Doug Grow's column in the Minneapolis Star Tribune titled Obsession with sports is truly out of whack states:

"Parents do not have to give up family meals so they can haul their kids to soccer, basketball, football, dance or orchestra practices. They do not have to give up Sunday-morning church or the theater on Saturday nights so they can attend their kids' tournaments or recitals. They needn't schedule Thanksgiving dinner around hockey practice. Parents can have their lives! Kids can have their lives! Coaches don't own families!"

Grow's column has several quotes from U of M prof and PFF mentor Bill Doherty and briefly profiles the activities of Sue Kakuk (chief PFF blogger!) and her family.

Posted by Griff at 11/25/2003 01:32:00 PM | Link

 
A University of Michigan study says "people who provided practical help or emotional support to relatives, neighbors, or friends lived longer. Receiving help did not have the same effect." The lead author, Stephanie Brown, "believes the feelings of joy people experience when helping others may reduce damaging stress, resulting in prolonged lives."

Posted by Susan at 11/22/2003 08:35:00 AM | Link

 
It is a fact that families that volunteer together will benefit because…

It’s fun.
It strengthens families.
It makes family time valuable to both families and communities.
It connects and strengthens communities.
It strengthens businesses by improving employee morale and giving employees quality time with their families.
It strengthens nonprofits by increasing community awareness of important social needs and expanding the volunteer base.
It improves family communication.
It helps create a new generation of dedicated volunteers.
It teaches kids values like kindness, empathy, respect, friendliness and tolerance.

It changes lives.

For more information, visit Points of Light Foundation.

Posted by Susan at 11/20/2003 12:48:00 PM | Link

 
You and your family can make a difference in our community by supporting Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners as they work to prevent homelessness among families in our community!

If you are a local resident, bring the whole family to the kick off event at 6 pm on Saturday, November 15. For more info check out Bob's Sleepout.

For other ideas on how to volunteer, check out the National Family Week section on our Links page.

Posted by Susan at 11/09/2003 08:51:00 AM | Link

 
Now that Halloween is over, we've all experienced how difficult it is to choose just one piece of candy from that big huge bowl full of tempting goodies. Since it is difficult to make the choice and we'd really like to try them all, a compromise is usually made - we take more than one. By the end of the evening, after too many samplings, some of us may not be feeling so good.

Could this same scenario happen with the choices we make on how to spend our time? Absolutely! There are countless after-school activities, enrichment programs, and volunteer opportunities offered for both children and adults. The more choices we are given, the more difficult it is to limit ourselves. Be reminded of what might happen, or how you might feel, when you decide to choose more than one!

Now . . . on to November! There are several National and region events taking place this month. November 24-30 is National Family Week, sponsored by the Alliance for Children & Families. The Points of Light Foundation decided to kick off the week by sponsoring National Family Volunteer Day on November 22. More locally, Bob's Sleepout has partnered with Interfaith Outreach of Wayzata, Mn and is encouraging families to participate together on November 15th this year. More highlights will follow in next few weeks, so keep visiting us!

Posted by Susan at 11/04/2003 12:58:00 PM | Link