November 2008

Welcome fall! With all our beautiful changing colors, we hope this time of year is invigorating and inspiring. The holidays are just around the corner and we want to inform the community that Tom’s Turkey Mobile Unit is still on wheels!

There will be no time-out for the Mobile Turkey Unit this Thanksgiving. Founded several years ago by the late Tom Arhontas, the program provides hot Thanksgiving turkey meals to shut-ins and others in need on South Whidbey.

Supporters of the MTU have vowed to keep this wonderful program going even though Tom is no longer with us. Donations to the program can be made at Wells Fargo Bank.

For information, to volunteer, or to sign up to receive meals, call Janice Martinovic at 321-4692.

Holiday House 2008

We’re getting ready for 2008’s Holiday House project sponsored by the Readiness To Learn Foundation of Island County.

This is an event of volunteers and community partners from all over South Whidbey Island and Coupeville who donate their time and expertise to this project. Parents and caretakers, who are eligible have the opportunity to participate in an in-store holiday shopping experience for their school-aged children.

Holiday House will be housed for the second year in a row by M-Bar-C Ranch just outside of Freeland, from Dec. 15-20.

Drop boxes for new, quality, unwrapped gifts and monetary contributions will soon be available in each community. Monetary donations help us keep the shelves stocked with the most popular gifts.

Last year donor generosity assisted 579 children in 244 local families with a more festive holiday.

Please check upcoming issues of The Record for a list of drop box locations in your area, and more information about the Holiday House project.

For information about how to donate, volunteer or schedule an appointment, please contact us at the Family Resource Center at 221-6808, ext. 4322.

Calculators needed

We have had many requests for high school graphing calculators for upper math classes.

If you have a calculator to donate please call or bring it to the Resource Center. We have a list of students in need. Thank you!

After School Homework Club

The Learning Partners Program sponsored by Langley Middle School is offering a homework club; an after-school opportunity for your child to get assistance with their learning study skills, organization of school work and assistance with specific academic problems. It will meet every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Intermediate School library. Your child can attend one or both of these sessions.

To sign up, volunteer as a tutor or for questions, please call Anne Chambers at 221-5100, ext. 3160 or e-mail Anne at achambers@sw.wednet.edu.

Relatives as Parents Program

Are you raising a relative’s child? Is the child your grandchild, niece or nephew? Would you like to join an informal group of relative caregivers who understand what you are going through?

You are invited to attend a RAPP meeting once a month in the Family Resource Center. We meet the first Monday of every month at 10:30 a.m. until noon. We also welcome drop-ins.

We are located behind the primary school’s main building in the light green portable next to the small playground.

For more information or for more details, call Marilynn Norby at 221-6808, ext. 4602.

Single Mom’s Group

Our group is open to any mom who is parenting alone, or feels alone, and needs the support of other single moms.

Join this great group in a casual and confidential atmosphere, right here in the Family Resource Center. We meet once a month providing a light dinner and free childcare.

Bring yourself, your ideas, your joys and your challenges to this supportive environment. The next meeting is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19 here in the resource center. For more information and for RSVP with childcare, please call 221-6808, ext. 4602.

Special-Needs Support Group

All parents and caregivers of special-needs children of any age are welcome to join this monthly support group. Share laughter and tears, lend support or get support, and relax with other parents who share the joys and challenges of raising a child with special needs.

September’s meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21 in the Resource Center. Please RSVP with childcare needs. Call the center at 221-6808, ext. 4602.

Volunteer of the Month

Our volunteer of the Month for November is Isabelle Grimm.

Isabelle came to us during the Back To School project. She utilized her organizational skills and inventoried the “store.” She spent the entire two weeks stocking the shelves and arranging supplies in her own creative ways.

Isabelle is eager to help and a pleasure to be around. She is one of our youngest volunteers at the young age of 9 and in the fourth grade! WOW, Isabelle. Thank you for all your hard work.

Contact Information

Readiness To Learn Foundation/Family Resource Center

Located at the Primary School on Maxwelton Road

PO Box 346, Langley, WA 98260

221-6808, ext. 4602

Holiday House, ext. 4322