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Because of the information we posted about Operation Christmas Child last month, I hated to put anything above it. Now that the 2010 National Collection Week is over, it’s time to share something new. (Note: a handful of drop-off locations are open for another month.)
Did you know… not all robins head south for the winter?
According to BirdWatcher’sDigest.com (#8), American robins “migrate only as far south as they need to or are forced by bad weather or food shortages.” Information from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology points out that robin migrations in the fall “are often influenced by the availability of fruit,” yet in the spring “they move in response to the availability of soil invertebrates, such as earthworms.”
In other words, the number of American robins you see in the spring, winter and fall depends upon where you live and the severity of the conditions in your area. While some of them stay through the winter in many parts of North American, you may not notice robins again until spring, when they emerge from their berry-foraging habitats in order search for their usual warm-weather fare.
While not a “species of concern,” American robins have certainly been a species of interest in our house this year, as evidenced by this painting and the drawings below it.
American Robin (watercolor, summer ’09, Timmy @ 5 years)
American Robin (color pencil, 11/22/10, Kelly @ 8 years)
Baby Robin (color pencil, 4/27/10, Timmy @ 5 years)
Mommy Robin (color pencil, 4/27/10, Timmy @ 5 years)
Additional Sources
Birds and Snow
Migrating Birds
Journey North
© Liesl K. Bohan | TipsnTidbits.com
As you may know, today is (was) Make a Difference Day. Sponsored by USA Weekend and HandsOn Network for 20 years, this annual event is a national day of helping others.
If you and your family didn’t participate, don’t worry. There are countless ways you can still help your neighbors, locally and globally. Following is information about and links to some programs that we are—or soon will be—participating in ourselves.
Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child is a kids-helping-kids project of Samaritan’s Purse that uses simple gift-filled shoe boxes to let hurting children know that they are loved and not forgotten.
In 2010, Operation Christmas Child will reach more than 8 million children—many of whom have never received a gift before—with a message of hope and love.
Right now, kids, families, churches, scout troops, schools, civic clubs and businesses are fi lling their shoe boxes. In addition to collecting shoe box gifts year-round at the headquarters in Boone, N.C., Samaritan’s Purse will be collecting gift-fi lled shoe boxes at more than 2,700 drop-off sites in all 50 states during National Collection Week, Nov. 15-22, 2010.
More than 500,000 volunteers worldwide, including some 100,000 volunteers in the United States, will then help prepare the boxes for transport to distant lands. If you and your children want to pack some shoe boxes to contribute to this vast effort, visit this page. To find the nearest drop-off location call (800) 353-5949 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
(Author’s note: we didn’t find out about this program until it was too late for last year’s collection, so we started working on our boxes at the beginning of 2010, picking up reduced-price items after Christmas, during back-to-school sales and at other times throughout the year. If you don’t think you’re ready to help this year, why not start preparing a few shoe boxes for 2011?)
Any Soldier™
Any Soldier Inc. (www.AnySoldier.com) helps nearly 100,000 American soldiers in all branches of the military, both active duty and reservists, and has become one of the leading efforts for making sure the men and women of all U.S. military branches who have been deployed are cared for via letters and packages from “home.”
All of the soldiers involved in this effort are military volunteers stationed in areas that are in harm’s way. AnySoldier.com features emails from different military personnel regarding the type of support needed in the field. Such support is typically in the form of a simple letter or package, toiletries, food or even newspapers and magazines. Donors address their letters and packages to the writer’s name but also add the words “ATTN: Any Soldier” on the second line. The writer shares the mail with fellow servicemen and women, ensuring that those who don’t get much mail—or any mail—receive letters and packages first. Everything is shared.
As of today (10/23/10), Any Soldier Inc. has served 1,710,096 troops.
Hugs and Hope
Hugs and Hope is a nationwide, Internet-based group of almost 3,000 volunteers devoted to providing smiles for kids with serious illnesses, injuries or handicaps. According to their website, they brighten children’s lives in several ways, including mailing thousands of cheery cards each year, sending balloon bouquets and birthday party supplies to hospitalized children, granting wishes and providing thousands of Christmas gifts through their Elf Project.
Here are a few more items from the FAQs at hugsandhope.org.
“Parents tell me it makes a tremendous difference. It’s been proven in scientific studies that laughing, smiling, and having something to look forward to can not only improve your mental outlook and attitude; but it can positively affect your physical health as well. Parents have verified this fact. Children who are lethargic and won’t eat or get out of bed suddenly are eager to get up each day and get dressed. They happily wait for the mail to arrive. Kids often comment about how great it is to know that so many people care about them.”
“With very little effort, anyone can make a huge difference right now for sick kids. It takes just a few minutes and can cost less than a dollar; but anyone can lick a stamp and mail a cheery card to make a child’s day.”
“To become a hug giver and hope builder, all you need is a caring heart. Sending cards or donating money are only two of many ways to give. Folks of any age and ability can share their unique, creative talents. People who enjoy sewing make security blankets and soft pillow cases that kids can take with them to the hospital. Musicians donate tapes. Authors contribute books. Children can draw pictures, and grandmothers can sponsor a child at Christmas.”
“Our combined efforts can accomplish so much. Together, we can make a difference—one smile at a time.”
>>>
What have I done to make a difference? Is the life I lead worth someone else dying for?
“It’s not an idle question. Many have died for our freedom. Even now, the men and women of our armed forces are in harm’s way and some may not return to their homes and families. The majority of us here will never be called upon to defend our nation with our lives, but each of us should live a life worthy of those who have.”
— Deena Burnett (Bailey), widow of 9/11 Flight 93 hero Tom Burnett, in a speech on 10/9/01 (from Fighting Back: Living Life Beyond Ourselves by Deena Burnett with Anthony F. Giombetti)
Two weeks ago the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL), one of Better World Books’ top five literacy partners, launched a free “online front porch to bring family literacy into every home.” According to their press release, NCFL’s Wonderopolis™ provides family-friendly content that is practical, easy to use and designed to engage children’s natural curiosity and transform it into a lifelong love of learning.
Emily Kirkpatrick, vice president of NCFL, said one of the things that makes this site unique is that “it’s not only a site built for parents, but also by parents, who will be able to share concerns, ask questions and provide solutions by connecting with other parents across the country or around the globe.” She also said, “Wonderopolis will show children—and remind parents—that learning is fun. A sense of wonder will lead to discovery and ignite a passion.”
The National Center for Family Literacy is the worldwide leader in family literacy. More than one million families have made positive educational and economic gains as a result of NCFL’s work, which includes training more than 150,000 teachers and thousands of volunteers. For more information, visit www.famlit.org. You can support NCFL and family literacy by purchasing books through BetterWorldBooks.com.
Have you ever wondered why flamingos are pink?
Have you ever wondered what ice cream headaches are really all about?
Have you ever wondered why bees buzz?
Visit Wonderopolis™ to find out! It’s easy. It’s fun. And the learning is big.
It’s for parents, who’ve never been busier or more concerned about their children’s education, and it’s for children, who are so pressured to do well that they’ve forgotten learning can be fun.
Created by the National Center for Family Literacy, Wonderopolis is a place where parents nurture a brighter world for their children through discovery, creativity, learning and imagination.
Wonderopolis offers families a Wonder of the Day – giving parents the spark they need to ignite their child’s curiosity and love of learning.
Visit Wonderopolis™ to subscribe by RSS, Twitter or Facebook.
© Liesl K. Bohan | TipsnTidbits.com
Here are some T-shirts our children decorated simply using Sharpie markers. Before they began, we washed and dried the shirts and then placed large newspaper-covered books inside each to create a flat surface and prevent ink from seeping through. Though our kids made these for themselves, you could have children decorate shirts or canvas bags as gifts for friends or family members.
Timmy’s Snake Shirt (Spring 2010)
Kelly’s Backyard Bird Scene Shirt (Spring 2010)
© Liesl K. Bohan | TipsnTidbits.com
This post is from a friend via Facebook. While our posts usually focus on opportunities for giving time and not money, sometimes helping your children help others requires reaching for their piggy banks—or yours. Whether or not you choose to contribute to this cause, I encourage you to read this message from a mother who is affected by the challenges of autism on a daily basis.
2010 Walk Now for Autism Speaks
Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you know our son, Nate, who is ten years old. He has blonde hair, big blue eyes, and the most adorable smile. He loves trains, drawing, and is starting to learn to play the cello! Looking at Nate you would never know that he has a debilitating disorder known as autism. Autism affects every aspect of Nate’s life…and the lives of everyone around him. Nate has come a very long way since his diagnosis in the spring of 2003. Since then, he has learned to speak, to read, and to hold a conversation. In school, Nate is doing the same work as his 5th grade classmates with the help of an aide. But for all of his intelligence, Nate still cannot interact appropriately with others. He has trouble processing the world around him. He is capable of so much and we are doing as much as we can to help him reach his full potential- whatever that may be.
Autism is a complex brain disorder that often inhibits a person’s ability to communicate, respond to their surroundings or form relationships with others. Autism spectrum disorders affect people of all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds and occur in as many as one in 150 births, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. And the numbers are still rising! Currently the cause of autism is unknown. There are no specific medical treatments or a cure for autism. Most people with autism require lifelong supervision and care. Only 7% of children with autism go on to be independent. Recent studies suggest that more than 1 million Americans are living with an autism spectrum disorder. Despite the strikingly high prevalence of autism, autism research remains one of the lowest funded areas of medical research by both public and private sources. But funding for research is woefully inadequate. Only through biomedical research will we ever understand what causes autism and develop methods to diagnose autism. Someday, with your help, we will find a cure!
As a family, we have decided to make an effort to increase autism awareness. This year we are participating in the Columbus Walk Now for Autism. The Walk will be held in Columbus on October 10, 2010. There are so many ways that you can help our cause. You can choose to sponsor us in the event with a tax deductible donation or walk with us. The proceeds of the Walk will be used to support the efforts of Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the largest non- governmental supporter of autism research in the United States. If you are interested in finding out more about them, please check out their website, www.autismspeaks.com.
Please help us raise money for this extremely important cause by increasing awareness among your friends and coworkers. We realize that there are many charities that vie for your attention, but any contribution, large or small, will be greatly appreciated.
As always, thank you for your consideration, support and prayers. It means more to us than we could possibly express. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Dawn, Steve, Nate, Anthony, and Emily Petrill
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