How YOU Can Help This Holiday Season

Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg... 

Holiday music can be heard everywhere now  (well maybe not that particular song) reminding us that tis the season already!  The holidays can be a happy time with lots of time spent with friends and family, eating delicious food and exchanging thoughtful gifts.

Unfortunately, the holidays can also be a rough time for some people.  Those without the resources to put a big meal on the table or purchase presents for their loved ones and those without loved ones have an especially hard time coping during the holidays.  BUT, there are many ways for you to help!

~ORGANIZE A FOOD DRIVE~

Find a local charity or food bank that you want to help.  It helps if you talk to them first to find out what they need the most.  Then organize, promote, collect and deliver!  For tips on how to organize a great food drive check out Tackle Hunger .

       
~WARM THE HOMELESS~

It's starting to get a bit chilly out there and it is only going to get colder.  Many local shelters including the Bridge are accepting new and gently used blankets and coats.

~FEED THE HUNGRY~

You could help cook or serve food in a soup kitchen.  Check out the Soup Mobile for opportunities.

~COLLECT TOYS~

The holidays can be especially hard for needy children.  Consider donating toys this season.  Many charities, including Children's Medical Center are now accepting new toys.  Or, consider "adopting" a child by participating in an Angel Tree  program where you find out the needs and wishes of a specific little boy or girl and buy gifts for them.

~SORT DONATIONS~


As donations increase this time of year to local charities, so does the work of sorting them.  Why not spend an afternoon helping out?  Goodwill says that it always needs help.

Teens Act Out at the Backstage Workshops

Teens have been having a blast with the Junior Players the past two Saturdays at the Backstage Acting Workshops.

This past Saturday, teens at the Central Library honed their skills in the auditorium.  They worked on proper annunciation with some tongue twisters and vocal warmups to start.  Then, they participated in various role playing exercises including an improvisation challenge where they were split into groups and given three words that they must incorporate into a scene and act it out together.  

 

There are three Saturdays left so you still have time to come out and be a part of the fun!  The workshops will continue each Saturday through December 3rd from 1-3pm at the Bachman Lake, Hampton Illinois and Central libraries.  

Lookout for the workshops at other library branches starting in January. 

Teens Learn About The College Admissions Process at Mountain Creek

Ahhhhhhh, Autumn...... The season for apples, pumpkins, leaves, football and APPLYING TO COLLEGE! 

That's right, high school seniors everywhere should be working hard to fill out applications, write essays, send transcripts and test scores, and collect letters of recommendation.

This past Saturday, teens met at Mountain Creek Branch Library for a college admissions workshop held by Teen Centers. Teens got tips from a real college admissions counselor on choosing the right school for them and what they need to do to get going in the right direction.

Because it's never too early to start planning for college.  Younger teens learned about the things they need to be doing now to get ready for college in the future.

If you want to have a college admissions workshop at your local branch, let them know!  We also plan to hold financial aid workshops in the Spring--we'll keep you posted!