December 2008 Monthly

Choose A Summer Camp Month
Every year more than 10 million children attend day or resident camps to build self-confidence, learn new skills, and make memories that last a lifetime. To find the right camp, parents should begin their search in December. For more information, visit www.campparents.org.

Operation Santa Paws. Dec. 1-22.
During the holiday season, extra help is needed for abused and abandoned animals in the care of
local animal shelters. OSP spearheads a canine/feline toy and treat drive to benefit less fortunate pets in California. Animal lovers are encouraged to buy new toys, treats, or supplies that will be delivered in time for the holidays to local shelters and rescue operations. For more information, go to"www.santapaws.info" Similar drives are held across the nation in December.

Safe Toys and Gifts Month.
Toymakers recalled more than 19 million toys worldwide last year because of safety concerns. In 2005, more than 200,000 children were treated for toy-related injuries. It’s critical before purchasing a toy for a youngster that you know what criteria you should use to evaluate it. Start your research at www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/toy_sfy.html and www.preventblindness.org/children/safetoys.html.


December 2008 Weekly

Saturnalia. Dec. 17 This ancient Roman festival honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, was a time for merriment and winemaking at harvests end. Gifts were exchanged, all business was suspended, and slaves and masters reversed their roles.



December 2008 Daily

World AIDS Day. Dec. 1. This year's theme is leadership, and the campaign slogan is "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise." For resources, go to www.worldaidscampaign.org.

Rosa Parks Day. Dec. 1. Celebrate this turning point of the Civil Rights Movement. It's the anniversary of the 1955 arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat and move to the back of the municipal bus in Montgomery, Ala. Her arrest triggered a yearlong boycott of the city bus system and led to legal actions that ended legal segregation.

Extraordinary Work Team Recognition Day. Dec. 4. A day to recognize business teams that work extraordinarily well together, producing significant results and accomplishments for their organizations. For more information, go to www.qpcteam.com.

Saint Nicholas Day. Dec. 6. Saint Nicholas is one of the most venerated saints of both Eastern and Western Christian churches. Little is known of his life except that he was Bishop of Myra (in what is today Turkey) in the 4th century, and from early times he has been especially noted for his charity. Santa Claus and his presentation of gifts at Christmas are believed to have derived from the acts of Saint Nicholas.

National Poinsettia Day. Dec. 12. A day to enjoy poinsettias and to honor their namesake Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the American diplomat who introduced the Central American plant into the United States. Poinsett died on Dec. 12, 1851. He served as a member of congress and secretary of war.

National Children's Memorial Day. Dec. 14. This remembrance of the more than 79,000 children who die in the United States every year is held annually on the second Sunday of December. For more information, go to www.compassionatefriends.org.

Christmas. Dec. 25 A Christian holiday.