COMMUNITY SERVICE CALENDAR
Prior to completing any project, please contact the
Youth Specialist in your area for further information
or resources. Note: Projects are not restricted to a specific month and may be completed at any time.

SEPT | OCT | NOV | DEC | JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | SUMMER

Contact Information

Nicole Brassell
Youth Education Specialist
(717) 257-1822 x235 (Harrisburg and Mifflin-Juniata)
(717) 299-5566 x235 (Lancaster)

September: National Preparedness Month

Elementary School
Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
Daylight Savings ends October 30th, and it’s recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke detector when you change your clocks. Hold a battery drive/collection at your school and donate the new 9 volt batteries to the Red Cross to be distributed to independent seniors living in the community.

Middle School
Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
Daylight Savings ends October 30th, and it’s recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke detector when you change your clocks. Hold a battery drive/collection at your school and donate the new 9 volt batteries to the Red Cross to be distributed to independent seniors living in the community.

High School
Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries
Daylight Savings ends October 30th, and it’s recommended that you change the batteries in your smoke detector when you change your clocks. Hold a battery drive/collection at your school and donate the new 9 volt batteries to the Red Cross to be distributed to independent seniors living in the community.

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October: Fire Safety Month

Elementary School
Fire Safety Coloring Contest
Create awareness in your school about the importance of fire safety. Contact the Red Cross to obtain coloring pages. The top two winners receive a prize!

Middle School
Fire Safety Poster Contest
Create awareness in your school about the importance of fire safety. Students create posters to display around the school. The top two winners receive a prize!

High School
Cross-Training Fire Safety Programs
High school students are trained to present Red Cross education programs to younger students in their district. Contact the Red Cross to find out about the various education programs!

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November

Elementary School
Comfort Kits*
As the temperature drops, and home heating devices are used more frequently, the chance of fires increases. Collect items, assemble kits, and donate to the Red Cross to be used for families immediately after a disaster. The American Red Cross can provide you with the bags that are used for the kits if you need them. Contact us!
A Million Thanks
With the holidays approaching, students may wish to create Thanksgiving, Holiday Greetings, and/or Thank You cards for those serving in the military. (Please refrain from using glitter, individual envelopes for cards, or including candy or food. You may include name and email address if you would like, for soldiers to keep in contact.) Contact the Red Cross to donate cards!

Middle School
Comfort Kits*
As the temperature drops, and home heating devices are used more frequently, the chance of fires increases. Collect items, assemble kits, and donate to the Red Cross to be used for families immediately after a disaster. The American Red Cross can provide you with the bags that are used for the kits if you need them. Contact us!
A Million Thanks
With the holidays approaching, students may wish to create Thanksgiving, Holiday Greetings, and/or Thank You cards for those serving in the military. (Please refrain from using glitter, individual envelopes for cards, or including candy or food. You may include name and email address if you would like, for soldiers to keep in contact.) Contact the Red Cross to donate cards!

High School
Comfort Kits*
As the temperature drops, and home heating devices are used more frequently, the chance of fires increases. Collect items, assemble kits, and donate to the Red Cross to be used for families immediately after a disaster. The American Red Cross can provide you with the bags that are used for the kits if you need them. Contact us!
A Million Thanks
With the holidays approaching, students may wish to create Thanksgiving, Holiday Greetings, and/or Thank You cards for those serving in the military. (Please refrain from using glitter, individual envelopes for cards, or including candy or food. You may include name and email address if you would like, for soldiers to keep in contact.) Contact the Red Cross to donate cards!

*Comfort Kit Items

Adult Kits
Bar of Soap
Washcloth
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Deodorant
Comb or Brush
Disposable Razor (for men)
Shaving Cream (for men)
Shampoo

Children Kits - Accepted in the Capital Region only
Soap
Washcloth
Toothpaste
Toothbrush
Comb or Brush
Crayons or Coloring Book
Little Game or Toy

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December

Elementary School
Art Contest
Have an art contest to focus on Disaster Preparedness or Health and Safety related Red Cross topics. The art from the winning student(s) will be used to create an American Red Cross book mark/informational pamphlet to be distributed to children at schools and/or health fairs.

Middle School
Bed Packs for Disaster Victims
Collect the following items to be assembled into “bed packs” for victims of disaster: Fitted sheet
Flat sheet
Blanket
Pillow
Baby blankets
*All items must be new
*No King or Queen sizes, please!

High School
Join Youth Council
Youth Council is a group of high school students who meet at the Red Cross once a month to plan a community service project, and then participate in that project. Past projects have included a “Junk Sale” to benefit the Measles Initiative, serving meals at soup kitchens, caroling at nursing homes and of course fun projects like laser tag and trips to Hersheypark!

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January

Elementary School
First Aid Kits
Collect First Aid Kit items and distribute the kits to local shelters in the community. Contact the Red Cross for First Aid Kit items, or check out our website page.

Middle School
Red Cross Club
Start a Red Cross Club in your school! It begins with a group of students who want to make a difference in their community! The group meets on a regular basis to plan and participate in Red Cross service projects. Groups must have at least one group sponsor or leader, who should ideally be a faculty member. Contact the Red Cross to get started!

High School
Youth Volunteer Survey
Develop a survey on the topic of volunteering-why do kids volunteer? Why don’t they? What would motivate them to volunteer? Distribute to other students in the school and present findings to Red Cross youth services staff.

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February

Elementary School
Measles Initiative Fundraising/Awareness Project
Each year, 23 million children suffer from measles and die. In Africa alone, 38 million children are at risk from measles. In a place where health conditions are extremely poor, living conditions are more than difficult, and access to health care is minimal, measles can be easily prevented with a simple vaccination that costs less than one dollar. Find out how you can help save lives! Contact the Red Cross.

Middle School
Measles Initiative Fundraising/Awareness Project
Each year, 23 million children suffer from measles and die. In Africa alone, 38 million children are at risk from measles. In a place where health conditions are extremely poor, living conditions are more than difficult, and access to health care is minimal, measles can be easily prevented with a simple vaccination that costs less than one dollar. Find out how you can help save lives! Contact the Red Cross.

High School
Measles Initiative Fundraising/Awareness Project
Each year, 23 million children suffer from measles and die. In Africa alone, 38 million children are at risk from measles. In a place where health conditions are extremely poor, living conditions are more than difficult, and access to health care is minimal, measles can be easily prevented with a simple vaccination that costs less than one dollar. Find out how you can help save lives! Contact the Red Cross.

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March is Red Cross Month!

Together We Prepare
Plan - Build a Kit - Train - Volunteer - Give Blood
Together We Prepare is a five step approach to preparing for disasters! Free disaster and first aid programs are available to students of all ages. After programming, complete one of our suggested activities to help spread awareness of disaster preparedness. Below is a list of suggested activities for each grade level. (More suggested activities available upon request.)

Elementary School

• Research items in a disaster supply kit, and then create posters to spread awareness around the school.
• Create a first aid kit to be placed in your classroom

Middle School

• Set up a display at a health fair or public area in your school, highlighting the importance of having a disaster supply kit.
• Write an article on the importance of disaster preparedness for your school or local newspaper.

High School

• Work with a service agency to organize a food drive to collect emergency canned food to distribute to individuals and families in need.
• Organize a blood drive at your school.

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April

Elementary School
Stories Across Time
Perfect for history classes! Youth interview community members and journal various Red Cross experiences across generations. Contact us for more information!

Middle School
Stories Across Time
Perfect for history classes! Youth interview community members and journal various Red Cross experiences across generations. Contact us for more information!

High School
Stories Across Time
Perfect for history classes! Youth interview community members and journal various Red Cross experiences across generations. Contact us for more information!

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May

Elementary School
Water Safety Awareness
Contact the Red Cross for a free water safety program designed for grades K-3. Following the program, create an activity or school display to raise awareness about the importance of following the rules.

Middle School
Create a Coloring Book
Create a coloring book to be distributed to younger children in the district, focusing on summer safety tips. Contact the American Red Cross for resources.

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June, July & August

Contact the American Red Cross for summer youth opportunities!

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