protected] to schedule a shift for your family.
Florida Dream Center’s Adopt-a-Block
Families are welcomed to join the Florida Dream Center’s Adopt-a- Block program on Saturday mornings in both South St. Pete and Lealman. The organization aims to provide anything the community is in need of; including street cleanup, home repairs, lawn maintenance and a host of other services. Call the Florida Dream Center at 727- 851-9074 to sign up.
The Kind Mouse
In addition to adult volunteers, children ages 5 to 18 can be MICE Volunteers with The Kind Mouse, an organization that assists families in transition and their chronically hungry children. MICE Volunteers attend MICE meetings to discuss upcoming events and help out in the pantry. Volunteers get started by filling out an application on The Kind Mouse’s website at www.thekindmouse.org.
Pack-a-Sack for Ronald McDonald House
Growing Up Children’s Boutique and Sunshine City Kids are teaming up for their second annual Pack-a-Sack for the Ronald McDonald House on Friday, December 20th and Saturday, December 21st. Families with kids of any age are invited to bring snack donations and decorate and fill paper bags to be delivered to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tampa Bay. Register for a volunteer shift by visiting Growing Up’s website at www.growingupstpete.com.
Radius Church’s Thanksgiving Project
In partnership with Hungry for a Day, Radius Church is setting a goal of feeding 250 local families in need this Thanksgiving. Volunteers of any age are needed on Sunday, November 18th to sort and pack food donations to assemble into Thanksgiving meal kits. These meals (turkey included!) will be delivered to families by volunteers on Monday, November 19th. Email Blake Clark, Radius’s lead pastor, at [email protected] to help out with assembly or delivery.
Sea Turtle Trackers
Volunteers of all ages can assist Sea Turtle Trackers, a 100% volunteer run organization, by walking the beaches early in the morning to find and report sea turtle tracks to staff. If mornings don’t work for your family, join the “Hole Patrol” in the evenings by filling holes in the sand to help keep sea turtles safe. Visit Sea Turtle Tracker’s website at www.seaturtletrackers.org to join their team.
St. Pete Eco Village
St. Pete Eco-Village hosts a Volunteer Day and Open House every Wednesday and Sunday from 9am to 2pm. Volunteers of any age can work in the community garden while enjoying in-season fruits and vegetables. Find more information at www.ecovillage-stpete.org.
St. Petersburg Free Clinic
Gather a group of friends to volunteer at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic. Groups can help out in the clinic on weekdays or Saturday mornings by sorting donations and packing snack bags for the Pack-a-Sack program. Kids of any age can volunteer when accompanied by a parent. Call the clinic at 727-821-1200 to schedule a date.
Vandi and Denielle are the moms behind Sunshine City Kids, an online resource for all things kid-friendly in St. Petersburg. Follow the Sunshine City Kids at www.sunshinecitykids.com.
