Donations of Sunscreen--how to get some...

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Hey All-

I am a new PHN for a county that has a limited budget (doesn't everything these days...). I am in the department of field nursing and have seen a real need in my clients for sunscreen for their kiddos. I have seen enough pink heads and cheeks that I have begun seeking donations of sunscreen. The clients I serve do not have sufficient funds to keep food on their tables and thus sunscreen has taken a low priority. I have been looking at the big corporations (thinking they were the type with some to "spare") such as Johnson & Johnson, Walmart, Target, Burt's Bees, etc. But all declare that they do not participate in requests for donations "at this time". I am just hoping to get some input on areas to try or companies to get a hold of that may be interested in donating for this sake. Thanks for reading and any input is helpful.

Very Best.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

How about ball caps? Most adjustable ones can be tightened down enough for a six year old. They are good advertising if the logo is on it.

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I very much appreciate your reply and will put that into action as well. My kiddos are mostly under 2yo. May have to get creative though, per your suggestion :) Thanks so much.

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Try grocery stores and Walgreens.

Both places have product that they can not sell because the package is broken, old product, or expired. You would have to check this out but it could be a tax deductable donation for them.

Remind them to reapply every 4 hours.

Good luck.

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Check with American Cancer Society. They do a lot of skin cancer prevention education and provide small, two application sized samples. They usually are quite liberal with amounts that they will provide.

Check with local derm or plastic surgeon office to determine contact info for sunscreen product reps. I know Aveeno does a lot of samples.

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Specializes in ICU, Home Health, Camp, Travel, L&D.

You might check with your local Avon lady/district sales person. Some of our foundations have done fundraisers with them with the salesperson's clients purchasing the product. Works pretty well, because it drives the salesperson's numbers up, helps the foundation, and makes the individual customer feel good. Plus, pretty good sunscreen.

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Try grocery stores and Walgreens.

Both places have product that they can not sell because the package is broken, old product, or expired. You would have to check this out but it could be a tax deductable donation for them.

Remind them to reapply every 4 hours.

Good luck.

yes, this!

i go to "Family Dollar" a lot and they have a small shelf where they put food and other items that are just barely expired or within the month of expiring. for example, on december 31 you can find things that say "use by january 2011." i bought a couple boxes of the "club" brand salad crackers for .45 per box and got a huge jar of miracle whip for $1 today (normally $4). i bet if you contacted your local retail stores they would get in touch with you when they're ready to slash the prices on their sunscreen and if you couldn't get it for free, you could get it REALLY cheap!

johnson & johnson (IMO) are really cheap in a bad way. i called them one time to see if i could get some brochures and coupons or MAYBE even some "sample diapers" to give out to a group (about 20 ppl) who i was giving a presentation to about potty training. i didn't think this was far fetched bc when my children were in diapers i would get sample diapers/pull ups in the mail from where i had used their coupons - huggies was great about that. anyhow, i spoke to a lady who told me she would check on it and call me back. she didn't sound too enthused, and i never got a return call. i thought it was extremely foolish of them. what better group of people to give brochures and coupons and POSSIBLY the "sample diaper" as in ONE single diaper to than a group of people attending a lecture about potty training? target audience - DUH! sorry, i just had to rant about that.

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Try your local friendly dermatologist clinic. I did a health promotion presentation in school on this topic and was able to find some samples from a skin care clinic. Also try asking the product company directly, not the stores, and maybe even ask other experienced nurses as they may have connections. Maybe even the makeup counter attendants at the mall may be able to help you out a bit.

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There is an organization called Americares. They have donated sunscreen and other OTC meds to a free clinic where I work. Not sure if you need to be an official non-profit or what but it is worth a try.

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Try your local friendly dermatologist clinic. I did a health promotion presentation in school on this topic and was able to find some samples from a skin care clinic. Also try asking the product company directly, not the stores, and maybe even ask other experienced nurses as they may have connections. Maybe even the makeup counter attendants at the mall may be able to help you out a bit.

this is a good idea - i was going to say dermatologists clinics. i would also go to a store like wal mart or target and write down the contact info (or use google) for some of the less popular distributors. it's funny, but some of the "little guys" are more willing to contribute if for no other reason than to get their name out there. maybe you could bargain with them to advertise at your facility (posters, etc) in exchange for donations.

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Specializes in PeriOperative.

I second the derm office idea. I work in plastics, and we have more sunblock than we know what to do with. You might be able to get the office to do a "sunblock drive" for the kids and get the community involved.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I think you going to have to do what a lot of the other users have suggested which includes calling local stores and see if you could get donations from them, call dermitologists offices or plastic surgeons offices and see about getting some of their samples and contact the sunscreen manufactures directly about having them donate their product. I used to work for a large grocery store chain and each store was actually designated a certain amount of dollars every month which they could offer for donations and it was just a matter of asking them for the money at the right time. I think that its going to take a lot of calling and pounding the pavement (so to speak) in order to get this effort of yours off the ground but I think you have a good chance if you just keep at it. I have looked online with a quick google search and found the sites of a few sunscreen manufactures where they have forms you can fill out requesting donations. Its going to be a headache filling out the forms but its worth a try. Here are the links below...

Blue Lizard - Its the Contact Page, Click on the link on the page to fill out the donation/sample request form.

Badger - Click on the donation request link on the page.

Coppertone - This page is for physicians to request but there is a number at the bottom of the page that you can call. If you give them a call see if they can help you.

Banana Boat - This is just a general "Contact Us" page for Banana Boat but give the number a call and see what you can find out.

Best of luck and please let us know how it goes!

!Chris :specs:

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