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BETTER BEGINNINGS
PENNY PATTER

by: Bettie Witherspoon

December 8, 2006

Day of Caring

Sunday the third of December was one of those days that give clarity to our reason for loving this community so much.   I sometimes feel that we at Better Beginnings live in a cloistered world, one in which only those infused with loving-kindness cross our doorstep   On this particular day, the day of caring for Better Beginnings, the kickoff event for our 40-year celebration, that atmosphere bubbled over into the whole town.

 

For starters, right here in one of our classrooms, Detective Ben Miller volunteered his time to provide identi-kits for our little ones.   As one of young students explained it, “This is so that if we get lost, we can find ourselves.”    For 50 + children, he took photos and complete finger and thumbprints which he gave to each parent.  Helping him were faculty members Althea Lewis, Emma Randolph and Brenda Werner; also Family Board Member Laura Rodriquez.  Det. Miller made friends with every one of them, children and family members alike.   Earlier, about a month ago, when our school-age children were concerned about hearing that threats had been made against the public schools, he took the time to meet with them and provide comforting and intelligent answers to all their questions.

 

We particularly appreciate that the First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown granted us special permission to have use of the classroom for this purpose on Sunday, which exceeds our agreement.   Of course, every day is a caring day for them.  Without the “place” they give us, Better Beginnings would not have space in which to exist at all, much less 40 years.

 

From there, the caring spread out all

 

around town, from Jenny’s Deli, around the shopping area that includes Krausser’s, Famiglia’s,,the Bagel Shop, and Society Cleaners, then up Main Street, through the Psychic, Orien’s Tea Pottery, Raul Express, Carribios Express, G & C Variedades, across the street and continuing through the Hightstown Pharmacy, Roberts Opticians Johnny’s Deli, Shop for Less, with a quick stop at South Pacific Flowers where children’s books were being collected, and on to Mannino’s and Diamond Cleaners (both offered tangible prizes), through the Heritage group, then a stop at the gift shop, Little Bit of NYC (where Luz Nereida Horta provided translation services) and Pretty Nails, both who offered a percentage to Better Beginnings for the magic hours, and a nice respite  where friends where gathering at the Slow Down Café for the “Better Beginnings” Pannini of the day!

Yes, I did stop at every one of these shops, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.   I left in each shop, some nice pencils with Better Beginnings’ name on them and beautiful brochures designed by our Executive Director, Luz Nereieda Horta.   If you decide to visit, you are in for a great treat.  That particular street is like no other than I have ever heard of.  You might think you are on a trip around the world.  You will be greeted courteously and cheerfully by Indian, Chinese, Italian, Russian (at Slow Down on an especially good day), Vietnamese, Latin American, African, and more.  You will also find a fine array of services and much beautiful merchandise.  In sum, whatever the variety of “nationalities” involved, they have much more in common:  all have a lots and lots of heart and good character.
Lots of Sharing

Our donor/contributor list has unique entities as well, but all alike in the one same way.  In late November and early December, many entered our doors with thoughtful gifts and donations of many kinds.  They included the perennial Bell of our ball, Minnie, and her daughter, Frances Rios, who shared numerous children’s books of high quality, many of which also were a good match for our character-building project.  “Mr. Jonathan” Craig brought similar, appropriate books, as well as pretzels for snacks.  Shefah Shah brought a beautiful china dish set and snacks.  As cold weather is upon us, we were blessed also with warm clothing and miscellaneous other items from Elaine Sippel, Malik Cobb, Sr., Dr. Leo Van Den Blink, Diane Ack-Mitchell and Clifford Mitchell, and Kima Raval.

 

A very welcome and generous contribution came from a special collection taken for us and for CASC came from our friends at First Presbyterian Church of Hightstown.

 

Remembering that “Tuesday is Paper Day at Better Beginnings”, Ruth Valdivieso donated computer paper.

 

  

Our good friend, Dennis McClary, pro-vided Thanksgiving meals for 12 grateful families.  Saul Salerno also remembered our families with turkey dinners, as did the generous employees of McGraw-Hill.  Our faithful friends at Cranbury United Methodist Church brought in a variety of collected items, from paper goods to juice and snacks. Albert and Brenda Werner, ever faithful, brought bread for the children’s meals; and the Greater Hightstown Juniorettes again thoughtfully provided Birthday bags for children with December birthdays.

Here is a little rhyme I wrote in December 2003.  It is every bit as appropriate today as it was then.

Santa is real: I see him every day.

He doesn’t require reindeer or a sleigh.

It does not have to be winter and cold

It need not be bright and bold

He can appear in a gift of caring

He often appears when others are sharing

Yes, I am fortunate, for I see him appear

In many gifts of kindness throughout the year.

 

 

Having a Happy Holiday While Struggling:

For those (especially those with young children) who are struggling, living in a community like ours is very heartwarming.    Community members do not want to see any child be hungry or disappointed or feeling in any way “less than”.  So it is that we see a high level of generosity and sharing at this time.  Mr. Dennis McClary has just dropped off the twelve most wanted Christmas toys, with instructions for us to distribute them as we deem most fair.  We appreciate the trust and his caring ways.  Others are collecting also so that no-one will feel left out.  This includes the Hightstown Police Department who seem to have a special arrangement with that dear old man, Santa, and are planning to escort him to visit us soon.   This is one of the most special, magical days of the year for us.

In the meantime, Penny Pincher, who has a few children of her own, especially dotes on Penny Saved and Penny Earned.  They always managed a highly-enjoyable, low cost celebration.

She suggests that hand crafted gifts and decorations are a lot of fun, and ideas can be found in books at the library, or on the internet.  If you have no home computer, again, the library does.

  

The Pincher also likes to look in the community section of the newspaper for free programs, musicals and community events.

Add some extra joy to the season by finding ways to help others.  Many non-profit organizations can use extra hands at this time of year.

Watch for TV specials that are family oriented and watch it as a family, while munching on some homemade popcorn.

Take the time to play board games, concentration or jigsaw puzzles together.

Make cookies together.  Enjoy the aroma.  Eat some.  Put some in a hand-decorated container as gifts.

Go for a winter walk and talk about all that you see.  Draw pictures upon return to home.  Date and write a little story about them for posterity.  This could become a tradition.

Exchange big hugs.

Enjoy !
Comments, Ideas, Suggestions?

If you noticed above that we are seeking volunteers,  If you have comments, suggestions, if you have an idea for Penny Pincher or Two Cents Wordth, or if you have other ideas, want to donate, or contribute, or volunteer, please write to us at PO Box 187, Hightstown, NJ. 08520,

   or bewith@mail2peace.com, or call 609-448-6226, Luz Nereida Horta, Executive Director. Want to know more about us, visit www.princetonol.com/groups/bbcdc/ volunteer webmeister Liston Abbott.

Bettie Witherspoon is a former executive director of Better Beginnings, which has provided affordable child care to the East Windsor/Hightstown area since 1967.
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