Nickels for Nails is the youth-led fundraising component of Youth United, our initiative that mobilizes youth ages 5-25 to fully fund and build a Habitat home. Thousands of students, teachers, parents, and youth workers in the Los Angeles area have been engaging in fun community building activities to raise funds for our Youth United Habitat home! It’s easy to help, and even the youngest child can understand the purpose, as the jar fills up and the kids receive updates on the house being built.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to see how donating extra nickels can make a life-altering difference for a deserving family.

Teachers, youth group coordinators and students who sign up will receive a coin collection container for their classroom, along with a how-to guide about starting a successful fund drive. Teachers can also receive special curriculum to educate their students about the growing housing crisis in California and how everyone can help the cause.

Schools and Youth Groups:

The following schools and youth groups are Habitat SF/SCV Nickels for Nails fundraisers 2012-2013

Pico Canyon Elementary
Plum Canyon Elementary
Stevenson Ranch School
Canyon High School
St. Mary School
Calabasas High School
Harvard Westlake

Fundraising Ideas:

• Create your own blog or Facebook page for your school, class, or group where friends and family can easily share Habitat stories and donate online. Hold a bake sale, craft or art fair to sell or auction off projects created by the young students. This can easily be done by finding a community event already happening – a county fair, farmer’s market, sidewalk sale, church event – and asking to have space to sell items.

• Host a house building contest using LEGOs or recyclable building materials (Popsicle sticks, paper bags or boxes). Each house is then voted on by placing a donation jar in front of each entry. The house that earns the most money wins.

• Start a recycling drive for cans, bottles, or plastic materials with funds going towards Habitat.

• Have a car wash in your neighborhood, at your church, or school.

• Host a talent show, concert, or comedy event with a suggested donation at the door.

For more information on how to get started with these or other Nickels for Nails projects, contact Nicole at (818) 884-8255 or by emailing: NHampsten@HumanityCA.org.