SC - Toys for Tots and other comments

[Jenne Heise]

> Kids really want
> Adults to
> be there for them, Not just give them a toy an told to go play now.
> Give
> them the toy but be willing to play with the child, that is what is
> really
> wanted.  

My experience with toys for children program (I don't remember which ones)
is from helping a couple of people who were on assistance over the
holidays. It's amazing how much comfort a _parent_ takes from knowing that
their kids are going to get toys for the holiday.

>Many times we give a toy to a barrel and think I did a good deed
> but when was the last time (parents of children under 12 not included)
> You played with a child in the neighborhood?  Catch, jacks anything?

Um, does teaching 20  teen and pre-teenagers to make their own mustard
count? *grin*  I know the question is rhetorical. But I'm using it to put
in a plug for children's activities AND the pages' programs that are
springing up for teens around the SCA. (Some of those teens bring their
parents in, rather than the other way around.) I've been involved with
teen programs in the SCA on and off since I joined; and I can vouch that
it is really rewarding, if sometimes exhausting! So if you have the
opportunity to work with those programs in your local group or region, do
it... you won't regret it.

Jadwiga Zajaczkowa, mka Jennifer Heise	      jenne at tulgey.browser.net
disclaimer: i speak for no-one and no-one speaks for me.

"They do not preach that their God will rouse them a little before the 
	nuts work loose. 
They do not preach that His Pity allows them to drop their job when 
	they damn-well choose. " -Kipling, "The Sons of Martha"