March for Every Child - October 4th

Convoy of Hope Hits Long Island

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"South Strikes Out Cancer" - Friday, June 8th

Guest Writer - Kaitlyn Seager, South H.S. Senior

On Friday June 8^th, Valley Stream South High School will be hosting a softball game played by South's faculty titled "South Strikes Out Cancer" Three seniors including myself, Ashley Bruno, and Vincent Cavello, have planned this event in order to raise money for Breast Cancer research. Within the last 8 weeks or so at South, two very dear teachers have been diagnosed with the terrible disease and we are running a community event with food, raffles, prizes, and an awesome softball game in order to honor all of those staff members who have had to battle breast cancer.

The festival starts at 3:00 p.m., and the game starts at 3:30 or so. There will be music, food, raffles, prizes, and lots more. It is free to get in, but donations are always welcome. All proceeds will be donated to the Hewlett House, a local organization that is dedicated to provide patients and their families with a warm and welcoming place to obtain resources and education.

A Party for Kids Who Want To Give Back

A Valley Stream Mom, Shari James, is teaching her daughter through action the importance of giving back.  She's not only talking the talk, but she is walking the walk.  On Saturday, December 17th,
I Am A Kid That Gives will host its very first holiday party to celebrate kids who want to give back to other children currently living in shelters.

The mission of I Am A Kid That Gives is to help less fortunate children who reside in shelters throughout NYC and the surrounding areas experience the joy of Christmas.  Not only do children experience the joy of Christmas, the gifts they receive deliver a message of HOPE.  The contributors which are your children, share the experience and joy of giving which is the most rewarding present a parent can give their child this holiday season.

How this works:

1. Relationships are established with shelters throughout NYC and surrounding boroughs
2. Toy collection and sponsorships take place November - December
3. A Christmas party is held for the children who are giving gifts to wrap then while celebrating the holiday season
4. Gifts are then collected and packed for their respective shelters and delivered one week prior to Christmas

My family is already signed up for this awesome event and turns out that my children have been paired up with a boy and girl of the same ages.  How awesome is that?  There is still plenty of time to join in on the gift giving.  Details are below.  See you there!

Christmas Party with a Purpose
I Am A Kid That Gives
Saturday, December 17th
Spanish All Year Round Learning Center
154 Post, Westbury, NY 11590
Time: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Invitation
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Central High Students Tidy Up

Courtesy of Long Island Herald

Congratulations to Central High School for keeping the areas around their school clean.  It's also a great way to foster community pride into children at such a young age.  Keep up the good work!

Central Students Clean Up Fletcher Avenue

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Repost: Vote for Kids

EveryChildMatters.org

It's campaign season and another election is just six days away.  Last year, my husband and I took our children with us to the poll as a family for the first time.  Yard signs, posters, politicians knocking on doors, and television debates are everywhere you turn if you live on Long Island.  Our children watched each of us vote.  After we voted, we took a family photo which will be forever etched in our minds.  We also supported our local candidates by placing yard signs on our lawn, asking friends to do the same, and volunteering where we can.  Our children, at the ages of 5 and 3, have an idea of what voting means and how important it is to take part in the political process. Open the door, hear what the candidate has to say.  It only takes a few minutes to learn how they plan to work for you.

Last year, a Huntington mom friend of mine invited my family to attend an event hosted by Every Child Matters Education Fund. a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization working to make public investments in children, youth, and families a national political priority.

What makes ECM different is that their focus is on raising the visibility of children’s issues during elections.  The organization urges candidates to support, and the public to demand, greater investments in programs that address the needs of America's families.  I am also proud to announce that ECM will be at the "Wear it Again" Costume Party this weekend with crafts, balloons, bumper stickers, and other takeaways for those in attendance.

Returning to my soapbox, I encourage you to form your own opinion on which candidate to vote for by not just reading the newspaper (many facts are wrong and never corrected), but by attending candidates forums and/or debates (televised or live), viewing candidate's websites, and volunteering your time with candidates.   I encourage you to vote for the candidates who have your children's best interests in mind, and not because they're a part of a certain political party, have held the position for years, or because you don't know the opponent.  Vote for the best candidate for today's issues.  To learn about the candidates in our area, click here.

Election Day - Tuesday, November 8th
Get your free bumper sticker by clicking here

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