Thursday, November 26, 2009

Be Thankful

The world is crazy, but we all have something to be thankful for. Try to find yours.

While you're thinking, here are some causes to consider supporting - financially, in words, or both. They'd all appreciate it.

The Ice Skating Calendar: buy these fabulous, funky calendars to directly support one ice skating coach's son's autism therapy.
http://iceskatingcalendar.info/

LABMED: an organization that helps adopted/fostered Labrador Retrievers by providing funds to cover their medical needs.
http://apps.facebook.com/causes/237321/84356412?m=e56504ed
I've sewn blocks for their auction quilt several times, including the August (yellow sky/red sun) block in this year's quilt.

Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax County Libraries
, and Fairfax County Park Authority.
All are on the chopping block this budget round. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors - who doles out the money - could make it so elementary school languages, band, strings, and full day KG would be eliminated; so parks would have to charge new fees and reduce staff; so libraries would have to close one day a week, cut back on services, and lose staff. There are a number of groups that have sprung up to protect these important programs and departments and to keep Fairfax County a top-notch place to live, work, and go to school, but a lot more help is needed and support is welcome from all over.

Opinion article about the school budget cuts in the Washington Post
Facebook group "Save Fairfax Band and Strings" (FACE)
Facebook group "Save the Language Immersion Programs in Our Schools!"
and FLAGS (Foreign Language Advocacy for Grade Schools)
Friends of the Reston Regional Library's recent blog post about the horrible budget situation, with a link to a petition to sign in support of the libraries


Thank you for helping when and where and as much as you can. Here's to a safe Thanksgiving that's as happy and relaxing as possible.