Our NEW Garage Sale Video

Our much anticipated new Garage Sale video is here!

If you're a fan of our famous Garage Sale or someone who is curious to see what it's all about, here's your chance. Please feel free to share our video with your friends and family!

2013 Garage Sale dates:
Wednesday, October 30 - Preview Party - 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday, November 1 - General Sale Day - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, November 2 - General Sale Day - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, November 3 - General Sale Day - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
                                      Box Sale - 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.

For more information on our 38th Annual Charity Garage Sale, visit www.settlementhome.org.

Mondays at the Warehouse

Mondays are always fun at our warehouse. It's amazing to see the wonderful donations that come in from the community. We are so appreciative of everything that is donated! Keep those great items coming in!

We are always thankful for our wonderful and very hard working Club members, as well as the additional volunteers who donate their time to the Garage Sale. This is truly a group effort and one that could not happen without the hard work of so many talented people!

The Toy Department stays busy pricing items.

Everyone needs a musical tie!

Cute Dorothy and Toto necklace.

Adorable hat. So stylish!

 

Hard working volunteer helps unload a donation.

Our awesome Tool Department stays busy!
 

2013 Games Day

Games Day is something that our kids, staff and Club members look forward to each year. It's a chance to have fun, enjoy the start of summer and be a kid.

This year's Games Day was a tremendous success! The Club members put on several games, like Bingo, for the girls. There were prizes, a popcorn stand, a snow cone machine and plenty of other treats. The dunking booth is always a huge hit. In this Texas summer heat, the water is very refreshing!

There was a special treat this year - lunch by P. Terry's! Everyone enjoyed a hamburger or veggie burger from the P. Terry's food trailer, along with French fries and an ice-cold lemonade.

Thanks to everyone who made today a special one for our girls! We're already looking forward to next year!

It's a Wrap!

This was a big week for us! We wrapped up so many things and other adventures are now beginning.
 
This week, we celebrated the high school graduation of three special girls. These girls worked so hard for this achievement and we are so proud of them! We know that this is just the beginning and great things are in store for them!

Our Run Club held its last workout for the school year. We normally hold our weekly workouts on Wednesdays at 5 p.m., but due to the HOT Texas summers, we will put that on hold for the summer. Our girls will still have a chance to run during our summer program, but it will be in the morning when temperatures our cooler. The Run Club had a great semester. There were so many great workouts and the group participated in the Bun Run 5K. Way to go everyone!

Now, summer kicks off! That means pool parties, outdoor hiking, crafts and camps. We are so excited about this summer and look forward to working with our wonderful Club members and volunteers!

 

Highlights from National Foster Care Month

As you know, May is National Foster Care Month. Maybe you've seen a story about foster care on your local news or read one in the paper.

We've been following stories about foster care this month too. Here are some stories from across the globe that have stood out during this month:

Governor Launches Adoption Campaign
http://www.tidewaterreview.com/news/va-tr-governor-to-launch-adoption-campaign-tomorrow-may-17-20130516,0,1612775.story

Exceptional Children Adoption Program
http://www.pomeradonews.com/2013/05/14/county-launches-exceptional-children-adoption-program/

Fostering is a Way of Life
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_news/for-medford-couple-fostering-children-is-a-way-of-life/article_7e6807c4-5a33-57f7-8313-dc8a36465205.html

77 year old Supermom Raises 69 Foster Children
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2324931/Meet-77-year-old-supermom-raised-69-CHILDREN--including-11-adopted-dozens-foster-children.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

Heart Gallery Comes to Albuquerque
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/65887138d2b241e494b04cdce988e7c5/NM--Martinez-Heart-Gallery

A Recruiter's Storyhttp://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/20130510/NEWS01/305100037?nclick_check=1

Do you have any memorable foster care stories to share?

As May winds down, now is the time to spread awareness about National Foster Care Month, attend an orientation if you are interested in fostering a child or find ways to give back to non-profits who serve foster children. Together, we can make a difference in the life of a child.

Presidential Proclamation for National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month!

Today President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation in honor of National Foster Care Month. President Obama said that children are our future and they need love and support. He reminded us that the month of May is a time to focus on raising awareness and providing support for children in foster care. He also challenged Americans to step up and help these children and communities.
Read the entire official proclamation here.

There are many ways to get involved and make a difference in the life of a child. At The Settlement Home, we depend on donations and volunteers so that we can provide care, support and programs. Give your time and resources and help children in need work towards a positive, successful future.

Ways YOU can help:

- Become a mentor or volunteer.

- Donate new or gently used items for our Charity Garage Sale.

- Sponsor our Charity Garage Sale.

- Make a donation.

Youth Volunteers Receive Recognition

There's something very encouraging about watching young people volunteer. Children, teens and young adults are our future. When you see them out in the community doing good, it gives you great hope for the future.

On Sunday, we recognized tomorrow's leaders at our SpringFest event at Star Ranch. These high school juniors are already shaping the Austin community and having a positive impact on others.

SpringFest honors the efforts of our Community Youth Council (CYC). The CYC is made up of Austin area high school juniors. These students pledge to volunteer their time at The Settlement Home. This program not only exposes teens to the needs and volunteer opportunities at The Settlement Home, it also helps instill a life-long passion for helping others. We hope the young lives we touch through this program will go on to be the future leaders and philanthropists of the Austin community.

We also recognized retired professional tennis player Andy Roddick as our Community Leadership Award recipient. Andy accepted the award and spoke to the CYC members, parents and guests. Andy talked about how volunteerism has played a role in his life and how he hopes to continue that passion through the Andy Roddick Foundation.

Thanks to everyone who attended SpringFest and helped support the mission of The Settlement Home. Congratulations to our CYC on their past and future volunteer efforts! Thank you to our wonderful friend and the evening's Master of Ceremonies, Ed Clements.

Congratulations participants:
Jenny Adams, Blake Allen, Charlie Ames, Matthew Andreo, Rebecca Barfield, Daniel Bates, Jr., William Beuerlein, Alex Blackburn, Logan Breen, Madison Bunner, Ford Campbell, Clare Campbell, Jackson Cantrell, Grace Carrier, Tess Cline, J.D. Coffin, Hannah Conkle, Kathleen Cooke, Parker Davis, Kel DeWeese, Trevor Dickey, Sofia Dieck, Zoe Dobson, Bobby Dwyer, Charles Dye, Emily Edelman, Sam Eichner, Avery Ferguson,Haley Forrest, Jenna Franklin, Jack Grace, Mathais Hanssen, Garret Hemphill, Keaton Hodges, Katie Holmes, Connor Howden, Cathlyn Jones, Ned Kaufman, Claire Kelsey, Michelle King, Matthew Kirksey, Madison Lauderback, Connor Lightsey, Connor Loose, Jack Meredith, Ian Moody, William Morris, Dalton Mulkey, James Nayden, Scott Onion, Abby Osgood, Anna O’Toole, Finley Patterson, Burke Plater, Rebecca Prideaux, Hayley Redding, Carter Reed, Peyton Reynolds, Rhett Riley, Reed Roberts, Michelle Ross, Kendra Schafer, William Selman, Stephanie Settle, Wyatt Simmons, Robert Sjoberg, Robert Slack, Ben Slaughter, Hallie Smith, Gabe Sperling, Molly Suttle, Matthew Trabold, Madison Villarreal, Hayden Waugh, Mary Patricia Wehmeyer, Catherine Wendlandt, Julieanne Whitehurst, Matt Wiley, Hayden Williams, Whitney Woodard, Will Yzaguirre, Morgan Zamen and Andrew Zucker.

Know a high school sophomore who would be interested in joining the next Community Youth Council? Contact Marilyn Willson at mwillson@settlementhome.org.