Well, this month is just flying by and I have so much to share with you! We have published our Annual Results Reports - which can be found on our website. Our fiscal year (FY) begins July 1 and ends June 30th of each year - so the FY10 Reports will tell you about our work in the last year. I hope you find them informative and will let me know what you think of them.

Linking Hearts is Tonight!

Linking Hearts and the Family Fun Carnival will take place this evening from 5-7 p.m. at Lion's Club Park. Robyn and her team have been busy getting everything ready. This preparation included packing 51 backpacks with great games, books, and toys for the youth that will be here this evening. They are also getting ready for fun, games, and crafts this afternoon.

This year we have 51 youth from 29 counties - ranging in age from three to eighteen. The MS&T Greeks have been working like mad to get the food and games ready. Several wonderful students will spend an exhausting day being a buddy. A buddy gets dragged around the park to try every game, holds all the gear, helps the youth get their food, and will spend some time getting to know the young person in their charge.

I think one of the best things about this day is the opportunity for the community to learn more about foster care and adoption. When parental rights have been terminated children still need a parent(s) and a place to call home. If you are not in a position to become a foster or adoptive parent there are still things you can do to help support children who have been placed in State custody. To learn more about the issue of foster care and adoption please visit the Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association website. And tonight if you have a few minutes, come out and visit us at Lion's Club Park - I think you will be very impressed by the event and may even have the opportunity to learn a bit more about foster care and adoption.

Science Discovery!

	Science Fun for All Ages!

If you take a peek at the ECE Annual Report you will see the significant difference in Kindergarten Readiness Test scores for children who participate in programs sponsored by The Partnership. The main reason for this positive outcome is the amazing people who teach our youngest children.

Science learning might be intimidating if not for the wonderful skills of our ECE staff. They will again be sharing a "Hand-On Science for Young Children" class next week with childcare providers. I love watching them getting ready for the class with balloons, corn starch, 2-liter bottles, glue, and other great messy stuff! I'll let you know how the class goes in my next Notes!

Baby Bucks Bonanza!

	Ready to Shop!

Baby Bucks is next week and I can hardly wait to see the expressions on the young parent's faces. Greentree Christian Church has taken on this party and they have really done themselves proud! I wish you could see the beautiful clothes, shoes, toys, car seats, strollers, etc. The youth will be so happy to walk into the room next week to "purchase" these items with their Baby Bucks.

Baby Bucks are earned by young parents for attending parenting classes, keeping up with immunizations, making doctors appointments, and for other life skills that we hope will encourage positive parenting. Bucks can be used to purchase diapers and at the semi-annual Baby Bucks events.

Well, if you would like to see the event we invite you to come and volunteer. Please contact Marilyn or email her and I know she can find a job for you. However, this will be a different experience for our staff since our wonderful friends at Greentree have shopped, put the party together, and will provide the meal but we can always use more hands so please give us a call!

Okay, just one more event to tell you about. The Resale Shop will be celebrating their official grand opening on September 24th. Please stop by to shop, donate, or just look around, I think you will be very pleased with our move. (Our new location is Highway 63 north under Big O Tires.) You are the reason we are able to do so much for so many in our region. Thank you for your amazing, generous spirit and for all you do to make this such a great community! 

Thank You,