A Season of Giving

Community Giving
Over the recent past months, Children Today has been very fortunate. We have received numerous gifts and donations from new and long-time supporters. Two of our newest supporters include Ralph Salcedo, a 7th grader from Leeland Middle School and Rachel Perry, a Girl Scout from Troop 2113.  These two young people exemplify giving at its best.  Robert recently gave $500 to Children Today, the result of a school project. We were very pleased to be the recipient of such a generous gift, and more importantly, from a person who is learning the importance of giving at such a young age.  We were equally excited to receive several boxes of Girl Scout Cookies from Rachel and her friend/neighbor Emily Furuta. Rachel gave a total of 50 boxes of cookies and Emily gave 10.  Rachel is also learning the importance of giving back and sharing. It was very important for her to share the cookies with the children and families served by our organization.  Rachel's father, Robin Perry is Children Today board member.

Nancy Linden of the Women's Philanthropy Organization recently delivered gardening gifts to the children enrolled in our program. Eco House, our new facility, has five garden beds for our preschooler's use. Use of these beds will help them to learn how to grow, care for and harvest their own food. It is also a wonderful science project. The gifts, which included, gloves, shovels, pales, watering cans, seeds, aprons, and lots more, will make working in the garden so much fun for preschoolers.

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Friends (Karen Autry, Karin Maligie, Lupe Macker and Patty Mehl - not shown are Suzie Bittner and Teresa Stanley) of Theresa Bixby, Co-Founder and Board Member, visited Eco House and delivered dolls to our toddler and infant classrooms. Use of the dolls in the classroom helps teachers to explore culture and diversity with our children. Given the experiences of the children in our program, it is important that they see themselves reflected in their daily activities.  This gift also allows us to teach about the differences between people, as well as our similarities. Our hope is that they learn understanding and tolerance for all people.

Lastly, Amber Rodriguez of the Mom's Club of Long Beach recently stopped by and dropped off diapers and  other diapering products for families. She also provided us with a check to purchase (very costly) sheets for cots in the classroom. We are incredibly grateful to Amber and the Mom's Club's members for these practical gifts.