‘Tis the season and all-natural eco-friendly brand for skin and body products, Green Goo, is sharing the joy. The company has announced its Season of Goodness, which involves $100,000 worth of giveaways!
For the next eight weeks until Jan. 6 2021, Green Goo will give one winner a $500 gift basket of products. The randomly selected winner will then pay it forward by choosing an organization such as a hospital, school, restaurant, fire station, shelter or other group to receive a large allotment of Green Goo’s FDA-compliant hand sanitizer.
photo: Green Goo
In addition, Green Goo will also select its own hand sanitizer recipients to meet their 100 gallon donation of hand sanitize per week commitment. So, do you want to win one of those $500 baskets?
You can visit the entry form page on the Green Goo website. You’ll also be able to nominate a worthy organization for donation consideration without entering the giveaway by completing the alternate submission form. It’s time to pay it forward!
In a year that’s been like no other, Nickelodeon is celebrating families in its first ever Blue’s Clues & You! “Blue Friday.” In partnership with nonprofit organization BabyBaby, Nickelodeon will make a donation to the organization to help support kids and families in need on Fri. Nov. 20.
Baby2Baby provides children aged 0 to 12 who are living in poverty with diapers, clothing and basic necessities. During the pandemic, the organization has provided over 40 million essential items to vulnerable children across the country impacted by Covid-19.
photo: Nickelodeon
The network will also premier all-new Blue’s Clues & You! including “Blue’s Big Baking Show” on Nov. 20 and “Blue’s Night Before Christmas” on Dec. 4. Beginning Dec. 8, this episode will be available for viewing on Noggin, along with a holiday hub of 50 pieces of holiday-themed shorts, full-length episodes of hit series PAW Patrol, Bubble Guppies, Peppa Pig, games, play-along videos and e-books.
Dunkin released their new seasonal menu and holiday cups today. The cheerful cups are inspired by a simple word – Cheersin’. To help spread the spirit of Cheersin’ the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation invites Dunkin’ guests to bring joy and give cheer to children battling hunger or illness through the “Give Cheer” program.
Beginning Nov. 4 through Dec. 2, guests who visit a Dunkin’ restaurant can donate $1 to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. For the first time, guests can also donate through the Dunkin’ App when placing a mobile order at a participating Dunkin’ restaurant.
To add a $1 donation to their mobile order, guests can follow the below simple steps:
Tap the ‘Order’ button in the bottom right corner of the home screen
Select your location
Browse the menu and add your food and drink selections to your cart
Continue to Checkout
A prompt will display on the Checkout page for all guests, if ordering from a participating store
Opt in to add a $1 donation or tap ‘Learn More’
By tapping ‘Learn More’, you’ll be able to view more information on the program, or choose to donate from this screen by tapping ‘Add $1 to Order’
Your $1 donation will be reflected in Order Item detail, as well as reflected in Sub-total price.
As a thank you for sharing the love, those who donate in-store will be given an exclusive “Give Cheer” sticker to affix to their cup or shirt, and a coupon that can be redeemed for $1 off the purchase of a dozen donuts, which will expire on December 31, 2020. Participants can also have a Dunkin’ restaurant employee write their name on a heart-shaped sticker, which will be displayed on a special poster in-store.
“The mission of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation is to provide the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness,” said Kari McHugh, Executive Director of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. “In a year when people need cheer more than ever, thanks to funds raised during the “Give Cheer” program, the Foundation will be able to continue supporting food banks, children’s hospitals, and nonprofit organizations directly serving the kids who need and deserve it most.”
In 2020, the Joy in Childhood Foundation will grant more than $4 million and has granted over $26 million since its inception. To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation and the “Give Cheer” program, visit https://www.bringjoy.or
I came home the other day to find a white envelope sitting on my front doorstep—its bright whiteness caught my attention immediately and I hesitated to pick it up. When I unfolded the note from inside, I immediately wondered if this writer had ever mailed a letter before; the plain, unlined paper was folded in the most unintuitive way.
In looping blue handwriting it literally said:
“We are all so disappointed in how you have let this beautiful front yard go down the tabes. We pride in our neighborhood and were so proud of the previous owner. Don’t let this street go to waste!! Please!! gin pride to our street and ownership.”
After spending 18 months house hunting, putting in seven unsuccessful offers on other houses, we took a long break from looking for a place to buy. It was with great hesitation when we started looking again, and it was with mixed emotions that we submitted an offer on our current home.
My husband and I debated as to how much money to put down. I wanted to keep cash on hand to proceed with egg donation, after the crippling realization that I was just too damn old to have a second baby. My husband thought it would be best to put more money down and finance the egg donation. I cried and then agreed that in the long run, it would make more financial sense.
Ten days after moving in, at the end of January 2020, my husband was laid off without notice and given one final paycheck.
My anger turned to the house. I hated the house. I had three bedrooms but no baby to place in the third bedroom. I cried. I went to therapy.
Six weeks later my son’s preschool shut down due to COVID. The next day I was sent to work from home. We quarantined. It was a wet spring with lots of rain. Spring turned to summer. We stayed home. The 4th of July came without fireworks and the heat of the summer brought the end of July, along with a single file line of tall weeds between the garden’s front wall and the sidewalk, the unexpected diagnosis of my mom’s brain tumor, and the bright white envelope on my doorstep—four days before my mom’s surgery.
My anger was hot and quick—every neighbor turned into a suspect, and any peace that I had made with this house and its bedroom void of a crib was shattered. I penned a response the same night:
“Dear Passive-Aggressive Neighbor and author of the above note which you anonymously left on my porch,
If you have a problem with my yard, my house, my cars, my dog, my kid or my family, knock & talk to me. Talking is neighborly and achieves results.
We pride ourselves on a well-educated neighborhood and neighbors who spell correctly. So please use your spare time to work on your spelling and grammar. There are multiple mistakes in your short note.
1. Disappointed is spelled with one “s”
2. It’s “down the tubes” not “tabes”
3. Gin is a beverage, “give” is a verb
4. And the sentence should read, “we TAKE pride in our ….”
I’m homeschooling my son, while working, supporting my family on a single income, and caring for a sick parent but I have time to tutor you as well since you obviously need it. Please knock and we can arrange your first tutoring session.
Sincerely,
Your neighbor”
I bought poster board and fantasized about posting both notes in the front yard.
My mom had her surgery, her attempt at recovery, the discovery of a bacterial infection on her brain, a second surgery, and the note ate away at me in the back of my mind. My neighborhood was no longer a place of comfort where I could get out of my car in proximity of my house coming back from my mom’s and feel relief that I was home. I felt guarded. My house was no longer the place where I could be as is; I stubbornly forbid my husband to pull the weeds, but he did it anyway.
And I felt the tiredness of it, of having a young kid and an old parent, watching a savings account disappear and not knowing what happens when it runs out, being old and infertile, but junior staff in my third career, of losing the safe space of community, of being judged. But mostly I felt tired of greeting the world with kindness and feeling minimal returns.
August has turned into September. My mom’s doing well and my son started Kindergarten online. Some days, I still fantasize about posting both notes in the front yard but for now, the poster board has been put to use for a Kindergarten project. And some nights I still dream about holding a tiny baby in that third bedroom, but most days I know I’m just too damn tired for that, and the third bedroom makes a nice home office.
And two days ago I found out the neighbors on either side of me, both single retired men, each got a note as well. We had the best neighborly chat on the sidewalk comparing notes. It is a different kind of community than I had hoped for, but it sure was fun!
I live with my husband, son and dog! When not at my desk working, I can be found in the backyard playing lava-guys or ice climbers. I have a day job, but being a mom is my favorite job!
It’s a poorly kept secret that Chicago is home to some of the best children’s museums in the world where learning through interactive play is at the core of every program, exhibit and activity. Because of the number of touchpoints and the hands-on nature of these museums, state guidelines have left many of them closed for in-person visits. However, they’ve really stepped up to the plate since March developing content and resources to address the evolving needs of Chicago families. One benefit of this new, temporary virtual model is each museum has become more accessible to a greater number of Chicagoans. Read through our list of favorites and find out about available resources and how to access.
Chicago Children's Museum remains closed due to COVID-19 with no open date in sight, but they've created online resources to stay connected with and support Chicago families. While you await your chance to play again, visit their Recipes for Play at Home and Parenting Playbook pages. These online resources give at-home activities, video guides and well-curated content.
Follow their Instagram for fun at-home content and opening updates and consider making a donation to ensure in-person visits to Chicago Children's Museum can be a part of your future.
While Kohl Children's Museum isn't fully open, there are a couple different ways you can visit. Their Kohl Kids Live offers small-group discovery sessions in Habitat Park. Your 90-minute session will include stops at 5 different stations covering Story Time, Art Adventures, Science Sleuths, Theatre Games and Fitness Games.
They also recently added V.I.P (Very Important Play) Sessions, which allows you to enjoy exclusive 2-hour access to the exhibits you love in a safe and clean environment.
If you'd prefer to keep your interactions virtual, visit their Teaching Resources page which was created to support parents, caregivers and teachers in bringing interactive lessons to the home. To support the museum and their delivery of future content, consider making a donation.
The history museum might not pop in your head right away when considering which museum to bring your kids to, but it’s definitely worth a look-see. And, they're open to the public! You're encouraged to purchase your tickets in advance, as they are restricted by state guidelines to the number of visitors they can have in the building.
Kid-favorite Sensing Chicago remains closed due to its highly interactive nature. However, kids can get a glimpse into what Chicago looked like during Lincoln’s era, bring classroom studies into focus through a deeper look into Dr. King’s work within the Civil Rights movement, and learn from Muslim Chicagoans sharing their stories of faith, identity and personal journeys.
The first and only African American children’s museum in America, Bronzeville Children’s Museum’s exhibits and galleries highlight African American culture. They remain closed at this time, but we thought they were worth mentioning because they will be a great first-visit once museums open more broadly. The tour-structure vs. open play of this museum will make it very easy to socially distance and attend with small group. During your visit, you'll learn about famous politicians, artists, musicians and athletes that lived in this neighborhood, take part in enriching S.T.E.M. activities, learn about prominent African American inventors and explore why healthy eating is important for families.
Consider making a donation to support their on-going African-American-focused programming and pay them a visit ASAP.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum knows it's tough for kids to be away from school, friends and their normal daily activities. So, they created an email series dedicated to nature and science facts, activities, guiding questions to throw at your kids and more. Subscribe to the newsletterand check out the links on theirwebsite and their YouTube channel for activities, follow them on Instagram to see staff taking care of the animals and follow them on Twitter to hear from their scientists in the field.
Consider making a donationto show your thanks for their work to create content.
Play-based activity is important for children’s development emotionally, physically and mentally and The Children’s Museum in Oaklawn has designed activities and exhibits that engage children in social activity. They remain closed because of COVID restrictions but follow them on Facebook for online learning opportunities.
Instead of their annual Fall Fest, they are hosting a Fall Fun Virtual Walk, Run, Rollfundraiser, Oct. 3-10, that gives families the flexibility to participate whenever and wherever is most convenient. Any donationsare also greatly appreciated!
5100 Museum Dr., Oaklawn, 708-423-6709; Online: cmoaklawn.org
Wonder Works is a great spot to visit for kids ages birth to eight-years-old. It's a shoe-free space with lots to climb, jump and run on and art, performance, design and building are the main objectives here. Kids are encouraged to be creative and let their personalities shine. While they remain closed, they often post content and updates on their Facebook page.
The hands-on nature of this 20,000-square-feet of play space has kept the doors shuttered since COVID shutdowns, with no opening date in the works as of yet. While you can't shake your sillies out inside the museum, they are consistently scheduling creative and re-imagined outdoor events, Parent Playshops that educate adults on the science behind their kid's behaviors, and virtual learning opportunities including their popular Arts & Maker programming that offers after-school stimulation for kids ages 4-12. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram to get the latest information on events, activities and updates.
Consider making a donation in appreciation of their ongoing programming.
301 N. Washington St., Naperville, 630-637-8000; Online: dupagechildrens.org
This hidden-gem museum delights kids with hands-on exhibits about light, water, wind and more. While they are closed at this time, they periodically offer activities on theirFacebookand Instagram pages.
Local parents and educators founded KidsWork because they wanted a safe and fun place for kids to come to play and learn. What they’ve found, is that the community as a whole benefits. Kids can roam around the museum’s two floors, discovering science, art and movement exhibits. Highlights include the Pet Vet, Imagination Theater, Art Works, Tot Spot and Light Exhibit.
Good to Know:The Mojo Market is full of fun treasures.
Katy Perry has given birth to a baby girl named Daisy Dove Bloom. The singer and partner Orlando Bloom confirmed the birth on Instagram on Thursday. Both shared a post by charity Unicef, of which the couple are ambassadors, confirming the arrival of their daughter along with a black and white photograph of the cuple holding their child’s hand. Perry’s nail has a sweet Daisy painted on it in honor of her new daughter.
The post was captioned, “Welcome to the world, Daisy Dove Bloom! We are honoured to introduce Goodwill Ambassadors @KatyPerry and @OrlandoBloom’s new bundle of joy,”
“‘We are floating with love and wonder from the safe and healthy arrival of our daughter,’ Katy and Orlando told us.”
The post continued with a message from the couple, “But we know we’re the lucky ones and not everyone can have a birthing experience as peaceful as ours was. Communities around the world are still experiencing a shortage of healthcare workers and every eleven seconds a pregnant woman or newborn dies, mostly from preventable causes. Since COVID-19 many more newborn lives are at risk because of the increased lack of access to water, soap, vaccines and medicines that prevent diseases. As parents to a newborn, this breaks our hearts, as we empathize with struggling parents now more than ever. As UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors, we know UNICEF is there, on the ground, doing whatever it takes to make sure every expecting mother has access to a trained health worker and access to quality healthcare. In celebration of the heart we know our daughter already has, we have set up a donation page to celebrate DDB’s arrival. By supporting them, you are supporting a safe start to life and reimagining a healthier world for every child. We hope your ♥️ can bloom with generosity.”⠀
Summer may not be what we expected, but let’s take these lemons and make them into lemonade. Hello Bello wants to help with their new August lemonade stand diaper bundle box. Each purchase will also help raise funds for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a nonprofit fighting childhood cancer.
Simply order your Hello Bello diaper subscription, build the box into a stand, post a photo using #HBLemonAid and Hello Bello will donate $1 to the cause (max donation is $10k).
Proceeds from this virtual fundraiser will go directly to Alex’s Lemonade Stand to help change the lives of children with cancer through funding impactful research, raising awareness, supporting families and empowering everyone to help cure childhood cancer.
Hello Bello always goes the extra mile to provide families with fun and unique experiences through their diaper bundle boxes. Their July boxes transformed into rockets, May boxes were designed like treasure boxes and the holiday themed boxes turned into cute gingerbread houses.
Is your four-legged friend a. fan of Dunkin? The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation announced a collaboration with BARK, the dog company behind BarkBox, to create these new Dunkin’ themed dog toys, modeled after Dunkin’s iconic Munchkins donut hole treats box and hot coffee cup. The dog toys will roll out beginning in August and will be available at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide, while supplies last.
Dunkin’ guests who make a donation to the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation at a participating Dunkin’ location will receive a Dunkin’-ized dog toy as a thank you, while supplies last. For a $12 donation, guests will receive the squeaky, crinkly, full-of-fluff hot coffee dog toy, and for $15, guests will receive a multipart box of Munchkins donut hole treats dog toy, lined with felt and complete with three plush, squeaky Munchkins donut hole treat toys inside. Like all BARK toys, these Dunkin’ toys are bright, durable, and perfect for dogs of all ages and sizes.
Funds raised will benefit the Foundation programs that provide joy to kids battling hunger or illness, including the Dogs for Joy program, introduced in 2018 to bring full-time service dogs to children’s hospitals. The dogs bring joy, ease anxiety, and reduce stress for kids battling illness and their families. To date, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has funded 15 service dogs across 12 hospitals, impacting hundreds of thousands of young patients.
Dunkin’s Joy In Childhood Foundation’s Chief Joy Officer and Dogs for Joy ambassador, Cooper Dunkin’, a lovable Black Lab and Golden Retriever mix, personally tested and approved the BARK Dunkin’ inspired dog toy designs.
“Through our Dogs for Joy program, amazing service dogs like Cooper Dunkin’, have the opportunity to spread joy to children who are battling illness,” said Kari McHugh, Executive Director of the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. “These lovable toys will make dogs almost as happy as they make us, while also helping support Foundation programming to bring joy to children facing hunger and illness.”
Dog owners looking for more ways to give back and get their four-legged friends involved can join the Dunkin’ JOY Run, a virtual race challenge inviting Dunkin’ fans across the country to run or walk throughout August for a good cause. The first 1,000 race registrants will receive a virtual swag bag, including a BARK discount code, among other perks. All funds raised for the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation through the Dunkin’ JOY Run will be directed to health and hunger organizations supporting children in underserved communities.
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s mission is to provide the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. It has granted more than $26 million since its inception in 2006 and will grant $5 million this year. Part of 2020’s giving was centered around COVID-19 relief for families affected by the crisis. Since March, the Foundation has provided $1.25 million in emergency grants to hunger relief and health organizations, given free coffee and breakfast treats to 20,000 healthcare workers, started a first-of-its-kind healthcare worker trauma relief program, Hero Recharge, with First Descents, and more.
This back to school season presents a variety of unique challenges. Whether you are preparing to head back to the classroom or for virtual learning at home, teachers play a crucial part in helping families adjust to this new normal wherever their students may be learning. New research from Clorox found that a majority of teachers, especially those who work in underserved schools, are concerned that students may not have the necessary supplies they need to support remote learning.
To determine teachers’ greatest needs, concerns and hopes during this unprecedented back-to-school season, Clorox conducted a nationwide survey among 1,000 U.S. educators.
90% of teachers have paid for school supplies out of their own pockets. On average, teachers spend over $400 on school supplies each year, with teachers who report working in underserved schools spending over $500.
The majority of teachers (88%) worry students won’t have the supplies they need at home to support remote learning during this pandemic. This is an even bigger concern for teachers who report working in underserved schools, with 94% of those teachers stating they feel worried about a lack of supplies at students’ homes.
Over half (51%) of surveyed teachers report feeling that their students miss out on learning because they lack the proper supplies.
71% report they have had to teach students without necessary supplies, and 64% report that they’ve had to modify lesson plans as a result of lack of supplies.
Four in five teachers (81%) report that they have been bringing lessons on cleanliness and disinfecting into the classroom this school year as a result of COVID-19.
90% of teachers are worried about overall classroom hygiene with students returning during the COVID-19 pandemic and 84% are concerned about having thorough procedures in place for cleaning and safety.
To help ease the burden of an unprecedented school year, Clorox is donating $1,000,000 to ClearTheList Foundation to supply the resources teachers need to set their students up for success at home or in the classroom.
“At Clorox, we understand families and schools are facing an impossible task this year with teachers at the center of helping to navigate the multiple challenges surrounding being prepared for both classroom and remote learning,” says Magnus Jonsson, Vice President of Cleaning at The Clorox Company. “Through our donation and partnership with ClearTheList Foundation, we are committed to supporting teachers in their time of distinctive supply needs.”
In 2019, Courtney Jones, teacher and founder of ClearTheList, brought attention to teachers spending hundreds of dollars out of pocket on average for classroom supplies. ClearTheList grew into a national grassroots movement to clear the wish lists of thousands of teachers across America for their school supply needs. This year, teachers who create a wish list can apply for a grant from Clorox through the ClearTheList Foundation for the opportunity to have up to $500 worth of items cleared from their back to school wish list.
“As a teacher, I found meeting the needs of my students often meant providing supplies out of my own pocket,” says Courtney Jones, Clorox partner, teacher, and founder of ClearTheList Foundation. “I’m proud to partner with Clorox to expand upon the ClearTheList movement started in 2019 and ensure teachers around the country have the necessary supplies they need to succeed this school year.”
In addition to the ClearTheList donation, parents have a chance to win $5,000 for their family and $20,000 for their school to prepare for the new school year. Visit Clorox.com/Support-Our-Teachers/ to enter the sweepstakes, learn more about ClearTheList or receive exclusive tips and resources for this back-to-school season. To join the conversation on social media, follow Clorox on Twitter.
Disney released their first-ever Summer Reading list for kids and families to enjoy while at home. The list is comprised of 15 recommendations for ages 0 through 16 and features new books from fan favorite authors. Also to help ensure that more readers have access to books this summer and beyond, Disney Publishing is also donating one million books to Boys & Girls Clubs across the country.
Disney will also provide Boys and Girls Clubs of America with virtual programming led by Disney authors and illustrators, as part of the organization’s summer engagement series for club members
“We have a long-standing relationship with Disney and are thrilled to bring one million books to children who participate in our programs,” commented Chad Royal-Pascoe, National Vice President, Corporate & Cause Partnerships, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “This donation comes at a time that is especially challenging for so many families and we know it will go a long way.”
Visit shopDisney.com to check out the list, explore more books from Disney Publishing and expand the stories with activity sheets and more. Many of the books on the list are available in eBook, audio book and print formats.