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As we usher in the holidays we are reminded daily how fortunate we are to have so many wonderful families and supporters involved with Giraffe Laugh!  We just had our 10th Annual Fall Friendraiser and it was an amazing success with 130 people in attendance and a positive response to two new video’s we showed that evening.  Thanks to all of you who attended and all those that sent items for the world’s best silent auction!  Thank you also to our title sponsor, Macy’s!  Click here to view videos.

At the Fall Friendraiser I was presented with a lovely tribute with a poem written by Neile for my 20 year anniversary of working with Giraffe Laugh.  At the event we didn’t have much time and it was a surprise so I really didn’t get much of a chance to provide a proper thank you.  So here goes…
I am so thankful for the many families that allowed me to be a part of their lives the past 20 years.  I am incredibly thankful to all of the wonderful teachers that I’ve been blessed with and how they made my job easier and made me look good!  I am so grateful for the many board members that I was able to work with and that helped make my job go smoothly while providing me with perspective, advice and their various talents.  I am appreciative of the many volunteers we’ve had over the years that did things that never would have been done without them.  I am mightily obliged to many donors, community partners and businesses without whom Giraffe Laugh would not exist.  I give thanks to God for His many blessings on my experience.  I cherish countless memories of so many children, some now grown bringing children of their own to Giraffe Laugh. I know, without a doubt that it isn’t possible to get anywhere without the uplifting time, talent and treasures of so many.  Thank you for a wonderful ride and here’s to 20 more!

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We are finishing up parent/teacher conferences in November and will move on to Thanksgiving baskets, (distributed 11/22) Christmas adoptions, and Christmas food baskets (distributed 12/20).  If you would like to be a recipient of any of these wonderful programs, or a contributor please contact Amber at amber@giraffelaugh.org.

Upcoming Breaks: Thanksgiving Break will be:  Thanksgiving day and the day after, November 24th and 25th.  Christmas break will be:  Friday, December 23rd close at 3:00 p.m. and closed on Monday, December 26th for Christmas.   New Years Break will be:  Friday, December 30th close at 3:00 p.m. and closed on Monday, January 2nd.

Santa will be visiting the centers on Tuesday, December 14th.  9:30 @ GL1 and 10:30 @ GL2.  Bring your cameras!

We have entered a Gingerbread house for the Family Advocate Program Gala.  Many thanks to Shari Fernandez for all of her hard work on this project!  We have also created a wonderful tree for the Festival of Trees.  St. Al’s is raising money for a mobile breast care unit, so our theme is “Every woman deserves good breast healthcare” and the tree is covered with many different varieties of Barbies.  Thanks to the many volunteers that helped put this together!  To check out pictures of both items, go to our Facebook page and “like” us at Giraffe Laugh.

January will bring the Love and Logic parenting classes with our partner agency The Family Advocate Program.  The cost is minimal $10 and if you can’t afford it, we will assist with payments!  The classes are four weeks on Tuesday, January 10th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at GL2.  Childcare is available on site.  Please sign up as soon as possible by emailing Amber at amber@giraffelaugh.org.

We are beginning our Tripod of Trust trainings and focus groups in January!  We will have more information on this exciting program soon!  This is a multi-level approach to educating children, parents and staff about child abuse.  Stay tuned for ways to learn how to prevent child abuse and get involved in the opportunity that is available thanks to the Idaho Children’s Trust Fund!