Valued Family Updates

Holiday Kick-Off! Meeting:  December 7, Harmony Cafe, 2:00-4:00 pm

Please enter through the outside doors leading to the multicultural center. The cafe will be locked but the multicultural center (where we typically gather) will be open.

Recycled Toys! 

In the spirt of the season and with a nod to reducing consumption and reusing, please bring a gently used toy or book your child has outgrown and we will do a gift exchange with one another.

Bakers Wanted!

Participants are encouraged to bring  a holiday cookie or treat to share. Cider will be provided. 

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Harmony Cafe Happenings:

December 1- World Aids Day Initiative

6:00-9:00 

Meet at Lawrence Chapel and walk to Harmony in solidarity with those worldwide dealing with Aids and HIV related illnesses. For more information, please visit the HArmony Cafe Wed site

Harmony Cafe Turns Five!

The Golden Bean Event,  November 21st- All day happenings at Harmony Cafe.

 Complimentary Coffee and activities. Come learn more about Harmony Cafe's Programs

5:30-7:30 Harmony Happy Hour

Fundraising Raffle

Local Artist Silent Auction

Entertainment and hors'-douerves

Come and support Harmony Cafe with a generous contribution to help support programs like Valued Families!

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I rarely post things from outside sources but this editorial given by Keith Olbermann last night was very powerful and I knew it would speak to all of you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhrNjMgmrds

Be well-

Lee

Vote Today!!!

Gosh, I know I am preaching to the choir here, but don't forget to make your voices heard today in what promises to be a historic election. And, keep your fingers crossed for California too as they have Proposition Hate, I mean 8 on the ballot to try and overturn the state's recently legalized gay marriage.

So, vote for your future, vote for  your children's future, vote from your heart and, hey, I AM the blog administrator so, "Go'Bama!!! 

Valued Families Celebrates Six Month Milestone!

Thank you so much for a terrific turn-out for or last park meeting for the season! It truly warmed my heart to see the children interacting and playing with one another (finally!) and the parents socializing and getting to know one another better. It was very satisfying to know that at our group's six month mark, we have already met our primary mission to provide social networking and support for gay and lesbian families and their children. This spring, with the "It's Elementary" screening we will celebrate our 1 year anniversary by moving into the advocacy portion of our mission. I am looking forward to it!

As the weather turns colder, we will move the meetings to Harmony Cafe. The first Sundays of each month, again from 2:00 -4:00. The Cafe is closed to the public on Sundays so it is very gracious of the Harmony staff to allow us this privilege. Let's try to keep that in mind as we bring in snacks and activities....we are responsible for leaving he place as we left it! :)

In the upcoming months, I'd love to see some of you early  and one time attendees return. We loved meeting you the first time, please join us again and see all of the new faces.

Parents willing and able to help me organize some activities for the children and/or brings snacks should contact me and pick a month. I'd really appreciate the support. Ideas for activities include:

-Age appropriate art project

-Music time (anyone play an  instrument?)

-organized game

-story time

-Holiday cookie decorating.

I think if we have at least 30 minutes of something organized it will add a little more value  (no pun intended!) to our get-togethers. 

For the parents: I am definitely hoping to do some parent's night activities to get us through the long winter, and I would like to plan another family outing. The Green Bay Botanical Garden Festival of Lights is one idea. And certainly we will have a sledding hill day one snowy afternoon. Thoughts?

Reminder Valued Families Meeting Sunday October 12th

The forecast is for beautiful sunshine and 70 degree temperatures so please join us at City Park for what will be our last outdoor gathering until the spring thaw!

City Park, Appleton WI

Meet by the playground.

2:00-4:00 PM