poll - Christmas Activity for Ilse du Bois branch

[Todah Tear]

Here's a an idea for a good-will activity for the Christmas gathering instead of bringing gag gifts for each other:

Cumberland Children's home is nearby (about 13 miles from the park)where we will be camping. This is a home for children who don't have parents or their parents have circumstances that prevent them from being able to take care of them.

I was thinking that is would be great if we each brought an inexpensive gift for a boy and one for a girl, invited Cumberland to bring the kids to the park for about 2 hours during Saturday morning (9:00AM - 11:00AM) and present the gifts to the kids. We can also give the kids tours of our Tears. I took my tear by a summer camp that my sister's church had this summer. The kids loved looking in and at it and asking questions. There were many picutures taken in front of it.

If we decide to do this, I will find out how many kids there are (and how many boys and how many girls). If the number is over 20, we could just settle for inviting them to view the tears and maybe have cookies and punch for them...and maybe sing .

South Central let me know what you think. There won't be any love lost if you don't want to do this. I just need to know in enough time to approach Cumberland with the idea. So vote in the poll by Friday, November 14, 2008. Whatever the majority of those attending decides, that will be what sticks.

Todah

[planovet]

Why can't we do both? I'll bring a gift (or two) for a child but would also like to still have our gift exchange Saturday evening after the meal. I really enjoyed that last year.

[Todah Tear]

I couldn't edit the poll to add a 3rd option, so here it is:

Option 3: Let's just invite the kids for the tours and serve refreshments: cookies and punch.

If you want this option add a post and put OPTION 3 in it at the start.

[Todah Tear]

If the group still wants to do both, that's cool too.

Todah

[Todah Tear]

Thanks for adding the other options to the poll Moderators!

Todah

[madjack]

Thanks for adding the other options to the poll Moderators!

Todah

Your Welcome........................................................

[Woodyperk6]

Todah, we can do all three. Do you think the park would waive the entrance fee for the kids? Something to think about.

[McTeardrops]

If the Home doesn't already have a park pass, how bout we provide one?

[Todah Tear]

If the Home doesn't already have a park pass, how bout we provide one?

That's an excellent idea. It is only $5/carload and they probably travel by van (How many vans, I don't know.).

Judging by the lack of representative partcipation in this poll, we may not have enough folks to do the gift thing for each child. However, if by Friday there are still only a few interested, how about those few chipping in and purchasing a year-long park pass gift certificate ($60). That way, the home can bring the kids as many times as they want.

Todah

[McTeardrops]

How many kids are we talking about? Joanne and I do a toy truck fleet each Christmas, and could provide one for quite a few boys.

[Todah Tear]

I'll find out!

I had originally intended on calling them and seeing it they are receptive to coming out, and getting a head count of the kids once it was established whether the gathering gang wanted to do this or not.

Cool!

Todah

[Todah Tear]

Okay, majority rules.

I spoke with the Cumberland activities coordinator and ask her if they would be receptive to bringing the kids out to see the campers from 10 - 11AM on Saturday Dec 13, 2008, and receiving a parks pass from us.
The coordinator said that she would have to present the idea to a committee who reviews each activity on Wednesdays of the week. She will get in touch with me by next Friday with their decision. I directed her to the forum to see we are a legitimate group and informed her that the forum itself is not intended for kids .

Once we hear back from Cumberland, we will have a better idea of the amount of kids coming.

Even if they can't bring the kids out, it will be great to donate the park pass so that they can come any time.

Todah

[Todah Tear]

Well I just spoke with the Cumberland activities coordinator and the Home's Steering Committee loved the idea, however they thougtht that adding one more activity to the kid's agenda for that day would over-tax them. They already have some Christmas activities scheduled Saturday.

Because of the uniqueness of the campers, the committee really would appreciate the opportunity for us to schedule something with them at a later date. The coordinator asked if we could maybe give a tour of the campers during the summer because the home usually is in need of activities to fill the summer schedule. As it get's closer to the summer, I'll take another poll to solicit interested teardroppers for such an event.

Anyway, they also were very grateful for our offer to provide a State Park Pass. She said that they thought that the pass would provide opportunities for the kids to engage in some of the things that normal families participate in. For the ones who expressed a willingness to contribute to the Park Pass deal, I will purchase one on Friday of our gathering and we can just split the cost when you arrive.

As far as gifts, Cumberland will send to me an accurrate head-count tomorrow (Thursday, 11/20/'08 ) of the kids. Let's see what we can do! I will make up a card shapped like a Teardrop (like the "get well" card that we sent Debbie last year during the Christmas gathering). We can sign it and wish them a Merry Christmas. I, and any one who is interested, can go Friday afternoon (before it gets dark) and deliver the goods.

Thank you for your willingness to help the less fortunate, especially in the economic times this country is experiencing.

Todah

[Todah Tear]

Cumberland also provides shelter for families who are in transition. Here is a list of residents at the home. There are 35 on the list (mixture of children and adults). I realize we may not be able to get everyone something (Other organizations donate gifts as well.). They also have need of Twin Sized Fitted and Top Sheets and Water-Proof Twin Sized Sheets that go under the fitted sheets? So if you want to just donate a set of sheets that's cool.

Here is the list:

[url]No. Gender Age[/url]

1. Female 3 mo.
2. female 6 mo.
3. female 1 1/2
4. female 2
5. female 2
6. female 7
7. female 8
8. female 10
9. female 12
10. Female 13
11. female 14
12. Female 16
13. Female 16
14. female 16
15. female 16
16. female 16
17. Female 17
18. female 18
19. female 20
20. Female 20s
21. female 30
22. female 33
23. female 35
24. female 48
25. Male 2
26. Male 4
27. male 4
28. male 8
29. Male 14
30. Male 16
31. Male 16
32. Male 16
33. Male 17
34. Male 17
35. male 57

Todah

[Todah Tear]

ATTENTION: Those who have volunteered to bring a gift for Cumberland:

For the gifts, just indicate the age of the kid/adult that the gift is for. Example: 33 year old female. Cumberland will make sure it gets to the correct person to ensure confidentiality.

Thanks,

Todah