Service is at the heart of everything we do in Key Club—and DECON 2026 is no exception. This year’s official DECON service project, Together Totes: Serving With Care and Compassion, brings Key Clubbers from across New Jersey together to make a direct and meaningful impact on individuals experiencing homelessness.
Whether your club is attending DECON or supporting the project from home, here’s everything you need to know about what to donate, why it matters, and how you can help.
About the DECON 2026 Service Project: Together Totes
Together Totes is a hands-on, districtwide service initiative where Key Clubbers will assemble hygiene-care totes filled with essential personal care items. These totes will be donated to local shelters, outreach organizations, and community partners to support individuals in need.
This project focuses on dignity, health, and compassion—turning small items into a big impact through collective service.
What Items Do We Need?
To successfully assemble our hygiene totes, we need new, unused items in travel or standard sizes. The most-needed donations include:
🧼 Personal Hygiene Items
- Bar soap or body wash
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Deodorant
🪥 Oral Care
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
🩸 Essential Care Items
- Menstrual hygiene products (pads and tampons)
These everyday items may seem small, but they make a powerful difference for individuals who may not have regular access to basic necessities.
How Clubs Can Get Involved Before DECON
Clubs across the district are encouraged to host hygiene-item drives at their schools leading up to DECON. This is a great way to involve members who may not be attending the conference and to expand the reach of the service project beyond one weekend.
Collected items can be:
- Brought directly to DECON by attending clubs, or
- Coordinated for pickup through the Service Project Committee
Every donation counts—no matter how big or small.
Friendly Competition: Make Service Fun!
To encourage participation, the school that donates the greatest number of hygiene items will receive special recognition at DECON. This friendly competition is a fun way to motivate clubs while highlighting outstanding commitment to service.
Why These Items Matter
Access to basic hygiene products supports not only physical health, but also confidence, comfort, and dignity. By donating these items, Key Clubbers are helping individuals feel cared for and supported—one tote at a time.
Together Totes shows how teamwork and compassion can turn simple actions into meaningful change.
What Happens at DECON?
During DECON, attendees will work together to assemble the hygiene totes as part of the official service project session. Members will also learn more about organizations addressing homelessness and explore ways to continue supporting vulnerable communities beyond the conference.
Final Thoughts
The success of Together Totes depends on all of us—clubs, members, and advisors working together toward a common goal. Whether you’re collecting items at your school, donating individually, or assembling totes at DECON, your effort matters.
Let’s come together to show that service truly never goes out of style.
If you have questions about donations or participation, keep an eye out for updates from the Service Project Committee or NJ Key Club communications.
Together, we can make DECON 2026 a weekend of compassion, impact, and unforgettable service. 💙