We want to recognize five companies for their generosity to The Parenting Network's families last month. Select Milwaukee and Robert W. Baird collected items through The Volunteer Center's Giving Tree Program. Assurant Health also adopted five families in our Family Links program to provide clothing, toys, and household items. Rockwell Automation and Environmental Services Inc. in Brookfield collected art supplies, books, and gift cards.
"The gift cards from ESI are a huge help to our families," said Jan Buchler, Executive Director. "We received cards from Pick N Save, Walgreens, Walmart, and others. These can help a family purchase necessities throughout the year such as diapers, mediation, gas, or groceries."
Andrea Libber, Family Links and HIPPY Manager, worked closely with both families and donors to coordinate delivery of gifts in mid-December. She shares a few thoughts on the past holiday season:
The gifts were thoughtful, kind, generous, and simply put, incredible. Some of the parents hid the gifts right away while others allowed their kids to open them right then and there so we could see their reactions. Overall, kids were beyond thrilled and parents were amazed that someone thought of them this holiday season.
We saw teenage brothers open new shoes and IMMEDIATELY try them on and exclaim that they were "perfect." One of the boys then took them off so he wouldn't get them dirty for school and gym class. He made us do a thorough examination of the sole so we could see how much better his new shoes were and that he would get better traction in gym class. The other boy didn't take his new shoes off at all; he just walked around the room looking at them telling me how great they were.
Another little girl put on her new hat and wore it for the duration of our visit. It was still on her head when we left. Another little girl took her new princess pajamas upstairs to her bedroom (at 4:15 p.m.) and come running downstairs wearing them, exclaiming, "These are so soft! Mommy, feel my new pajamas. They are so soft!"
We saw a mom in her forties tear up when she looked at her new towels because she has been using the same towels since she left home.
Overall, it was a magical, lovely, wonderful experience. We want to thank all of the companies and individuals for the joy they brought to our families in need this holiday season. It just goes to show that Santa does exist!
Thank you again to Assurant, ESI, Robert W. Baird, Rockwell, and Select Milwaukee for helping others have a brighter holiday.
In 2010, TPN served over 2,400 students through these programs. While staff collect demographic and outcome data from students, they are most moved by the anecdotal feedback from students and teachers. Below are a few comments from students and teachers who participated in youth programming in the fall: 
