Do you remember when we sent “Leaf” place mats to our friends who moved to Texas? Apparently, it worked!  The prospect of spending another year away from Grand Rapids was unbearable to them.  They are moving back this month, and we are can’t wait to give them big hugs when they get home!

We shipped the place mats at The UPS Store and I have some good news from that front, too.  I’m sure you are familiar with Toys For Tots, but there is another program you might not know about.  The UPS Store has teamed up with the Marine Toys For Tots Foundation to promote  The Toys For Tots Literacy Program; which provides books to children in poverty – year round.  Since 2008, more than $1.6 million has been donated to help with this initiative.

As an early childhood advocate, I love to talk about the importance of language acquisition, and how early experiences affect the brain architecture which lays the foundation for learning throughout life.  Rather than rambling on about synapses and neurons, I’ll show you a great little party Sarah’s Deals and I had to celebrate this program.

First, Maybelle designed the invitations.

Then we went to The UPS Store to make copies. While we were there, the kids checked out the Post Office Boxes, shipping boxes, giant packages of packing peanuts, and looked longingly at the huge rolls of bubble wrap.

Making copies is easy! Especially when the owner helps you.

We stuck the invitations in everyone’s back pack at school.

Then it was time to rock and roll.

And there ain’t no party like party at The UPS Store.

We had some fine spring picks to read.

Officer Erin from the Kentwood Police Department was our Guest Reader!

This was a party, of course. With a free book for every single one of our restless party-goers. They tore into the snacks before we could get them displayed in an attractive, party-like fashion.

 

A.P. treated some kids to another story.

Then, my kids made their own donation to the Toys For Tots Literacy Program.  It was a really nice way to end this great little gathering!

This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias #ToyforTotsLiteracy. All opinions are my own.

Photo credit: ECIC

Yesterday, I went with the Great Start Parent Coalition to the Star Power Rally.  It’s in Lansing, and we took a bus.  As you know, we’ve gone to this for several years. My kids look forward to it, because they are enthusiastic about speaking with our lawmakers and advocating for early childhood programs.

HA!

They like it because they get to see their buddies, and there are donuts on the bus.

This year was a little different.  First, we formed a parade that marched from Lugnuts Stadium (waving Whitecaps banners.  Hee hee!) down to the steps of the State Capitol.  We met with our new State Representative, Brandon Dillon.  We talked to our new Senator, Dave Hildenbrand.  And also, I was chosen out of 9000 people to receive the “Fierce Heart award for Outstanding Advocacy”.

I got a call last week telling me I had won – which was slightly overwhelming because I didn’t even know I had been nominated.  Some of the reasons you guys would know about – like helping with the Family Fun Day or posting diaper deals to encourage folks to donate to the Diaper Drive.  Some of the reasons you won’t, and I am going to keep it that way. If I can use Big Binder to help advocate I won’t hesitate.  But I won’t use it as a way to showcase behind the scenes, get your hands dirty volunteer work I do for the youngest members of our community because I don’t want to exploit anything for personal gain.  I don’t like it when other people do it; and also, I think it irritates God.

I hesitated to even write this post but had enough encouragement that I decided to do it.  I am so thankful for anyone who has taken action because of something I have written about.  YOU share this with me.  I am proud that someone from Grand Rapids was chosen for this award.  It was my pleasure to represent all of us yesterday.

Humbled does not adequately describe it.  Grateful that my children and husband could be with me yesterday at the Capitol is an understatement.  Blown away that both my State Rep and Senator know me personally and were excited for me doesn’t begin to explain it.  Just this once; I am at a loss for words so I will let you read the press release:  Kent County parent wins statewide Fierce Heart award.

On the Capitol steps. The bright yellow t-shirt was mandatory.