July 19, 2007

8 days of activities are planned this fall by some area citizens, to celebrate family. Take an organized hike one day, dine-out together another day, enjoy volunteering in your community on another. It's a great partnership for United Way of Central Florida with our mission to build better lives and stronger communities focused on critical issues affecting kids, families and wellness. United Way is participating with the Polk National Family Week group that is motivated by a belief that strong families build strong communities.

A national group, American Family Foundation has been working to motivate communities to create such an event and you can find out more of their ideas at www.nationalfamilyweek.org ( http://www.nationalfamilyweek.org/ ). In Polk County, area citizens from Winter Haven and Lake Wales answered the call and are working to broaden involvement throughout the county.

All you have to do to participate is to save the date among your family for maybe one, two or all eight days of the celebration. Details of the event will develop as November approaches, but this is where it stands now:

Nov 10th: Saturday, plan on a family hike at the Polk County Environmental Lands - Lakeland Highlands Scrub, 9am-12. It will be an escape from your busy schedule and time to share a beautiful Florida moment with your family. Find out more about this activity at www.friendsoftheparks.net ( http://www.friendsoftheparks.net/ ).

Nov 11th: Sunday, plan a time to connect spiritually together with your family. Maybe you'll go to your regular house of worship; or maybe you'll spend an hour talking to one another over coffee reflecting on your values and the blessings of our central Florida community.

Nov 12: Monday is a time to share dinner together at home. Plan the menu together and let everyone take a part in setting the table, preparing the meal or gathering the chairs together at dinner time.

Nov 13: Tuesday is Movie Night. Take a night to go together to the movies.

Nov 14: Wednesday is a time to go out to dinner together. Hurry home though, to read and celebrate your elementary child's essay that you entered earlier in the Polk School Essay contest.

Nov 15: Thursday is the culmination of the Polk School Essay contest. More details to come.

Nov 16: Friday is a community celebration tailgate picnic. The location is being prepared but there will be family activities and a great time will be had by all!

Nov 17: Saturday is a return to your hometown where your volunteer labor is needed by participating non-profits who will have a project they accomplished to help them continue to serve your community. Your family will have a proud time working together and knowing you've become stronger and with you your community is stronger too. For more information visit uwcf.org. Click on the help link and choose volunteering: keyword "family week."

Plan on a few days or 8 days this Nov 10-17 and celebrate your family. For more information contact Scott Lonsberry at scottl@uwcf.org.

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Posted by Kandy Stanton