UNITED WAY VOLUNTEERS ASSEMBLE SUMMER HEAT CARE KITS TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS
Baytown, TX — April 14, 2026 — Throughout National Volunteer Month, United Way of Greater Baytown Area & Chambers County has been bringing community members together to serve through hands-on volunteer opportunities. One of those efforts included volunteers assembling Summer Heat Care Kits designed to support individuals experiencing homelessness during the extreme Texas summer heat. Community volunteers joined United Way last week to assemble the kits, which were created to provide both immediate relief and access to helpful resources. United Way partnered with the City of Baytown to distribute the kits through the City’s Victim Services Department, helping ensure they reach individuals who are experiencing homelessness throughout our community.
Each kit includes items intended to help individuals stay safe during high temperatures, such as cooling towels, rain ponchos, sunscreen, lip balm, wet wipes, Gatorade packets, and granola bars. Kits also include a bilingual Spanish and English resource guide connecting individuals to local services and support. This volunteer-driven initiative supports United Way’s focus on Community Resilience, helping individuals better navigate challenging conditions while connecting them to resources that may support long-term stability. As temperatures rise, individuals experiencing homelessness face increased risks, making access to basic supplies and information especially important.
“This project is a great example of how volunteers are making a real difference in our community,” said Kaci Pena, Director of Community
Engagement. “By giving their time, volunteers helped create practical support for individuals experiencing homelessness while strengthening our community’s ability to respond to need.”
Together, volunteers and community partners are helping provide meaningful support to those who need it most. This project is one of several volunteer opportunities hosted by United Way throughout Volunteer Month, highlighting how individuals, organizations, and community partners can come together to create lasting impact.
Community members interested in making a difference are encouraged to explore upcoming volunteer opportunities through Volunteer Connect, United Way’s online volunteer platform. Volunteer Connect makes it easy to find meaningful ways to serve and support local initiatives throughout the year. To learn more and get involved, visit volunteer.unitedwaygbacc.org.
To view the story with The Baytown Sun, visit: https://baytownsun.com/local/united-way-volunteers-assemble-care-kits-f…