On Saturday, Dec. 6th, TriCity Family Services held its 6th Annual Snowflake Shuffle 5K Run/Walk in the Mill Creek Subdivision of Geneva.  Over 400 participants registered for the race.   The agency thanks all of its participants and volunteers who came out in support of TriCity Family Services.  All proceeds raised from this event will benefit the clients that the agency serves.

For the third consecutive year, the Colonial Ice Cream Cone truck led the race, with hundreds of festively dressed runners in close pursuit.  Participants brought holiday cheer and spirit wearing jingle bells, Christmas sweaters, elf hats and an eclectic assortment of holiday accessories.  Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and Dolly McCarthy from the Dolly McCarthy Show helped kick off the race.  Even Santa Claus himself came out to support TriCity Family Services.  After the race, participants socialized inside the Mill Creek Clubhouse, holiday treats were provided, and awards were presented.  The Snowflake Shuffle was professionally chip timed by Al Edgecombe of Realtiming, Inc.

The agency would like to thank and recognize Carolyn Minear, as the 2014 Snowflake Shuffle Event Chair.  The agency also thanks the 2014 Shuffle Committee and the Friends of TCFS.   Hallie Hudson, TriCity Family Services Development Associate reports that the event netted over $21,000.  

TriCity Family Services is grateful for the generosity of the community, and thanks all of their Silver Sponsors, Bronze Sponsors, Friends of The Race, the Mill Creek Clubhouse, and the Batavia High School Interact Club for providing cookies.

Keith Singery, of St. Charles, took First Place Overall Male in the 5K with a time of 18 minutes and 28 seconds.  The First Place Overall Female Winner was Stephanie Howe, of Geneva, with a time of 19 minutes and 47 seconds.  The entire list of Snowflake Shuffle race results are available on the TriCity Family Services' website at www.tricityfamilyservices.org.

Those who have a mental image of the perfect holiday celebration may be setting themselves up for disappointment and stress.  Many people look forward to a magical time of year and expect that the season will bring a cure to all past problems.  These idealistic expectations can lead to stress.

 Whether you are celebrating Kwanza, Navidades, Posadas, Diwali, Eid-ul-Fitur, Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day or St. Lucia Day, here are some tips that can help you keep your celebrations pleasurable. 

• Keep your expectations manageable. Start out by making lists of what you want to accomplish this holiday season.  Ask yourself what holiday traditions are truly meaningful to you and therefore worth the effort of continuing.  Set realistic, reachable goals.  Adjust your goals as the holiday draws near.  Give yourself permission to be flexible with expectations and adjust them as other demands come up.  

• Keep it simple.  Making cookies is fun but do you really need to make 20 different varieties?  Remember that a holiday feast does not have to be an elaborate gourmet meal to be wonderful.  Ask your guests to bring a dish - share the responsibilities with others.  Delegate responsibilities and be able to admit when you need help.  

• Find time for personal relaxation.  Make sure that you find time for yourself this holiday season.  Take a time out to read your Christmas cards and have a cup of cocoa.  Take a walk outside and admire the neighborhood decorations. 

• Avoid overindulging in holiday foods, alcohol and caffeine.  We need to eat right, sleep well and exercise to deal with stress.  Eating and drinking too much will not help you to feel better.  When at holiday parties, focus on the company, not the food. 

• Stay on budget.  Many of us fail to make a holiday budget and stick with it.  Choose a thoughtful gift, or perhaps give a home-baked goodie, rather than an expensive item.  Suggest grab bags or set price limits.  Watch your credit cards - you don't want to be paying next year for this year's purchases. 

• Ride the emotional roller coaster.  The holidays can be very hard on our emotions.  Our memories of childhood holidays impact today's holidays.  Often we try to duplicate what we remember as a magical, ideal holiday.  Or we remember Christmas' past that were unhappy and we go to the opposite extreme to try to create the perfect holiday.  Some people feel very blue at holiday time and dread the holiday season.  Trust your instincts and don't try to be what you are not.  Keep up your normal routine.  

If you are experiencing stress or challenges this holiday season, there is help available.    An EAP counselor can provide an assessment, recommend the most appropriate treatment, including short-term counseling within the EAP if appropriate, and provide support. 

The EAP is confidential, free and easily accessible.  To learn more about the EAP program, please call (630) 232-1070 to speak to Laura Kowalski, Sr. Clinician/Consultant and EAP Coordinator, or Kathy Gibson, Sr. EAP Consultant.  Additional information can be found at: www.tricityfamilyservices.org.