There are two ways that YOU can bring help and hope to those in need:
Raising Money For Disasters
Collecting Fun Stuff For International Programs
Raising Money For Disasters
AmeriCares accepts monetary donations in times of disaster, either natural (hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis) or man-made (wars, refugee camps). By donating money, you can help AmeriCares bring the urgently needed medicines, medical supplies and other life saving products quickly to those in need.
AmeriCares uses your generous and hard-earned donation to quickly deliver help and hope. If special medicines or supplies requested by our in-country partners are needed, AmeriCares is able to purchase large quantities in the country affected or directly from the pharmaceutical companies that make what is needed.
Ideas for Raising Money
- Set up a Lemonade Stand in your neighborhood or in front of a local store—be sure to get permission first!
- Organize a Bake Sale at school or your house of worship.
- Make a whole bunch of beaded bracelets or paintings and sell them at Craft Sale held at school or your place of worship.
- Spearhead a family Tag/Garage Sale. Make it a neighborhood event and invite your neighbors to help.
- Decorate some coffee cans or shoeboxes to place in the classrooms of your school for a Spare Change Drive. You will have to convert the change into a check or money order when you are ready to send it in!
- Hold a Car Wash in your neighborhood or school parking lot
- Buy a bunch of beautiful flowers and have a Flower Sale at a school graduation, concert or other special event at school or your place of worship.
- Host a "Thon” (walk-a-thon, swim-a-thon), focused on your favorite sport or activity. It's a great way to do what you love and have others sponsor you for doing it. Get your school or neighborhood friends to join you.
Be creative and have fun. But remember to:
1. GET PERMISSION from your parents, principal or teacher BEFORE you begin your efforts.
2. Fill out the fundraising contract and return it to AmeriCares BEFORE you begin your event. The adult that is your sponsor must sign the agreement as well.
3. DO NOT go door-to-door asking for donations. Only ask your family, friends and people you know.
Download the Fundraising Agreement Form here
Remember, send monetary donations to:
AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Ave
Stamford, CT USA 06902
attn: Tara Whalen
Collecting Fun Stuff for International Programs
AmeriCares is able to accept NEW fun stuff for some of our international long-term humanitarian partners. We are not able to accept used clothing, used toys, bottled water or food. During an emergency, we are not able to send "Fun Stuff," so products won't be accepted then.
It is YOUR responsibility to get the donation to the AmeriCares warehouse. Please keep this in mind when you are organizing your drive!
If you are near our headquarters in Connecticut and would like to drop your donation off in person, please call ahead and ask to speak to Tara Whalen, Coordinator of Community Projects, at 800-486-HELP (4357) to set up a day and time that are convenient. A tour of our facility can be arranged prior to your visit.
Donations can also be mailed or shipped via UPS, Federal Express or the US Postal System; see the mailing address below.
Here's a list of fun stuff you can collect:
- New small stuffed animals (“Beanie Baby” sized)
- Basic school supplies (single subject notebooks, pencils, pencil sharpeners, erasers, colored pencils, ball-point pens)
- Baby blankets (store bought or handmade)
- Coloring books and small packets of crayons
- Learn how to make a "Healthy Kid Kit!" Put together a bag of personal hygiene items (toothbrush, comb, hair-brush, small bar of soap and face cloth) and send them to us! (NOTE that Healthy Kid Kits can only be sent to five countries. See the Kit Page for more details.)
Product donations are accepted in the following countries:
Afghanistan, Colombia, ElSalvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Haiti, Iraq, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Philippines and Vietnam. (NOTE that this list can change at any time.)
Be creative and have fun. But remember to:
1. GET PERMISSION from your parents, principal or teacher BEFORE you begin your efforts.
2. Call Tara Whalen at AmeriCares (800-486-4357) and together pick the product you would like to collect and the country you would like the product to go to.
3. Fill out the fundraising form and return it to AmeriCares BEFORE you begin your event. The adult that is your sponsor must sign the agreement as well.
4. DO NOT go door to door asking for donations. Only ask your family, friends and people you know.
5. Sort through your product donations and remove anything that was not asked for or is not new.
6. Pack donation up for shipping to AmeriCares.
Download the Fundraising Agreement Form here
All product donations should be sent to:
AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Avenue - Warehouse
Stamford, CT 06902
Attn: Tara Whalen
If you have any questions, please call Tara at 800-486-HELP (4357) or e-mail her at twhalen@americares.org.
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