Our 2011 Holiday Giving Campaign was a great success thanks to you, our generous readers! We decided to run two campaigns this past year, one through JOIN to help a local homeless family move into stable housing, and one through Mercy Corps to help alleviate the devastating, ongoing suffering in the Horn of Africa.

Readers donated a total of $1,875 to our JOIN “Home for the Holidays” effort, which, when added to our match of $1,250, gave us a grand total of $3,125. Our goal was $2,500, the amount needed to move one family into housing, so thank you thank you thank you for helping us exceed that!

You also donated $2,010 to the Mercy Corps effort, which we began running in August 2011. We added $2,500 to the pot for a total of $4,510, making ours the fifth-highest earning Mercy Corps Horn of Africa pledge effort. See the results at mercycorps.org.

Thank you, and a very happy new year to you all!

Here’s the 411 on the giving campaigns:

JOIN’s “Home for the Holidays” Program: Since 2008, Metro Parent and our readers have been partnering with JOIN, a local nonprofit that helps homeless people move into permanent housing, to help families down on their luck transition into stable environments – and keep them there. The cost to get a homeless family into permanent housing through JOIN is $2,500. During November and December, Metro Parent will match our readers’ donations up to a combined reader contribution of $1,250, bringing the total to $2,500.

To contribute to our “Home for the Holidays” effort, visit JOIN’s website and click on the Metro Parent logo on the home page, then choose “Metro Parent Magazine Home for the Holidays” from the donation category drop-down menu.

Mercy Corps/Metro Parent Match Campaign: The famine in the Horn of Africa has taken the lives of thousands -– but the suffering is far from over. The United Nations predicts that 750,000 people could starve to death over the next few months in Somalia alone. Metro Parent has been matching our readers’ donations to Mercy Corps since September. At press time, we had matched $1,410 in reader donations and our readers had donated $1,910 (for a total of $3,320). We will continue to match donations up to a total Metro Parent match of $2,500 (for a total reader/Metro Parent donation of $5,000).

To donate to Mercy Corps, visit our donation page.

Here’s the 411 on how to enter:

(1) Donate a minimum of $25 to one of the campaigns above.

(2) Send an email to marie@metro-parent.com letting us know you donated. Be sure to include your address so we can mail you your gift card!

The first five readers to donate and email Marie (our editor-in-chief) will receive a $20 gift card to John’s Incredible Pizza. You’ll be making the world a better place and having a fabulous time with your family! What could be better?

That’s why our 2011 Holiday Giving Campaign has two components -– one focused on local families in need, the other on starving families living on the Horn of Africa. Here’s the scoop:

JOIN “Home for the Holidays”: Since 2008, Metro Parent and our readers have been partnering with JOIN, a local nonprofit that helps homeless people move into permanent housing, to help families down on their luck transition into stable environments – and keep them there. The cost to get a homeless family into permanent housing through JOIN is $2,500. During November and December, Metro Parent will match our readers’ donations up to a combined reader contribution of $1,250, bringing the total to $2,500.

Mercy Corps/Metro Parent Match Campaign: The famine in the Horn of Africa has taken the lives of thousands -– but the suffering is far from over. The United Nations predicts that 750,000 people could starve to death over the next few months in Somalia alone. Metro Parent has been matching our readers’ donations to Mercy Corps since September. At press time, we had matched $1,410 in reader donations (for a total of $2,820). We will continue to match donations up to a total Metro Parent match of $2,500 (for a total reader/Metro Parent donation of $5,000).

To contribute to our “Home for the Holidays” effort, visit JOIN’s website and click on the Metro Parent logo on the home page, then choose “Metro Parent Magazine Home for the Holidays” from the donation category drop-down menu.

To donate to Mercy Corps, visit our donation page.

And be sure to pick up a copy of our sister publication, Portland Woman, to read a gripping report on The Women of Mogadishu by Mercy Corps aid worker Cassandra Nelson.

Together we CAN make a difference!

To offer some incentive, we’re giving away two $20 gift cards from John’s Incredible Pizza!

Here’s how to enter:
(1) Donate a minimum of $10 to our Somalia fundraising match.
(2) Post a comment below letting us know you donated. (Be sure to enter your email address correctly when you post your comment so we can get in touch with you if you win!)

Only the first 20 people to donate (and leave a comment below) will be entered to win, so your chances of winning the gift card are 1 in 10!

Never been to John’s Incredible Pizza? Read a review in our July issue (page 38). And don’t forget to bring your child’s report card from last year with you -– their good and improved grades can earn them credits to use for games and rides!

We hope you’ll visit Metro Parent’s page on the Mercy Corps website and make a donation today. You may not be able to give much, but every little bit helps.

Nearly everyone we know has been impacted by the current recession. Friends, neighbors, relatives and acquaintances have been laid off or taken pay cuts. Our 401(k) plans have tanked. We worry about whether our children will be able to go to college. We agonize over the very future of our country.

But none of us has endured what the women of Somalia are experiencing. Weathering that country’s worst drought in 60 years, thousands upon thousands of these brave mothers are walking for days, or even weeks, to reach refugee camps. Along the way, far too many are watching their young children suffer and die from hunger. A recent estimate by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control reported 29,000 Somali children under age 5 had died during the past 90 days.

If this situation seems too vast and you feel powerless to change anything, we’re offering an easy way for all our readers to make a difference: Simply visit Metro Parent‘s page on the Mercy Corps website and make a donation. Both Metro Parent and our “sister” publication, Portland Woman, are matching our readers’ donations to Mercy Corp, up to $1,500 (we’ll chip in $1,500 for a total of $3,000), to help end the suffering in the Horn of Africa. You may not be able to give much, but every little bit helps.

We hope you’ll join us in trying to make a difference today!

Teachers often spend their own money for classroom supplies, and many schools and organizations collect supplies for students who can’t afford them. Where to donate you ask? The choice is yours:

Your Child’s School: Ask the principal or secretary at your child’s school if they accept donations. Many collect supplies year-round and will get them to students who need them in your own school community.

KGW School Supply Drive: This effort takes place through Labor Day. Families can donate new school supplies at dozens of participating collection sites, from Eugene to Vancouver, Wash. Visit kgw.com/school for details.

Schoolhouse Supplies: This local nonprofit provides free school supplies to students and teachers in need. During the school year, they run a free store where Portland Public School teachers can “shop” for free supplies for their students and classrooms. Visit schoolhousesupplies.org or call 503-249-9933 for details.

Schoolhouse Supplies most needed items, according to an organization representative, are pencils, spiral notebooks, erasers, glue sticks, pocket folders, paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils, rulers, pencil sharpeners and bottled glue.

Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI): One of the nation’s most comprehensive and successful youth development organizations, SEI serves more than 3,000 students and families from north and northeast Portland each year. Over 85 percent of the students in their core program go on to college or post-secondary education –- often the first in their families to do so -– and an amazing 100 percent of their core program students graduate high in four years!

Families are encouraged to pool donations for a bulk drop-off, but donations of any size are appreciated. 3920 N Kerby Ave. Call 503-249-1721 or visit SelfEnhancement.org for more information.

SEI’s “most needed” supplies include pens, pencils, composition books, spiral notebooks and backpacks.

Sleep Country USA: Local Sleep Country USA stores are accepting school supply donations for foster children through Sept. 5. Visit sleepcountry.com for details.

Who are we missing? Please let us know of other organizations currently collecting supplies for kids (and teachers!) in need!

“When kids get to use their senses to learn about things it sparks their curiosity and it makes them want to learn,” she says. “That’s not something you can get in a classroom. Learning about something like a fir tree in a textbook is a completely different thing from touching it and feeling it and learning about it while you’re there.”

In high school, McKenzie volunteered as a student leader for Outdoor School six times, mentoring sixth grade students and watching them experience the wonder and transformation she remembers from her first time at Outdoor School.

“It’s not only a great program for sixth graders, it’s an excellent program for student leaders,” she says. “I know tons of kids who didn’t talk, including myself, then they go to Outdoor School and they can get up in front of a classroom and speak about anything. They have confidence, and it sparks career interests.”

In fact, McKenzie credits her experiences at Outdoor School with turning her long-time goal of becoming a teacher into a passion. (She’s heading to Montana State next year to pursue a degree in high school science education and hopes to go on to get a master’s degree in environmental science education!) McKenzie also points to the remarkable social benefits of Outdoor School, which brings students from all backgrounds together in an environment where everyone is equal.

“You go back to school with that Outdoor School mentality and you’re not afraid to be yourself or talk to different people,” she says. “You see (the sixth graders) branch out of their social circle, which is a big thing because (middle school) is such an awkward time.”

Now, because of budget cuts, Outdoor School in Multnomah County is in jeopardy of being reduced from five nights to two, which as McKenzie points out is only one full day of Outdoor School. About $1.4 million is needed to restore the program to five nights for all sixth graders in Multnomah County, according to Dan Prince, the Outdoor Schools coordinator for the Multnomah Education Service District, which runs the program locally.

That’s a lot of money, but McKenzie and many others like her are determined to do what they can to help. McKenzie has organized a Run for Outdoor School, scheduled for Friday, August 5. Runners can participate any time between 8 am and 5 pm, collecting money from sponsors by the lap or as a lump sum. For more information, to participate or to volunteer, visit the Run for Outdoor School website or Facebook page.

You’ll find more fundraisers for Outdoor School, from benefit concerts to garage sales to letter writing parties and more, on the Save Outdoor School online calendar.

Learn more about Outdoor School at mesd.k12.or.us.

If you’re interested in helping continue this beloved and beneficial program, visit friendsofoutdoorschool.org.

What does/did Outdoor School mean to you?

“While a disaster of this scope is extremely difficult for adults, it’s even harder on children,” says Griffen Samples, Mercy Corps’ technical advisor for Comfort for Kids. “They do not have the experience or perspective to cope with that kind of trauma themselves and need special help.”

The Comfort for Kids methodology combines a trauma-training workshop for adults with an interactive workbook that helps children tell their story of the disaster in safe environments with adult caregivers. The program was first developed by Mercy Corps and Bright Horizons after 9/11 to facilitate the emotional recovery of children in New York City. It has subsequently assisted thousands of children in post-disaster environments including New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and following severe earthquakes in Peru (2007), the Sichuan province of China (2008), and Haiti and Chile (2010).

Mercy Corps and Peace Winds are currently launching a Comfort for Kids pilot program at a Kesennuma evacuation center sheltering 700 people. Peace Winds’ Natsu Nogami has been appointed as the national program manager of Comfort for Kids. A native of Japan, Nogami will work closely with Mercy Corps’ team of experts to ensure that the program is appropriately adapted for Japanese children and for the specific context of the disaster-affected region in northern Japan.

Comfort for Kids is just one aspect of Mercy Corps’ emergency response, in cooperation with its partner Peace Winds, to the 9.0-magnitude Sendai earthquake in Japan on March 11. Like other relief agencies working in the area, their number one priority is to fill immediate needs for basics including shelter, food and clean water. In the longer term, Mercy Corps will help earthquake-affected families rebuild their lives.

For more information, visit mercycorps.org/japanearthquake.

You can make donations online or send your donations to Mercy Corps, Japan Earthquake Response Fund, Dept NR, PO Box 2669, Portland, OR, 97208.

This post was excerpted in part from a Mercy Corps press release.
Photo Credit: Reuters/KYODO, courtesy Trust.org – AlertNet

If you want to raise kids who care and contribute, Kielburger — who recently co-authored the book The World Needs Your Kid: Raising Children Who Care and Contribute (Me to We Books, 2010) — recommends you seek out volunteer activities that are appropriate for your children’s ages, youth-friendly, meaningful and fun. Most importantly, he adds, “If you want to raise compassionate children, you have to carve out the time. It’s critical that you get the whole family involved. Where you put your intention is where you end up.”

In researching the story, we found plenty of local parents who are putting Kielburger’s advice into practice, finding significant and engaging ways to get their kids involved in good works from an early age. Read on for some ideas to get your family started -– then tell us how you and your kids are giving back this holiday season and all year long.

Hands on Greater Portland: Hands on Greater Portland connects thousands of people with local volunteer projects every year, including at least five Kids Volunteer! activities each month. Most of the kid-friendly activities are intended for families with children 6 and older, although some welcome kids as young as 3. Activities range from caring for abandoned pets to maintaining nature trails to making cards for the elderly and beyond. Below are a few activities happening later this month. To register for a project or find out about others, visit handsonportland.org.
Oregon Food Bank – Stock the Pantry (Sat., Dec. 18; ages 6 and up): Unpack and sort donated food destined for agencies that serve low income people in Oregon. Please wear close-toed, close-heeled shoes and clothes that you won’t mind getting a little dirty.
Spruce up the Tualatin Library (Sun., Dec. 19; ages 6 and up): Tasks include preparing projects, cleaning books, shelving books and beautifying the library. Families are encouraged to participate together.
Natural Area Restoration in Outer Southwest Portland (Sat., Dec. 18; ages 6 and up): Join Portland Parks and Recreation Department for a morning of urban forest renewal. Dress for the weather and bring work gloves if you have them.

MORE VOLUNTEER OPPS FOR FAMILIES:

Children’s Book Bank: The Children’s Book Bank collects books, cleans and sorts them, and distributes them to low income families through local Head Start programs. 503-616-3981. childrensbookbank.org.

Good Neighbor Center: Create a menu, pick up ingredients and prepare a meal for hungry families. 503-443-6084. goodneighborcenter.org.

Loaves and Fishes: Prepare and deliver food to seniors. (Drivers must be 18 or older, but all ages are welcome to help.) 503-953-8137. loavesandfishesonline.org.

Neighborhood House Emergency Food Box Program: Families stock shelves, repackage donated items, and/or work in the community garden every third Tuesday of the month from 6 pm to 8 pm. 503-246-1663, x117. nhpdx.org. (Read Angels Among Us in our December issue for more information about Neighborhood House programs.)

Northwest Children’s Outreach: Sort and deliver clothes, diapers and infant care products at this faith-based nonprofit with several locations in the metro area. 503-828-1472; 360-576-8024. northwestchildrensoutreach.org.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS:
Check with organizations for age requirements.

Habitat for Humanity: Get a group together to help build houses. 503-287-9529. habitatportlandmetro.org.

Oregon Humane Society: Participate in basic animal care and other shelter activities. At press time, all weekend and evening slots for teens were full, but anyone interested can fill out an application for future openings. 503-285-7722. oregonhumane.org.

Potluck in the Park: Help prepare food and serve meals to those in need at O’Bryant Square in downtown Portland, Sundays at 3 pm. 503-255-7611, potluckinthepark.org.

SCRAP (School and Community Reuse Action Project): Keep stuff out of landfills and help turn it into art. 503-294-0769. scrapaction.org.

What charitable activities have and your kids participated in and enjoyed together?

Will you help us?

JOIN’s “Home for the Holidays” program provides move-in and rental assistance and stabilization services. Metro Parent will match every contribution made by our readers up to $1,250, for a total of $2,500, enough to provide stable housing for one local homeless family!

Especially this week, as we prepare to enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, we can’t help but think about all the families in our community who don’t have homes of their own in which to celebrate. Maybe we can’t help them all, but we can certainly help one family move into a safe and stable home this season, and that’s a good start!

To join us in this effort, visit joinpdx.com and click on “Metro Parent Home for the Holidays” on their home page.

Every little bit will help. Together we can make a difference!