My donation for Champions for Kids

Last week I wrote about Champions for Kids and the current campaign with Energizer to “Light Up a Life” and help children in need across America. This simple service project includes putting together a care kit for local children. Especially during these cold winter months, it’s so important we’re helping in every way we can so that these children can have their basic needs met.

So in the past week, I went out to put together my own care kit. It was really easy because I was out grocery shopping anyway, so I just picked up some extra items! I had the idea of “winter survival” in mind and knew I wanted to donate it to a local homeless shelter. When you decide to participate (because I know you will!), you can donate it anywhere you’d like… a shelter, a church, a school, an organization…

First, I grabbed some basic snacks like peanut butter, applesauce, nuts, saltine crackers, pretzels, etc…

And then I added some juice and a case of bottled water:

Finally, I stopped by the Energizer products. I was amazed at how many options they had–I really didn’t know Energizer made that much stuff and gave me lots to choose from! I got multiple packs of batteries and a few different flashlights.


My favorite?? I was really excited to find a flashlight really just for kids! I mean, that’s why we’re all here, helping out, right? And I know basic supplies, while necessary, may not be the most exciting thing for a kid to get… so how nice to find something useful and fun from Energizer…


They also had a Cars one and some glow sticks. I grabbed another, larger flashlight too. Overall, I spent just over $50 on this kit and I got a LOT of great stuff!

I took the kit to the PADS homeless shelter in Dixon, IL. I didn’t even know it was there before this service project, so I’m glad to have learned. It’s just a house that was set up by volunteers and remodeled with donations. It can house up to 15 people and is mainly a “winter” shelter, but since moving to this new location last year, it’s now open 24/7.


I called ahead of time to make sure I could drop off a donation. When I got there, I just went up to the house and rang the doorbell. A man who was living at the house answered the door and welcomed me inside. We walked through the big house to the kitchen to set down the kit and I noticed a house full of people. It’d be so nice to be able to have more houses like this in the area–they’re clearly needed! They were very gracious and I was happy to help.

PADS shelter

I think it’s also important to share these values with our children. Next time, I will take Ryan with me so he can see how valuable it is to help others in need. PADS will be in my thoughts, now that I know it’s there, and I’ll be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities.

What will you include in your kit?? Where will you donate it?? Don’t forget to report back to Champions for Kids!

Show the love and find Energizer on twitter and facebook, as well as Champions for Kids on twitter and facebook. And you can read about my shopping story at Google+.

~This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. All opinions and photos are my own. #EnergizerCFK #CBias #ChampionsForKids

7 comments to My donation for Champions for Kids

  • Christy

    Glad you found this house and that you were able to help them out. I love these missions and how SIMPLE they really are. It’s always fantastic to make a difference within our own communities!

    [Reply]

  • I recently decided I wanted to help a shelter and I also found a women/children shelter near me that was someone’s home that I never knew existed.I had a bag of name brand infant clothes and a co sleeper I never really used on Craigslist so I unlisted the items and dropped them at the shelter. It was humbling as the gal told me that one infant was currently sleeping in a laundry basket since no infants are allowed in mom’s bed for co sleeping.

    [Reply]

    babydickey Reply:

    awww, that’s perfect, how nice! thank you! 🙂

    [Reply]

  • How wonderful that you put together a kit to help give back! We love donating to our local women’s & children’s shelter here in Las Vegas!

    [Reply]

    babydickey Reply:

    That’s great!

    [Reply]

  • Heather

    Fantastic idea! You have inspired me : )

    [Reply]

  • […] Emily at Baby Dickey killed two birds with one stone when grocery shopping, she was also able to gather the items she needed for her safety kit, at Walmart. With the idea of “Winter Survival” in mind, Emily decided to donate her kit to the local homeless shelter. The Energizer children’s flashlights are useful and fun. Emily was able to learn so much about the need for these safety items in her community. […]

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