Help Bay Area Families in Need This Holiday Season

By Natalie Quinan, mommy to Shane (almost 5 yrs old) ~ Aspen Class

After a recent play date, I surveyed the devastation around our house and in particular my son’s room. Five boys in any small space can create fun chaos and quite a mess. Every toy box had been overturned and their contents strewn out about the room. We were so grateful when mommies and kids were thoughtful in helping with the clean up. But, that’s when it hit me. I realized I couldn’t even see the floor, as the toy piles were so dense, they blocked out the carpeting. We have too many toys. How many does any one kid need to be happy? Do we really need the entire Thomas the Train collection with working bridges and sound effects? My son Shane had the same realization.

So we decided to do something about it.

I shared with him that some little boys and girls are sad because they don’t have toys, food, a house; and some don’t even have a mom and dad. The look in his big brown eyes was of concern and sadness. Then he declared, “well, mommy this is an emergency! I have a solution! I can give them my toys! I want to go and share!” And there it is folks! I was so proud. He got the lesson of giving.

So together we just cleaned out his toy chests (which were bursting at the seams) and I asked him to point out the toys he still loves. We went from toy bin to toy bin in his room, plus a toy chest located in our living room, and made two piles: an “I Love Pile” and an “I Could Do Without Pile.” Suffice to say, the “I Could Do Without” pile was pretty big.

We’re now ready to deliver our “gifts of fun” to several needy organizations.

Shane told me that his heart “got so big” and I looked at him and told him that mine did too. It feels good to share.

Since, I’m not an expert, I have included a few links on great articles about lessons in giving and how it creates confidence and compassion in a child.

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/lessons-in-giving/

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/share-your-thoughts-the-gift-of-giving

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/raising-a-caring-and-compassionate-child

If you would like to take this opportunity to teach your child about giving and kindness, please find a list below of Bay Area non-profits that could use toys and other donations. Marin charities have been and continue to be blessed by its generous Marinite community. However, many Bay Area non-profits (in SF & the East Bay) have a resounding need for food, coats and blankets.

Please know that it is always best to call before dropping off any donation to confirm the current needs and that every item must be in very good condition and clean.

BANANAS, Contact prior to donation drop off. Likes getting high quality children's items, including clean stuffed animals, games, toys, etc… that they distribute to home day-care facilities (most of which operate on a very low budget), as well as needy families. 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland, CA 94618. (510) 658- 7353 * www.bananasinc.org

Bay Area Women's and Children's Center services families, children, women, esp. in Tenderloin Please call in advance to arrange a drop off time and confirm items to donate. They will accept women's and baby/children's clothing and small household items. (415) 474-2400, 318 Leavenworth, San Francisco, CA 94102 www.bawcc.org

Books for the Barrios, accepts clean stuffed animals, children's books, games, puzzles, art materials, and working computers. This organization has sent over 9 million books to the most remote areas or “barrios” of the Philippines. 2350 Whitman Rd, Suite D, Concord 94518 * Phone is 925 687 7707 * www.booksforthebarrios.org.

Compass Community Services, a homeless shelter, family resource center, early childhood education/childcare, and other services for families desperately needs: Diapers, travel sized toiletries, new socks and underwear for children & adults, arts & crafts supplies, canned and other non-perishable items. 
WISH LIST: www.compass-sf.org/get-involved/donation-wishlist Please see website link for more information and for questions, contact them through a form available on their website: www.compass-sf.org * 995 Market St. San Francisco, CA

Help a Mother Out, dedicated to increasing access to diapers for families in need. Diaper "bank" is located in San Francisco and provides diapers to over 22 agencies in the Bay Area. Drop off location for diapers and wipes: Natural Resources (1367 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA) www.helpamotherout.org

Holy Family Day Home, provides affordable, high-quality early educational childcare in a stable and nurturing environment. Desperately needs range from diapers, toys & educational supplies, clothes, dry goods/non perishable items. Drop off times are between 10am-3pm M-F, they ask to call ahead to confirm. WISH LIST: www.holyfamilydayhome.org/getinvolved/wishlist.html * 299 Dolores Street, 415-861-5361

Koret House, is a
home away from home for families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses by providing physical comfort and emotional support, free from financial concerns. Needs are mainly household and food items. Contact: (415) 476-8321 or (415) 514-6660 to discuss or arrange donation.
WISH LIST: http://www.familyhouseinc.org/?p=wishlist

Oakland Children's Hospital donations of toys and supplies help supplement the activities and entertainment provided to the patients of Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland. Especially needed items are for teens and babies and they primarily accept NEW items that have been in a smoke-free environment. They will accept gently used books and DVDs (rated PG-13 and under) for their Red Book Cart program. Both inpatients and outpatients (in the waiting areas) can read the books while in the hospital, and if they like the book, they’re welcome to keep it. For more information and to schedule a delivery call (510) 428-3471, Extension 2, or visit http://childrenshospitaloakland.org/join/join_other-donations.asp

St. Anthony Foundation, accepts toys, clean stuffed animals, clothing, furniture and housewares 1185 Mission Street (at 8th Street)
415-241-2600 www.stanthonysf.org

Women's Daytime Drop-in Center at 2218 Acton St., Berkeley, 548-2884. Offers services for homeless women and their kids. They can come during the day and get showers, meals, counseling, and a supportive, warm place off the streets. They manage to get some of their clients into homes and jobs. Call them first and see if they can use your kids' stuff. They recently added a playroom/classroom.

TreeHugger Gift Guide 2010: Worth a Gander

If you're running out of ideas, you'll appreciate this:











http://www.treehugger.com/giftguide/

The Gift of Time

Christmas List 2010:

I want more time with my family.

I want more time with my dear friends.

I want more time to walk barefoot on the beach.










This living is such a gift.

I'm going to wrap up some time and give it to those I love this Holiday Season.

Friendship, Friendship, Just the Perfect Blendship...

"Hi"

"You're here!"

"Where's your tooth?"

"Let's go!"

A few days ago I met up with an old friend of mine from many moons ago. It was a great outing and a wonderful reminder of just how joyful and easy true friendship is.

The return of the school year is always a brilliant time for friendship-gazing. Just step back for a few minutes some morning this week and watch the eyes, the smiles, the quickening of steps, the hugs, the squeals, the handshakes and the fabulously unedited exchanges.

There's a freedom to the friendships of children and it's intoxicating to watch it all at play––the spontaneity and harmony of their fractured sentences and and their ability to fully embrace the enthusiasm of the moment: Little fluttering butterflies full of beauty and air.

The first of many reminders this school year of just how wise our wee children are; and perhaps an invitation to us all to play in the dirt, and give the gift of friendship.


Friendship, words and music by Cole Porter

KEEP GIFTS SIMPLE

GREEN TIPS
(Brought to you by the MdTL Green Committee)
Here are a few tips that MdTL is doing to keep this holiday season simple, joyful, eco-friendly, and truly meaningful:
* Give only necessary holiday cards—choosing eco-friendly ones--and e-mail the rest
Most of the people on our holiday greetings list have an e-mail. Consider sending them e-cards this year instead of a regular paper card. You’ll save yourself some money on the cost of the cards as well as on the postage. Save the paper cards for Grandparents etc.
* Let those who you usually exchange gifts with this year know that you’d like to have a meaningful visit or phone call instead of a present
Often times we ‘gift’ because we ‘get’ and the best way to nip this in the bud is to announce ahead of time to your friends and neighbors that the gift of ‘company’ is what you’re giving this year. It takes the pressure off of everyone.
* Skip the wrapping paper--give reusable gift bags and grocery bags
If you are going to be giving a gift, give it in a reusable bag instead of using wrapping paper. The recipient can reuse the bag over and over again. Also, you’ll know that you didn’t create unnecessary waste from wrapping paper or gift bags that will most likely end up in the trash.
* Recycle any wrapping paper that you receive--use it again, use it as packaging material
If you receive a gift that comes wrapped, save the paper to reuse it. You can use it as packing material, notepaper or even to shove it inside soft toe shoes to help them keep their shape.
* Choose a gift that is made from natural, organic or recycled materials—or better yet, make your own simple but thoughtful gift
There are a plethora of stores that offer products that are natural, organic or recycled; or better yet, a Marin Food Basket with local and organic cheeses, coffees and chocolates and a jar of your homemade jam!
* Give a previously owned gift from used bookstores or consignment shops
What a great way to give a truly unique gift. For example, if you have a chef in your life, consider giving them an antique cookbook that you can find at a used bookstore in your area. For the fashionista on your list, consider checking out a local thrift store for a vintage purse. There are many exceptional gifts that you can find for almost everyone on your list and they may even be right down the block from you.
* Buy presents that have limited, to no packaging
There are many items that you could find in stores that include boxes, plastic, and various other types of packaging that may end up getting tossed in the trash. Instead, consider buying gifts that don’t include all of this extra waste and look for products that have limited to no packaging at all.