Modell's Coupon Supports NP YMCA and Saves You Money!

Gotta go to Mo's? Make sure you bring this coupon along!

Get 15% off your total purchase (regular & sale-priced) and the North Penn YMCA gets 5%! Offer good at Montgomery, Willow Grove, and Warminster locations. (What great timing since the one for Hatfield Athletic Association has just ended - nifty!)

Happy Shopping!

76ers’ Lavoy Allen Teaming with North Penn YMCA This Sunday!

76ERS’ LAVOY ALLEN TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION AT YMCA BASKETBALL CLINIC ON APRIL 1ST

Children ages 7 and up are invited to attend.

The North Penn YMCA’s Lansdale Branch announces a great opportunity for children ages 7 and up to meet and receive coaching from Philadelphia 76ers' Lavoy Allen. Lavoy will provide instruction at the YMCA’s basketball clinic being held on April 1st at the Central Community Center at Central Schwenkfelder Church.

LAVOY ALLEN was born in Morrisville, PA and he attended Pennsbury High School. He went on to play four years at Temple University and was the school's all-time leading rebounder (1,147) and ranked third in blocks (213.) As a Junior and Senior he was named first team All-Atlantic and he was named to the conference's all-defensive team in each of his final three season. As a Junior, he became the first player in school history to average a double-double since 1970-71.

Selected with the 50th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Mr. Allen has enjoyed playing his first year in the league in front of his hometown fans.

Lavoy Allen
Twitter - @BroadStBully24

The clinic will feature YMCA basketball coaches Walter Faison, Gordon Goodman and Arthur Howell. Times are: ages 7-12, 1:00-2:45PM (2:00-2:45PM with Lavoy Allen) and ages 13 & up, 3:15-5:00PM (3:15-4PM with Lavoy Allen). Fees are $10 for Y members and $15 for non-members. All proceeds benefit the YMCA's financial assistance fund. To register, contact the North Penn YMCA's Lansdale Branch at 215-368-1601.

Central Community Center at Central Schwenkfelder Church is located at 2067 Steelman Rd. in Lansdale (across from Merrymead Farm).

The North Penn YMCA is a non-profit, charitable organization that offers a wide variety of programs and services for children, teens, seniors, families and those with special needs in the North Penn, Indian Valley and Perkiomen Valley communities. Established in 1955, the North Penn Y serves over 18,000 community members and their families through its four branches and numerous outreach locations, regardless of ability to pay. Locally, the Y provides nearly $1,000,000 in charitable services to 9,000 individuals each year. Visit the Y online at www.northpennymca.org.

UPDATED: North Penn Egg Hunts & Other Spring Fun!

Updated Thursday, March 29th!


Spring is coming! If you're looking forward to egg hunts and spring flings and all sorts of other Springtime fun, you are in luck! From Lansdale to Chalfont to Harleysville and just beyond our North Penn borders, there are all sorts of fun events for your family to choose from this year!


Here is a brief summary of what's to come. All of these events will be posted on the North Penn Under Ten calendar shortly, as well, to help you keep track of what's available day by day!


THIS WEEKEND:


North Wales: 

• The North Wales Lions Club community Easter egg hunt starts at 10am on Saturday, the 31st. (Rain date 4/7) For preschoolers through 3rd graders at Weingartner Park (across from NW Elementary School)
• Montgomery Mall: The Easter Bunny will be available for visits and photos on: Fri 3/30: 10am-9pm,
  Sat 3/31: 10am-9pm, Sun 4/1: 11am-6pm, and Mon 4/2 - Sat 4/7: 10am-9pm. Please note that on Saturday, March 24th the Bunny Set will not open until 11am. Please allow for Bunny Breaks.

Lansdale: Lansdale Borough 30th Annual Egg Hunt will take place on Saturday, March 31 for borough residents only, ages three to eight. Registration is required and the deadline is Friday, March 30.

Upper Gwynedd: Easter Egg Hunt April 1st, 12:30pm at the Upper Gwynedd Twp complex. $1 donation per child is required to participate. There will be separate areas for each age group. Egg hunt begins with the sirens from a fire truck. Lots of candy and prizes to be won. For more information, visit www.ugfd.org or call 215.699.5454.


Towamencin:

• Freddy Hill Farms Annual Easter Egg Hunt: March 31st at 11:00 for kids ages 2 - 6. Free and no pre-registration required.
• Towamencin Police Association is sponsoring a free Easter Egg Hunt Sunday April 1st, 1:00pm Fischer’s Park Ages 10 and under. In addition to the hunt, there will be various emergency response workers, vehicles and gear for the kids to meet and explore. Donations accepted and kindly welcomed.
• On April 1 at 9:15 a.m. a Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 2211 Sumneytown Pike, Towamencin.

Hatfield:

• Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt, 10am on March 31st at School Road Park in Hatfield. The Hatfield Lions will be over at School Road Park, 1619 School Road, with their annual egg hunt event for Hatfield children ages 1 through 10, a tradition now in its 64th year. Children must be accompanied by an adult and everyone is warned not to be late! This scramble for the 2,000 bags of Easter sweets and prizes is a fast event! Children are divided into age groups and the event begins promptly at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, unless there is extreme foul weather like thunderstorms, freezing rain or heavy snow.
• BucksMont Indoor Sports Center Egg Hunt Event that is coming up on March 31st rain or shine. Activities include meeting the Easter Bunny, a sports carnival, lazer maze, meet mascots, and enter for a chance to win prizes. Times are as follows: AGES 2-4 (with a separate area for kids 2 and under) 1:00pm AGES 5-7 - 1:30pm, AGES: 8-10 - 2:00pm. To register please call (215) 996-1740 or go to our website at www.playbisc.com. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at Bethu@playbisc.com.
• Heidelberg United Church of Christ Easter Egg Hunt, 1101 Cowpath Road, Hatfield, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. The event is to be held outdoors weather permitting.

Montgomeryville: Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 Cowpath Road, Montgomeryville, holds an Easter Egg Hunt following the 10:30 a.m. Service on April 1.

Harleysville: 

• BranchCreek Easter Fun Fair, 11am-3pm, Saturday March 31, 2012. From 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. the church will be transformed into a play land featuring moon bounces, a rock wall to climb, petting zoo, a magic show, an appearance by the Veggie Tales characters Bob and Larry, "Minute to Win It" themed games, and more than 2,000 candy-filled bags will be given out! Enjoy a musical performance "Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace," a Stomp musical by the BranchCreek Kidscreek kids, and have a family photo taken with a live bunny! There will be many local food vendors selling during the whole event. Bracelets will be sold for a $2 per child suggested donation, however, no child will be turned away. The Easter Fun Fair event attracts more than 4,000 guests each year!
• Covenant Community Fellowship, 1080 Sumneytown Pike, Harleysville, welcome all children ages one through grade 5 on Saturday, March 31 at 10:30 a.m. for an Easter Egg Hunt, puppet show, crafts and refreshments. 

Skippack: Skippack Township Annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday March 31, 2012 12:30pm Rain Date—Sunday April 1, 2012—12:30pm Palmer Park Creamery Road side next to Bocce Pavilion Sponsored by the Skippack Lions Club.


Chalfont:

• Byer's Choice Easter Egg Hunt. 3/31, 11AM to 1PM. Come meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy free crafts and face painting. Admission is free! In case of inclement weather, check the Byer's Choice website or Facebook page.
• Tabora Farm & Orchard: Sunday, April 1, 2012, 9:00-11:30 AM. Come enjoy hunting around the grounds for eggs and then come in the market for some delicious treats! $1 per child. Please call and register....215-249-3016! It should be a great day!

Souderton:

• Grace Bible Church, 423 Main Street, Souderton. 3/31 (rain date 4/7) 10am to 2pm. Food, games, crafts, stories, and, of course, an egg hunt! All are welcome.
• March 31st, Free Easter Egg Hunt from 10am to 11am at The Moyer Store in Souderton.
• Souderton Area High School Student Council Easter Egg Hunt, 9am on March 31st at the high school's football stadium.

Telford: Christ Reformed Church at Indian Creek, 171 Church Road, Telford, welcomes all on March 31 for their Annual Easter Egg Hunt for children ages two to 10 beginning at 2 p.m. A rain date is scheduled for Sunday, April 1 at 2 p.m.

Franconia: Franconia Mennonite Church Community Easter Egg Hunt, 10am on March 31st. Games, crafts, moon bounce, etc. starting at 10:30.


FUTURE EVENTS:

Towamencin: 

• The Easter Story will be presented at Freddy Hill Farms on Friday, April 6th at 8pm. This family-friendly dramatic presentation of Christ's final week on Earth is presented by members of the Central Schwenkfelder Church. For more information, visit www.ThisIsEaster.com.
• Immanuel Church of the Nazarene, 1260 W. Welsh Road, Towamencin, holds an Egg Hunt on April 7 at 10 a.m.

Montgomeryville: 

• Old Navy, Airport Square, Montgomeryville is holding a special celebration for families Saturday, the 7th from 12:30 to 2:00pm. Egg hunt, jelly bean counting, egg decorating, basket raffle, fashion show, and Jack the kangaroo from Jumpin' Jack's will be there, too!
• Montgomery Square United Methodist Church, 1900 County Line Road, Montgomeryville, holds its Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday during their Sunday School hour.

Hatfield: The Easter Bunny is Visiting Jumpin' Jack's Inflatable Playland and Party Center! Friday, 4/6 - Open Bounce is 10am-8pm, the Easter Bunny visits from 6pm-8pm. Saturday, 4/7 - Open Bounce 10am-8pm and the Easter Bunny visits from 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm, & 5pm-7pm. Please note that Sunday, 4/8, Jumpin' Jack's will be closed for Easter


Upper Gwynedd: A children’s Easter Egg Hunt begins at 10 a.m. on April 7 at Sanctuary United Methodist, Hancock Street and East Prospect Avenue, Upper Gwynedd.


Lansdale: 

• 21st Annual International Spring Festival: OK, its a bit early, but this is SUCH a great event, its worth mentioning now anyway! Saturday, April 21, 2012 at North Penn High School in Lansdale, PA from 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. The festival is the library’s biggest program, and it is also one of the largest multi-cultural happenings in the state! There are plenty of free activities for children, including a passport program and crafts. Children can try ethnic costumes, food, musical instruments and art projects. Free parking, admission, and entertainment on three stages for this all-volunteer organized, community-sponsored annual event. Bring some money to purchase souvenirs and luscious cuisines sold from many different cultures. The food is a huge draw, and includes pizza and hot dogs for the less adventurous. There are photos from last year's ISF on the North Penn Under Ten Facbook page.
• St. John’s United Church of Christ, 500 W. Main St., Lansdale, welcomes all on Easter Sunday for a 7 a.m. Communion service at White’s Road Park, followed by a light breakfast and Easter egg hunt, 10:15 a.m.

Lower Salford: Advent Lutheran Church, 470 Landis Road, Lower Salford, kicks off its Easter Egg Hunt for children age one through 5th grade on April 7 at 11 a.m. Event will be held rain or shine.


Skippack: Cornerstone Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 7 at 10 am, rain or shine, Cornerstone Church of Skippack will be hosting a community egg hunt for children ages infant to 8 years old.

Autism Awareness Events Announced

Variety – The Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia, has announced some upcoming Autism Awareness Nights and other special events for children on the Austism Spectrum for the month of April. Further information can be found at the links below:

Registration is now open for Variety's Autism Awareness Events this April!

First-ever Autism Awareness Night at Adventure Aquarium on the Camden Waterfront -- Sunday, April 1st, 6-9PM
Click here to register:
http://www.varietyphila.org/events/sign-up-guardian/1st-annual-autism-awareness-night-at-adventure-aquarium

3rd Annual Autism Awareness Night at Please Touch Museum -- Saturday, April 7th, 6-9PM
Click here to register:
http://www.varietyphila.org/events/sign-up-guardian/3rd-annual-autism-awareness-night-at-please-touch-museum1/

Sesame Place Day for Children with Autism -- Saturday, April 21st, 10AM-4PM
Click to register:
http://www.varietyphila.org/events/sign-up/2012-annual-sesame-place-day-for-children-with-autism

For more information about Variety – The Children’s Charity of Greater Philadelphia, visit them at http://www.varietyphila.org/who/history-mission/.

Upcoming Service Opportunity For Local Children

Have you heard of The Giving Tree Families? This local non-profit service group holds used book drives and, most notably, hands-on service-oriented community events for children to help others. Below is the latest news blast from The Giving Tree Families which describes some of their upcoming activities. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, please visit them at www.givingtreefamilies.org.

The Giving Tree Spring Giving 2012 Join us on Saturday, April 21st  10:00 am to 2:00 pm  at   The Montgomery Mall  (lower level in front of Sears)  for our 1st Annual Spring Giving Event! The project list for this for this event includes:  ~250 Backpack Buddies Bags to benefit  For        Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation ~300 Flower Pots painted and filled for local      seniors in Assisted Living Facilities   ~350 Arts & Crafts Bags for needy students in      a Philadelphia elementary school  and  The debut of our new Peace & Smiles Boxes!   Introducing The Giving Tree  Peace & Smiles Boxes These  boxes will be donated to pediatric patients in local hospitals.  The Peace & Smiles box starts with an empty PEANUT FREE cereal box,  add in the 9 simple items and bring your box to the Spring Giving event at the mall to be wrapped  and decorated with good wishes!  The project sheet can be found on our website at  www.givingtreefamiles.org   under the Peace & Smiles Box tab. The Giving Tree Read-A-Thon Results We are very excited to report that our 1st Read-A-Thon raised $692!  The Giving Tree will be purchasing new books for the libraries of two elementary schools in Philadelphia. Contact us to have your service group be a part of our Spring Giving Event.info@givingtreefamilies.org

The Easter Bunny Is Hopping Down to Jumpin' Jack's!

Here comes Peter Cottontail, but wait! He's not hopping down the Bunny Trail. He's hopping down Schwab Road to get to Jumpin' Jack's so he can have FUN and pose for photos with your little ones!

Make a note of these special Spring Break Open Play hours and scheduled visit times with everyone's favorite rabbit!

4/4 & 4/5 - Open Bounce 10am-3pm

Friday, 4/6 - Open Bounce 10am-8pm *Easter Bunny visits from 6pm-8pm

Saturday, 4/7 - Open Bounce 10am-8pm *Easter Bunny visits from 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm, & 5pm-7pm

Sunday, 4/8 - Closed for Easter

4/9 & 4/10 - Open Bounce 10am-5pm

4/11 - Open Bounce 10am-3pm

4/12 - Open Bounce 10am-3pm  *Jack's Sensory Bounce 5:30pm-7pm (more info on this to come!)

4/13 - Open Bounce 10am-8pm

Free Tokens for Good Students (& Their Little Siblings, Too!)

Report cards for NPSD students are coming home today!

Does your little one deserve a reward for their hard work? Goodies for good grades are getting harder to find, but Chuck E. Cheese has a fun one to offer! 

Chuck E. Cheese believes in the value of a good education. Have your child bring in their most recent report card and they will receive FREE tokens for good grades.

Valid only with a food purchase. Up to 15 tokens maximum per child. All grading systems accepted.

Are your kids not yet in school? Print out some of the other cool promotional offers here and let your preschooler in on the fun! Some of these other promos are almost as valuable as the Tokens for Grades promo!

Modell's Coupon Supports Hatfield Athletic Association

Gotta go to Mo's? Make sure you bring this coupon along!

Get 15% off your total purchase (regular & sale-priced) and Hatfield Athletic Association gets 5%! Offer good at Montgomery, Willow Grove, and Warminster locations.

Health Dept Offers Suggestions Re: West Nile Season

Norristown, PA (March 21, 2012) - The West Nile Virus (WNV) season has begun, and the Montgomery County Commissioners and the Montgomery County Health Department (MCHD) is recommending that residents take precautions now to clear away mosquito breeding areas around their homes.

WNV, which surfaced in the U.S. more than ten years ago, is commonly transmitted back and forth between infected birds and mosquitoes. However, humans can become the unintended hosts of the disease when they are bitten by an infected mosquito.

“West Nile virus remains an unpredictable disease, and we won't be able to tell how severe a problem it will be this year,” said Josh Shapiro, chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners. “By taking steps now, residents can help to reduce mosquito populations.”

MCHD has begun accepting complaint calls from residents, and routine larviciding of public properties has begun and will continue throughout the summer months. If WNV activity poses a risk to human health, adulticiding may be necessary in targeted areas.

County residents who would like to be notified when spraying will occur should sign up for the ReadyNotify service at https://montco.alertpa.org. Residents must register for “Health Alerts” to get notifications from the Health Department about WNV sprays and other emergent and non-emergent issues. Other information about WNV, including products used can be found at the Health Department website, http://health.montcopa.org.

With warmer weather and the onset of peak WNV season approaching, MCHD is reminding residents that they can help prevent the spread of WNV by eliminating standing water from their property.

MCHD also encourages residents to mosquito-proof their homes by replacing torn screens in doors and windows, cleaning out gutters, and by emptying and turning over containers that could collect water allowing mosquitoes to breed. Standing water is a potential breeding ground for mosquitoes. Anything that can hold water for four days can breed thousands of mosquitoes. Eliminating standing water has proven to be effective in controlling WNV.

Reduce Exposure to Mosquitoes

• Check and repair windows and screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home.

• Eliminate any standing water that collects on your property.

• Survey your property and dispose of containers that can collect standing water such as: old tires, cans, bottles, buckets, toys.

• After it rains empty any plant containers, bird baths, flowerpots, kiddie pools, and pool covers to keep water from collecting in these items.
• Make sure roof gutters drain properly and rooftops are free of standing water.

• Clean and chlorinate swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs. Keep them empty and covered if not in use; drain water that collects in pool covers.

• Drill several holes in the bottom of recycling buckets so water can drain from them. Trash containers should be covered so no rain can accumulate in them.

• Use an approved mosquito repellant when outdoors in areas where mosquitoes are active. Apply insect repellent sparingly to exposed skin. FOLLOW THE LABEL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY. Do NOT apply to face.

• NEVER ALLOW CHILDREN TO APPLY REPELLENTS. Parents should avoid applying repellents to the hands of children

• Check with a physician before applying repellents to very young children (less than 3 years old).
• Avoid mosquito-breeding areas during peak periods of mosquito activity.

• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, making sure to cover feet and ankles.

• Discuss any concerns with your private physician.

Article Courtesy of MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS

COURT HOUSE, NORRISTOWN, PA., BOX 311, 19404-0311

Frank X. Custer, Communications Director

Jessica Willingham, Communications Assistant

PHONE (610) 278-3061 FAX 278-5943

COMMISSIONERS: JOSH SHAPIRO, Chair

LESLIE S. RICHARDS, Vice Chair, BRUCE L. CASTOR, JR., Commissioner

U.S. Toy Coloring Contest and Coupon

A coupon and coloring contest from U. S. Toy Company - woo hoo!

Why Tomorrow is Totally Terrific Tuesday

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 is the perfect example of why I created NorthPennUnderTen.com.

Tomorrow evening there are three different "Kids Night" events happening at restaurants in West Point, Hatfield, and Harleysville. There is a "Family Night" at a restaurant in North Wales featuring free kids meals, clowns, balloon animals, and face painting.

Rita's will be offering FREE water ice all day at all three of our local locations (Lansdale, Montgomeryville and Harleysville).

Both the Lansdale and North Wales public libraries are holding terrific free events for children during the day.

And a local church is hosting a seminar presented by the Area Nursery School Association on Kindergarten Readiness tomorrow evening.

Hello! How is anyone supposed to keep track of all of this??

Oh, right. That's my job. ;-)

Be sure to check out the North Penn Under Ten Calendar - and not just once in a while. Check it daily. And, for goodness sake, become a fan of NPUT on Facebook if you aren't already! At least then when the kids ask why you're on Facebook so much you can retort with "I'm finding fun things for us to do, Sweetie!"

Have a Totally Terrific Tuesday, North Penn!!

You Can Win FREE Swim Lessons!

True or False: I can't wait to spend the summer by the water. My kids are like fish! I have no fears about their abilities to be safe whether in the pool or at the beach. They are top-notch swimmers and have NO room for improvement!

Unfortunately, this is a great big, fat FALSE for many of us (myself included). Surely, I don't have to remind anyone about the importance of water safety. But, luckily, our local Philadelphia Sports Club (right over at Highpoint / Chalfont) offers swim classes for children as young as six months. Wouldn't it be nice if both you AND your child were comfortable with their abilities in the water?

Here's some even better news... One lucky North Penn Under Ten reader will be awarded FREE swim lessons for their child courtesy of our friends at PSC! Here's the scoop:

Enter to win FREE Swim Lessons!

DO YOU WANT TO BE A LUCKY DUCK????

ENTER TO WIN A FREE 8 WEEK SWIM LESSON SESSION

at Philadelphia Sports Clubs at Highpoint (One Highpoint Drive, Chalfont, PA).

Winner receives a Beach Bucket filled with a Swim Academy Cinch Bag, goggles, dive toys, rubber ducky, bubbles and a Camp Highpoint t-shirt!.

WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN ON 4/1/12 and announced on 4/2/12.

To enter, email Lisa.Marsland@town-sports.com

Subject Line : Lucky Duck ~ North Penn Under Ten

Parent Name:

Phone:

Email:

Child’s Name and Date of Birth:

Is Your Child Ready for Kindergarten?

"Is your child ready for kindergarten?"

I vividly recall the tension among my fellow mom friends a few years ago as we discussed the upcoming kindergarten registration time and whether our children would be enrolling that year or the next. Though I was excited for my firstborn to head off to elementary school, I felt a huge weight lifted when I discovered that he had "missed the cutoff" by seven days and would have no choice but to wait until the following year to make the leap into elementary school. You see, while other moms I knew, with children born in August and early September had to debate, ponder and attempt to predict whether or not their old-enough child really should head off to kindergarten that fall, the decision was out of my hands. My kiddo would be waiting... like it or not. There would be no second-guessing my decision for the next 18+ years! He had clearly missed the deadline and was destined for the Class of 2023. I will never have to wonder whether I should have "held him back" or not. His late-September birthday held him back and lifted that burden for me. However, this is not the case for many other parents.

Fortunately, for parents who are currently in a situation of kindergarten limbo, pondering and prognosticating whether their wee one is ready, there is an upcoming seminar addressing this very issue. Its free and its coming up next week.

The Area Nursery School Association has scheduled a "Kindergarten Readiness Information Night" for Tuesday, March 20th from 7:00 to 8:15PM to be held at Christ United Methodist Church in Lansdale "for parents to learn about the rigors of the kindergarten curriculum in our local schools and to provide an opportunity for parents to ask questions". Ellen Perla, long-time kindergarten teacher and early childhood coordinator for the Perkiomen Valley School District, will be the main presenter for the evening. All local parents are welcome and pre-registration is not required.

For your convenience, this event is also listed on the North Penn Under Ten calendar.

A Great Time Was Had at the Summer Fun Fair!

Did you attend the first annual North Penn Summer Fun Fair today? Over 150 local families did!

Approximately 400 North Penn area residents of all ages collected information on fun summer programs, sampled free refreshments, and enjoyed live entertainment this morning at the Towamencin Fire Hall in Kulpsville. Many children also enjoyed a mini free trial class!

The first 150 families that arrived were each given a North Penn Under Ten knapsack filled with information and goodies and everyone received a raffle ticket, giving them the chance to win one of the many door prizes that were given away!

A slideshow of photos taken during the day is now available on the Summer Fun Fair webpage.

Thank you SO much to our wonderful sponsors and exhibitors! Save the date for March 2, 2013 for the 2nd Annual Summer Fun Fair and keep an eye on NorthPennUnderTen.com for information on the next event, The North Penn Under Ten Birthday Bash, which will be held in June!

Giving Back Via The Summer Fun Fair

The 1st Annual North Penn Summer Fun Fair is coming up soon!

In addition to helping you gather helpful information, collect fun freebies, possibly win a fabulous door prize, take in some quality entertainment and just have a super fun FREE time...the Summer Fun Fair will also offer you an opportunity to help others in our community...and beyond!

*Some* of the goods donated
at January's Preschool Expo.

Following the successful collections that took place at the North Penn Under Ten Preschool Expo in January (for Stepping Stones Nursery School and the Stories for Seniors program), it was our desire to, once again, see how we might come together as a community to do something more this Saturday at the Summer Fun Fair.

After contacting the North Penn United Way, we learned about three terrific opportunities to help others that all seemed like a great fit for our event. One of these became our North Penn Under Ten Adopted Family project (see below) and the other two will likely be supported via the next big event in June (No spoiler here! You'll have to wait to find out what that is!).

Without further ado, we hope that you will be able to help us support these two wonderful groups of people...

THE GIVING TREE
Is your family's book collection in need of some pruning or purging? Bring your books to the Summer Fun Fair!

The Giving Tree is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that was founded in 2009 by Bridget Leary, a North Wales mother of three, with the goal of "teaching our children the spirit of giving through charitable projects and hands-on helping." Volunteers from The Giving Tree promote children's literacy through events such as used book drives and read-a-thons and also organize hands-on service projects for children to assemble snacks and gifts for those in need.

It is our great pleasure to provide The Giving Tree with a table at the Summer Fun Fair so that they may collect donations of new or used books for children in grades K through 12. (Preschool books can also be put to good use, but are in lesser demand.) The books collected at the Summer Fun Fair will be distributed to two elementary schools in Center City Philadelphia so that teachers may send the books home with students to encourage at-home reading.

The Giving Tree will also have some crafting materials available for children to create bookmarks to be donated along with the books!



Children helping other children. What a wonderful program!


NORTH PENN UNDER TEN ADOPTED FAMILY
This past December, a hard-working North Penn area husband and father suffered serious injuries after falling into a holding tank on which he was working. He was flown by MedEvac helicopter to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he spent about a month undergoing treatment for his injuries. Recently, he was released to the Brain Injury Rehabilitation Program at Bryn Mawr Hospital, where he will continue to be treated for his injuries.

With two broken arms and a brain injury that necessitates four to five trips to Bryn Mawr Brain Rehab every week, this local father is a walking, talking miracle and his family is beyond grateful that his life was not taken that on that crisp winter day.

As you might imagine, brain injuries affect not only the patient's life, but also the lives of the people who love and support that person. This local couple has a one-year-old daughter and another baby, a boy, on the way, plus two elementary-aged daughters. Because of the accident, neither mom nor dad is able to work and, given the circumstances at hand, it is likely that it will be some time before this couple can return to their normal way of life.

When I first learned about this family and their story, there was no question in my mind that other North Penn families would want to help support them, to offer them some sunshine in this trying time.

*Some* of the "Stories for Seniors" donations.
Think we can out-do ourselves??

Would you like to help?

Practical gifts such as diapers, wipes, formula, grocery store or gas gift cards to ease the strain of multiple trips to Bryn Mawr each week will be put to good use. Maybe a gift certificate for a restaurant that offers takeout or even an encouraging handwritten note would help give them strength for this difficult time.

A collection area will be designated for the North Penn Under Ten Adopted Family at the Summer Fun Fair and we invite you to join us in bringing some sunlight into this family's life.

Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the family may do so through family friend, Chari Richardson. You may reach her at 215.799.1300 or you may email Chari directly.


We look forward to a terrific, community-building event! See you soon!