Schools, neighborhood associations, youth organizations, churches, businesses, craft guilds, and other groups want to help refugees. We're thrilled that so many want to do it through Butterfly Boxes. Our goal is to help make the planning easier so you can focus your energy on giving! Use the buttons above to download posters & flyers and to tell us about your drive.

We have some ideas for group projects, and know these are just the tip of the iceberg. Do you have another idea? We'd love to hear about it!

BUILD-A-BOX DRIVE

Decide what kind of Butterfly Box(es) you want to build (baby, kid, teen, or adult). Print out a copy of the shopping list(s), and let your group members sign up to bring items to fill the box.
Make it fun:
  • Schools can assign each class or grade level a specific type of box.
  • Divide into smaller groups and compete to see who can finish their box first.
Special note: this option works especially well for groups of mixed socio-economic status. Items on the list fall into a broad price range, but every item fills a critical need.

SUPPLIES DRIVE

Collect items from the shopping lists and let us put the boxes together.

Keep it simple:
  • Pick a theme and encourage your members to donate items from the list that fit the theme - school supplies, toiletries, stuffed animals/dolls, or children's books are good places to start.
  • Choose 3-5 specific items from the shopping lists that you want to focus on, and put out a call for just those. Contact us if you need help deciding what would be most helpful based on our current inventory. Or watch our newsletter for the next month's  featured "most needed" items and organize your drive around those.

WELCOME CARD PARTY

We include a handwritten welcome note in every Butterfly Box. We encourage messages from all members of our community, and we think this is a great way to include kids in your efforts. Provide notecards (notes should be written on 4"x6" cards - postcards work great!) & markers, and ask everyone to write at least 1 or 2.
Remember:
  • Use simple language. Many refugees are still learning English.
  • Butterfly Boxes are distributed to refugees coming to Oregon. Most will be resettled in Portland, but some will live elsewhere in the state. Please write your notes so they can be distributed to any of these new Oregonians.
  • Refrain from using religious language, as we don't have the capacity to ensure that your note would reach someone who shares your religious beliefs.

CRAFT DAY

If your group is a crafty bunch, this could be a great option for you! See our "Get Crafty" page for inspiration, or let your members decide what to contribute.

Work as a team:
  • Decide on one item everyone will make on their own. Encourage members to bring their completed projects to your next meeting so everyone can "ooh" and "aah" at each others' talents.
  • Choose a simple project that can be completed individually or by assembly line during your next meeting.

OFFICE GIVING

Think outside the box. Are there ways you and your coworkers can contribute to Butterfly Boxes without organizing a drive?
  • Do members of your team travel frequently? Encourage them to collect toiletries from hotel stays.
  • Did you order too many promotional items, or would adding a few extra to your order give you a bigger price break? Specifically, the following are in high demand:
    • water bottles
    • reusable shopping bags
    • pens & pencils
    • lip balm
    • folders & binders
    • first aid kits
    • calendars (especially pocket-sized)
  • Do you do business with distributors who would donate if someone simply asked?
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