We’re interrupting our regular news for a special project.

In the spring, the Beacon collected donations for the Matthews HELP Center. Now that it's the holiday season, we're sponsoring a Teacher Appreciation Week at C.O.S.Kids! 

The staff at C.O.S. Kids have been giving it their all throughout the pandemic. In fact, when schools made the decision to go all virtual, Sue Sproat, the Director for the child care facility, was the person to organize the community to make sure children weren't slipping through the cracks.

I was chatting with Sue about how we can show our appreciation. They have 50 staff members, so this will be a big effort, but Matthews has a huge heart and I know we can do it! 

From Sue, "The wonderful staff at C.O.S.Kids has persevered through all the upheaval this year to nurture children and provide developmental, social and emotional support when it was needed the most. We have been open throughout the pandemic, from caring for the children of essential workers at the beginning of the shelter-at-home orders, to expanding our services to include the remote learning for our school agers.  They have taken on all the challenges we have asked of them.  Safety precautions keep them segregated to their classrooms and unable to congregate or share their day with their co-workers.  This can feel very isolating and lonely.  We would love to show them our respect and appreciation for the difficult and crucially important job they do!”

We will collect items on December 11 and 12 for surprises the week of the 13th. (If you'd like to be a collection site, let us know!) Sign up here. 

Monday: "Warm a heart"- send in card or note letting your teacher know just how thankful we are for all that they do for the children of our community, "shower your teacher with flowers"- You can either bring in flowers, draw/make flowers, bring a houseplant.

Tuesday: $20 gift card for groceries. 

Wednesday: "Safety first" Reusable cloth masks (even better if it’s holiday/winter-themed) and hand sanitizer--spend $10 or less

Thursday: “Self Care day"- bring items for pampering self care--bath bombs, luxurious soap or lotion, a pair of cute, warm socks or gloves. Get creative, have fun! $10 or less

Friday: $20 Gift Card for a little bit of shopping. Amazon, Walmart, Target are suggestions

Have questions? Would you like to provide gifts for one day rather than all five? Every bit helps!