Murfreesboro, TN - Holidays are a particularly stressful time of year for many of the families served by the Child Advocacy Center of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, said Executive Director Sharon De Boer.
“Many families are struggling financially and cannot afford to provide Christmas gifts for their children,” De Boer said.
One of the mothers reached out for help this holiday season and said to Family Services Coordinator Jennifer Gamble, “I have been so stressed out about Christmas this year. My kids made their Santa lists and brought them to me. I did not think they would have a Christmas this year.”
Gamble matched the family with a church that is helping them this holiday season.
There are many more families that need help this holiday season. There are four ways that individuals, churches, businesses, and civic groups can get involved during the holidays:
- Sponsor a family with holiday gifts for the children and grocery store gift certificates.
- Sponsor a family with a Wal-Mart or grocery store gift certificates.
- Sponsor the Child Advocacy Center through a special holiday donation.
- Sponsor the Center and provide items that are needed, such as blank DVD’s, easel board paper, markers, juice boxes, bottled water, caffeine-free cokes, and individually wrapped snacks.
Rev. Kristina Brown of First Baptist Church said the members sponsor Child Advocacy Center families.
“First Baptist Church sponsors families each Christmas through the Child Advocacy Center because we feel the CAC does an outstanding job of caring for the children affected by abuse as well as for their families,” Rev. Brown said. “We are so impressed with the level of confidentiality and have complete trust in the staff at the Child Advocacy Center.”
It is not too late to be a Secret Santa and make a child’s Christmas wishes come true this year.
If you would like to sponsor a needy family this holiday season, please contact Gamble at the Rutherford County Child Advocacy Center at 867-9000 or Susan Lankheet at the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 563-9915.
For this year’s MTSU Family Weekend Oct. 28-29, participants can “mix and match their favorite events to make their own personalized experience,” said Mark Murphy, interim coordinator of the University’s New Student and Family Programs.
Family Weekend will kick off Friday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. with the 2010 Sun Belt Conference volleyball champion Blue Raiders facing North Texas in Alumni Memorial Gym. Family Weekend will end Saturday, Oct. 29, with a 7:30 p.m. presentation of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in the Boutwell Dramatic Arts Building’s Tucker Theatre.
In between, there will be plenty of food, including tailgating and an all-you-can-eat Cajun feast, and fun leading up to the 6:30 p.m. Sun Belt football matchup between MTSU and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in Floyd Stadium.
Parents and families are encouraged to visit their students and participate in the various campus events and activities throughout the weekend, Murphy said.
A full list of activities can be found at bit.ly/MTFamilyWeekend2011. While on campus, parents also may join the Parent and Family Association, organizers said.
For more information, visit the website, call 615-898-2454 or 800-537-2405 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Gina Poff is director of New Student and Family Programs.
– Randy Weiler ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Who can be a host family?
- If you can provide the time to build a relationship with a curious and dedicated student...
- If you want to see our city and culture from a fresh perspective...
- If you have space for a student in your home...
- Working parents
- Single parents
- Families with young children
- Families with grown children
- Families with no children
- Families with adopted children
What does a host family look like?
Of course, there are a few logistical requirements – like getting your student to our center, and furnishing the bedroom. Please call me at 615.898.5212 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to discuss any questions you have.
When grandmother of three and Murfreesboro resident Phyllis Davenport was not able to purchase a holiday tree this year, Target and United Way teamed up to provide her family with a decorated tree just in time for the season.
The donation came through Target’s Share-A-Tree program. From December 18-22, Target stores across the country will celebrate the season of giving by donating 2,678 decorated holiday trees to United Way.
United Way volunteers will distribute the trees—worth an estimated $500,000—to families in need and partners such as shelters, community centers and childcare programs. This is the 20th consecutive year for the holiday partnership.
When grandmother of three and Murfreesboro resident Phyllis Davenport was not able to purchase a holiday tree this year, Target and United Way teamed up to provide her family with a decorated tree just in time for the season.
The donation came through Target’s Share-A-Tree program. From December 18-22, Target stores across the country will celebrate the season of giving by donating 2,678 decorated holiday trees to United Way.
United Way volunteers will distribute the trees—worth an estimated $500,000—to families in need and partners such as shelters, community centers and childcare programs. This is the 20th consecutive year for the holiday partnership.
The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties was able to deliver four of the trees to local families in need to make their holiday season a little brighter.
Davenport said that she was very excited, “mostly because my grandchildren were so excited I got it.” Davenport noted that since they did not have a tree, receiving the donation from Target would “help to make this Christmas special.”
As further demonstration of Target’s commitment to partnering with United Way to create opportunities for a better life for all people, Target and its Team Members pledged more than $14.3 million nationally through their 2010 United Way workplace giving campaign.
“The holiday season is about sharing with others, especially those in need,” said President of Target Community Relations and Target Foundation Laysha Ward. “With our partners at United Way, Target is honored to continue the tradition of sharing our holiday trees with families across the country.”
The United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties was able to deliver four of the trees to local families in need to make their holiday season a little brighter.
Davenport said that she was very excited, “mostly because my grandchildren were so excited I got it.” Davenport noted that since they did not have a tree, receiving the donation from Target would “help to make this Christmas special.”
As further demonstration of Target’s commitment to partnering with United Way to create opportunities for a better life for all people, Target and its Team Members pledged more than $14.3 million nationally through their 2010 United Way workplace giving campaign.
“The holiday season is about sharing with others, especially those in need,” said President of Target Community Relations and Target Foundation Laysha Ward. “With our partners at United Way, Target is honored to continue the tradition of sharing our holiday trees with families across the country.”
Video games are a past time enjoyed by a fair amount of young people these days, and as the holiday approaches parents and significant others realize what an expensive past time video games can be. Have no fear! With the popularity of video games, many stores around Murfreesboro now offer a great selection of used video games that will satisfy the gamer without breaking your wallet.
Below are some games to be on the lookout for when checking the used section.
Places around Murfreesboro to find used Video Games:
Play n’ Trade:
427 N. Thompson Lane
(615) 890-4263
GameStop:
1. 1720 Old Fort Parkway
(615) 849-4039
2. 1970 Old Fort Parkway
(615) 867- 6767
3. 2866 S. Rutherford
(615) 904-8660
WASHINGTON - Families who adopt children will be able to take advantage of a newly expanded tax credit for the 2010 tax year, Congressman Bart Gordon announced this week.
Gordon, a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, praised the IRS’ announcement that the maximum adoption credit will increase to $13,170 per child this year. The expanded credit follows on a measure included in the Affordable Care Act, which passed this spring with Gordon’s support.
“I’ve heard from so many Middle Tennessee families over the years who have provided loving homes to adopted children, both international and American-born. ” Gordon said. “The least we can do for these families is help ease the financial burden of the adoption process.”
The new credit is designed to help offset the expenses accumulated throughout the adoption process, including adoption fees, court costs, attorney’s fees and travel expenses. The policy not only increases the maximum amount of the tax credit, but also makes the credit refundable. Eligible low-income taxpayers who owe no tax for that year can take advantage of the tax credit and have it included in their refund.
Earlier this year, the House passed The International Adoption Harmonization Act to cut down on red tape in certain areas of the adoption process. The bill reduces certain vaccination documentation requirements and simplifies the legal immigration process for children adopted at an older age. Adoptions of international teenagers are not as common as adoptions of young children, but equally important, often arising from special circumstances such as when a family wishes to reunite a group of siblings.
“When a child in need finds a home with deserving parents, it’s a blessing both for the child and for the new family,” Gordon said. “Bureaucratic headaches should never stand in the way. The more procedural steps we can streamline, the better.”
Gordon has worked throughout his time in Congress to make the adoption process easier for deserving parents. In 1994, Gordon travelled to Romania, where he visited children in the country’s orphanages and met with Romanian officials in the wake of reports of inhumane conditions and restrictive regulations that prevented children from being adopted.
“In my travels in Romania, I saw haunting images of physical and emotional neglect in the country’s orphanages. Many international families wanted to adopt these children, but cumbersome adoption laws stood in the way,” Gordon said.
Gordon’s visits and leverage in Congress ultimately led Romania to ease restrictions on Americans wanting to adopt Romanian children. In 1997, Gordon also co-sponsored legislation to help foster children find their way into permanent adoption, which led to a steep increase in the number of adoptions from foster care.
MURFREESBORO TN - Family Weekend will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23, during MTSU’s homecoming festivities, officials in the Office of New Student and Family Programs said.Since Family Weekend will be held in conjunction with homecoming, attendees should consult the homecoming schedule of events. Go to www.mtalumni.com and click on the “Homecoming 2010 Bright Lights, Blue City!” icon at the top of the home page.
Students can buy discounted tickets for family members and friends for the Saturday, Oct. 23, homecoming game against Louisiana-Monroe, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m.
For ticket information, call 615-898-2103 or visit www.goblueraiders.com.For questions about Family Weekend or MTSU’s Parent and Family Association, call 615-898-2454 or visit www.mtsu.edu/nsfp.
MURFREESBORO, TN - Congressman Bart Gordon announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $225,000 federal grant for Head Start education services in Middle Tennessee.
Each year, Head Start programs serve more than 19,000 children throughout Tennessee, providing them with a firm foundation to excel in school, said Gordon. The Head Start staff who work with these children do an enormous service, and they deserve all the professional support we can give them.
The Department of Health and Human Services awarded a $225,000 grant to the Mid Cumberland Community Action Agency, which operates Head Start classrooms across Middle Tennessee, including in Rutherford County. The program works with 930 toddlers and preschool children.
The grant will allow the program to bring in professional mentors to support teachers working in high-risk classrooms where a high number of children exhibit challenging behaviors.
These discretionary funds will allow us to provide intensive mentor coaching support in 10 selected classrooms, strengthen the existing mentoring system, and train and certify key staff to provide mentoring support in the remaining Mid Cumberland Head Start/Early Head classrooms, Head Start Director Janet Ogles said.Our program has always been firmly committed to increasing the professional development of its staff, and we are thrilled that these funds will support our efforts in doing so.
Head Start was established in 1965 to promote school readiness and provide a comprehensive array of health, nutritional and social services to economically disadvantaged children and families, with a special focus on enhancing preschool development. The program engages parents in their children's learning, and also helps parents make progress toward their own educational, literacy and employment goals.
Research confirms that the benefits of healthy father-daughter bonds result in decreased rates of promiscuity, substance abuse, dropping out of high school, image obsession, depression and even suicide.
To strengthen communication and enhance time spent together between daughters and their dads, the National Center for Fathering has pulled together the finest resources to provide a day where fathers and teen/adult daughters can confirm, celebrate, and in some cases initiate their bond. We call this day the Father-Daughter Summit. Our fourth Nashville Father-Daughter Summit will be held Saturday, September 11th at Hendersonville Church of Christ, where it is anticipated 500 fathers and daughters will participate.
“Daughters and dads are often surprised how meaningful this day is together and the progress they make at the Summit. Once they come, they want to come again! This is actually why we are returning to Nashville. Our local chairman, Brian Stanley, attended our first Nashville Father-Daughter Summit at Lipscomb University in 2006. He and his daughter wanted to return, so he called to find out when our next Nashville date was. When I shared that we needed a local chairman to lead the way, Brian signed on to chair the event for the city!” shared Lucy Bloom, Director of the Father-Daughter Summit.
Titans Assistant Head Coach Craig Johnson served as the host and emcee for the kick-off luncheon where fifty leaders representing churches, schools, local businesses and community organizations gathered to meet with Carey Casey, CEO of the National Center for Fathering about the upcoming Summit.
The Summit will be held at Hendersonville Church of Christ on September 11 from 9:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. The minimum age for daughters is 11 years old. Pre-registration is encouraged and available at www.fathers.com/summit.
The Nashville Father-Daughter Summit is being sponsored by The Memorial Foundation and Solomon Builders.
When you learn that a friend, family member, coworker or neighbor is seriously ill or recovering from injuries or surgery, do you wonder how you can best show your support?
It depends upon the situation. Sometimes the best way to show your support is to just stay in touch, but other times, it's to provide help that your friend or loved one needs.
"When someone you know experiences a serious health event, or is in the hospital recovering from a major surgery, connecting them with family and friends is very important," says Sona Mehring, founder of CaringBridge. "Often, people in this situation don't know how easy and helpful it is to gather their family and friends and show support in an unobtrusive way."
When you receive news that a loved one is going through cancer, premature birth or another health crisis, consider some of the following ideas in ways to best show your support:
* Offer your help. Make a specific offer like cooking a meal, driving the person to appointments, babysitting for children, picking up groceries, calling other family members, writing thank-you notes, etc. By specifically offering to help in a way that uses your talents and won't overwhelm you, you will be able to show support in a healthy way.
* Be positive. You don't have to be talking about your loved one's illness all the time. Maybe you saw a funny online video that you know will tickle their funny bone. Copy the link and share it with your friend. Or tell him the story about your child's performance in a school concert that had you beaming with pride. By keeping your loved one involved through your stories in real world events, you are helping them stay connected.
* Create an online social networking page. For a person trying to recuperate from an illness, repeating health information time and time again is exhausting - even if the information is good news. Consider setting up an online support network page through CaringBridge, so your loved one can share updates once, post photos and receive messages of support.
CaringBridge is a nonprofit organization that offers free, personalized Web sites for patients to post health updates, photos and connect with family and friends.
"When a family member or good friend is isolated in the hospital or confined to home care, recovery is much easier when supporters are able to easily stay in touch," says Mehring. "And by staying in touch, supporters can provide the assistance and love a patient needs to get them on the road to feeling better."
Courtesy of ARAcontent
