November, 2012
Vol 1, Issue 5
Header
 Greetings!

"I may not have everything I want in life, but I am blessed enough to have all that I need. For this I am grateful."  Unknown  

Ellyn Okrent, C.E.O. 

 

We begin this time of year preparing for the holidays and the new year ahead. As we celebrate Thanksgiving in a few weeks at FFCDC, while teaching the children to express what it is they appreciate and can be thankful for, we look into our hearts and take the opportunity to share our  gratitude with you.

 

For 41 years, Florence Fuller Child Development Centers has been built on a foundation of generosity from donors, volunteers and ambassadors like you - people and businesses that are committed to making sure ALL children in this community receive a quality education. FFCDC families are fortunate that you believe in making a local social investment to provide resources for them to maintain their level of self- sufficiency and remain positive contributing citizens. We see the outcomes of how your support is making a difference everyday. The most transformational ones are when former students return to the centers as successful adults to say thank you to a teacher, for without these programs, they would not have entered school ready and able to achieve their full potential.  

 

On behalf of our children and their families, the staff, the volunteers and the Board of Directors, I THANK YOU for making life so much better for so many. May your holiday season be filled with love, laughter, and prosperity.

 

With Gratitude,

Ellyn Okrent

 

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We are Thankful for Adopt-A-Class Families in Our Classrooms
The Adopt-A-Class Program invites the community into the classrooms of FFCDC to experience firsthand the joys of getting to know the children and programs on a more personal level. When adopting a classroom, donors form lasting partnerships with specific classrooms by providing both financial and program enrichment support to children and teachers. The result is a meaningful contribution to the education of young children in which donors experience the impact of their efforts and celebrate in a classroom's successes.

Not all of the adopters have visited their special classroom, but here are a few words from some of the classes to express how thankful they are:

  

West Campus:  

Minnie & Mickey Mouse -
 Babjib & Musa families  

 

The Big Bird class would like to thank the Meshbane family for the extra hand that you provide to engage, guide and nurture the children.   

 

The Minnie and Mickey Mouse classes are so thankful that the Babjib and Musa families have chosen our classrooms for Adopt-A-Class.  

 

The Barney class greatly appreciates the stories that the Dau / Warrier children read to the children in the classroom. It really makes a difference when the children can hear fun stories from other children.  

 

The Dolphin class truly appreciates the generosity, love and support that Hannah and Samantha Printz show to the children. The children are looking forward to your next visit.  

Nemo - Cueto & Ellman family

 

The Nemo class children were really excited when the Cueto and Ellman familes came to school. The kids enjoyed the treats, gifts, costumes and the love that was shown.        


Blue's Clues would love to send a big thank you to the Bell family for the Halloween goodies! We can't wait for you to come back and visit us! 





East Campus:


The Tweety Birds  loved the treats, toys and books from the Katari family


The Big Bird class would like to say how thankful they are to the family of Lucas Soria and Tatiana Faurer for the books, snack and goodies that you brought to us. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

 

The Minnie Mouse class thanks the Malis family - "The party was so much fun; the kids had cupcake icing all over their faces." 

 

The Mickey Mouse class thanks the Smith family, "There are no words to describe the joy you bring to our lives - Thank you!"   

Pluto - Foreman family.

                                          

Pluto Class is thankful for the Foreman family because they bring fun activities and snacks. But most of all they read us funny stories and even let us keep the books afterward. 

 

Dalmatian class would like to say thank you to the Strogoff / Donvito families. We love playing with you and when you read us stories. We can't wait to see you again.

Sesame Street - Wallace family.

 

The Sesame Street classroom is thankful for the Wallace family. Every time Mrs. Wallace comes to visit, she brings her own family along with her. This makes us feel like we are part of her family.  

  

The Pooh Bear children enjoyed listening to the Feeney family read a book about harvest time. The children laughed, they smiled and say it was the best experience they ever had. 

 

The Snoopy classroom says thank you Mrs. Procacci: "Tell Jackie I love when she reads the story to us.", and "Jackie is still my best friend," also "Tell Mrs. JoAnn I will buy her some candy."

 

Lion King class would like to thank Mr. Richard (Stern) for dancing the Tooty ta with us and the Macarena, we love to dance!!!

 

Click to visit our website for more information about Adopt-A-Class 

East Meets West - Thankful Thoughts From the A.C.E.S Program  
We recently challenged the after school children to create a name for their program that expresses to the community what they do at FFCDC each day. Many good ideas were received, but one in particular was
a perfect fit: A.C.E.S. (Academics, Character Education, and Sports) - Stepping into a Brighter Future. The name is not only descriptive, it is also a great motivator for the children - one they are proud to tell their friends, "I am thankful I go to the A.C.E.S. program." The following words are a few more things they are thankful for:
Jerry

East:

I am thankful for my friends because they are there for me when I'm sad and when my family isn't there for me. Jerry

                       
I am thankful for my mom and dad; because of them I am alive and have this great life with two great families. Ariyana                                  
                                                                               

 I am thankful for food because it keeps me from being hungry.                                                                                                   Nicholas

 

I am thankful for my mom because she is happy for what I am and she appreciates me.   Shamira

 

I am thankful for my personality because if I were the same as someone else then I wouldn't like my life - I love being different.  Aliyah    

       

I am thankful for everybody, that's why I love my world. Let's work together!   Alisha B.

 


Gregory

L-R: Shamira and volunteer


 L-R: Jen'Asys and volunteer

West:  

I am thankful for someone to teach me me how to read. Deandra 

Deandra

 

I am thankful for going to violin lessons.  Kayla

 

I am thankful because I am in aftercare with my best friend.                                                                                                     Ezequiel

 

I am thankful for my family because there is someone  by your side and you are safe.  

 Mariah

 

I am thankful for my plants (in the garden).    Giovanni  

 

I am thankful for getting what I get and not getting upset.   Victoria

 

I am thankful for Florence Fuller because if I stayed at  home nobody would stay there with me. 
                                                                                                                                                             Yves
L-R:  Ezequiel & Andry
Kayla
Giovanni

 

 

 

Thankful for Our Biggest Hearts Helping the Little Ones

As we reflect on the year, we have a lot of  extraordinary things to be grateful for at FFCDC.   There have been many changes, from leadership to a dream of a new building at our west center campus.  We must thank MaryAnn and Harold Perper for providing us the lead gift of one million dollars to make our dream a reality.  There are so many people whom we are thankful for....volunteers, donors, staff, families and especially our children who bring smiles to our faces everyday!  Thank you to everyone who donates their time, talent and resources to the centers.  We at Florence Fuller Child Development Centers, wish you and your family the very best this holiday season. 

 

Don't forget to mark your calendars for our biggest event of the year, the Wee Dream Ball on Friday, November 30th at Woodfield Country Club. Click here to purchase tickets

 

 

 

 
Be the Change you Want to See in Your Community  - Become a Volunteer
Pat Simpson leads the west center garden club. 
We at Florence Fuller are thankful for the wonderful volunteers who are so generous with their gifts of time and talent. We are appreciative of every moment they share to make FFCDC the very best we can be. Each and every one of our volunteers at Florence Fuller is such an incredible asset; they are the back-bone of our FFCDC community. Volunteers are the unsung heroes who are willing to share their time, talents, and energy to help the children have the best day everyday. They spend part of their time reading to our children, tutoring, helping with special projects, working tirelessly at events, heading up donation drives, cleaning, scrubbing, planting and painting! Everywhere you look you can see the good work of our volunteers; they are truly the big hearts helping little ones.
  
If you are interested in volunteering and making a difference in the life of a child at Florence Fuller, please contact Debbie Wenger at 561-391-7274 ext. 127 or dwenger@ffcdc.org.
                           
              Remember, an act of kindness, no matter how small, is never forgotten 
Anna Panova and students from Group 2.   
Don't Miss Early Holiday Shopping Bargains at FFCDC's Thrift Store
Our Thrift Store is thankful for all the donations and the support from the community. In appreciation, we are  giving 75% off in November in many departments including, men's, women's and children's clothing and bric-a-brac. Join us this month to get the right item for the best price!

FFCDC's Thrift Store is open Monday to Saturday 10-6pm and Sundays 11-4pm. Click here for directions

We provide pick-up services for furniture - call 561 391 - 9379 to make arrangements.


How Can You Help?
Put a Smile on a Child's Face Today!
  •          Become a volunteer
  •          Become a tutor
  •          Help with an event
  •          Help in our administrative offices
  •          Help in our thrift store
  •          Sponsor an event
  •          Sponsor a child (scholarship)
  •          Provide needed school supplies
  •          Adopt a class
  •          Become an Ambassador 

For more information contact Pam Calzadilla, 561- 391-7274, ext., 111