The smART meter program is underwritten by SDG&E and is designed to teach youth about the importance and inter-relatedness of recycling and energy conservation. If you are an organization that reaches and serves children and youth and would like to display smART meters and help convey our message of energy conservation through the recycled art of youth, or if you would like to plan a smART meter project, please contact Brian@kidskorps.org.

In recognition of Memorial Day, Kids Korps and Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38, teamed up to give away bicycles and helmets to local military children. The event took place at Cathedral High School and was hosted and funded by the CHS Teen Korps chapter.

As teen volunteers arrived, boxes of bicycle parts were unloaded and ready for assembly for local military children. Volunteers paired up and soon wheels, handle bars, reflectors and other bicycle parts were seen spread out with one partner reading directions and others putting pieces together.  It soon became apparent that the bike building was taking second place to team building.

“This is one of the most rewarding volunteering experiences because you can see the joy in the face of each of these kids” remarked senior Alex Moffit. After several hours of steering wheel assembling, brake adjusting, and tire pumping, the shiny new bicycles were ready to be ridden off. In addition to a bicycle, each child was given a safety helmet.

Recipient children waited patiently, eager to receive their new bicycles.  Kids Korps volunteers who assembled the bicycles were glowing just as much as the children who received them. Volunteers then fitted the children for helmets, and helped the recipient kids ride their new bikes for the first time.

Namath Hahn, Family Readiness Officer, who selected the children from families whose parents are deployed, remarked, “I want to say thank the Benassi Family, Kids Korps, Rotarian volunteers and all the teenagers that were part of the event. I was deeply touched and want to hug each of you individually so that you know how much it meant to all of the military families in attendance. For young people such as yourselves, to give so freely of your time and resources, is beyond words. My daughter Bella was so happy and in love with her princess bike, that it was difficult getting her off it and placing it in the car to transport. When we got home, she sat on it and we practiced riding and even after that, it was a challenge to get her to part with the pretty pink helmet. Although we don’t know each other personally, I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that you’ve touched us and your kindness will never be forgotten.”

“Thank you so very much for the new bike. We’ve been a part of the military for over seven years and have never received such a wonderful gift. Don’t get us wrong, the military provides our family with wonderful perks, but being able to receive a gift that seemed so personal really meant a lot to our family. We know that it was done out of the kindness of your heart.  We just want to say thank you, thank you and thank you,” added The Brass Family.

“It’s nice to see good teenagers make the effort to reach out to our military! It helps us to know that their sacrifices are not going unnoticed,” smiled Nissy Smith.

The Build-A-Bike program provides Kids Korps volunteers with a great sense of accomplishment.  On the receiving end, nothing can describe the look on a child’s face as he or she is presented with a brand new bicycle. “Our military families do so much, and this is one way we can thank them for their sacrifices and brighten their day,” said Don Meredith.

“There is nothing more gratifying than knowing you have helped make someone else’s life a little better,” smiled Kids Korps Program Director Robin Chappelow. “This is a life lesson that we hope all our members understand when they become involved in Kids Korps projects. Our teens learn the value of giving to someone who is less fortunate than they are, and at the same time feel a sense of pride and accomplishment as they complete the assembly of each bicycle. Volunteers see first-hand the happiness they bring to others.”

Thank you to Marian, Chris and Max Benassi, the many Teen Korps volunteers, and Rotarians Ole Prahm and Don Meredith who spent the afternoon assembling bicycles for these deserving youngsters.

Sudanese Children in San Diego

A special thank you to our sponsors and volunteers who made the smiles of these children possible.

On Sunday, November 15th Kids Korps held its very first Green Korps Festival Presented by SDG&E and supported by Starbucks and the County of San Diego.  In keeping with Kids Korps’ mission to build leaders for life through youth volunteerism, Kids Korps’ Teen Korps planned and implemented this community-based volunteer project through the Teen Korps Entrepreneur Program underwritten by Starbucks.  The event was a great success, including a number of interactive activities, and hands-on community education about conscious and practical green living.

Mark your calendars for Green Korps Fest, scheduled for Sunday November 15^th between 1:00pm and 4:00pm at the very first LEED Certified Starbuck’s Location 7625 Linda Vista Road #104, San Diego, CA 92111 (Just west of Sharp Memorial & Children’s Hospital).  The event is sponsored by SDG&E, support from the County of San Diego & District 3 Supervisor Pam Slater-Price and crafted by our Teen Korps Entrepreneurs underwritten by Starbuck’s.

Our goal is to educate the community about green living by focusing on the programs, projects and initiatives of 5 environmental service organizations supported by Kids Korps including; I Love a Clean San Diego, The California Center for Sustainable Energy, The Solana Center for Environmental Innovation, San Diego Coast Keepers and Wildlife Research Institute.

Bring your kids, teens and the whole family for this environmental celebration designed by our inspiring Teen Korps Entrepreneurs.

• Earn volunteer hours through hands-on event volunteer activities.
• Celebrate eco-conscious living.
• Enjoy music, entertainment, and prizes.
• Gain useful information to reduce your energy and resource usage.
• Support the hard work and passionate dedication of our teen members.

Our corporate partners SDG&E and Starbuck’s will be present, showcasing their eco-conscious products and services, so bring your thirst for learning and gourmet coffee alike.

Volunteer projects will include a Build-A-Bike for urban youth and seed ball making for habitat restoration among those being planned the Teen Korps Entrepreneur Program.

Look for further updates here on our website, to join in the celebration as an exhibitor contact brian@kidskorps.org.

El Reino De Los Niños’, The Kids’ Kingdom Children’s Orphange, was founded in 1989 to serve the needy and abandoned children of Mexico.  The Kids’ Kingdom is located 25 minutes south of Ensenada, in Baja California.  The Kids’ Kingdom’s desire is to see the children mature into responsible adults whose impact on society will be positive and lasting.
The Kids at the Kids’ Kingdom, age 5 to 18, were  either orphaned, abandoned or removed from “homes” where they were abused.  Some have come from other orphanages that could not care for them and some have been brought by authorities that found them on the street,

abandoned.  The one thing they all have in common is that they do not have another home or place to grow and develop as children should.
To accomplish this mission, the Kids’ Kingdom must first provide for the basic needs of the children, including food, clothing, shelter and medical care.
Please help by donating food to Kids Korps for the Kids Kingdom Orphanage. Food and supplies may be dropped off at the Kids Korps office anytime M- F from 7am – 3pm.  For more info, please call or email Robin at 858-259-3602.

• FLOUR FOR HOTCAKES
• ADVIL
• FRUIT COCKTAIL
• COUGH SURUP
• BUTTER
• SOAP
• PEANUT BUTTER
• TOOTH BURSHES
• BUNS
• TOOTH PASTE
• HOT DOGS
• SHAMPOO
• PARMESAN CHEESE
• AJAX
• HONEY
• TOILET PAPER
• SYRUP
• CHORIZO
• TOMATO SAUCE AND PASTE
• MAYONNAISE
• SPAGHETTI SAUCE
• TUNA
• POTATOES
• CEREAL
• SUGAR