Volunteer
L'Oréal Paris helped us create a great 90-second intro video. Watch the video above to learn more about our work!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering for Kits to Heart. Your support will help to bring smiles and solidarity to those affected by cancer. Items contributed are included in our cancer care kits distributed to patients nationwide and are eligible for community service hours.
Please follow these 6 steps to ensure a successful volunteer experience with Kits to Heart!
KEY:
🆘 = LOW stock, urgent need
✴️ = Almost FULL, still appreciated
❎ = Temporarily CLOSED**
** If the opportunity is noted as closed, we recommend holding on to those items until it reopens due to our limited storage capacity. Please be sure to check this page for the latest updates and check the FAQs below!
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Step 1 |
Decide which activities you would like to work on, and read the instructions using the links below. 🆘 Handwritten Inspiring Letters ✴️ Origami ✴️ Kit Assembly |
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Step 2 |
Start working! Unless otherwise noted, all opportunities are ongoing and conducted remotely with no immediate deadlines. If there are no limits stated for an activity, then there are no limits. |
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Step 3 |
Once finished, please fill out this individual submission form. If submitting as a group, please use this group submission form, and navigate to the File menu > Make a Copy OR Download. |
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Step 4 |
Package your items in one cardboard/paper box or bag with the submission form printed out OR with the form information written clearly. Tip: Please help the environment by avoiding Ziploc bags. |
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Step 5 |
Mail your package to: Kits to Heart To drop off at the same address: Leave the items at the front door at any time—though please try to avoid during inclement weather. Outside of business hours is okay, and scheduling a time is not needed, as this is a residence and submissions are brought in as soon as possible. |
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Step 6 |
Please wait at least two (2) weeks for your submission to be acknowledged via email from volunteer@kitstoheart.org. We work on a volunteer basis and appreciate your patience and kindness. Thank you |
🎖 Volunteers' Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Are materials provided?
A: While we are unable to provide materials at this time, please refer to the opportunities above for suggested materials, or email us at volunteer@kitstoheart.org to check if your materials will work. We are a small, volunteer-run charity and appreciate your support!
Q: Do I need to contact you to express interest in/register for any opportunities?
A: No, simply send your items in with our submission form filled out, and we will confirm via email within two (2) weeks of receiving them! Please check your spam folder.
Q: Are there any age restrictions to the activities?
A: We welcome volunteers of all ages!
Q: My group would like to host a community day of service. How can we help?
A: We encourage groups of any size to complete our service opportunities remotely from any location, such as an office space, office/school cafeteria, and/or community center. Once items are completed, please follow the steps above to submit them. At this time, the only in-person opportunities we are able to offer can only accommodate a maximum of 6 people on Saturdays from 10 AM to 12 PM in Clarksville, MD. We do NOT accept fully assembled care packages; the volunteer projects above are opportunities to contribute to the kits that we assemble ourselves.
Q: Is it possible to suggest a new activity for service hours?
A: Yes! Please share any new project ideas by emailing volunteer@kitstoheart.org.
Q: What are your greatest needs?
A: In addition to any of the open opportunities, we need your help to raise awareness about our cause and fundraise! Help host a birthday/holiday fundraiser for Kits to Heart, and share about our work through social media. You may also consider hosting a school/neighborhood collection drive.
Q: I am a student. Do I need to send you a service form to receive service hours?
A: We have copies of service forms for students at Montgomery County Public Schools, Howard County Public Schools, Frederick County Public Schools, St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, and Bishop McNamara High School. If you attend those schools, please do not include your form—just our submission form, because we will email a signed copy for you to complete after receiving the items. Students from all other schools requesting hours—or volunteers requesting court-ordered service confirmation—should share the appropriate form or verification method using the submission form.
Q: How do I submit the completed service form to my school?
A: After you receive an email acknowledgement from us, please follow the instructions from your school/county for submitting the service form. If you attend MCPS, you generally can email the completed form directly to your school’s SSL coordinator. Learn more about MCPS Student Service Learning (SSL).
Q: Am I still able to submit items after an opportunity is closed?
A: Only if you started working on them before it closed. Unless you need the hours immediately, then we recommend holding on to your items for a few more months and check back here to see when the activity opens up again to submit. Unless otherwise noted, you are still welcome to submit them now, if needed. Opportunities will always open again and are only closed to give us some time to distribute them to patients before receiving more.
Q: I submitted my items. Where is my service form?
A: Thank you! Please wait for at least two (2) weeks before asking us for your form. Check your spam folder and add volunteer@kitstoheart.org as a contact to ensure you receive our confirmation. Your patience is greatly appreciated!
Q: How do I start a Kits to Heart club at my school?
A: If you are interested in leading service projects to help the community, while gaining résumé experience, please fill out this school interest form. There are currently Kits to Heart clubs at the following schools:
- Northwest High School (MD)
- Bethesda Chevy Chase High School (MD)
- Winston Churchill High School (MD)
- Thomas S. Wootton High School (MD)
- Albert Einstein High School (MD)
- Richard Montgomery High School (MD)
- Poolesville High School (MD)
- Hallie Wells Middle School (MD)
- Maret School (DC)
- Quince Orchard High School (MD)
- Clarksburg High School (MD)
- Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School (MD)
- Walter Johnson High School (MD)
- Pikesville High School (MD)
- Walt Whitman High School (MD)
- St. Andrews Episcopal School (MD)
- Col. Zadok Magruder High School (MD)
- Wheaton High School (MD)
- Montgomery Blair High School (MD)
- River Hill High School (MD)
- Lillian Osborne High School (Edmonton, AB, Canada)
- Marblehead High School (Marblehead, MA)
- Frank Sinatra School of the Arts (Queens, NY)
- Meade High School (MD)
- Seneca Valley High School (MD)
- Watkins Mill High School (MD)
- The Hotchkiss School (CT)
Q: I submitted the maximum number of items previously. May I make and submit more?
A: Yes, as long as at least one month has passed since your previous submission and if the opportunity remains open. The limits are in place to prevent huge submissions, as we work diligently to distribute the items we receive with our limited storage space! If there are no limits stated for an activity, then there are no limits.
Q: How do I learn more about your organization?
A: Sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of our homepage to check out your impact! You can also follow and tag us on social media @kitstoheart.
Q: What if I have more questions or would like to share photos of the items before submitting them?
A: Please email us at volunteer@kitstoheart.org.
We look forward to receiving and sharing your work with our recipients! Check out our spotlights featuring our amazing volunteers!