#Colgate4Kids Simple Service That Makes Everyone Feel Good

There are so many little things we use that we often take for granted in our everyday lives. We throw items in a cart at the store without a second thought about what we would do if we couldn’t afford them. How many facebook updates do you see with someone lamenting how their quick errand turned into a $100 trip?

A few years ago, I gained a new appreciation for a lot of things that I had previously taken for granted. When you have three kids and life demands that you stay on a very strict budget, things like kid-friendly toothbrushes and  bath products for sensitive skin become luxuries.

I can remember how excited my kids would be when they’d get the free travel size toothpaste and the character of the moment toothbrushes from the visiting dentists at school. The “fancy” dental products weren’t in our financial plans so when they got that stuff it was a big deal to them and very much appreciated by me.

Now that we’re getting back on track after the job loss, we’re starting to be in a position where we can help give back. It’s important for me to pay back all that I was given back in the day and to teach my children the importance of taking care of people around them whenever we can.

When I heard about the Champions For Kids #Colgate4Kids Simple Service Project of Bright Smiles, Bright Futures, I couldn’t wait to be a part of it.  I love the idea of this project because it is accessible to everyone. You don’t have to do something huge or hugely expensive. It’s called “simple” for a reason, but make no mistake, simple can go a long way.

I know firsthand that fancy toiletries can make a kid’s day and thus make the parents’ job a little easier-at least for a day. So I decided to take my project to a kindergarten class at the local school. I figured with Easter coming up and all the candy and sugar involved in that day, what better time to pass out some tools for keeping teeth clean. They’re going to need them, maybe now more than ever!

When this is the first thing you walk into upon entering the store, it confirms my suspicion that now is the time for dental care!

What an awesome array of choices. It was tempting to buy the fun musical or spinning brushes, but I didn’t want to set up any parents for a letdown if they couldn’t keep buying something so I went with the idea that simple is best.

I settled on Dora the Explorer and Spongebob Square Pants. Both seemed fitting for six year olds. Luckily Colgate makes brushes and paste with both.

I wanted to make the Colgate stuff a little fancy so I hit the dollar bins for bags and ribbon and such. I didn’t find exactly what I wanted (something good for girls and boys) so I finally wandered over to the seasonal section and found perfect spring bags that would hold both and make them a bit more festive.

They turned out like little gifts, which is exactly how I wanted them presented.

Just like the bunny himself, I put everything in a basket.

And went off to see some school kids.

I couldn’t take pictures of the kids themselves, but I can assure you that these Colgate spring treats lead to quite a few adorable smiles as well as squeals and thanks yous galore.

I loved being part of this Champions For Kids campaign and I can tell you it won’t be my last simple service project.