Your loving hearts do so much for each of our children. You are assuring that not one sad-eyed child will lack a gift beneath the tree.  One, maybe who is a little scared of Santa, but other than that...

Now I am thinking about what it means to give a child the chance to give from his heart and ability, so he, too, experiences the joy

of giving.

1.  A jewelry box made from an egg carton.  Child paints the carton and adds such decorations, glitter, whatsoever is desired.   This is sturdy and the little egg cups make a great place to separate pins, earrings, etc..   I  used mine for years.  Sat right out on top of the dresser, it did, until many years later it fell apart.  Even then, I tried fixing it.  “Mom” was written on it with silver glitter over blue paint.  It was beautiful.

2.  Imprint.  Anything made using the child’s precious, growing hands is a treasure.  The one I still have are little hands imprinted in plaster of paris, then decorated,  with a hanger added.  I did not hang it up; I was afraid it would fall and break.  I wrapped it in tissue and tucked it carefully in a drawer, where I dig it out now and then to show.  The child can mix up the water and plaster and pour it in an appropriate dish awaiting the

imprinting process.

3.  Wreath:  Remember that rim from the paper plate?   It also is a great setting for a wreath to which is glued decorations of choice  Mine has lots of small pieces of green tissue paper, bunched up and glued on.   Tiny dots of red paper was hole punched and added.   Some glitter was sprinkled on it.  It is beautiful.

I have many more from all my children through the years.  I love them and remember the joy and pride with which they were presented.

Is that Penny Pincher we see smiling in the background?   These are all in her domain:  they do not waste money or land fill space.

My choice for Store Walking this week is our local Target.  They are unfailingly cheerful and helpful.  Target has been very generous to local charities, including Better Beginnings.   They have a goal of donating five percent  of their profits to their communities, throughout the year.  I find this, as you can imagine, very admirable.  I like the idea of rolling along, with 5% of my purchase going to a local charity.

Cranbury Seniors and East Windsor Senior Center collaborated, it seems to me, to make Christmas really special for the children. If you could see these beautiful Teddy Bears, all dressed in hand crocheted, knitted, or sewn outfits.  You can see the love in every stitch.    Thank you Amy Bauman, Director, for delivering them.

Pete and Kerri Bussone are again spearheading a toy drive for our children, along with those in Head start, living in the motels and any others that might be overlooked.  A  very generous gift of toys and cash have been added by Judy and Tory Watkins, long time friends as well and good friend and Board member, member Carol Jones.

Two of my heroes appeared, as they often do.  Roger Hummel is dismantling his home and we are the fortunate recipients of valuable items he cannot transport.  This time the useful items include a Visioneer Scanner, as well as many children’s items including crib, booster chair, car seats, training chair, and seven bikes.. .   George Medary is still collecting pennies and other items for us.

Arlene O’Rourke, always thinking of

something special, brought by “Grow to Pro Basketball” which will make one of our Super:BBs very happy.   Caroline Weihrauch is a faithful friend, often bringing by whatever we have designated as a special need.   This includes a book bag, as well as office, school and art supplies a plenty.

Cranbury United Methodist Church remembered that “Tuesday is Paper Day” at Better Beginnings and made plentiful donations of needed paper goods plus craft materials and items.

A heart felt thank you and big hugs to Frances Rios and Minnie Bell who continue to remember Uncle and Brother Jimmy Jackson through their faithful monthly contribution to our Endowment Fund.

Many other useful items were donated by Millie K. Brown, David Goldstein, Nanci Roach and Amy Gazale which included toys, magazines, books, food, and more.

Our best wishes to our friend, “Mr. Jonathan” Craig in hopes he will soon recover from a recent fall.

It’s not easy learning English, you know.   Even for those who speak English first and last, it can be confusing.  I admire Roget.  What a genius, putting together all those words, each with a variety of similar words; some (no many) with more than one meaning.  Example I can go from “agreement” to “psychiatrist” in three moves.  Can you?   See below for answer.

Imagine this child’s puzzlement:  Teacher:  “The rent costs a mint around here.”

Parent nods.  Boy looks in his hand at the candy mints his parent just gave him and offers one to his teacher.

Teacher, “Oh, honey, sorry, that’s not the mint that I meant.”

Agreement = Contract

Contract = Shrink

Shrink = Psychiatrist

Bettie Witherspoon is a former executive director of Better Beginnings, which has provided affordable child care to the East Windsor/Hightstown area since 1967.