Every child deserves to come to school feeling confident and ready to learn, but for so many this is not possible.

Many local students across the metro are lacking essential hygiene items such as soap, shampoo, conditioner, clean clothes and dental products — impacting their health, learning and confidence. Helping students get access to the resources they lack allows them to build a better and brighter future for themselves and our community. 

Local school counselors have reported 82% of students appear to have higher confidence.

UWM partners with local school districts and raises funds for the purchase and assembly of Shine Bright hygiene kits for kindergarten, sixth- and ninth-grade students. The kits are then distributed to students in the Omaha, Council Bluffs and Papillion La Vista school districts – as well as JAG Nebraska students across the state. Each Shine Bright kit contains the full-size essential hygiene items kids need to feel confident so they can start the year off right.

Individual and Corporate Volunteer Opportunities

Work alongside United Way of the Midlands and 400+ volunteers to assemble over 5,400 Shine Bright hygiene kits for local area school children. Shine Bright kits will be assembled at the Mid-America Center, July 28-31, 2026.

Volunteer opportunities include:

- Shine Bright Kit Assembly

- Assembled Kit & Box Organization

- Delivery Preparation

- Delivery Driving

Register for one or more, volunteer shift as an individual, with friends and family, or as a corporate team. Questions? Please email volunteer@uwmidlands.org.