The spirit of the season

Thank you to Mrs. Lisa  Bek-Gram for the link to this video. It embodies the spirit of the holidays

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=846072962111323&fref=nf

The Story of the Advent Calendar By Professor Carol on Nov 29, 2014 03:00 am Lucerne Advent Calendar – Paula Funnell (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) You see them in gift shops and book stores. Some are in cardboard frames with pieces of chocolate behind each colorful door. Others are flannel or quilted, with little pockets holding puffy decorations. They might take up the whole side of a building. Whether rectangular, shaped like a Christmas tree, or die-cut as a gingerbread house, the Advent Calendar provides a tangible way for a child to anticipate Christmas. But where does the idea come from? Not surprisingly, Germany, the home of so many Christmas traditions. The earliest reference to a handmade Advent calendar seems to be 1851. But earlier traditions included lighting a new candle for each day, hanging up a picture daily, or making a new chalk mark on a door. The first commercially printed Advent calendar dates probably back to a printer in Hamburg in 1902. Sources then reference a Schwabian printer named Gerhard Lang who, in 1908, fashioned little pictures to adhere to each date of a calendar. Lang’s involvement continued, and in the 1920s his firm Reichhold & Lang (Munich) printed calendars with little doors that opened. The Sankt Johannis Printing Company is credited with adding Bible verses in the 1930s. But with the horrors of WWII, such lovely items disappeared, if for no other reason, the paper shortage. Immediately after the war, the Stuttgart firm of Sellmer-Verlag (Sellmer Publishers) began printing Advent Calendars once again. Richard Sellmer needed a license from the U.S. Government to obtain the paper. Imagine how the reappearance of these beautiful items cheered a war-torn population. Sellmer-Verlag proudly continues to produce Advent Calendars. Their selection is dazzling, plus they have an on-line history of Advent calendars, including the first one published by Sellmer in the United States, in 1947. You can also watch videos of their production process. Most Advent Calendars have slots for 24 “days.” But the Advent Season is often longer. It begins on the 4th Sunday before Christmas and ends onDecember 24th. This year, that means November 30. Hey, that’s tomorrow! Let’s do it together – a daily Advent Calendar right here online beginningtomorrow. We’ll look at the arts, history, and traditions that take us to Christmas. Please join me. Add your email below and we will deliver it daily to your inbox. Subscribe to the Advent Calendar The post The Story of the Advent Calendar appeared first on Professor Carol.

Every Day Young Heroes: Sidney

Peace Day, September 21,2014 @ Casady School THERE ARE SEVEN BILLION PATHS TO PEACE,  WHAT IS YOURS? HERE ARE SOME OF OURS.... EVERYDAY YOUNG HEROES Sidney Jones Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Sidney is an amazing senior at Casady School in Oklahoma City.  When she was a freshman she had the vision to start a "unique" youth board for Oklahoma City teens, Youth LEAD (Leaders Engaging Across Differences), an identity and diversity education youth board by teens, for teens.   Kindness Pass it On:  Placemats for Children's Hospital The seed for the idea was planted at a National Service-Learning Conference where the Shinnyo-en Foundation advocated for the creation of interfaith service youth boards across the nation.    Sidney was, at first, the only Casady teen interested in spending time involved in discussions to create a teen board focused on developing facilitation skills of difficult conversations, exploring personal identities and enhancing understanding of the cultural diversity in the teen tapestry of Oklahoma City.  Her interest connected to a youth from Heritage Hall High School, Sam K'15. and a teen from Douglas High School, Dane N.'15.  This small group of teens found fertile ground with organizations of similar vision, Casady School Service-Learning, the YMCA Youth Initiatives of Greater Oklahoma City, the Respect Diversity Foundation, CAIR of Oklahoma City, Mercy School Institute and Youth LEAD, Sharon.   After a couple of years of organizing and planning, Sidney attended her first Youth LEAD, Sharon TIDE conference in Boston.  Her enthusiasm to create a Youth LEAD OKC (YLOKC) grew. Sidney and the small committee of teens launched YLOKC in April 2013 after a training by Tabitha May Tolub, CEO of Roots and Wings.   In the first year of operations Sidney helped organize, facilitated, and/or participated in the following YLOKC projects: A summer break clean-up of farm fields after the F-5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma.  Sidney worked with teens from Oklahoma and across the USA.  The project was a collaboration with a grassroots movement, Field of Teams and was facilitated by Cyclone peer Youth Leader Yogaish K.   Then, youth LEADers facilitated a debate featuring two Oklahoma political leaders on pro and con considerations about building storm shelters for public schools in Oklahoma City.  The debate was facilitated by Sidney's Cyclone peer, Natasha S'14.   The next project brought awareness of the lack of educational dreams of US migrant workers' children.  YLEADers facilitated a discussion of  the documentary "La Cosecha" at Douglas High School.  The facilitators of the discussion came from different schools including Sidney's Cyclone peer and YAC Peace Team member, Ananya B'17.  Youth LEADers then provided the workshop "I AM" which focused on stereotypes for middle school age at Boys and Girls Club.  The workshop was facilitated by Sidney's Cyclone Youth LEAD peer, Jack B.  The 2014-2015 school year began with YLEADers creating a yearly schedule and marketing materials to recruit new members.  The kick-off activity was a meal and fiesta @ OK Kids Korral where youth leaders prepared and shared a Mexican meal, photo booth, Spanish and Middle Eastern dancing, and making pinwheels for peace to plant at gardens to raise awareness of the 21st of September, International Day of Peace with children undergoing oncology treatment at near by hospitals and their families.  The activity was facilitated by the YLOKC planning committee led by Sidney's peer Cyclone Youth Leader, and YAC Peace Team member, Johnny L.'17.     After a lock-in at Camp Fire USA where Youth LEADers learned how to facilitate like a rock star from Tabitha, Sidney emerged as the leader of the planning committee.  She is facilitating the organization and transportation of teens to a cultural fest for the children of Positive Tomorrows, the Oklahoma City school for homeless children.  Youth LEADers will feature India, Japan, Spanish speaking countries, and the Middle East with interactive booths about the heritage of their roots.  They will share donated foods, age-appropiate cultural aspects, as well as provide goodie bags with books donated by the Come and Read with Me Program of the Metropolitan Library Systems for 50 children to read during the holidays.  The activity will take place December 18, 2014. Sidney's interest in an "Out of the Box" idea has created an empowering youth board that focuses on teens as resources of positive change with service-learning projects where teens own the planning, implementation and facilitation of activities as well as the success or failure of their actions.  Win to Win initiatives in which teens know the transforming power of being agents of compassion, kindness and service.  Sidney is also the Co-President of the Casady YAC, (Youth Acting in the Community)  which she has led since her freshman year.  She is an active volunteer in her church, an skillful rancher, a gifted quilter, and an inclusive and supportive friend. SONG OF THE WEEK "Here's Hope" - Little Big Town "Everywhere, everybody needs a neighbor Showing up when times get hard But there's friends of sons and daughters Saying grace without supper in your backyard Who doesn't wanna be a hero? ... Here's to going to bed not hungry Here's to changing the story Here's to bigger hearts and brighter days"

Thank you to YSA's Funding Partners who make our work possible:

Editor-in-Chief Michael Minks Director of Communications & Development, YSA (Youth Service America) Article about Sidney Jones by Carmen Clay, Director of Service-Learning, Casady School; Youth LEAD OKC Adult Mentor

Last November meeting minutes by Johnny

December Projects
a. Ideas needed

In the past we have volunteered at City Rescue Mission providing helpers to distribute donated toys and other needed household items to needy children.

Possibilities presented with Discussion by Friday
Working with Positive Tomorrows
Pepper's Ranch
Boys and Girls Club
Special Care
Bethel Foundation


b. Grants available.  Grant writers needed
$400-$1000 for projects aiming to do something to end childhood hunger


c. Global Market: Pambe Ghana store needs helpers

January proposed projects by Jessica

a. ICS Diaper Drive at basketball game
b. MLK Day at Food Bank.  80 volunteers guaranteed morning and afternoon.  Dress up with Disney Theme.  We will be packing Food-4-Kids backpacks.

Peace Day, September 21,2014 @ Casady School THERE ARE SEVEN BILLION PATHS TO PEACE,  WHAT IS YOURS? HERE ARE SOME OF OURS.... Family Volunteer Day is Saturday, November 22 Family Volunteer Day is a day of service that demonstrates and celebrates the power of families who volunteer together, supporting their neighborhoods, communities and the world. Family Volunteer Day is held on the November 22, before Thanksgiving to kick-off the holiday season with giving and service.  To get your family ready, read a three-part "Families and Volunteering" blog series filled with tips and tricks for families who want to get involved together in their communities. Parents from across the country offered advice and stories about how they help their kids make a difference in the world. Also check out "Tips for Parents of Young Children" for ideas how to get kids involved early in life. www.YSA.org/tags/families  Download YSA's Family Service Guide. EVERYDAY YOUNG HEROES Sidney Jones Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Sidney is an amazing senior at Casady School in Oklahoma City.  When she was a freshman she had the vision to start a "unique" youth board for Oklahoma City teens, Youth LEAD (Leaders Engaging Across Differences), an identity and diversity education youth board by teens, for teens.   Kindness Pass it On:  Placemats for Children's Hospital The seed for the idea was planted at a National Service-Learning Conference where the Shinnyo-en Foundation advocated for the creation of interfaith service youth boards across the nation.    Sidney was, at first, the only Casady teen interested in spending time involved in discussions to create a teen board focused on developing facilitation skills of difficult conversations, exploring personal identities and enhancing understanding of the cultural diversity in the teen tapestry of Oklahoma City.  Her interest connected to a youth from Heritage Hall High School, Sam K'15. and a teen from Douglas High School, Dane N.'15.  This small group of teens found fertile ground with organizations of similar vision, Casady School Service-Learning, the YMCA Youth Initiatives of Greater Oklahoma City, the Respect Diversity Foundation, CAIR of Oklahoma City, Mercy School Institute and Youth LEAD, Sharon.   After a couple of years of organizing and planning, Sidney attended her first Youth LEAD, Sharon TIDE conference in Boston.  Her enthusiasm to create a Youth LEAD OKC (YLOKC) grew. Sidney and the small committee of teens launched YLOKC in April 2013 after a training by Tabitha May Tolub, CEO of Roots and Wings.   In the first year of operations Sidney helped organize, facilitated, and/or participated in the following YLOKC projects: A summer break clean-up of farm fields after the F-5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma.  Sidney worked with teens from Oklahoma and across the USA.  The project was a collaboration with a grassroots movement, Field of Teams and was facilitated by Cyclone peer Youth Leader Yogaish K.   Then, youth LEADers facilitated a debate featuring two Oklahoma political leaders on pro and con considerations about building storm shelters for public schools in Oklahoma City.  The debate was facilitated by Sidney's Cyclone peer, Natasha S'14.   The next project brought awareness of the lack of educational dreams of US migrant workers' children.  YLEADers facilitated a discussion of  the documentary "La Cosecha" at Douglas High School.  The facilitators of the discussion came from different schools including Sidney's Cyclone peer and YAC Peace Team member, Ananya B'17.  Youth LEADers then provided the workshop "I AM" which focused on stereotypes for middle school age at Boys and Girls Club.  The workshop was facilitated by Sidney's Cyclone Youth LEAD peer, Jack B.  The 2014-2015 school year began with YLEADers creating a yearly schedule and marketing materials to recruit new members.  The kick-off activity was a meal and fiesta @ OK Kids Korral where youth leaders prepared and shared a Mexican meal, photo booth, Spanish and Middle Eastern dancing, and making pinwheels for peace to plant at gardens to raise awareness of the 21st of September, International Day of Peace with children undergoing oncology treatment at near by hospitals and their families.  The activity was facilitated by the YLOKC planning committee led by Sidney's peer Cyclone Youth Leader, and YAC Peace Team member, Johnny L.'17.     After a lock-in at Camp Fire USA where Youth LEADers learned how to facilitate like a rock star from Tabitha, Sidney emerged as the leader of the planning committee.  She is facilitating the organization and transportation of teens to a cultural fest for the children of Positive Tomorrows, the Oklahoma City school for homeless children.  Youth LEADers will feature India, Japan, Spanish speaking countries, and the Middle East with interactive booths about the heritage of their roots.  They will share donated foods, age-appropiate cultural aspects, as well as provide goodie bags with books donated by the Come and Read with Me Program of the Metropolitan Library Systems for 50 children to read during the holidays.  The activity will take place December 18, 2014. Sidney's interest in an "Out of the Box" idea has created an empowering youth board that focuses on teens as resources of positive change with service-learning projects where teens own the planning, implementation and facilitation of activities as well as the success or failure of their actions.  Win to Win initiatives in which teens know the transforming power of being agents of compassion, kindness and service.  Sidney is also the Co-President of the Casady YAC, (Youth Acting in the Community)  which she has led since her freshman year.  She is an active volunteer in her church, an skillful rancher, a gifted quilter, and an inclusive and supportive friend. SONG OF THE WEEK "Here's Hope" - Little Big Town "Everywhere, everybody needs a neighbor Showing up when times get hard But there's friends of sons and daughters Saying grace without supper in your backyard Who doesn't wanna be a hero? ... Here's to going to bed not hungry Here's to changing the story Here's to bigger hearts and brighter days"

Thank you to YSA's Funding Partners who make our work possible:

Editor-in-Chief Michael Minks Director of Communications & Development, YSA (Youth Service America) Article about Sidney Jones by Carmen Clay, Director of Service-Learning, Casady School; Youth LEAD OKC Adult Mentor

A YOUTH LEADER STORY

Sidney Jones Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Sidney is an amazing senior at Casady School in Oklahoma City.  When she was a freshman she had the vision to start a "unique" youth board for Oklahoma City teens, Youth LEAD (Leaders Engaging Across Differences), an identity and diversity education youth board by teens, for teens.   Kindness Pass it On:  Placemats for Children's Hospital The seed for the idea was planted at a National Service-Learning Conference where the Shinnyo-en Foundation advocated for the creation of interfaith service youth boards across the nation.    Sidney was, at first, the only Casady teen interested in spending time involved in discussions to create a teen board focused on developing facilitation skills of difficult conversations, exploring personal identities and enhancing understanding of the cultural diversity in the teen tapestry of Oklahoma City.  Her interest connected to a youth from Heritage Hall High School, Sam K'15. and a teen from Douglas High School, Dane N.'15.  This small group of teens found fertile ground with organizations of similar vision, Casady School Service-Learning, the YMCA Youth Initiatives of Greater Oklahoma City, the Respect Diversity Foundation, CAIR of Oklahoma City, Mercy School Institute and Youth LEAD, Sharon.   After a couple of years of organizing and planning, Sidney attended her first Youth LEAD, Sharon TIDE conference in Boston.  Her enthusiasm to create a Youth LEAD OKC (YLOKC) grew. Sidney and the small committee of teens launched YLOKC in April 2013 after a training by Tabitha May Tolub, CEO of Roots and Wings.   In the first year of operations Sidney helped organize, facilitated, and/or participated in the following YLOKC projects: A summer break clean-up of farm fields after the F-5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma.  Sidney worked with teens from Oklahoma and across the USA.  The project was a collaboration with a grassroots movement, Field of Teams and was facilitated by Cyclone peer Youth Leader Yogaish K.   Then, youth LEADers facilitated a debate featuring two Oklahoma political leaders on pro and con considerations about building storm shelters for public schools in Oklahoma City.  The debate was facilitated by Sidney's Cyclone peer, Natasha S'14.   The next project brought awareness of the lack of educational dreams of US migrant workers' children.  YLEADers facilitated a discussion of  the documentary "La Cosecha" at Douglas High School.  The facilitators of the discussion came from different schools including Sidney's Cyclone peer and YAC Peace Team member, Ananya B'17.  Youth LEADers then provided the workshop "I AM" which focused on stereotypes for middle school age at Boys and Girls Club.  The workshop was facilitated by Sidney's Cyclone Youth LEAD peer, Jack B.  The 2014-2015 school year began with YLEADers creating a yearly schedule and marketing materials to recruit new members.  The kick-off activity was a meal and fiesta @ OK Kids Korral where youth leaders prepared and shared a Mexican meal, photo booth, Spanish and Middle Eastern dancing, and making pinwheels for peace to plant at gardens to raise awareness of the 21st of September, International Day of Peace with children undergoing oncology treatment at near by hospitals and their families.  The activity was facilitated by the YLOKC planning committee led by Sidney's peer Cyclone Youth Leader, and YAC Peace Team member, Johnny L.'17.     After a lock-in at Camp Fire USA where Youth LEADers learned how to facilitate like a rock star from Tabitha, Sidney emerged as the leader of the planning committee.  She is facilitating the organization and transportation of teens to a cultural fest for the children of Positive Tomorrows, the Oklahoma City school for homeless children.  Youth LEADers will feature India, Japan, Spanish speaking countries, and the Middle East with interactive booths about the heritage of their roots.  They will share donated foods, age-appropiate cultural aspects, as well as provide goodie bags with books donated by the Come and Read with Me Program of the Metropolitan Library Systems for 50 children to read during the holidays.  The activity will take place December 18, 2014. Sidney's interest in an "Out of the Box" idea has created an empowering youth board that focuses on teens as resources of positive change with service-learning projects where teens own the planning, implementation and facilitation of activities as well as the success or failure of their actions.  Win to Win initiatives in which teens know the transforming power of being agents of compassion, kindness and service.  Sidney is also the Co-President of the Casady YAC, (Youth Acting in the Community)  which she has led since her freshman year.  She is an active volunteer in her church, an skillful rancher, a gifted quilter, and an inclusive and supportive friend.

Starting to plan for 2015 Food Drive

It's time to end childhood hunger in America. Here's how you can make youth-led food drives more meaningful, fun, and effective.   1 in 5 children in America face hunger; One in seven Americans turns to the Feeding America food bank network for assistance. Thirty-nine percent of their client households have a child under age 18. This is a problem we can solve, and it's time to get involved. Thank you for joining YSA, Sodexo Foundation, and our incredible partners and youth leaders for this online presentation to learn how youcan take action to end childhood hunger by making youth-led food drives more meaningful, fun, and effective. Watch and share the presentation.  Archived webinars, including the first two in this series, are also available at:www.YSA.org/engaging_youth_fighting_childhood_hunger    Links & Resources from the Webinar Here are the links to all the resources mentioned during the presentation. Introduction Get all the facts about childhood hunger. See the key findings from Feeding America's Hunger in America 2014 report. Watch a video about the work of Sodexo Foundation. Fighting for Food: A Guide to Running Successful Food Drives in High School Download Fighting for Food: A Guide to Running Successful Food Drives in High School. Hear more from Maria Belding and watch her share "Six Suggestions for Serving With Students." Service Story #1: Collecting Healthier Food Get resources to host a SuperFood Drive. National Coalition for the Homeless - National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week  Find out what's happening during National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. Follow the action online at #HandHWeek. Use Hunger & Homelessness Week to start planning future activities.Download a planning manual. Service Story #2: Zach Bonner & Little Red Wagon Foundation Learn more about Zach's recent Food for a Million world-record breaking food drive.   FROGs (Friends Reaching Our Goals)  Learn more about Will Lourcey and how his organization makes helping others fun. Service Story #3: Making Food Drives Fun & Easy Be inspired by profiles of some of last year's Sodexo Foundation Youth Grant projects. Learn how Move for Hunger can make running your food drive easier - including getting moving trucks to help you transport donated food. Get activity ideas, including Hunger Banquets, from Oxfam America. Other Resources from YSA  Learn about YSA's 10 Ways You Can Help End Childhood Hunger.  Download YSA's No Kid Hungry Guide (for youth) or A Teacher's Guide to Engaging a New Generation of Anti-Hunger Leaders. Opportunities for Young Leaders Young leaders ages 5-25 can apply for Sodexo Foundation's Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarships to #Get5Give5 through December 5.   Youth ages 9-16, apply for a Katie's Krops Grant by December 31. The next deadline for Campus Kitchens Start-Up Grants is February 1. YSA's Sodexo Foundation Youth Grants will be awarded to 100 young leaders to support Global Youth Service Day (April 17-19, 2015) projects that help end childhood hunger. Apply by January 15.    This webinar was presented by YSA (Youth Service America) with the support of Sodexo Foundation.

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