Do It Yourself ("DIY") Volunteering provides a meaningful way to engage volunteers in a non-traditional way.

Important DIY Project information:

• To get credit for completing the DIY Project and request documentation, please fill out the electronic form. CLICK HERE for the DIY Documentation Form
• DIY Projects can be dropped off or mailed to the HandsOn South Florida office. The address and detailed drop off instructions can be found in each project's instruction packet. 
• If you have any questions, email Katarina Rice at krice@handsonsouthflorida.org.

Current Projects

September 2026: Hunger Action Totes

The Pantry of Broward is dedicated to supporting local seniors and grand-families experiencing food insecurity by providing nutritious food and essential resources. Each month, the organization serves more than 600 individuals through food boxes filled with both perishable and non-perishable items.

For this month’s DIY project, in honor of Hunger Action Month, volunteers are being asked to collect non-perishable food items and assemble Hunger Action Totes for The Pantry of Broward to help provide nutritious food and support to local families in need.

Past Projects

January 2026: Comfort Totes

This January, HandsOn South Florida mobilized 82 dedicated volunteers to support Dec My Room by assembling personalized Comfort Totes for patients facing extended hospital stays, bringing comfort, encouragement, and hope to over 160 individuals in need. Volunteers prepared thoughtful care items and heartfelt notes that helped transform hospital rooms into more uplifting spaces. Through this meaningful project, our community demonstrated how collective service can make a lasting impact on patients’ emotional well-being and healing journeys.

February 2026: Shark Pantry Totes

This month, HandsOn South Florida engaged 104 volunteers in support of Nova Southeastern University’s Shark Pantry, a vital resource providing non-perishable food to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Together, volunteers collected and assembled 207 Hunger Action Totes filled with essential items, helping address food insecurity for students in need. Through this impactful initiative, our community came together to expand access to critical resources while supporting student well-being and academic success.

March 2026: C.A.R.E Kits

This month, HandsOn South Florida mobilized 101 volunteers to support LifeNet4Families in serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity throughout Broward County. Together, volunteers assembled 202 C.A.R.E. Kits (Community Access to Real-life Essentials) filled with practical daily necessities, helping expand access to critical resources that promote stability, dignity, and hope. Through this collective effort, our community strengthened LifeNet4Families’ mission of providing essential support to those facing some of life’s toughest challenges.

April 2026: Water Safety Awareness Kits

In recognition of National Water Safety Month, HandsOn South Florida engaged 77 volunteers to assemble 143 Water Safety Awareness Kits designed to help children and families stay safe in and around water as summer approaches. These essential kits support youth participating in the Summer BreakSpot Program, combining critical safety education with valuable resources for children receiving free meals while school is out. Through this initiative, volunteers helped advance drowning prevention efforts and empowered families with life-saving knowledge for a safer summer season.

May 2026: HandsOn Learning Youth Mental Health Awareness Totes

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, HandsOn Learning invited youth and their families to support WestCare The Village South by collecting items and assembling Youth Mental Health Awareness Totes. Their mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities impacted by substance abuse, mental health disorders, and related social issues. HandsOn Learning engaged 94 volunteers and 175 totes were collected.

June 2026: Hygiene Kits

In June, HandsOn South Florida invited volunteers to support community members facing difficult circumstances throughout South Florida. For this month's DIY project, 100 volunteers assembled Hygiene Care Kits filled with essential toiletries and personal care items, contributing 985 volunteer hours to the project. These kits will help provide comfort, dignity, and access to basic necessities for individuals and families in need. Our HandsOn At Home projects provide an opportunity to support community needs while encouraging meaningful conversations about compassion, civic responsibility, and the importance of giving back.

July 2026: Back to School Kits

Leading up to Back to School, our volunteers assembled backpacks with needed school supplies for Broward County students in need. These backpacks were donated to A Place in Time, who strives to fight food insecurity and care for local families with respect, kindness, love and compassion. In July, 123 HandsOn South Florida volunteers assembled and donated 183 school-ready backpacks.

August 2026: Senior Care Kits

In August, HandsOn South Florida partnered with One Beautiful World, Inc., an organization dedicated to strengthening communities through programs and opportunities that foster compassion, cultural awareness, and social responsibility. For this month's DIY project, 73 volunteers created and assembled 135 Senior Care Kits for the residents of Regents Park of Sunrise to help bring comfort, connection, and joy to local seniors.

August - September 2026: Military Support Kits

In late August and early September, HandsOn South Florida honored 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance by supporting local military and veteran-serving agencies. For this month's DIY project, 57 volunteers created and assembled 145 Military Support Kits, with an impact valued at more than $32,000 to the community. This project provided an opportunity for volunteers to honor those who serve our country while supporting local military and veteran communities. Our HandsOn At Home projects make it easy to meet community needs while fostering meaningful conversations about civic responsibility and service at home.