Parents Resources

The Charity Guide website offers a wealth of information and ideas for families looking for ways to serve and volunteer. Visitors can pick up suggestions on how to make the most of small gestures (how to make a difference in 15 minutes, an hour, or on vacation), and how to leverage a birthday party to remind kids (and adults) that giving really is better than receiving.

Color a Smile's mission is a simple one - generate cheer by gathering children's drawings to distribute at nursing homes, attach to Meals on Wheels deliveries, and more. The result? A perfect opportunity for kids to generate good cheer by doing what they do best - putting crayon to paper and creating. Children can send in their own original drawings, or color in one of the printable pages available on the website.

Drawings (and donations, if you're so inclined) can be sent via mail to:

Color a Smile

P O BOX 1516

Morristown NJ 07962-1516

Cheerful Givers provides birthday gift bags for kids ages three to 12, distributing them at shelters and food pantries. Families can hold a Birthday Bag Blitz to put together gift bags, based on recommendations provided on the website.

Arts Fifth Avenue is an eclectic neighborhood arts center offering classes in tap, ballet, hip hop, flamenco, salsa, guitar, vocal chorus, visual arts, and yoga. The center also hosts a homeschool visual and performing arts program, live music, and theatre and dance performances. Arts Fifth Avenue is also home to MONDO Drummers, offering classes and private lessons in drum sets and hand drumming.

Weekly fine arts classes and lessons are offered by degreed artists/teachers in small groups. The Art House also offers summer and holiday camps, home school workshops, Mommy and Me workshops, a scout program, specialty teen and adult workshops, and more.

Birthday party packages are tailored to the children's ages and interests, and feature a variety of art projects.

HEART of Texas - Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training - is a non-profit corporation dedicated to connecting homeschooling families and support groups with resources and information.

There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries, offering support and practical assistance to families with very sick children. It's a safe bet that your local chapter can always use volunteers.

Ah, to have a personal chef. Dream Dinners comes pretty close: Show up at one of its locations, prepare several ready-to-eat meals from a monthly rotating menu, and take them home to the freezer.

Most recipes contain meat, although there are some vegetarian and dessert options. Guests can make as little as three meals or as many as 12. All freezer packaging is provided; side dishes, such as rice or noodles, are often included, too.

Healthy Me Marketplace is a healthy alternative to typical fast food, featuring dine-in, to-go, and grocery service. The menu changes monthly, featuring gourmet microwavable ready-to-heat entrees, as well as ready-to-eat sandwiches, salads, and sushi, and hot breakfast and lunch.

Through the healthy cooking school, Healthy Me Marketplace creates a foundation of healthy habits through hands-on activities in a fun environment. Call the store for more information on class schedule and pricing.

Catering is also available.

The brain child of a couple of entrepreneurial moms, Super Suppers is a hot concept for busy families. The premise is simple: Assemble meals for your family using pre-measured, prepared ingredients, grab a cooler, sign up for a supper-making soiree, and voila - you've got meals for a month.

The menus vary from month to month, so they're not boring. Unfortunately, the casserole-type entrees tend to be bland, and some of the other dishes get watered down after being frozen. Nonetheless, it's a good "what's for dinner?" solution for busy soccer moms and dads.

Private parties are available for groups of twelve or more. Visit the website or call for details and scheduling information.

Buy six entrees for $109 and twelve entrees for $199. Each entree is designed to feed four to six family members.

This Gold Crown Hallmark store boasts a big assortment of traditional collectibles and gifts, but the specialty here is the wide variety of collegiate items. Kay's Hallmark carries a plethora of items touting the charms of local and regional universities such as TCU, Texas Tech, Texas, Texas A&M, OU, Nebraska, Baylor, SMU, and LSU. Special ordering is available for any other university.

The store has a large selection of invitations and stationary, and printing services are available too.