Attleboro Area Council for Children

Hikes aren't the only way to look at stars. If the outdoors (and sometimes muddy ground) are better left towards those "hippie" types, you can always drive up to an observatory for some prime time starry nights.

There are two local observatories that are open to the public for viewing.

Wheaton College in Norton has free Open Nights on Friday. Viewing starts at 7 p.m. The Observatory is open during the Fall and Spring semesters when classes are in session. Starting times will vary depending on the season and when there are special viewing opportunities. This school's observatory website will be updated to show weather cancellations if we are predicting cloudy skies.

"If the sky is clear, they can come over and come up to the roof," said Wheaton instructor Tony Houser, who hosts Open Nights at the school observatory. "It's a nice mix of people. Kids can be as young as 1 or 2 and look through the telescopes. All ages come. Sometimes we get older folks who are pretty interested in astronomy."

Wheaton's observatory uses 12- and 14-inch telescopes, and student helpers go around and tell people what they are looking at. There are no Open Nights when school is not in session.

To check to make sure the observatory is open, call the hotline an hour before the start at 508-531-DARK for current weather conditions. (www.bridgew.edu/observatory/). The BSC Observatory is located at 400 Summer St., Bridgewater, MA 02325

Another option for seeing the stars is the Ladd Observatory at Brown University, which is free and open to the public Tuesday evenings, weather permitting, from 8 to 10 p.m. For more information go online to www.brown.edu/Departments/Physics/Ladd/ or call 401-863-2323. Ladd Observatory is open to the public, free of charge, Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm, weather permitting.

REHOBOTH - Recently, the Attleboro Area Council for Children honored nine local organizations and individuals for their work for children and families. They also recognized Dave Kane and Bill and Diane Jones for more than 20 years of volunteering with the Christmas is for Kids program. The Council’s president, Kelly Fox, read the inscription on the clocks that they were given: “From the thousands of children you’ve helped: thank you!” The event was held at Hillside Country Club in Rehoboth and was attended by approximately 65 people.

The purpose of the Champion for Children award is to recognize and thank the people and organizations who have partnered with the Attleboro Area Council for Children to further the mission of providing programs and educational support to enrich the lives of children in need.

Over the last few years, according to Fox in her opening remarks, “the Council has been fortunate to develop partnerships with a variety of companies, organizations and individuals and this collaboration has magnified the help that our local families have been able to receive. The interesting thread that I want to point out among all of our honorees is Principled Leadership. The hallmarks of Principled Leadership include empathy, shared values, a clear vision, and a knack for questioning the status quo. There is no question that all of our honorees tonight embody all of these qualities.”

The first honoree of the evening was Bristol Community College, who has opened its doors to the required parent classes for the last two years. Dean Kathy Torpey Garganta was recognized by Fox as “our local ambassador to higher education for many local families. She has spoken at parent classes, encouraging parents to read to their younger children and to bring their teens in for a tour of the campus in a way that takes some of the intimidation out of high ed.” Fox went on to say that “we want to recognize the college as an entity that, under the leadership of Dr. John Sbrega, BCC’s president, has had such a positive impact on the children in our community, many of whom are going on to college who may not have made the choice to stay in school if BCC wasn’t in our community in the positive way that it is.” Dr Sbrega spoke briefly, thanking the Council for the recognition and acknowledging the Dean’s close ties to the community.

With just weeks before the phones needed to be turned on for Christmas is for Kids and without a home, Mayor Dumas offered two ideas for space, one of which was ultimately the volunteers’ home away from home for the month of December. But the decision to honor the Mayor, explained Fox, “is about so much more than his help to get space for us, although we can’t thank him enough for that. Mayor Dumas has been a vocal proponent and advocate of helping the children and families in the city who need an advocate. Mayor Dumas started the Attleboro Youth Commission, lead the National Trails Day Walk with local children and worked with the Boy Scouts to clean up the Blackinton Pond.” His efforts to raise funds for fuel assistance were also noted. Before bring Mayor Dumas to the podium, Fox finished by saying, “I am sure that there is a long list of additional programs that he’s helped with where he wasn’t in the spotlight and for me, that is true leadership: doing the right thing when no one’s looking!”

The Mayor and the Attleboro School Department worked together to offer the use of the old Brennen Middle School for the month of December for Christmas is for Kids, which gave new toys and clothes to 884 local children. Special thanks went to the maintenance department for their help because, as Fox described, “you cannot imagine the level of trash and mess that can be created when over 100 volunteers haul truckloads of toys and clothes into the space to turn it into Santa’s workshop!” Tim Richmond, the director of The Network, Attleboro’s alternative high school which is housed in the same building, was recognized for his work “in creating an environment that encourages the students to have compassion for the children we serve” observed Fox. “We applaud Dr. Pia Durkin’s leadership in insisting that ALL children have an opportunity to learn in an environment that works best for them, a challenge given the diverse nature of the city, but necessary for exactly that reason. From the honors program at the high school to the most challenged students, it seems to us that Dr. Durkin’s Journey Toward Excellence allows every student to find their own definition of excellence.” This wasn’t the first collaboration the Council for Children has had with Attleboro Schools. Last spring, the council was a sponsor of the all-city music festival. Upon accepting the award, Dr. Durkin offered the space again for the gift drive and said that she looked forward to additional partnerships.

For hundreds of local Christmas is for Kids supporters, Santa’s sleigh bells sound more like the roar of a Harley. For nearly 20 years, the Blackstone Valley Harley Owner’s Group has kicked off the Christmas is for Kids toy drive with a “run” through several towns, finishing at the North Attleboro Elks Lodge. “The HOG run is one of the most fun things we do. The younger elves take the job of counting the bikes as they drive in and the more seasoned elves have fun gathering the toys in bags as each member of the Harley Owners Group walks in for lunch. They have never let us down, regardless of weather, and we are incredibly thankful for their unwavering support,” Fox told the group, “To say that this recognition is overdue is an understatement. Their members have helped us solidify relationships with other supporters, compounding their help exponentially. We are very glad that Ron Hawkins, the club’s secretary, and his wife Charlene, are with us here tonight.” Upon accepting the award, Hawkins told the group, “As long as there is a Christmas is for Kids, there will be a run to support it!”

Best friends Claudia Courville and Irene Briggs, along with Irene’s husband Marty, spend some of their free time all year shopping for infant clothes even though they don’t have any children that size in their homes. They buy for children they will never meet. Claudia buys girls’ clothes and Irene and Marty buy the boys’ clothes, keeping an inventory of what they have and then, the first week of drop-off for Christmas is for Kids, they come to the drop-off center and invariably between the friends, they will take care of almost every infant in the program. They’ve lost track of the number of years that they have helped. “Their generosity is matched only by their compassion,” observed Fox as she went on to tell a story of one young family that was helped in 2009. There was a rare situation where parents of 30+ children needed to go on a waiting list, including one young family who had a little boy in an infant carrier. “If you remember the week before Christmas,” said Fox, “it was bitter cold. We allowed the parents to take whatever they needed from what was left. This young couple went right over to the infant clothes and picked up … a snowsuit. We watched as the mother unwrapped the baby from the blanket and we saw that he had only a light pair of pajamas on. She dressed him in warmer clothes and put the snowsuit right on him. We immediately bagged up every piece of warm clothing in that child’s size and gave it to them. This gift came from you and we know that this scene was played out in so many homes on Christmas morning thanks to your love of these babies.”

The Christmas is for Kids spirit sometimes gets us to do things that under other circumstances we wouldn’t have an opportunity to do,” Fox told the group. For example, people who would rather do almost anything but shop, they compelled to shop. Janet Morrissey described her daughter Erin as someone who “hates to shop.” “But you would never know it,” according to Fox, “ if you saw Erin carefully read the details of a child’s wish-list and note down every detail for the long list of children she buys for every year with her mother. I always seem to have a few “problem” children. … Children whose stories have jumped out at me because of extraordinary issues. Children that I want to have a little extra TLC. When Erin comes in, I know they’ll be in good hands. It’s people like the Morrisseys who put that level of concern and care into making sure that each child is delighted on Christmas morning."

Up until 2009, Norton Fire Chief Richard Gomes’ secretary, Judy McCarron, coordinated the Christmas is for Kids program for the Norton families. Hundreds of Norton children have benefited from her spirit and the generosity of the fire chief in giving her the flexibility to work for the town in a different way. In early 2009, Judy announced that she was ready to step down and begin enjoying the holidays with her family. “We appreciate the confidence she and Chief Gomes had in our ability to bring the Norton children under our wing,” Fox said, “Judy’s contacts in the Norton community helped enormously during the 2009 gift drive. We heard over and over about how wonderful she is, which of course we already knew. But she obviously did an amazing job of building bridges in the community in order to coordinate the program so well. We also want to recognize the chief for his continued support of our programs. He was instrumental in getting support from the town during the transition, which made things go very smoothly not only for us, but especially for the parents and the donors. Chief Gomes will be still be working with us as we go forward. He has volunteered to teach one of our Christmas is for Kids parent classes this year at BCC and we are very grateful for his support of all of our programs.”

* Local Motorcyclists to Host Annual Ride to Support Christmas is for Kids *

On Sunday November 1st, the Blackstone Valley Harley Owners Group (HOG.) hosted their annual Christmas is for Kids^TM Ride as the kick-off to the annual gift drive to support Christmas is for Kids^TM. As in years past, Blackstone Valley HOG is continuing to enrich the lives of local children and families in need through their support of the Attleboro Area Council for Children's program.

The police-led ride departed Preceision Harley Davidison at 11:30 AM and, once again, was lead by Santa. The ride finished at the North Attleboro Elks Lodge on Bulfinch Street where a huge Italian feast was served. Blackstone Valley HOG welcomes all makes of bikes to this rain or shine event. Those attending in cars prodeeded directly to the North Attleboro Elks Lodge.

Riders brought new unwrapped toys or a $10 cash donation. Proceeds from the ride went to the Attleboro Area Council for Children for their Christmas is for Kids^TM (CIFK) program. Christmas is for Kids^TM is a volunteer run, gift-giving program that assists children who would otherwise go without a gift on Christmas Day. CIFK assists local families from Attleboro, North Attleboro, Norton, Seekonk and Rehoboth who are in need.

"In such tough economic times," Council board member Meredith Brooks said, "We are grateful to the Blackstone Valley H.O.G.'s for their continued support and dedication to this cause."

Blackstone Valley HOG, sponsored by Precision Harley-Davidson Buell of Pawtucket, RI, is a local chapter of the over 1,000,000 member strong Harley Owners Group. We draw our members from Southern Massachusetts and Northern Rhode Island. For more information on the Christmas is for Kids ride visit www.blackstonevalleyhog.com or call Firman Locke at (508) 543-3457, flocke@naisp.net.

The Greater Attleboro Area Council for Children is a volunteer organization dedicated to providing year-round programs and educational support to enrich the lives of children in need. The Council provides programs and services to children and families residing in Attleboro, North Attleboro, Mansfield, Norton, Seekonk and Rehoboth. The Council’s initiatives include Christmas is for Kids, Happy Birthday Backpacks, and Bears on Board. For more information, visit http://www.councilforchildren.org/.

Get Information on the Area’s Preschools in One Place, on One Night

Learn to maneuver the process of selecting a preschool

NORTH ATTLEBORO - The MOMS Club® of North Attleboro Sixth Annual Preschool Information Night took place on Thursday, October 15^th, 2009. Over 25 of the area’s preschools were invited to participate in the open house-style event, which took place at the North Attleboro Middle School cafeteria from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The event was free and open to the public.

“Our goal is to help ease the preschool selection process and inform area parents to the options available to them. Several preschools have October and November deadlines for the 2010 school year. Many parents don’t realize they need to start planning now for next September. Parents will be able to gather information in one place, in one night,” said Pamela Schuster, president of the MOMS Club of North Attleboro.

Parents had the opportunity to talk with representatives from the preschools and hear first-hand experiences from parents who’ve already traveled this road. Booths with displays from each preschool gave parents an idea of the choices in area preschools and an overview of teaching methods of each school. In addition, all parents who attended the open house were entered in a raffle for prizes including Fidelity Clubhouse tickets for an upcoming New England Revolution match, free sessions in area preschool enrichment classes, and gift certificates from local businesses.

Contact: Pam Schuster or Tina Neighbors, vice presidents of the MOMS Club of North Attleboro and event chairwomen at northattleboroughmoms@yahoo.com.

In an effort to keep potentially unsafe children's items from being resold, Toys "R" Us Inc. launched a program that allows consumers to trade in used cribs, car seats and other baby products for discounts on new items in those categories.

The program, known as the "Great Trade-In" event ran from Aug. 28 to Sept. 20, 2009. Toys "R" Us encourages day-care centers or other organizations who want to exchange items in bulk to contact their local store beforehand to ensure availability of new merchandise.

For each used item consumers bring in to Babies "R" Us or Toys "R" Us locations nationwide, they will receive a 20% discount on any new product from select manufacturers. Additional products that can be brought in are bassinets, strollers, travel systems, play yards and high chairs. "We felt these were categories that were somewhat suspect, either because of the nature of the category or because there have been a large number of recalls in the category," said Jerry Storch, chairman and chief executive of the Wayne, N.J. company. "We feel it's critical to get these older products out of the chain of commerce."

Indeed, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and safety advocacy groups are urging people to be more careful about buying and selling used products that could be dangerous. In 2008, 563 product recalls were issued, up from 472 the year before and 402 in 2005, according to the CPSC. Items that have been recalled range from cribs to play yards to children's metal jewelry.

Parents should also be aware of safety concerns involving certain products, even if they have not been recalled. For instance, with cribs, regulations for safety testing have changed in recent years and older products may not meet the new requirements. And car seats have expiration dates because materials can deteriorate over time, potentially making the product less effective in a crash.

By ANJALI ATHAVALEY
Write to Anjali Athavaley at anjali.athavaley@wsj.com

Greater Attleboro Women of Today held a Car Seat Safety Program/Blood Pressure Check-Up/Membership Drive along with the Professional Firefighters of Attleboro. This event was held on Saturday, May 23rd from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the South Attleboro Fire Department at 1476 West Street (Route 123). There were 2 certified firefighters to do the Car Seat Safety Program and 2 paramedics available for the Blood Pressure Check-up.

The Attleboro Public Library sponsored a free "Home Energy Seminar" on Thursday, April 30th, 7:00 p.m. in the Balfour Room of the Library as the first event of our "Back to Basics" movement. The seminar style talk was provided by the Massachusetts Municipal Association focusing on ways to reduce home energy costs, quick easy do-it-yourself solutions for saving on energy, and financing opportunities for homeowners considering alternative or replacement energy techniques. Participants were offered a variety of informational pamphlets to further their ability to consider cost saving options for their home.

The Massachusetts Municipal Association, of which Attleboro is a member, states on its website: mma.org, that "The Massachusetts Municipal Association is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association that provides advocacy, training, publications, research and other services to Massachusetts cities and towns. The MMA is the only statewide organization that brings municipal officials together to establish unified policies, to advocate these policies, and to ensure the effective delivery of services to community residents." The "Home Energy Seminars" take this mission a step further, by providing up-to-date information directly to the residents of Massachusetts.

The "Back to Basics" movement at the Library is part of an overall planning effort being developed to better serve our residents. The Library has always been an information and resource center for the individuals we serve, but with the changing times we are looking at ways to improve upon serving the current and future needs of our community. From programming to collection development to at home on-line resources, as well as in house library services, our staff is developing the tools needed to meet these needs. In today's economy we are making every effort to put our dollars to the best and greater use for the people of Attleboro. Helping people with the information to get "back to basics", whether for the home, job, family, or personal need- we at the APL are there for you!

For further info, please contact: Joan Pilkington-Smyth, Assistant Director, APL.
jpilking@sailsinc.org; 508-222-0157.

Nancy Young, owner of Attleboro Jewelry Makers, was honored for her help over the years as a supporter of the Council and for donating space for the 2007 Christmas Is For Kids drive. As noted by Fox, Young also was recognized "for her commitment to helping children in Attleboro in ways that most people don't know about, such as mentoring more than 30 teens over the years, often times helping them get into college."

Brian Germain, the owner of Germain Plumbing, was recognized for donating space to the 2008 Christmas Is For Kids drive as well as for contributing to the drive.

Lisa Jessick and Beth Fies, owners for Dream Dinners in Plainville, were recognized for their help through the year on several initiatives to help the council.

According to Fox, Dream Dinners and its guests raised hundreds of dollars to sponsor one particularly hard-hit family in 2008 by giving them a pantry make-over and enough cash to buy a new refrigerator, and Jessick and Fies also brought lunch to the elves during Christmas Is For Kids, did a hat-and-mitten drive for the program, sponsored some of the children on the drive and also have helped with the council's Happy Birthday Backpack program.

The Greater Attleboro Leo Club, based at Attleboro High School, was recognized for making 75 stockings each year for the Christmas Is For Kids children, and for providing hope for tomorrow, according to Fox, who said, "If you ever need reassurance that we're leaving the world in good hands, you need to meet these students. These teens are wonderful!"

Sheila McKenna of Attleboro, although not able to attend, was recognized for having led a book drive through her Bridgewater State College alumni association and collected more than 400 books for the Council.

Borders Books in North Attleboro and in Mansfield, and the Children's Place at Emerald Square mall on Route 1 in North Attelboro.

Although these three retailers also were not present, they were recognized for their support of the Christmas Is For Kids drive. Borders Books in North Attleboro and in Mansfield each collected more than 1,000 books for the drive, and The Children's Place at Emerald Square mall, came to the rescue during the last few days of the drive as volunteers scrambled to make sure that all of the children had clothes.

"The employees at all three stores were incredibly helpful and patient, really trying to be sure that we had exactly the right item for each child," Fox said.

"We have found wonderful partners at each location and look forward to working with them going forward."

The Council for Children's board of directors includes Debra Mark, Anne Bibeault, Sandra Newfield, Deborah Hegarty, Dave Kane, Alan Goldberg, Laura Dolan, Meredith Brooks, Karen Reimels, Judy Romero, Liz Cochrane and Nancy Monroe.

The council invites others to join as well, noting that it meets the third Monday evening of each month. To volunteer, visit councilforchildren.org

BY JANETTE BOULAY FOR THE SUN CHRONICLE
Saturday, March 23, 2009 2:18 AM EST

TAUNTON - The Fairy GodMother Project will celebrates its 10th year helping teenage girls get to the prom in style with the 10th annual Princess Boutique on Friday March 20 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Saturday March 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Holy Rosary Parish Center, 80 Bay Street, Taunton. (map/directions)

The nonprofit organization offers free prom attire to teenage girls that are financially challenged. The Fairy GodMother Project, formed in 2000,has assisted more than 4000 teenage girls in Massachusetts with free prom gowns, shoes, gloves, purses, jewelry and make-up.

Since forming the Taunton Princess Boutique, the Fairy GodMother Project has launched a sister program on the North Shore and also holds Princess Boutiques at the Assabet Valley Regional High School to help teens in the Metro-West area.

Any teenage girl attending a prom or formal high dchool dance may qualify. If you would like to help, unopened make-up, gift certificates for Hair & Nail Salons and monetary donations can be sent to: Fairy GodMother Project P.O. Box 222 Raynham, MA 02768. Any interested student may see their guidance counselor for more information or call Denise at 508-824-7748 to make an appointment.

Deana Pinette, owner of The Cutting Edge Salon & Spa on South Main Street in Attleboro and Jessica Tyler of WCTK 98.1 radio station look through some of the over 300 prom and party dresses that were donated over the last couple of weeks. (Submitted)

ATTLEBORO -- It might not be the classic fairy princess story, but many a young lady might feel that way come prom season, thanks to a new effort called the Cinderella Swap.

The effort was started by Deana Pinette, owner of the Cutting Edge Salon & Spa in Attleboro, who teamed up with Nations Heritage Federal Credit Union and Cat Country 98.1 WCTK to help ensure that area high school girls in need of a little extra help this year get the opportunity to attend their proms - in style.

As part of the event, Jessica Tyler of WCTK conducted a live broadcast at The Cutting Edge Friday to help publicize the event, noting the donations that area businesses have made toward the effort.

Pinette says she has been more than pleased with both the prom dresses and donations.

"It has been so incredible the response we have had with such generous people," Pinette said of the prom dresses. "Many of them still even have price tags on them, and have never been worn. People have driven from the Cape and from the other side of Rhode Island just to bring in dresses.

"I think the girls will be very surprised at what a wonderful selection they will have. We have even had some jewelry, shoes, accessories, and hand bags donated."

With a few hundred dresses donated so far, Pinette says she is now focusing on setting up after-hours appointments for area girls to come in and try on a dress.

In addition to the many prom dresses, some of the donations that have been made to make the prom a special event for area girls are:

A limousine for the evening for one lucky girl, donated by Nations Heritage Federal Credit Union.

Flowers, donated by Flowers by the Station.

Dry cleaning and alteration certificates, donated by KC Dry Cleaners and Tailoring.

Gift certificates for salon services, donated by The Cutting Edge and its vendors.

For those who would like to support the event, organizers are asking for gently used, clean, and in-style prom dresses, as well as donated raffle items from area businesses.

Dresses can be dropped off at The Cutting Edge Salon & Spa, 778 South Main St., Attleboro from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.

To make a raffle or gift bag donation, contact Sheila Farragher at 1-800-325-8428 x153 or via sfarragher@nationsheritagefcu.com. For information about other aspects of The Cinderella Swap, call Deana Pinette at 508-222-5592 or 774-282-0322, or via e-mail at deana@thecuttingedgesalonandspa.com.

By ANJALI ATHAVALEYWrite to Anjali Athavaley at anjali.athavaley@wsj.com

By ANJALI ATHAVALEY
Write to Anjali Athavaley at anjali.athavaley@wsj.com