FSS Newsletter :: November 2002

Positive Parenting

Just mentioning the word "Thanksgiving" often conjures up memories for many. Traditions are relived and new ones are born on this joyous family holiday. Why not start a new one with your children with this fun and simple activity.

To make your own Thanksgiving Tree you will need the following materials: sheet of white poster board
pencil
tempera paint, markers or crayons
construction paper in red, yellow and orange
markers
scissors
glue or tape
glitter glue (optional)

Variation: This project can also be easily adapted to a cork board (see photo) by simply using colored push pins to match the leaves. Use brown construction paper to make the tree trunk. You may draw the tree trunk freehand or print out our template by going on the Internet to :www.thefamilycorner.com/family/leisure/thankstree.html. At the top of the
posterboard, entitle your tree "Smith Kids Thanksgiving Tree", inserting your family surname in the title. With a pencil on poster board, draw a basic tree with a branch for each child in the family. If you only have 1-2 children, it might be fun to include two or three branches for each child.

Using tempera paint, markers, or crayons color the tree trunk brown. On red, orange, green and yellow construction paper, trace 10 copies of each child's hand. Cut out and give each child their "leaves". Each child writes one thing that they are thankful for on each leaf (grown ups can help if needed!). You may decorate the leaves with glitter glue if you like. Next, tape or glue the leaves onto their designated branches. This makes a great activity to keep kids happy during a large family gathering.

Hint: Make the base ahead of time for quick start up.
Hang up the Thanksgiving Tree where the whole family can see it. Makes a great conversation piece! Later, after dinner, have the children present
their tree to the family gathered around. Each child tells what they are thankful for and why. For added fun, make additional posterboard bases up ahead of time so that the rest of the family can add their leaves as well. Have supplies a the ready!

Share-A-Christmas 2002 ˆ Giving Is The Heart of Christmas
The theme for Share-A-Christmas 2002 is „Giving Is The Heart of Christmas! Tuscarawas County have been blessed over the past 27 years by the generous outpouring of resources and time from the many caring people in our community that we can count on. Each year over 1,200 families are served and over 900 children are provided with toys. Each year the need continues to be equally great due to the increase in the cost of living. Many families do not have the extra money needed at the holiday season to provide for the basics as well as the extras.

Share-A-Christmas offers many opportunities of sharing and giving. Each family qualifying for Share-A-Christmas receives a food basket, a clothing voucher and toys for children from birth to age 12. The Share-A-Christmas co-chairpersons, Rosemary Hall and Marcia Lile, said over 100 volunteers will conduct the interviewing of the families and the processing of applications. Volunteer training will take place on Thursday,

October 31st, 2000 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in New Philadelphia. Share-A-Christmas would not be possible without the support of these volunteers who return each year to assist with the project. The Salvation Army will work with Share-A-Christmas to provide toys and food to families who participate in the interviewing conducted by

Share-A-Christmas. There will be only one week of interviewing. Interviewing will be at: Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 202 E. High Ave. in New Philadelphia from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parking for clients will be available at the church parking lot, and there will also be on-street parking. The schedule for interviewing is as
follows: Please apply on your assigned day according to the first letter of your last name.

A-E Monday, November 4
F-K Tuesday, November 5
L-O Wednesday, November 6
P-S Thursday, November 7
T-Z Friday November 8

Interviewing will be for one week only and applicants must apply in person
during the week of interviewing. Letters to the recipients will be mailed on Monday, December 2nd, 2002. You can help out by making a cash contribution. No gift is too large or small. Make checks payable to Share-A-Christmas and mail to 107 W. High Ave. in New Philadelphia. Please join your friends and neighbors in ringing in the spirit of Christmas because, yes, „Giving Is The Heart of Christmas.