Saturday, November 23, 2013

So Far, So Great!

This event officially begins in December 2013. Thus far we have received the following items:

Bar Soap: 24
Shampoo: 4
Conditioner: 3
Toothbrush: 7
Toothpaste: 5
Comb: 2
Hand Towel: 11
Washcloth: 1
Disposable Razor: 1
Lip Balm: 5
Deodorant: 76
Gallon Bag: 0
Quart Bag: 0
Dental Floss/Picks: 0
Tampons/Pads: 0

A big THANK YOU to those who have donated items, shared the project with others, and those who plan on participating in the near future. 1000 hygiene kits is an astronomical amount for a group. We need all the help we can get. People can donate nationwide; please see details on our blog. We strongly encourage non-cash (PayPal, cash, etc) donations. Instead of cash, we prefer gift cards to purchase the items we need. 100% goes to purchasing items. After purchase, your receipt will be uploaded for proof of proper funding use. Thanks again! 

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Wish List

Aside from the basic hygiene kit items, kits require proper packaging of items.  Shampoo and conditioner must be in a labeled 8oz-sized bottle OR in mini/travel-sized bottles totaling 8oz of product.  This has always been one of the greatest issues in the past. 

If you, your group, or organization would like to donate these bottles, we recommend THESE as they are intended for liquids thus preventing leakage.  Here is one other source for 8oz Liquid Bottles.  We feel that the most cost-effective bottles should be used when possible. 

We have the labels and printing to properly label them.

Thanks for your consideration.


Thursday, November 14, 2013

Donating from Afar

Our group has not intended to take cash contributions but we have been told that is the only way people from afar can be involved in a cost-effective way.  We agree with that.  It is too costly to ship goods only to have to pay to ship them again when the kits are assembled.

We will use 100% of all donations for hygiene kits.  This will help us even out the numbers of items that we are short of.   If we have 950 toothbrushes and only 200 wash cloths we can make the purchases necessary to keep levels in check, just for example.  We will be running a tally on this blog as well for the numbers of each item.  We need 1000 of each item to make 1000 kits.

If you would like to make a monetary donation we recommend these options:

Gift Cards - Our local retailers are Dollar Tree, Walmart, K-Mart, Big Lots, Family Dollar, Dollar General. 

PayPal:  Please contact us for PayPal information, but we prefer gift cards if at all possible.

For all those donating with gifts cards or PayPal, a receipt will be uploaded with the items that your contribution purchased.  With your permission, we will use your first name and the initial for your last name on the receipt.  We want you to know that this cause uses 100% of all proceeds and donations towards the kits.

100% all the time! 

Please join and SHARE the 1000 Kit Project on Facebook

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Welcome to the Hygiene Kit Project!

Thank you for visiting and for your consideration of our project.  We hope to collect the necessary items to make and package 1000 hygiene kits over the next six months.

Hygiene kits are distributed after natural or man-made catastrophes to families and individuals who have been displaced.  During such events many people are relocated to temporary housing facilities until it is safe to return home again.  Upon arrival, many refugees have already lost all personal belongings.  Hygiene kits are vital to have ready-to-dispense to those arriving at refugee camps.  They serve the purpose of cleanliness/sanitation, and a small sense of comfort and normalcy when all other comforts have been stripped.

Please take a moment to consider donating items to this cause.  We are simply a group of individuals, therefor, all donations are made of the goodness of your heart, and without a tax write-off.  Nonetheless, we need the help of many people, clubs, organizations, businesses, etc. to reach our goal of 1000 hygiene kits.


Items List:

Bar Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Comb
Hand towel
Washcloth
Disposable Razor
Lip Balm
Deodorant
Gallon zipper-type bags
Quart zipper-type bags
Dental floss/picks
Tampons/pads

Just a few notes.

Deodorant is better as a roll-on.  Yes, they still make a roll-on.  Roll-ons won't dry out and crumble during storage.  The cheapest roll-ons we have found are actually at Avon.  They typically offer free shipping on orders of $30 or more and they run frequent specials making roll-ons well less than $1 each.  They offer men's and women's fragrances as well as fragrance-free.  Though roll-on deodorant stores without becoming dry and crumbly, all types of deodorant can be used and will be accepted and greatly appreciate.  Most hygiene kits are used promptly.  The direct link to deodorant is here:  AVON Deodorant

Bar soap can be any size.  This includes hotel/motel bars as well as standard sizes.  Many discount stores sell 3 for $1.  Each kit will contain a total of a 3+ oz bar, mini bars will be included in each kit to total 3+ oz.

Toothbrushes can be any unopened multi-packs or individually-packed toothbrush.  All toothpaste must be unopened tubes.  Those that come with toothbrush covers are great as well and sometimes don't cost anymore than without a cover.  Children's and sensitive types of toothpastes are appreciated as well as regular types.

Shampoos and conditioners can also be any size from hotel/motel sizes to gallons.  They will be repackaged as necessary to total 8oz per kit.

Hand towels and washcloths can be gently used as they will all be laundered and bleached prior to being placed in a kit.  Bath towels are accepted as they will be cut to hand towel and washcloth sizes.

Razors must be new in unopened packages.

Lip balms must be in original containers and may include tubes, squeeze tubes, and tubs.  Once again, Avon has very good quality lip care items at competitive prices. 

Dental floss and picks must be in original, unopened containers, as should be the tampons and pads.

The gallon-size zipper bags are used to house the kits.  This is the only item that is best as a non-generic as it needs to hold up to being packaged, shipped, and used as a "purse" while in use.  The quart-sized bags are fine as a generic and only used for organizational purposes within the gallon zipper bag.

More information will be coming soon.  We will be needing local volunteers in many capacities; hygiene kit assembly, purchasing, cutting and sewing towels, laundry, pick-up of items from drop-off locations, etc.  There is something for nearly anyone to help with.  Thanks for your kindness!