Gift Baskets For Kids

COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER: June 26, 2011

Last year, statewide over there were over 40,000 reports of child abuse and neglect with over 5,000 children identified as victims. Sadly, more than 150 of Racine's youngest residents were included in that number. These cases show the continued need to heighten the community's awareness of the devastating effects of child maltreatment and remind us all of the importance of child abuse prevention.

Stop Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) of Lutheran Social Services provides child abuse awareness programming to preschool, kindergarten, 4th and 6th grade students throughout Racine County in their public, private, and parochial schools. All programs aim to teach children to identify abusive situations, to disclose abuse when it occurs, and to identify sources of support. In addition to this information on child maltreatment, SCAN also covers issues pertaining to stranger safety with younger children.

Older students get information about cybersafety including email scams, cyberbullying, Internet predators, and sexting. Above all, SCAN wants children to realize that abuse is never the fault of the child. SCAN programs have been in the Racine community for over 25 years and during the 2010-2011 school year provided programming to more than 9,000 children.

SCAN Cones for Kids

Chances are that you, your children, or your grandchildren have participated in SCAN programs in local schools. There is a great way that you can show your support of SCAN this summer. SCAN will hold it's first ice cream tasting fundraiser called SCAN's Cones For Kids. Funds raised at the event will help to spread support and expand SCAN's audience base so even more children can benefit from the important safety messages. This unique, family-friendly event will be held on Thursday, July 14, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Mount Pleasant Lutheran Church, 1700 S. Green Bay Road.

Bring the whole family to sample mini cones from some of the Racine area's best ice cream and custard shops. Caesar's Frozen Custard, Culvers Restaurant, Georgie Porgie's Burger and Custard Tree Fort, Old Dutch Custard, and Sugar Shack have all generously donated unique flavors of frozen treats that guests can taste and then vote for their favorite to win the SCAN Golden Scoop Award.

There will also be a raffle of various prize packs especially themed for kids and families. Looking for something to do this summer? Some of the raffle prizes include festival passes and sporting event tickets for Milwaukee Brewers, Admirals, Bucks, Wave games. There are also passes to local mini golf, bowling, gymnastics, zoos, camping, water parks, museums, theaters, Six Flags, and The Shedd Aquarium.

Carters Bunny | Our Baby Love

Carters Bunny

Parents spend a lot of time thinking and arranging Easter activities but what few parents will realize is that as the kids grow older, they need new things to do. Here are some things that as parents, you shouldn’t be doing to keep the kids entertained.

The Easter Bunny

Just as the kids stop sitting on Santa’s lap at a certain age, they will stop wanting to have their picture taken with the Easter bunny at the mall. As kids they might think he is cute but when they grow up, all they see is a guy dressed up in a bunny suit and that is far from appealing. When your kids begin to withdraw from these activities, don’t force them into it further.

The giant chocolate bunny

It’s just gross that you have a gigantic chocolate bunny that all the kids are going to dig their teeth in to; it’s the equivalent of everyone using the same toothbrush. If you’re looking for a centerpiece that everyone can eat, try Easter fruit baskets or fruit bouquets. You can take the pieces apart and each kid can have his/her own. At the end of the day you will have some left over fruit and not a petrified looking chocolate bunny with teeth marks all over it.

All the bunny themed stuff

It’s a good idea to get the kids involved in important holidays but don’t expect them to grow bunny fur. While they will like the Easter gift baskets and dyed eggs, they won’t want to wear bunny ears or dress in pink. Let them choose their own Easter apparel.

Dressing up as the bunny

If you dress up as the Easter bunny but don’t dress up as Santa Clause, chances are that the bunny suit is getting old. And if your kids tell you that you’re embarrassing them in the rabbit suit, it’s about time you stopped.

No chickens either

If the bunny suit is history so is the chicken outfit. Cute and cuddly depictions of either of these farm animals are only appealing up to a certain age. Don’t think that the kids might not like the bunny any more but they might still give the chickens a chance.

The Easter Parade

You might not like standing in line waiting for some giant balloons to pass but this is surprisingly one of those things that fascinate kids for a long time so don’t miss it.

About the Author A decade after their last hilarious short, the Oscar-winning A Close Shave, Claymation wonders Wallace and Gromit return for a full-length adventure. Daffy scientist Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and his heroic dog Gromit are doing well with their business, Anti-Pesto, a varmint-hunting outfit designed to keep their English town safe from rabbits chomping on prized vegetables. Wallace meets Lad… How many films from the 1980s can you find starring the original Riddler, Frank Gorshin, plus Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher and a pre-fame Robin Wright (now Robin Wright Penn)? Oh, yeah… and Joey Travolta. A mundane parody of street life and the criminal underworld in Los Angeles, Hollywood Vice Squad finds parallel stories simultaneously probing the haunts of hookers, child pornographers, and dr… Baby socks in a keepsake box? Adorable! Our soft cotton socks are made with a hint of lycra, so they stay on little feet, and they have no-skid bottoms. You’ll find six color-coordinated pairs tucked into a box modeled on vintage alphabet blocks. It’s an irresistible baby shower gift. Six pairs socks per box. Sock size: newborn to 12 mos…. How many films from the 1980s can you find starring the original Riddler, Frank Gorshin, plus Star Wars icon Carrie Fisher and a pre-fame Robin Wright (now Robin Wright Penn)? Oh, yeah… and Joey Travolta.

Start Your Own Gift Basket Business

Frommer's Hawaii with Kids

Jazzy Gift Baskets, Making & Decorating Glorious Presents

The bride & groom thank-you guide, a throughly modern manual for expressing your gratitude--quickly, painlessly and personally

New York Magazine