November is a special...

I know we as Canadians are focused on November 11 with Remembrance Day and all that that entails. I teach my grade 4's about it and of course as a teacher-librarian I talk to all the students I come in contact with. My father was veteran so I value and am aware of and honor Remembrance Day. But in the last eight years my thoughts and activities around November have turned to another important event. It is called Operation Christmas Child. It is a fascinating project which is organized by Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief organization. Take a shoe box ... any shoe box. Fill it with gifts. Send it children who have nothing. Pretty simple!!! Samaritan's Purse does relief work all year round in the countries the boxes go to, so this is an additional way for them to help out people in need. The boxes come from schools, churches and businesses. As a teacher I contribute to a teacher box in the staff room. The individual boxes are mostly put together by children. It is a practical way to reach out and help your fellow man. In some ways having Remembrance Day and Operation Christmas Child collection day so close together makes a lot of sense. Both deal with how we need to treat each other. It is important to remember and it is important to do something. I hope to post some pictures about Operation Christmas Child over the next few days.








Background info:

"Concerned about starving and the poor? This is the most worthwhile effort that I have known on a personal level. Samaritan's Purse was recognized for having the highest percentage of donations go directly to helping people. They are the real deal- so put your money where your mouth is and support them."
Michael Habersack, Sr.

Operation Christmas Child Newsroom - Canada

Collection photos:

New Governor General's Coke Joke

There were better choices for GG but here we are. Coke jokes about a cocaine addict who has kicked the habit. The PM picked her (Jean) and now he is defending her mistake. Good one Paul!!!

"In her remarks at the dinner, the Governor General joked about holding a lunch for Boisclair, who recently admitted to using cocaine while he was a Quebec cabinet minister.
"We can have sandwiches and coke. Well, should André Boisclair, decide to attend, it will be coke for sure."
Boisclair always follows the "party line," she said."
{CBC News: Governor General criticized by sister over Boisclair jokes}

"Ms. Jean's sister, Nadeje, and her husband Jean-Manuel Weisz delivered a fresh controversy to Ms. Jean on Saturday when several Montreal newspapers published their letter attacking Jean's sarcastic references to Parti Quebecois leadership candidate Andre Boisclair.
But the prime minister said the annual dinners in Ottawa for members of the media where speakers traditionally mock themselves and others was not meant to be taken seriously.
“I'm not going to comment on what the Governor General's sister has said. I think everybody understands what happens at those dinners,” Mr. Martin told reporters just before leaving the Summit of the Americas.He said he believed there was an “understanding (of) the context in which those comments are made.” "
(The Globe and Mail: PM defends Jean from sister's attack)


The frontrunner in the Parti Quebecois leadership race says he's shocked the new Governor General publicly joked about his admitted cocaine use...

The frontrunner in the Parti Quebecois leadership race says he's shocked the new Governor General publicly joked about his admitted cocaine use. Speaking on Wednesday prior to a leadership debate, Andre Boisclair said he was surprised by Michaëlle Jean's speech at the Oct. 22 Parliamentary Press Gallery dinner. Andre Boisclair, Wednesday. Jean made several references to Boisclair, including one that played on the meaning of the word "coke" and another that said he always followed the party "line."
{LaSalute.net - PQ leadership hopeful irked by Governor General's cocaine jokes}

Thank you for a great choice Paul!!!!!!-