Last week, I told you about the Champions For Kids SIMPLE Service project for July: Spin Into Action with Spinbrush. I went shopping for new Spinbrushes for my kids and we also picked up an extra one to donate. My kids love their new toothbrushes and use them twice a day. Zack’s friend stayed the night and I overheard him telling Zack, “Oh, you have a Spinbrush, I’ve always wanted one of those!” So, if you are looking for a way to get your kids, as well as kids in need, to be excited about brushing their teeth, try a Spinbrush!
I also collected some additional dental care supplies to donate: toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and floss. My kids like having a tooth brushing chart to keep track of how they are doing. When kids are young, they can get rewards for doing a good job. As they get older, they need to “just do it”! I made a tooth brushing chart to add to the donation. Feel free to print one for your kids!
I had 8 individual toothbrushes and toothpastes that I put into small gift bags with the tooth brushing charts.
The My Way Spinbrush and My Way Toothpaste were too big for these narrow gift bags so they will have to just go with the rest of the stuff.
Like I said in my previous post, I planned on donating these oral care supplies to our local food shelf but the food shelf is only open one Tuesday a month so that ended up not working out. I got online and found another food shelf in a different city. I called to make sure that they would take my donation and the woman I talked to was so excited. She said, “We LOVE getting stuff like that!” I really like that the food shelves are about so much more than food. There are household goods, cleaning supplies, toiletries, clothes, school supplies and so much more. The items donated there go directly to the people in the community and that is really important to me.
Vanessa came with to drop off the supplies. I think it is really important that kids be involved in giving to others. It is one of those life skills that will always stay with them. No matter how much you have or how little you have, it is still important to help those around you.
I learned a few facts about children’s dental health:
- Dental caries (tooth decay) is the most common chronic disease affecting children in the United States. It is 5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever.
- If untreated, the dental caries’ process progresses to cavitation and associated acute pain, cellulitis, tooth loss, dysfunctional speech patterns, space loss and crowding and diminished facial appearance.
- More than 51 million school hours are lost each year because of dental-related illness.
The food shelf was SUPER busy which is so sad but also so wonderful. I don’t like that so many people are needing help getting basic necessities but I am also so thankful that there are places in our communities like the food shelf where people can turn for help. They were so busy that they ran out of forms and were having a hard time staying organized! There was an elderly lady in line in front of us and she was worried that she wouldn’t qualify for aid. She said she was on Social Security and didn’t know if that excluded her. One of the volunteers assured her that if she lived in the community she would qualify and she was so glad. The volunteers took our donation box. One of them weighed the box while another one filled out the donation form for me. Our donation weighed 8lbs.
Before we left I took a picture of this sign because it is a good reminder that help is needed year round! It says, “It’s SUMMER…YES We Need Donations!” So, next time you are shopping pick up a few toothbrushes to donate to kids in need!
Keep In Touch With Spinbrush/Arm & Hammer
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Hi, I'm Tonia from The Gunny Sack! As a wife and mother of three, I enjoy cooking, creating and capturing it all with my camera! Coffee, with a little chocolate now and then, keeps me happy.
I can only imagine how great it must feel to get a new fresh toothbrush if you are on a limited income.. Brushing your teeth is something most of us take for granted, until you can’t do it! It was wonderful of you to donate all those brushes. Thanks for the great post!
What a lovely thought Tonia. You and your family are so kind.
Anne xx
I am headed to our food shelf today to donate our items, you did an awesome job, love the little bags for each!
What an amazing donation!!!! You collected so much! Thanks for the calendar too! What a GREAT idea! Fantastic job Tonia! LOVE it!
Tonia, what a great story! I love how you included the tooth brushing chart in the bags. Thank you also for spreading the word that food shelves/banks distribute other items besides food. That makes it much easier for people to know where to donate. Thank you again!
-Jennifer Ash, Account Manager at Champions for Kids
This is really too cool. Especially the way you packaged them all up for who need it. I wonder if my girls would like those spin brushes. Heck I think I want one!
The bags are SO cute! I am glad you were able to find an alternative place and so happy they were SO excited about your donation!