Adoption STAR families in Albany and Rochester recently held fall get-togethers in October complete with costumes, pumpkin carving and, of course, lots of great food! These get-togethers are also great way to find support and share your experiences who are also going through the adoption journey.
Rochester and Albany families will also be holding holiday events in December.
Rochester:
5th Annual Holiday Party for both placed and waiting families
We will be having a potluck dinner again this year, along with crafts for the kids and a visit from Santa. We will also be coordinating with Adoption STAR, Birth Parent Department Supervisor, Sue Shaw to collect donations for Adoption STAR’s Birth Family Holiday Party. If you would like, you can bring an unwrapped gift appropriate for the children that attend the Birth Family party (ages infant – 14 years old).
If you have not received an email invite from Alison Tuff and want to be included, please send her an email Alison Tuff Alison Tuff and indicate whether you are a placed or waiting family. The invite will include more info on the party including what Santa needs, a sign-up sheet and directions to the party location.
Albany:
2nd Annual Holiday Party
Date: December 2nd
Time: 10am
Location: Point of Woods Recreation Center
Albany NY 12203
(Thanks Brenna for securing us the location this year, you rock!!!)
Please RSVP by 11/25/12 with how many people in your party, and what you would like to contribute food/supply wise to me, Gina @ gjwink329@yahoo.com.
Food:
We are planning a brunch this year. See list below of possible foods, but feel free to make/bring something not on the list.
Breakfast Casserole
Breakfast meats (sausage or bacon)
French toast
Fruit
Meat tray
Cheeses
Cupcakes: Brenna
Bagels: Gina
Coffee/Sugar/half &half
Juice
Milk
Cookies
Paper Products: Brenna
Crafts:
We will need someone to organize some other crafts again for the kids, (Dawn did this last year and did a wonderful job!!!!, maybe Dawn would be willing to do it again )
I thought it would be fun for each family to decorate their own gingerbread house, made out of a milk carton. I will be bringing the supplies for that activity.
Games:
We could also use a volunteer to organize a few easy Christmas themed games to play. Let me know if we have any takers, 2 games should be plenty.
Santa:
Santa Claus will be making an appearance again this year! We would like to give Santa a small thank you gift, so we will be asking for donations at the party. If you have older children, who know the “secret” of Santa, please talk with them about keeping the “secret”. We will be doing a $20.00 grab bag, make sure you label your childs gift with their name on it.
For more information you can contact Adoption STAR at (518)391-2515
Thanks, and we hope everyone can make it
Gina, Maya and Brenna
Below you will find many great Halloween photos from both the Rochester and Albany events!