A charitable & foundational partnerships to ensure that portions of proceeds and/or profits are channeled to organizations dedicated to building better lives for underprivileged kids.
Today we had the privilege of visiting JFK school in Jamesburg, NJ this morning, to kick off their Week of Respect.
At JFK school, we were greeted by a student body dressed as superheroes. With capes, superhero clothing, and bright smiles, they excitedly engaged in all the interactive role- plays throughout the program.
It was a delight to hear students using our STOP AND THINK hero strategy immediately. Teachers, PTO, guidance, and the principal all said the program was “fabulous,” and they were eager to see the students use our strategies in the school day, and their daily life.
This afternoon, we enjoyed our time spent with the students at Chiddick Elementary School, in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The school was filled with heroes. Each one of the students and teachers proved that they Wear the Cape everyday by sharing how cool it is t be kind to one another.
One first grader spoke volumes when she stated, “Just be nice. That’s what heroes do.” Let’s use this sweet girl as an example of how we should always behave.
School is back in session, leaving us longing for the lazy days of summer, yet excited for the potential and possibilities that the school year brings.
As our schedules go from relaxed to overwhelming, it is easy to push aside the quality time you shared with your family over the summer. I admit, I do fall into “the back to school trap.” As parents, we transition into “survival mode” while juggling work, dinner, kids activities, and homework. It feels as if there is no extra time to spend on anything fun. Even play dates have taken a back seat in our family, due to lack of time.
However, our children need and crave that quality time and that down time. In response to my son telling me that he “can only talk to me through my lap top,” I decided to make some serious changes this coming school year in an effort to bring back quality time to my family. Below I’ve listed my school year “Quality Time (QT)“ strategies, should you wish to join my mission to bring “QT” back to your family life.
“QT” Strategies:
Power Down: set a specific time during the after school hours where you turn off your phone and computer so that your full attention is on your children. Let co-workers and friends know you are not available between those hours to return calls or messages. Have your children power down as well.
Leverage Driving Time: Car time can be great quality time. Instead of all but the driver on their devices, bring back a good old game of Eye Spy or 20 questions about your day. Our favorite question is: how were you kind today?
Revive Back Family Game Night: Designate one night a week to play board games with your children.
Move Together: Go for a family walk or bike ride
Break Bread Together: If, like most families, you can’t eat dinner as a family each night due to activities, try to eat a family appetizer (fruit and veggies) before you leave for evening activities or perhaps family dessert upon your return. All you need is fifteen minutes, but the benefits of coming together to communicate as a family will last much longer!
Wishing you and your family a happy and successful school year, filled with lots of love, laughter, and….quality time together.
“Wealth is not to feed our egos, But to feed the hungry and to help people help themselves.” -Andrew Carnegie
This summer 2018, The Lunchbox Movement launched, delivering lunchboxes filled with love to the children participating in Team Walker in Jersey City (Team Walker is a summer camp whose mission is to “improve the quality of life for the children of Jersey City”).
Across the country, about 30 million children receive free or reduced lunch every school day through the National School Lunch Program. Unfortunately, during summer vacation, many go without lunch—including while attending summer camp.
When the children of Wear the Cape and kidkind foundation Founder Leigh Ann Errico learned of hungry bellies at Team Walker’s camp, they immediately stepped up and created The Lunchbox Movement to help. The partnership with Team Walker was made possible by Board Member Dianne Jacobs.
The Errico children, with assistance from their mom and volunteers, called local stores to request food and monetary donations in order to create and fill reusable lunchboxes—donated by kidkind foundation—with a nutritious lunch and snacks. These lunchboxes not only fed the bellies of Team Walker campers, but also their hearts; the Errico children wrote the reminder that “It’s cool to be kind” by hand and placed them in every child’s lunchbox.
Filling the lunchboxes was a group effort. The Errico children, along with other Cape Kids, spent countless hours of their summer vacation packing the lunchboxes, all while giggling, singing, dancing, and having a blast. “It’s fun to help others!” exclaimed Charlotte Errico, age 8 and a rising third grader.
Thanks to the many donations from local merchants (see donor list below),The Lunchbox Movement was able to fill lunchboxes with bagels, granola bars, waters, juice boxes, fruit snacks, apples, bananas, and cookies. There was such a bounty generously provided by our donor partners that kidkind foundation was able to pack extra foods, so that the campers of Team Walker would have snacks to nourish them in the afternoon, as well as to take home and eat when hungry.
Along with delicious lunches, kidkind foundation donated our children’s book, It’s Good To Be Kind, written by Lauren DuBois Rosemond, a story about sharing kindness in a special way. Click Here to purchase a copy.
We are incredibly grateful to all who donated to The Lunchbox Movement:
Burger King (Gillette, NJ): Juice boxes
Kings (Gillette, NJ): $50 gift card
Costco (Bridgewater, NJ): $25 gift card
Shoprite (Stirling, NJ): $25 gift card
Costco (East Hanover, NJ): $25 gift card
BJs (Linden, NJ): $25 gift card
Acme (Warren, NJ): Napkins, water bottles, granola bars, fruit snacks, juice boxes
“It is heartwarming and meaningful to see children focused on giving and serving others in need,” stated Leigh Ann Errico, Founder and CEO of Wear the Cape and the kidkind foundation.“Summer is about fun and making memories for many, but we need to help our children understand that not all people are so fortunate to enjoy the season, carefree. It’s our job to show kids how to see beyond their own realities and step away from their worlds in order to tap into having compassion for others.”
The kidkind foundation is humbled and grateful for the community support that made the first undertaking of The Lunchbox Movement possible. We look forward to continuing and expanding these valued partnerships in the future!
Please email leighann@wearthcapekids.com to donate or to nominate an organization that is in need of help from The Lunchbox Movement.
Today we had the privilege of visiting JFK school in Jamesburg, NJ this morning, to kick off their Week of Respect.
This afternoon, we enjoyed our time spent with the students at Chiddick Elementary School, in East Brunswick, New Jersey. The school was filled with heroes. Each one of the students and teachers proved that they Wear the Cape everyday by sharing how cool it is t be kind to one another.
