January/February – “Babies”
- Baby Blankets – Warm blankets, quilts, afghans, and receiving blankets. Crib to youth size
- Towels – Hooded and regular bath towels, washcloths.
- Clothing – Sleepers, sleep sacks, onesies, tops, pants, sweaters and hats, socks and soft shoes. RST serves babies/toddlers up to age 2 while Bright Start serves babies/toddlers to age 3. Clothing 3 months to 2T – 4T. The majority of newborns wear 3 months, although NB size is welcome for smaller babies.
- Books and Toys – Baby books and safe toys such as board books, stuffed animals, etc.
- Toiletries – Baby wash, baby lotion, diaper cream, manicure set, comb/brush set. Also need toiletries for women and sanitary needs.
Please send your donations to Bright Start, RST Maternal and Child Health (clothing 3 months to 24 or 2T only) or Children in Need of Care, addresses are here.
March/ April – “Summer Clothing”
- Summer Clothing – Make or purchase summer clothing for toddlers through young adults. Shorts, capris, dresses, skirts, lightweight pants, leggings, T-shirts, light jackets and summer weight pajamas or sleep pants in sizes 3 months to adult 1-2X. Sizes 3 months to 3/4T only for Bright Start and RST Maternal and Child Health programs.
- Shoes – Sandals, flip flops and other summer shoes, all sizes.
- Sunscreen and Sun hats – Bucket type for babies and young children, baseball caps for teens. Sunscreen at least SPF 30.
May – “School’s Out”
- Toiletries – Shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, bar soap, body wash, sanitary supplies, hand sanitizer, baby wash and lotion.
- Towels/washcloths – for kids during the summer
- Tote Bags – Hand sewn or purchased are needed for Bright Start, RST Maternal and Child Health, Gather Our Children Home, Maggie’s House, and White Buffalo Calf Women’s Society on Rosebud. They are used for clients leaving the shelter, activity bags for kids, care bags for those in crisis, and diaper bags. People receiving donations in a nice, cloth bag instead of a plastic grocery bag are bound to feel a little better about themselves.
- Summer Toys – Balls, jump ropes, sand box toys, sidewalk chalk, art supplies, coloring books, DVD’s, books, journals, swimsuits and goggles.
- Teen Gifts – Teens are often overlooked (especially boys) until Christmas rolls around. Let’s make them feel special by sending small gifts to our programs serving teens and young adults. Small “fidget” games, sports balls, frisbees, magazines, books, baseball caps, flip flops, wallet, after shave, card games, art supplies, etc. for boys. Hair ties, nail polish, makeup, perfume, comb/brush, jewelry, art and craft supplies for girls.
- Linens – Sheets, pillows and pillowcases, light blankets or quilts. Up to queen size.
June – “Christmas Begins”
Now is the time to begin working on those Christmas gifts that are labor intensive such as afghans, hats, mittens, quilts, shawls, etc.
July/August “Back To School”
- School Clothes – Pants, shirts, T-shirts, hoodies, light jackets, skirts and leggings. Skirts are a good project for those who sew.
- School Supplies – Pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers, glue sticks, notebooks, composition books, crayons, markers, plastic folders, pencil cases and backpacks. Pencil cases and backpacks can be sewn or purchased.
- Socks and Underwear – New only. Socks to fit students K-5, size chart here. Adult sizes for students in grades 4 and 5. Underwear in sizes 5/6 to 16/18 or adult S-XL for both genders. Sports bras for girls (can be gently used) sizes 16/18 to adult S-XL.
- Shoes – Sturdier shoes, no sandals or flip flops in sizes 12Y to adult 11, shoe chart here. Gently used shoes are acceptable if they are clean with no wear on soles.
- Toiletries – Shampoo/conditioner, soap, body wash, deodorant, sanitary items for girls.
September/October “Winter/ Christmas Begins”
- Clothing – Sew or purchase winter clothing, pants, sweatshirts, PJ’s, long underwear, heavy socks in sizes 3 months through adult 2X.
- Outerwear – Winter coats, hoodies, snow pants, snowsuits, mittens/gloves, hats, cowls, infant through adult 2X
- Boots – Snow or hiking type in sizes toddler through adult 12.
- Blankets – Including quilts, fleece blankets, afghans, and receiving blankets for babies. All sizes needed up to queen.
- Christmas Gifts – Start working on or finishing up gifts if you started early.
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November/December “Christmas”
- Infant/toddler – Age appropriate toys such as stuffed animals or soft dolls, puzzles, coloring books and crayons, blocks, soft books, etc.
- Kids 3-7 – Dolls, trucks, stuffed animals, balls, Legos, crafts, games, stickers, coloring books and crayons/markers, art supplies, play-doh, pillow with case.
- Kids 8-12 – Sports items, craft bags, art supplies, adult coloring books, hair accessories, pillow with case, board games, diary or journal,
- Teens – Girls love purses, make-up bags and make-up, nail polish, manicure items, cologne, jewelry, etc. Boys like sports equipment, wallets, baseball caps, flashlights, card games, “Fidget” toys, etc. Good gifts for both are filled toiletry bags, duffel bags, books, magazines, new pillow with case, PJ’s or sleep pants, warm hats, cowls and gloves.,
- Donate Funds – For propane, food and other emergency needs to Lakota Friends Circle.
There is always a shortage of gifts for boys across all age groups so please don’t forget them when purchasing gifts. Thanks!!
The main project list won’t change but there may be additions as we learn of special needs from the areas we serve. Work on your favorite project or try something new, we don’t expect members to donate every month, just help when you can. Projects are matched to the season as well as events such as back to school or Christmas parties but as long time members know, it’s perfectly acceptable to be knitting mittens in May or sewing shorts in January.
Please review the donation guidelines here and read the blogs for more information about monthly projects and current needs. We work along with other groups and in order to coordinate shipments we will post any special instructions in our blogs. Shipping addresses are here. If you use Give Back Box please follow the shipping directions on the site. Until further notice do not use the shipping labels given after payment. Email Monika at info@givebackbox.com and ask for a UPS quantum label for each of your boxes. The labels from the site are all printed with the same number so your package can’t be tracked, a glitch we hope will soon be corrected.
