October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, and taking the time to educate your students and allow them to pick a way to educate or interact with the community allows you to incorporate some valuable lessons in empathy and giving, too. Since kids aren’t really welcome at the actual patient facilities, you’ll need to choose a group, organization or individual that can use your support, then choose one of these fun and rewarding activities.
Adopt a Center or Patient
If you have one or more students with a family member who is coping with breast cancer, take some time to offer support as a school with a fundraiser. You can do a bake sale, sell pink awareness ribbons or bands or even do a crafting station – kids can make a piece of encouragement or donate to the cause.
Wear Pink – in your Hair
Create a fundraiser that either sells pink (removable and temporary) hair extensions for a nominal fee, or that allows kids to go pink at school for a day. If you normally wear uniforms, charge a fee to wear pink for the day – and offer a prize to the “pinkest” student. Funds raised can go directly to a local breast cancer group.
Cards for Cancer Patients
Choose a local treatment or mammogram facility and ask if your class can adopt them for the month. Offer the kids supplies to make cards or other pieces of encouragement and deliver them when complete. The center can then pass them on to patients to add some encouragement and a lift to a not so great day.
Setup a Pink Lemonade Stand
Run a bake sale booth that features pink treats at your next home game or event; feature pink frosted cupcakes, cookies and other snacks and pink lemonade as the beverage. If you also distribute breast cancer awareness cards, flyers or decals you can help build awareness and support the community as you raise cash for the cause.
If you choose to build awareness and give back with a fund raising campaign, Classroom Direct has just the Breast Cancer Awareness pieces you need to run a successful event. From office supplies to the perfect shade of pink paper for cards, we have everything you need to get started and help you create an activity your kids – and the community – will appreciate.
