KCKidsFun

We’ve had the good fortune of welcoming some new advertisers to the KC Kids Fun advertising community these past few months!  All are family-friendly and all would appreciate your business.  Especially as the holidays draw near, we like to encourage readers to shop and buy local first.  There are so many terrific locally-owned businesses right here in KC, and you can feel good knowing that your hard-earned money is staying here in the metro!

Thanks to all of our advertisers throughout the years.  We’ve been very lucky to have worked with a tremendous group of business people and business owners from the community who recognize the importance of family and kid-friendly activities!

Our first welcome is to Kansas City Repertory Theatre– where you will want to catch the annual production that is quintessential Kansas City Christmas– A Christmas Carol. Tickets are available now and the production runs November 19- December 26, 2011.W

We also want to welcome The Ice at Park Place in Leawood, KS.  The Ice is Johnson County’s ONLY outdoor ice rink!  It’s size makes it perfect for a beginner’s first spin on the rink, and Park Place is home to some wonderful shops and restaurants for pre- or post-skate.  You can satisfy your sweet tooth at Paciugo Gelato or Cupcake A La Mode, or enjoy a freshly-prepared meal at Ingredient Restaurant or Carmen’s Cafe.

Thanks also to our long-time advertisers:  Sprint Center, Kansas City Allergy & Asthma (KCAA), Paradise Park, Coterie Theatre, Burleson Orthodontics, Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), The Language Workshop for Children,College Nannies & Tutors, Revisin, Midland/AEG and Faulkner’s Ranch.

We also have many businesses advertising in our various directories as Sponsored Listings.  These include: Yogi Bear’s™ Kansas City Jellystone RV Park and Resort, Zonkers, Little Masters…big art, Pinnacle Gymnastics, Successful Sounds, Christian Youth Theatre (CYT) and Camp Kidz Rock!

This has become an annual post for us; and each year, there seems to be yet another agency we learn about that exists solely to help others.  The holiday season is especially stressful when considered against the backdrop of the current economic situation.  Teaching our kids the importance of giving back to the community and helping the less fortunate should be an ongoing process–not just one reserved for November and December.

That being said, we thought we’d offer some suggestions for kid-friendly volunteering opportunities. Remember–it doesn’t have to be about money–it’s giving your TIME and ENERGY that matters! These are life lessons that your children will never forget, and volunteering can become something the whole family looks forward to doing together–all through the year!

• Johnson County Christmas Bureau- As a non-profit 501(C)(3), non-denominational organization and a United Way ’safety net’ agency, the Johnson County Christmas Bureau (JCCB) serves the needs of low-income families of Johnson County, KS. Groceries, personal care items, children’s clothing, adult and teen gifts, toys, hats, gloves, scarves, books and coats are made available for client selection at our annual Holiday Shop held in December. All items are new with the exception of gently worn coats and books. JCCB provides the opportunity for over 12,500 qualified clients (3,350 families) to shop by appointment and select food and gifts for the holiday season.  Families can volunteer to work at the holiday shop, or you can help by donating items.

• The Salvation Army Bell Ringing is what many associate with the holidays. The best part about this is that the money collected in the kettles stays right HERE in the KC metro. I just signed up for my 6th annual stint as a bell ringer at my neighborhood grocery store. Bundle up the whole family and enjoy a great time together.  The 2 hours fly by and it’s such a great experience.

• Check out the Youth Volunteer Corps of Greater KC. YVC organizes youth and family helpers at Harvesters, the city’s largest food bank. Your help is needed sorting and boxing donated food! It’s no news that food banks are running dangerously low now…some are even forced to close their doors. You might consider a small neighborhood or classroom food drive…and then deliver the food to Harvesters on the day you choose to volunteer. Location: 3801 Topping Ave., KCMO 816.929.3000

• Adopt a family through Don Bosco Centers’ Holiday Friends! This is such a great project for a family or neighborhood to take on. Holiday Friends is a fundraising program which benefits the clients of the Don Bosco Centers.  You can get specific names, ages and sizes for a family in need and can even personally deliver your gifts. This really shows us the true meaning of the holiday season! Your kids will never forget it. For more information, call the Holiday Friends Hotline at 816-691-2906 or visit www.donbosco.org.

• Check out www.VolunteerMatch.org. The site features loads of volunteer opportunities, and you can organize your results by Distance, Event Date and even Date Posted. While not all are kid-specific opportunities, you might find something suitable for the whole family or just for you!

• Operation Breakthrough. Operation Breakthrough- St. Vincent’s Family Service Center is located at 30th and Troost in KCMO. According to their website, volunteers range from ages 8-80 and do everything from “rocking babies to tutoring parents for the GED exam.” They also have an adopt-a-family Christmas program, similar to Don Bosco Center’s. The children who receive Christmas aid all come from low-income families. Some are homeless, many reside in foster care and most attend Operation Breakthrough’s day care program or are alumni.  Please help!

• Brighten someone’s day with a little artistic cheer… you can do something as simple as having your child(ren) draw some holiday-themed pictures; use glue, markers, construction paper, glitter, etc. Take your creations to a nearby nursing home or to Children’s Mercy Hospital near Crown Center or Children’s Mercy South at I-435 and Nall. You’ll be glad you did!

• City Union Mission– You can go in with family, friends or coworkers to adopt a family for the holidays through City Union Mission, too. Please remember that families need our help year-round…not just at the holidays. Click here for a list of inexpensive, everyday items which you could collect and deliver to the Mission any day of the year.

• Is there an agency that is near and dear to your heart?  Why not carve out a few extra hours from your weekly schedule and help out? Schools, nursing homes, not-for-profits, food banks, thrift stores, community centers…all are feeling the effects of the economy and would gladly accept your gift of time!

Please feel free to submit any additional kid and family-friendly volunteer opportunities. We would be happy to post them!

*image courtesy of Johnson County Christmas Bureau

As you may know, one of our longtime advertising partners is Kansas City Allergy & Asthma Associates.  We are fortunate that the the physicians agreed to be guest authors of several posts that would be of particular interest to our readers with young families. This one addresses seasonal flu.

There are many places around town where you can receive the flu vaccine. Your family physician and pediatrician should both have supplies.  You can also go to many grocery stores (Hy Vee, Hen House, Target, Wal Mart) and pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS) where a shot will cost between $25-$30. Asthma (and allergies) happens to be something I think about daily at my house.  My son is a severe asthmatic, and I am constantly aware of the weather, the health of other kids at school and his activities (amongst other things!) Something like the flu would be a major setback for him.

Flu shots are widely available now, and like last year’s, 2011’s dose has combined the seasonal vaccine with the H1N1 vaccine. Be well!

PREVENTING THE FLU: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs

The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year, but good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands often can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like the flu. There also are flu antiviral drugs that can be used to treat and prevent the flu.

Here are some helpful tips from the CDC:

1.  Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

2.  Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.

3.  Cover your mouth and nose. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (0r with the inside of your elbow) when coughing and sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.

4.  Clean your hands. Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.

5.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

6.  Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

Content source: From the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

—————————————————————————————————————–

KCAA now has regular seasonal flu vaccines available as of Oct. 1, 2011. Current patients who have seen their physician in the last year may get their regular seasonal Flu Vaccine on a walk-in basis at any of their allergy injection clinics (except Saturdays), or at their next scheduled fall visit.

Other Helpful websites: (Links also at: www.kcallergy.com)

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm – http://www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/Health/Generalinformationoninfluenzaorflu/index.htm

KCAA Physicians: Gerald L. Goldstein, M.D.; Scott J. Frankel, M.D.; Jeffrey A. Wald, M.D.; Mark R. Neustrom, D.O.; and Derrick R. Ward, M.D.

KCAA Physician Assistants and Nurse Practioner: Monica Apollo, P.A.-C; Loretta Heinen, M.S., P.A.-C; Kristy Mohn, M.S., ARNP