It’s the first day of October, and the month that has one of kids’ favorite holidays. Trick-or-treat candy and Halloween items are in every store, whether it’s a supermarket, drug store, clothing store or big-box store.
The Family and Youth Service Bureau collects items all through October too — for its Pick and Treat for Tots campaign.
For the third year, the staff is having a countywide drive to replenish their Tot Shop shelves, especially for sizes newborn to 5T. The Tot Shop is a place where parents can come for necessary items for their children. However, nothing can be bought with money, nor is it a giveaway program. Rather, the parents earn coupons by doing things to help them be better parents, such as attending parenting classes and nutrition meetings.
Coupons can also be earned by taking children to the doctor for checkups and immunizations. The coupons can then be used to purchase needed items at the Tot Shop. With more than 1,000 families using their coupons for clothing, crib sheets, baby carriers, developmental toys, books and baby carriers, the need is great. New winter clothing is especially needed for the months ahead.
The drive for supplies begins today and continues through October. When you are shopping for your children, grandchildren or yourself, please take a look at the children’s clothes and help the Tot Shop help families in need. Every club, every office, every church, every organization might think about having a Tot Shop “shower” to make Christmas come early for lots of little ones.
Items can be dropped off at any BMO Harris Bank branch, or at the Family and Youth Service Bureau office at 253 Lincolnway in Valparaiso. If you need to have your donations picked up, call 219-464-9585, and the staff will gladly come and get them. Just think, you have all of October to keep on giving.
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Kiwanis honors
She is a woman who gives of herself wherever and whenever there is a need, and never even thinks about how much it means to those she has helped, nor does she expect any accolades or rewards for what she does. But the Valparaiso Kiwanis members recognize what a hard worker she is and named Mary Spruitenberg their Outstanding Member of the Year.
Mary has been a member for 22 years, has continuously served on every fundraiser and participates in many community service projects to help improve the lives of children and families in our midst.
The Kiwanis Club commits to donating dollars to local needs, and contributing hours of community service each year, and if Mary is the chair of any committee, it’s a guaranteed success. Because of her commitment, the raffle for Riley Hospital for Children is a sellout every year. Mary is also very involved in her church, and the Opportunity Enterprises Aktion Club.
If it has to do with helping others, this lady’s hand is always raised. Congratulations, and thank you, Mary, for being an outstanding member of our community, and continued blessings for years to come as a giver. You are my pet person of the week.
Sidewalk art
The sidewalk chalk drawings at the Frontline Art Festival last week were amazing, and it seemed sad to think that they wouldn’t last through the first rain. I sure hope some of the artists took pictures of their art and plan blow them up to hang on their walls.
All of the contest participants were winners, but the real winners are the men and women who will get much needed help to rid their lives of drug addiction.
I think we have a great county filled with so many caring people, and I feel blessed to live here. That’s why I hope you have a great day because you deserve it. Thanks for reading. Fly your flag.
Lorrie Woycik is a freelance columnist for the Post-Tribune.