Winter 2020 Newsletter
A NOTE FROM LYNNE
Lynne color
When was the last time you prioritized play in your life? Or your child's life? Most of the time, we're so busy getting all the chores of life done that playing is just not in the schedule. Whether it's a wrestling match with your kids on the floor or imaginary play with their favorite teddy bear, play helps develop your child's brain, strengthens your bond, and stimulates happy hormones that make you feel more satisfied with life. This newsletter outlines some opportunities for play for both your family as well as play for adults in the form of an evening out at our fundraiser. What ever you chose, I hope you find a time in your schedule this winter to relax, be creative, and enjoy the world through play.

Warmly,
  
Lynne Mender (formerly Swartz)
Executive Director
UPCOMING PARENTING NOW! EVENTS

Check out our  calendar  or  Facebook  page (and "like" our page) to keep up to date with new and exciting opportunities and offerings.
WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS!
Volunteers and interns are a vital component to fulfilling Parenting Now!'s mission. (from left to right) Guided by Violet Mittelstadt, interns Shannon Mason, Kay Greene, Katelyn Howery staffed the Children's Playroom during a Triple P Discussion Group so parents could enjoy an informative discussion on misbehavior while the children safety played in the adjacent room.

If you are interested in hearing more about Parenting Now!'s volunteer opportunities, email ritag@parentingnow.org.
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT: Playtime for Parents & Children
Every Monday infants, toddlers, and preschoolers fill the playroom for two hours of play, socialization, and fun. Playtime for Parents & Children is one of Parenting Now!'s weekly drop-in programs designed to give children and their caregivers an opportunity to play in a safe space with developmentally appropriate toys.

Playtime is staffed by Children's Program Coordinator Maren Peterson-DeGroff and Parenting Now! volunteers and interns who prep the playroom for play and exploration. There are baby dolls, wooden trains and tracks, playhouses and barns, soft dough, and more to engage with. When the weather permits, kids can play in the secured outdoor play space, which includes a sandbox, toddler-size slide, tricycles, a sensory table, a play house, and lots of other fun activities.

Playtime for Parents & Children is offered every Monday, excluding major holidays, from 10 am to 12 pm for children ages 4 and under. A nominal fee applies with a discount for families enrolled in PN! groups. More information can be found at parentingnow.org/parenting-groups .
FOUNDATION SUPPORT
Without foundation support our work couldn't be possible. Thank you to the following foundations who made contributions this past quarter:

  • Chambers Family Foundation, First Three Years Program
  • The Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, Make Parenting A Pleasure
  • Coquille Tribal Fund, Make Parenting A Pleasure
  • The Ford Family Foundation, Operations Support
  • Herbert A. Templeton Foundation, First Three Years Program
  • Storms Family Foundation, Make Parenting A Pleasure
  • Trust Management, First Three Years Children's Program
  • Weyehaeuser Giving Fund, First Three Years Program

FEATURED ARTICLES
What Are Your Favorite Winter Traditions?

In Parenting Now!'s December Register-Guard article, we asked families about their most treasured traditions and memories from childhood, as well as ones they continue with their own children and grandchildren. READ MORE
Questions To Ask of Potential Preschools

With Parenting Now!'s 4th Annual Preschool Fair coming up, we rounded up a list of questions to have handy to help ease the process of selecting the perfect preschool for your family. READ MORE
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
As we welcome the beginning of a new year, the Development team is excited for our upcoming events and programs at Parenting Now!

Eugene/Springfield’s biggest preschool event of the year will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Hosted by Parenting Now!, our 4th annual Fair continues to grow each year! Eugene has so many fantastic options when it comes to preschools. Come learn about many of them all in one place! Meet with local preschools, learn about their programs, and get to know their teachers! From co-ops to bilingual, find the right program for your child. Click here for more information. Click here to view the Preschool Fair on Facebook.


Parenting Now!'s Night of Hope Gala will be held on Feb. 21, 2020 at Venue 252. It will be attended by over 300 supporters, business people, and community leaders. Mark your calendars for our 23rd annual auction that will be an elegant, inspiring gala celebrating heroes for children. We will have a special performance from the Oregon Children’s Choir to start off the evening followed by a moving program about the impact our work has on creating healthy, strong families here in our community. Tickets and tables are still available for purchase. For more information, visit parentingnow.org/nightofhopegala/


 At our Night of Hope Gala, we will honor our 2020 Minalee Saks Champion of Children, Dr. Lauren Herbert, MD . Lauren is a local pediatrician at PeaceHealth Medical Group. For over twenty years, she has focused on providing care for children and families in our community. Her practice also works with families who have emigrated from Latin America. Lauren has studied and volunteered in multiple countries, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, The Gambia (West Africa), and Borneo. In July 2019, she traveled with Senator Ron Wyden to the US-Mexico border to investigate the conditions of children in detention centers, which made national news. She is also a member of the Eugene-Springfield Immigrant Integration Network. To give a gift in honor of our 2020 Minalee Saks Champion of Children, Dr. Lauren Herbert, click here.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our vision to create a world where all children are raised by nurturing, skilled parents. From all of us at Parenting Now!, have a wonderful new year ahead! 


Kathryn Gaines and Sona Hodaie
Ways to Support Parenting Now!
• Donate items for our Gala : Silent and live auction items and bottles of wine are greatly appreciated. Call or email Sona with questions: 541-349-7784 or sonah@parentingnow.org
• AmazonSmile  donates to Parenting Now! when you shop through its website! Create an AmazonSmile account at smile.amazon.com and select Parenting Now! as your charity of choice.
• Donate Items for Families : Diapers, baby supplies, and children’s books!
Thank You for Your Support!

Whether you refer parents to us, have joined our  Sustainer Fund , shop for us on  Amazon Smile , have designated us as an  eScrip beneficiary , or are one of our steadfast donors, we thank you for your belief in us and our vision to create a world where all children are raised by nurturing, supportive parents.
https://parentingnow.org/