Winter in Michigan can be pretty harsh sometimes with the snow, the cold wind, and the unpredictable temperatures. Even if it’s a mild winter the temps range from the 20’s to the 40’s and this can be dangerous for anyone who is out in the cold, especially kids.
With the weather here can also lead to dangerous road conditions and I know first hand that ending up in the ditch is something that can happen faster than you expect. But that isn’t the only thing that can lead to danger for kids…. power being shut off due to non-payment or ice storms or lack of a permanent home.
I am working with Collective Bias and Champions for Kids who provide training and resources to improve the lives of children in communities across America. I live in a small town and we don’t see a lot of the homelessness that you see in larger cities, but that is not to say that it doesn’t happen here. I know that it does and that is why I want to help kids stay safe and warm this winter.
There are kids who are living with friends or other family members because their families have lost their homes. True, they have a place to stay but they are still homeless.
Did You Know?
• Over 9 million children suffer from non-fatal injuries each year, and accidents are the leading cause of death for children. Additionally, dangerous weather events cause hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries every year.
• 70% of power outages in the U.S. are weather related. Numerous power failures are caused by natural weather phenomena such as lightening, rain, snow, ice, wind, and even dust.
• The Center of Disease Control recommends having a kit ready in preparation for any emergency that may arise. They recommend the kit include food, water, flash light, extra batteries, medications, first aid kit, sanitation and personal hygiene items, copies of personal documents, and other necessities.
Ways YOU Can Help!
GATHER your friends, family, and co-workers to help children stay safe and be prepared by putting together Care Kits for kids! Include items like band-aids, hand wipes, tissues, flashlights, extra batteries, and bottled water.
LEARN about the safety and health needs of children in your community by asking a teacher, social worker, or other community representative to speak to your group.
GIVE the Care Kits to a school, religious organization, shelter, or other community organization that helps children in your community.
REPORT back to us at www.championsforkids.org/simple so that we can celebrate your participation! How many people participated in the Energizer Light Up A Life project and became Champions for Kids? We want to know that you were part our vision of mobilizing 20 Million people by 2020 to become Champions for Kids!
This week I will be creating 2 care kits with my kids that we can donate to a local shelter for women and children and one of the local elementary schools. I’m looking forward to shopping with my youngest daughter this week because I know that she will really get into this because she is always open to helping out those who need it.
So what goes in a care kit? Well, some of the items that we’re going to be getting are band-aids, hand wipes, tissues, flashlights, Energizer batteries, energy bars and bottled water. You could put in just about anything that you wanted to help keep a child safe and warm this winter… mittens, warm blankets, or even a gift card to provide a warm meal.
I am one of millions…. will you be one too?
There is a lot that you can do to help…. create your own care kit and donate it to your local school, church, or homeless shelter. Give a child something to keep them warm and safe. Check out the Champions for Kids site for ideas for a simple care kit.
This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias, but all opinions are my own.
~ #CBias ~ #EnergizerCFK ~ #ChampionsForKids ~
