1. Assemble School Kits.

Invite children to decorate pre-made cloth bags with fabric paint. Place the items listed on the take-home sheet in the cloth bag (12"W x 14"L with a cloth handle). Fold the top over and secure with two large rubber bands. Pack the kits in a sturdy box. Mark "School Kits" on the outside. Complete the coupon and put it in the box. Ship the box to the address on the coupon. Send money for shipping and processing kits ($2 per kit) or for purchasing School Kits ($13 each) to the address on the donation coupon below.
(Materials: items for each kit, cardboard carton, sealing tape, fabric paint)

Mark the progress on a big report card from a sheet of poster board. For each School Kit assembled or donated, print an "A" on the report card. For each dollar donated to send the kits, add a "+" to an "A" grade.
(Materials: poster board, markers, ruler)

2. Assemble Hygiene Kits.

On the hand towel, place the other items listed on the take- home sheet. Wrap the towel around the items and tie with a ribbon or yarn. Pack the kits in a box and place the completed coupon on top. Seal it tightly. Mark "Hygiene Kits" on the outside. Mail to the address on the coupon. Send a contribution for processing and shipping ($2 per kit) or donations to purchase Hygiene Kits ($11 each) to the address on the donation coupon.
(Materials: items for the kit, cardboard boxes, sealing tape, ribbon or yarn)

Mark your progress on a large thermometer on poster board. Fill in the mercury column with a red marker as the Hygiene Kits are donated or assembled. Mark the number of kits on the side of the mercury.
(Materials: poster board, colored markers)

Give each child a plain plastic adhesive bandage. Write a reminder about CWS and the date for bringing the items for the Hygiene Kit on the bandages with a fine-tip permanent marker. Look at the Build a Better World! poster, focusing on the illustration for this project. Talk with the children about the many needs after a disaster.
(Materials: poster, plain plastic adhesive bandages, fine-tip permanent markers)

3. Have a fill-the-kit hunt.

Decide which kit to use for the hunt. Hide enough items that each team will be able to complete the kit. For the Hygiene Kit, give each team a hand towel to hold the items; for the School Kit, a school bag.
(Materials: items for the chosen kit, one for each team)

4. Say thank you to those who contribute.

A project like Hygiene Kits or School Kits can easily include the congregation. Post the items needed for the kits in your congregation's announcements prior to the day of collection. Prepare a way of thanking them, using one of these methods:

Make buttons. Using a drinking glass as a pattern, draw circles on thin cardboard, such as card stock, which can be purchased in various colors at office supply stores. On the circle, print a message, such as "I gave for a Hygiene Kit" or "Thank you for helping others." If there is space, add a little decoration to the circle. Cut out circles. Tape a safety pin to the back of the button.
(Materials: drinking glass, pencil, thin cardboard, scissors, safety pins, masking tape, markers/crayons)

Create a thank-you wall. Have the children draw pictures of the items for the kits on index cards. When someone makes a donation, either an item or money, print the person's name or the name of someone they choose on an index card and tape it to the wall. Keep a tally of the number of kits assembled and post it on the wall as well.
(Materials: unlined index cards, crayons, marker, masking tape)

NOTE: If you have any questions or would like more information about the CWS Kit Program, call 1-888-CWS-CROP, that's 1-888-297-2767.