Hurricane Helper Boxes 

August is one of the most dangerous months during hurricane season.

Your club can be a Hurricane Helper  or a helper to others in any other type of disaster by making Kids Care Clubs Hurricane Helper Boxes. 

A Hurricane Helper Box can be used after any disaster where people have had to leave their homes due to fire, flood, or tornados.

Sometimes families will have lengthy stays at shelters. The Hurricane Helper boxes will cheer up children who have been through a traumatic event.

Materials Needed:

• Shoebox or plastic box
• Paper and Markers
• Kids Care Clubs Hurricane Helper Filler Suggestions - All items must be NEW

Newborn to 2 yrs:
Bottles, Sippy cups, pacifiers, baby shampoo, wash cloth, wipes, diaper rash ointment, small books, toys or stuffed animals, teething rings, bibs, socks, undershirts, sleepers. NO used clothing, balloons, toys with small parts, glass items.

Ages 3-5 yrs:
Crayons, washable markers, pads, Play Doh, stickers, small books, Legos, small dolls or stuffed animals, matchbox cars, card games, wash cloth, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush or comb, socks, underwear and T-shirts. NO used clothing or glass items, toy guns or balloons.

Ages 6-12 yrs:
Crayons, washable markers, pads, Play Doh, stickers, small books, Legos, small ball, hair products, brush or comb, shampoo, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, small dolls, matchbox cars, card games, school or art supplies, wash cloth, small towel, socks, underwear and T-shirts. NO used clothing, toy guns, glass items or balloons.

Teenage 13-18 yrs:
Pencils, pens, glue sticks, markers, craft kits, wash cloth, small towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair accessories, hairbrush or comb, deodorant, soap, chap stick, school or art supplies, playing cards, small ball, socks, T-shirts, underwear. NO used clothing or glass items, candles, toy guns, knives or balloons.

Steps Involved:

1. Talk to your club about the disaster. Many of the children have seen disturbing images on TV. Here is their opportunity to help!
2. See Resources section for information on helping kids deal with disasters.
3. Recovering from a natural disaster can take years. Your club will have to connect with an agency in the disaster area that will accept and distribute your Hurricane Helpers. Immediately following a disaster, most national agencies are only able to accept cash. A local church, Volunteer Center or Kids Care Club may be able to help you distribute the boxes.
4. Decorate a shoe box or plastic container with stickers, wrapping paper, comics etc. Important: Decorate the bottom and top separately, so the box can be opened or closed without tearing the decorations.
5. Fill the box with NEW items - (snacks optional). See list below.
6. Make a card or draw a picture, letting them know you are a kid who cares!
7. Put a rubber band around the box. Label your Kids Care Hurricane Helper: Boy or Girl and Age: Newborn-2; 3-5; 6-12; 13-18 .

A great book to read is Two Bobbies -- A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival, by Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery.  It is a true story about a cat and a dog who survived the hurricane. 

Click on Hurricane Helper for additonal resources.  The Compassion Education story, After the Storm, will help your members understand the difficulties the residents faced who stayed to weather Hurricane Katrina.

The Hurricane Helper projects can be adapted for children who have experienced any disaster and are either living in shelters or have lost their possessions.

Disasters can be frightening for children who could have seen images on the news. When introducing the project to your club, focus on empowering your club to respond - your club can help these children and families.