Issues: E
mergency Preparedness
& Seniors
First Aid Kits
Put together first aid kits for families in shelters or for an elderly neighbor. The first aid kits should include basic
items that may be needed in case of an emergency. Deliver the kits to those in need.
Here’s Your Project:
Make and deliver first aid kits for families in shelters
or an elderly neighbor.
Supply List:
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•
•
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A small plastic box, like a pencil or shoe box
Markers and paper
First aid items such as Band-Aids, soap, adhesive tape,
cotton balls, scissors, etc.
A local family shelter or elderly neighbor
How To Do It!
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1Fill a plastic box or shoebox with the First Aid items
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2 Decorate the first aid kit
3 Place a card in the kit that says: “For emergencies dial 911”
4 Fill out the index cards with emergency contact numbers such as 911 and a close neighbor
5 Deliver the kits to a shelter or an elderly neighbor
Preflection:
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Before your volunteer project, be clear about what the goals and expectations are.
Also talk about why you are doing a service project. These are often new concepts for young children.
Talk it over a couple times. Here are questions to guide your discussion:
1. Who are we helping?
2. Why are we helping them?
3. How are we helping them?
4. What are we most excited about?
5. What might be tough or challenging about our project?
6. What are everyone’s jobs during the project? What do we each have to do?
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Reflection:
After your volunteer project, it is important to reflect on the experience. You can use the reflection
questions to guide discussion or do the Whip Around reflection activity:
Reflection Questions
1. How did our project help people?
2. What do you think is the most important item in the First Aid kit?
3. Did our family learn anything or make any new friends?
4. What worked well about our project?
5. What can we do better next time?
6. Did you learn anything new about what to do in an emergency situation?
Whip Around Ball Toss:
Have your family sit or stand in a circle facing each other. One person will have a ball to toss or roll
to someone else in the circle. Each person will have a chance to complete a statement about the
project. The person with the ball makes a statement, and then says the name of the person they are
tossing the ball to. The next person completes the sentence in their own way and so on. When the ball
has gone around once, start a new round with a new statement. Try these statements:
“This project made me happy because ________________________________________________.”
“I didn’t know I was good at _________________________________________________________.”
“Next time we volunteer, I’d like to help _______________________________________________.”
Resources:
Suggested Reading
The Giving Book by Ellen Sabin
Ellen Sabin wrote The Giving Book for her 6-year-old niece, Leah to share her experiences helping
others and her ideas for making the world a better place. This is a hands-on, activity-filled book that
lets you think about your hopes and dreams for a better world. It shows you ways to reach out and use
your time, talents, and energy to make a difference for others.
The Goat Lady by Jane Bregoli
All the houses in town are well-kept and freshly painted except the “Goat Lady’s” house. Her home is
falling apart and her yard is full of farm animals including goats. Read how the community comes to
embrace the “Goat Lady” after a family befriends her.
Down Home at Miss Dessa’s by Bettye Stroud
Set in the 1940’s, this book tells the story of two sisters who help take care of Miss Dessa after she
hurts her foot. After awhile, the sisters start getting back just as much as they put in and end up
making a true friend.
Internet Resources
Safe Kids USA—Safe and age appropriate toys for kids.
http://www.safekids.org/
Learning to Give—Tips on how to prepare for disasters, info on why preparedness is important,
lessons for teaching children about disaster relief, and more projects and activities.
http://learningtogive.org/lessons/disaster_relief/
The American Red Cross—Find your local Red Cross by zip code in the right-hand sidebar.
If they can’t help with your project, they might be able to connect you with another organization
that helps hurricane victims.
http://www.redcross.org/