The 4th Annual Fun Fair is almost here! Come join us on Friday, May 7th from 10:30 until 2:00 at The Family Life Center located at 437 Main Street, Middleport, Ohio.
Kids Entertainment bu Angel Bug will be there for face painting and providing education about flowers and bugs. Angel Bug will bring the Honey Bear Bounce house and a few special guests your children will recognize and love to watch.

There will be free food and drinks, snow cones to cool off with and over 23 local agencies providing information and /or a small game or craft for the little ones to do and take home. There will be musical entertainment and loads of door prizes. So come spend some time with us. Your whole family will have fun.See you there!

May is Community Action Month

National Community Action Month is designed to raise awareness of Community Action and its impact locally and nationally. Community Action Agencies have outstanding relationships with individuals, families and communities. We spotlight the causes of poverty in our communities and strive to help each individual find the solution that is unique to their situation. Community Action serves about 98 percent of the nation's cities and more than 38 million Americans benefit from the services that Community Actions provide.

This year during National Community Action Month, Gallia Meigs Community Action Agency (GMCAA) and other Community Actions across the country will celebrate their history of partnering with other organizations to address poverty related issues in their communities.

When The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was signed by Lyndon B. Johnson on August 20, 1964, it was central to Johnson's Great Society campaign and the War on Poverty. Community Action Agencies were then established to create and maintain a variety of programs beneficial to the economicly disadvataged. CAA’s soon discovered that developing partnerships with other community based orgainizations have been a key componant to continue helping the economicly disadvantaged, and this remains true to this day.

Gallia Meigs Community Action has partnered with a multitude of diverse agencies in Gallia and Meigs counties that provide services to low/middle income residents. GMCAA has also partered with state and federal agencies that provide funding to our area. Since January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009 GMCAA has served over 2000 residents in Gallia and Meigs counties through the various programs that are offered.

GMCAA is commited to keeping the War on Poverty alive in our counties by adhereing to the Promise of Community Action, which is:

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Are you are interested in learning more about our programs, becoming a GMCAA partner agency or a volunteer? Call us at 740-367-7341 or 740-992-6620.

Mothers Day Craft Gift

Dads, are you looking for an extra special gift for Mothers Day that the Mother of your child will love? Try making a handprint poem with your little darling’s handprint. It’s easy.

You will need a paper plate, card stock, or something to put your child’s prints on.
Non-toxic washable paint.
a small sponge brush and a copy of this poem.

Take child’s hand and paint a fine layer of paint on it with a small sponge brush. Gently press child’s hand on item. Let dry.Put the date on your masterpiece. Print the poem below on to the back of the paper plate, inside the fold of the card stock or attach to the item.

You can even make Mom an apron! Use the same technique but purchase a plain white apron from a crafts store along with non-toxic fabric paint to make the handprints. You could even outline your child hands with a permanent marker. Don’t forget the date! You canprint the poem on transfer paper using your home computer (foloow instructions on transfer paper) and iron it on the apron too.

Handprint Poem

Dear Mom,
I miss you when we're not together
I'm growing up so fast
See how big I've gotten
since you saw me last?
As I grow, I'll change a lot,
the years will fly right by.
You'll wonder how I grew so quick
when and where and why?
So look upon this handprint (these handprints for more than one child)
that’s hanging on your wall. (Can use pantry wall if making an apron)
And memories will come back of me,
when I was very small.

Love,
Child’s Name

Plant a Posey for Mom Day

As they say April showers bring May flowers so GMCAA Help Me Grow will have our annual Plant-a-Posey for Mom Day held at Help Me Grow on April 28th at 1:00. We will provide the flowers, dirt, and flower pot. Bring gloves and a trowel if you don’t want to get dirty. Come play in the dirt with us and take home a pretty poesy or two!

Help Raise Funds for the March of Dimes

We are gearing up to complete our March of Dimes Walk on May the 2nd at Krodel Park in Point Pleasant WV and we need your help. I just got this interesting e-mail below and if we all mention thier site on our Facebook page, in our Blogs or on our twitter accounts they will give money to our charity, The March of Dimes. Just copy and paste the URL http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx in your address bar to see what it is all about. Lets see how many people we can get to put it on their accounts and raise lots of money for the March of Dimes!

Hi,

I've just come across Parent Smarts and noticed that you are a supporter of
March of Dimes.

I thought you would like to know we're supporting similar charities through
our spread the word for charity program! There are 3 really simple ways you
can participate and get us to donate $5, $10 and/or $20 on your behalf.

See more info and what others are saying at

http://www.hotelscombined.com/Charity.aspx

Look forward to hearing from you...

Kindest Regards,

Chloe

Come Join The Fun

This is the Fourth Annual Gallia Meigs Community Action Agency Help Me Grow Family Fun Fair. Come join us for Games, Music, Free Food and Prizes. Dora, Elmo, and Buzz Light Year are scheduled to appear. Hope to see you there!

Five Little Lady Bugs Finger Play

Here is a fun Springtime Finger play to learn!



Five little ladybugs napping in a tree (Close eyes and pretend to sleep.)

Awake to the sound of a bumblebee, (Flap hands like tiny wings and make buzzing sound.)

A little bunny's feet going hop, hop, hop, (Hop up and down.)

A shower of raindrops, plop, plop, plop. (Pat hands on legs.)

And a happy little bird singing loud and clear. (Move hand in front of mouth to resemble a beak.)

The ladybugs said, "Spring must be here!" (Shake finger.)