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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2009)
18 community december 2009 Vernonia “Toy and Joy” Examines How to Meet Needs of Community Over the years in Ver- nonia, many families have been able to celebrate a Merry Christ- mas due to the generosity and volunteer efforts of the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection Volunteer Association, its members and families, and other community volunteers. Through the nation- wide “Toy and Joy” program, local volunteers have purchased, wrapped and delivered presents to local children who may not have received presents at Christ- mas time. But a number of fac- tors are causing the Vernonia Fire Volunteers to re-evaluate their participation in the “Toy and Joy” program. In December of 2007, after the flood almost ruined Christmas for numerous Verno- nia families, donations poured in from around the region and the Vernonia Fire Volunteers were able to make Christmas espe- cially joyous for local families. An abundance of gifts from 2007 were carried over to the Christ- mas of 2008, and many Vernonia families again experienced assis- tance from “Toy and Joy,” mak- ing for a very happy holiday. This year, the Vernonia Fire Volunteers are facing a bit of a dilemma. Not only is the excess of gifts gone, but Verno- nia Toy and Joy is also facing increased expectations about what, and for whom they will be providing gifts this season. “As always, we will be doing our best to take care of our community,” says Vernonia Rural Fire Depu- ty Chief Dean Smith. “But we don’t have the same resources we’ve had the last few years. It’s not that we aren’t in the spirit of the holidays, there’s just only so much we can do.” In addition to high ex- pectations and reduced resourc- es, the Vernonia “Toy and Joy” program faces an additional is- sue-- the name “Toy and Joy” itself. After doing some research as they prepared for this holiday season, this year’s Program Co- ordinator Kathy Wolfe learned that the nationwide “Toy and Joy” program has a set of stan- dardized rules they expect com- munities who use the name to follow. One of those rules lim- its gift-giving to children aged twelve and under. “In the past, we’ve always taken care of our families,” says Smith. “Which in the past has meant gifts for any families that requested them, of- ten for children as old as twenty.” This year, due a short- age of resources and a difficult economy, Vernonia “Toy and Joy” has said they will provide gifts for children up to fourteen, which is pushing the limits the national program prescribes. “We’ve already said we would give gifts to children up to four- teen years old and we intend to honor that,” said Smith. “It’s too late to do something different this year.” But in the future, the Ver- nonia Fire Volunteers may have to make some tough choices. “If we choose to partici- pate and call what we do ‘Toy and Joy,’ then we are bound by their restrictions,” said Smith. “Whether or not it was done this way in the past, if we are going to be ‘Toy and Joy,’ we need to follow their guidelines.” One option may be to to create a new program. “We may decide to not be part of the ‘Toy and Joy’ program and restructure with something that will fit what our community needs,” says Smith. The other option would be for Vernonia to continue to use the “Toy and Joy” name-- which helps with fundraising and donations for the program, and then strictly follow the national program guidelines. Whatever the Vernonia Fire Volunteer Association de- cides to do in the future, this year they are gearing up to help make the holidays happy for Vernonia families. “We will be out there again,” says Smith. “Because it’s all about putting smiles on our kids’ faces.” What’s’ An “Attitude of Gratitude?” By Sonia Spackman came an illness. Share ways you grew stronger and the good that came out of it. Maybe you Before we can teach our kids gratitude, we went through the Vernonia flood. You can de- must teach them to respect loving caregiv- scribe the bad and good, how the town’s people ers. supported and helped each other, the houses Dr. Foster Cline, a child psychiatrist, stated got fixed and that there will be new schools. that an important thing parents need to un- derstand is that a child cannot be allowed to 5. Gratitude Letters. You write one and share consistently treat a loving caregiver disrespect- it with your kids as an example for their letters. fully. He went on to say that something dam- One of the sad things in life is that we often aging happens in a child’s thinking. This dam- think about people that mean a lot to us, yet we age will hinder future relationships, because do not share these feelings with them. Encour- kids develop the opposite of gratitude or appre- age your children to write a grateful letter to a ciation-- they develop destructive entitlement, neighbor, friend, teacher or family member. If where they believe they can treat people any possible, make it special by having them read way they choose and still get what they want. it face to face. Respectfully teach your children how to re- spect you. You will be more able to teach 6. Express Gratitude Openly. While the them about gratitude. family is eating dinner or hanging out togeth- er, go around the table and share one or two A young mother shared a story of a special treat things that you are grateful for. Who knows, she planned in advance for her young children. your kids may inspire you to see new things to She took them to town for lunch, then to a real appreciate and feel better about. Research has theater for a movie they really wanted to see. shown that expressing gratitude has a lasting The children were excited to be at the movies. effect on the well-being and happiness of the When the lights came on, one of them said, person sharing. “Mommy, can we go to one more place be- fore we go home?” This mother was angered 7. Gratitude Journal. Another way to pro- because there was no “thank you,” or any ap- mote gratitude is having your kids write in a preciation shown for her time, effort or the “gratitude journal”– four days a week, for a money she just spent on them. But she pushed month. Maybe this can be done during the her feelings aside when she realized that she month of November for Thanksgiving each had raised her kids to live in the moment. She year. Younger children can draw or dictate didn’t teach them about how to be grateful. things that they are most grateful for. Older kids can write or use a computer. Try a “fam- Research studies on children document the ily gratefulness journal” you fill out togeth- happiest kids feel an appreciation for life-- re- er. These cherished memories can be shared gardless of health, wealth, or circumstances. through the years and handed down to family Researchers found that grateful kids are more members. joyful, determined, optimistic, less stressed, more adaptable and even healthier. As parents, 8. Thanksgiving Blessings. Say a prayer of we need to establish routines where our kids thanks together before meals. Some families count their blessings. Here are 12 suggestions take turns so that a different member leads each you might try: time. Or do this at bedtime when children ex- change appreciation followed by a goodnight 1. Talk about Gifts. Before Christmas and hug and kiss. birthdays, talk about the gifts that will be there. Discuss the possible thoughts behind each of 9. Set Limits. Our giving too much destroys the gift givers. Talk about the money and en- appreciation. So fight the tendency to indulge ergy spent to buy and wrap and bring the gift. your child with too many things. When we Chat about the importance of gratefulness and constantly give our kids what they want, we do sensitivity for the giver. Plan the thank you not help our kids learn to be grateful and ap- note. preciate what they have. 2. Practice for the Moment. Speak to your children about facial expressions when we get socks and not the toy expected. Discuss get- ting duplicate gifts. Practice for the moment, saying: “This is nice, now I have two!” Prac- tice facial expression and joy in the voice, etc. 3. Thank you ABC’s. You can do this one anytime, better for the younger children at the table while eating. Say the alphabet together-- but for each letter to include something you are grateful for. Examples might be: A, Aunt Sara; B, my brother Brian; C, my cat. Take it up a notch by asking them to say why they are grateful. The point is, you are having fun to- gether and learning to be apprecia- tive. Give a special gift this season! Recognize your loved one this holiday season and help feed those who are hungry in our community. Donations made to Vernonia Cares this Holiday season “In Honor” or “In Memory” of a special individual will be represented by an orna ment on the “Caring Tree” The “Caring Tree” will be displayed at VCLC throughout the month of December. Send your special gift to: Vernonia Cares Food Bank P.O. Box 126 Vernonia, OR 97064 10. Thank Your Kids. Try to notice your kids’ daily thoughtful behaviors. Be sure to describe what they did that you appreciate. When you do this, they are more likely to repeat the be- havior. Your kids are more likely to take up your example and give “appreciation descrip- tions” to others. 11. Expose Your Kids to the Less Fortu- nate. Face-to-face experiences go a long way in helping kids appreciate their blessings. Find ways for you and your child to volunteer at a homeless shelter, read to little children, deliver meals to shut-ins or visit a children’s hospital. 12. Remember, give it plenty of time, keep your commitment to find simple ways to help your children practice gratitude. Continue to encourage your kids and compliment their ef- forts. Most of all, stay grateful yourself. 4. Be Grateful for Challenging Times. Share with your kids chal- lenging times you have gone through Resources: Dr. F. Cline, E. Corcoran, Dr. M. that you are grateful for-- like when Borba. they were born or when they over- ANONYMOUS DONOR In support of Vernonia’s Voice!
