TAPLINK

Support for
Pennsylvania
Adoptive & Foster Families

Taproot issue 49 - May 2005

Presidents Corner

Don’t you just love Spring? I do, for me it marks the end of shoving snow from my walk, scraping ice from my car and chasing down my cat to throw him outside because he does not want to go out in the cold. The downside is that the coats come off and everyone sees how much weight we have gained over the winter. Oh well, we can’t have everything.

We have had some wonderful parent group meetings. Kathy Boyd and Sandi Bonam from Chester County Children and Youth presented workshops for us. Kathy spoke on “Parenting the Difficult Child” and Sandi spoke on “Split Loyalties”. Our families really learned a lot and had a great time in the process.

Last years Christmas Party was probably the best one that we have ever had. Close to 80 people attended and thanks to Midge and Donna every child, and every family took home more than one gift. All the teenagers received a “hoody” sweatshirt from Aeropostale, all the families received a beautiful fresh Poinsettia Plant (during the party we used them as center pieces) and other gifts. The kids received so much “stuff” that I’m sure that they thought that they had died and gone to heaven. A really BIG thank you to everyone who help to make it a success!

Keep the following dates in mind;

·· June 25th - meeting will be on Stress

· July 23rd - will be the swim/picnic (my house)

· August – No meeting for TAP but the NACAC conference will be the 3 rd – 6 th in Pittsburg

· September 24th – A Surprise Meeting!!!!

· October 22nd – Chat and Chew meeting

· November 5th – Conference

· December 10 th – Christmas Party

We held our 2nd annual yard sale on the 22nd of May. It was a lot of fun (and work) but we raised over $500 for Tap.

TAP has received a small government grant (see inside) to add new information and updates our web site www.taplink.org. We are looking to hire someone part time (very part time 10 to 15 hours a week) who has a computer at home (and knows how to use it) and the person “must love” to talk on the telephone. If you are interested please call 215/256.0669.

As most of you already know that Caroline Johnson retired from the National Adoption Center in Philadelphia. I did not get a chance to say good-by and thank you to Caroline before she left so I will do it now. Together as Adoptive Parents Inc. is 16 years old and I have known Caroline for most of those 16 years. She has always been there to help TAP whenever possible. I will miss you very much Caroline.

Phyllis