Set Clear Goals and Objectives

Define your desired outcomes for the activity and create measurable goals and objectives to guide the planning process. Some examples of goals include helping 50 veterans or engaging 90% of your volunteers. We encourage you to integrate Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations into your activity and be creative with your approaches.  

Plan the Details

Contact a Veterans Program

• Connect with a Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) representative to let them know you would like to organize a personal care item drive and have them direct you to a veterans hospital or homeless veterans program in your community. If you do not know who your SAF representative is, contact your Red Cross Youth Engagement Specialist.

Connect with the local veteran hospital or veteran outreach to gather a list of items they need before you start your personal care items drive. These items may include:

• Socks
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Hand sanitizer
• Travel-size shaving cream
• Disinfectant wipes
• Soap or travel-size body wash
• Dental floss
• Deodorant
• Hairbrush/comb
• Travel-size baby powder
• Travel-size petroleum jelly
• Men’s or women’s underwear
• Shower shoes or flip-flops
• Winter hats/earmuffs
• Gloves
• Crossword puzzles or activity books
• Magazines or books
• Prescription caddy
• Rain poncho
• Drawstring bag or backpack

Determine the collection methods

• Determine how items will be collected, including the type of container. Place collection boxes at various places such as your school or the community.
• Additionally, reach out to local stores to see if they are willing to donate supplies to your drive. Large chain stores typically have a community engagement portal you can contact while you should often call/email smaller, non-chain stores. Regardless of store size, make sure to clearly introduce yourself, your mission to support veterans, and what kind of items you are requesting/what they will be used for. 

*Please do not include items that contain glitter—it may cause respiratory distress in patients with compromised respiratory systems.

*Please do not include any open items that have been used or are near or past their expiration dates. 

Coordinate the Logistics

Set a date and time

• We suggest a (personal care items) collection window of 2 to 4 weeks.
• Consider planning the drive before/during Thanksgiving, the holiday season, Veterans Day, or Memorial Day.
• You can also ask your Red Cross contact about any annual events the Veterans Affairs might have. Secure the venue(s) Obtain approval(s) before dropping off the collection boxes.
• You can also reach out to local stores, organizations, or workplaces to see if they are willing to be a Totes of Hope collection site. Make sure you communicate the goals and objectives of this activity, along with the specific veteran’s program being supported and the Red Cross SAF program.

Package care kits

• Set a date and time
  • Packaging the care kits requires at least an hour. This depends on the number of personal care items that need to be packaged.
• Secure a venue
  • Find a spacious venue to host the packaging activity, where all care kit items will be assembled into totes/bags. You can do this in your school gym or cafeteria or ask the SAF unit to use a meeting room.

Assign roles and responsibilities

• Recruit club members, friends, and family to help with collection drive outreach and kit packaging. Include information about Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) and Become a Volunteer during your outreach and the packaging event.
• This activity requires volunteers to drop off collection boxes, pick up the collection boxes from the collection sites, and collect and package care items. We also suggest assigning volunteers to take turns visiting the collection sites to monitor progress.

Gather supplies

• Create a list of supplies needed and arrange to acquire them in advance. You will need items such as:
  • Boxes for collecting personal care items. Tape the official Red Cross logo and list of items on the boxes before dropping them off at the collection sites.
  • Reusable bags, tote bags, or backpacks for packaging care kits.
  • Cardstocks and pens for writing thank you cards to include in the care kits.
• Work with the veteran’s program or hospital to determine how to deliver the care kits best.

Spread the Word

• Advertise the activity through various channels such as social media, email, and school announcements.
• Send a reminder with important details prior to the activity.

Facilitate the Activity

• Run through Step 2 and Step 3 in advance and engage the participants throughout the activity.
• Make sure you inform your contacts at the collection sites before you drop off and pick up the collection boxes.
• Arrive early to set up the packaging activity by grouping similar items and making an assembly line so volunteers can easily package the totes.

Debrief and Thank Your Volunteers

• Invite participants to discuss their experiences and capture lessons learned.
• Thank everyone who contributed and participated.
• Remind volunteers to record their hours through Volunteer Connection.