Charity

Playworks

Dear Playworks parents,

In working with the kids in Friends Group on concepts related to understanding the perspectives of others, considering needs vs. wants, and expressing gratitude, we've decided to set up a holiday project in which we are collecting new, unwrapped gifts for a local charity serving disadvantaged children.

Over the next couple weeks, some of our kids will be decorating handprints in which they (or we) write something for which they are thankful. Those leaves will go on a "giving tree." They will also brainstorm lists of items that would be appropriate gifts (needs and wants) for other kids of varying ages (infancy-12). Those gift ideas will be transferred to simple paper ornaments that will be hung on the tree. Some of the gift ideas will be extravagant and not particularly realistic (e.g., monster truck, XBox, trip to Hawaii, etc.), but we will use all of the ideas in our discussion of related concepts.

Although it is completely optional, we would encourage families who are able/interested to choose an ornament and engage your child in the process of choosing a gift for another child. We will collect all the toys and have them ready for delivery by Friday, December 17th, 2004. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let us know. Thanks so much! Kelli et al