Kids Write About the Holidays

Kids in our Marshall's Place community program got creative in their writing about playing in the snow and spending the holidays with the Sit Stay Read dogs. Click on the doggy drawing to read their stories. I guarantee they'll bring a smile to your face.

Student Winter Stories

How do You Get Your Message Out There?

For the first time ever I have a bumper sticker on my car--what can I say, the election was a heady time and I threw caution to the wind.

I was feeling pretty good about having my message out there, but then I saw this pick-up truck on my way to work the other day. Wow, how's that for being committed to communicating your message?! My favorite (just above the wheel well) is, "Pick up a book not a gun".

I was so inspired I ordered another bumper sticker. Check it out here. What's your message?

Poem of the Month--A Soldier's Christmas

Perhaps you've read the poem "A Soldier's Christmas" in a forwarded email. It's been circulating on the internet since 2000 but I just received it (thanks, Cheryl) and was moved to tears.

Whatever we believe about war, I think we can all agree with the final two stanzas--standing watch is a duty we all share and letting every person know they matter is important.

Here's a link to the full poem that also gives credit to the author, Michael Marks. The final two stanzas are below.

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Denise Won!

Congratulations to high schooler, Denise Ferguson, for her winning vehicle sticker design! I can't wait to see that yellow Lab on cars all over Chicago.