June Update:

What a fun time with the “Big Kids” ( 8-12) at Child Crisis Arizona! Our time with them seems to bring them joy!

We did origami and they really got into it and they were REALLY good at it too! They made flipping frogs, foxes, whales, swans dinosaurs and seagulls!

 We know our time at this center is sacred so we will be back next month! Join us!!

May Update:

Music night with Rhonda and Chicks with Picks was breathtaking!  Picture 24 kiddos twirling, dancing, singing…so much fun!!!  A few even sang at the microphone.  We had one little boy get up and ask if he could sing. He was so cute and had an AMAZING voice… He broke our hearts singing It’s the Hard-Knock Life from “Annie”.  Knew all the words.

This is why we serve! We believe all children deserve a life of dancing and singing!

Please join us! We could use your help!!

April Update:

What a fun time we had at Chicktime April!! These awesome volunteers made Science and Engineering a blast! We are dedicated to be the voice of the children placed at the Child Crisis Center (CCC). It is our joy to be a constant ministry that shows up month after month to love on these precious children! We would love for you to join us for our next workshop on May 20th! Chicks with Picks will be our monthly workshop leader and sharing their love of Music with us all ! To God Be The Glory~

February Update:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Chicktime February! We had so much fun doing yoga with Amanda and the kids! We hope you will join us for Chicktime March =)

January Update:

Thank you all of our volunteers who joined us for Chicktime January!

It’s that time of year again!    Monthly leaders are needed to fill our Chicktime calendar through 2017. We are running a two week leader drive to fill up our volunteer events. The kids at Child Crisis Arizona depend on us and if we don’t have leaders, we can’t continue our work.  

Group event dates are listed below, and always need to be one hour long (6pm to 7pm). I have listed if we are with Middlers (4 years old – 7 years old), or Big Kids (8 years old – 12 years old), or both.

January 28 (Big Kids):                            Yoga with Amanda 
February 18 (Big Kids):                           Need to fill
March 25 (Big Kids):                                Need to fill  
April 29 (Middlers):                                  Need to fill  
May 20 (Big Kids & Middlers):               Chicks with Picks music night
June 17 (Big Kids):                                   Need to fill  
July 22 (Big Kids):                                     Need to fill 
August 19: (Big Kids):                               Need to fill 
September 23 (All Wings):                     Stacy & Cheryl, Pizza & Bingo
October 21 (Middlers & Big Kids):         Angie & Jesi – Harvest Festival
November 18 (Middlers & Big Kids):     Need to fill 
December :                                                Book drive only – no group events.

Monthly Leader Duties: Each monthly leader identifies her gift (Yes, you have one.!) … something she loves to do… her vocation, her hobby, or just something she thinks would be fun for the kids. Then create a way to teach that skill or passion to the children. The leader is responsible for developing her program, and supplying needed materials (but be sure to ask me if you need help with supplies – we have lots of extra items on hand from past events!). If you have been a leader before, you can always repeat your event too. Remember, the children that you taught / played with before, likely won’t be the same children when we go back. So it will be brand new!

If we get an overwhelming response of more leaders than we have dates listed – not to worry! Our intention is to be able to one day run events for both the Middlers and Big Kids on our scheduled dates. We can always add more events if we have the volunteers to make it happen.

We have many new members, so I want to repeat what we have said in the past – We realize Chapter members won’t make it to all of the programs, and that is okay! Chicktime is guilt free and we all know how busy everyone gets! The goal is to have enough volunteers to make the events fabulous, and that typically just happens by grace! Also, the month you volunteer to lead is the only month you have to do any leg work, the other 10 months you just show up and have fun!

Can you believe Chicktime Mesa is on it’s 5th year of providing group events at the Center?  Thank you ladies for all you do and making this possible!  So grateful for all of you!  We are looking forward to a great 2017 and making a difference in the lives of the children that call Child Crisis Arizona home.

Stacy, Cheryl  and Jesi

October Update:

Thank you to everyone who attended Chicktime October!

September Highlights:

Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Spaghetti Dinner at the Child Crisis Center!

August Update:

Thank you to everyone who attended our August workshop! We had such a great time with the kids!

We hope you will join us for our September workshop!

July Update:

June Highlights:

Our June workshop was a blast! Thank you to our workshop leader, Ms. Nanette who did an awesome job creating games for us! We played hole in one ball toss, bucket toss, ring toss and backwards crab walk. We played so many games, there was hardly any time left for charades!

Thank you Chicks with Picks for another great event!  You “Chicks” are amazing and the kids absolutely loved having you there!!

Thank you also to our volunteers:  Kay, Aggie, Shannon, Jesi, Angie and Cheryl

Chicks with Picks are back to sing with the kids at the Child Crisis Center.

We have Big Kids and Middlers this month, please let us know if you can volunteer!

April Updates:

Thank you Ms. Felicia for bringing Science back to the Center.  The Big Kids loved the balloon powered cars so much – that we had to let the Middlers build their cars too!! So much fun!

And among other news….CONGRATS to Ms. Felicia.  We are so very happy for you!!!!!!!!
 

 

This month we have the middlers and our workshop leader is Ms. Felicia. She will have fun science experiments for the kids. This is such a fun event and we need volunteers so grab your lab coats and please RSVP!

March Happenings:

Thank you Mesa volunteers for helping at Child Crisis Arizona last Saturday.

We had a full group of volunteers helping the Big Kids create Spring crafts.

Here’s a sampling of some of the fun we had:

Our amazing volunteers!

Angie & Jesi

How cute is that?

Don’t forget this Sunday is the K’s for Kids 5K or 10K Run/Walk.   It will start at Pera Club located at 1 E Continental Drive in Tempe.

Let me know if you’ve signed up for it so I can be sure that we connect with you there.

Have a great week everyone!

Hello Chicktime Mesa!

Our next volunteer group night is just a couple weeks away.  We will be meeting at the Child Crisis Center Saturday, 3/26/15, at 5:45pm.  We hope you can join us!

Jesi & Angie are our monthly leaders and I hear they have some cute Spring crafts lined up for the kiddos.  Can’t wait to see what they have created!

Please RVSP to Stacy at boltmans3@cox.net if you can make it.

Thank you for all you do,

Stacy & Cheryl

Thank you Felicia and all the volunteers that joined us on February 20th!

We had a great night at Child Crisis Arizona with the Big Kids.

Check out the videos of the cars we built!   The kids LOVED these and it was interesting to watch them choose their materials for construction.
Also, changing out their materials and learning what would cause the “car” to go further.

Wine, Women & Horses

Saturday, March 5, 2016 | 11:00 a.m. Registration open | 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. Event

Hello Chicktime Gals – grab those running shoes and join us for a great event benefiting the children at Child Crisis Arizona.
K’s for Kids Run/Walk

Sunday, April 3, 2016 | 7 a.m.

Shirts are available for purchase at the event and free to fundraisers who raise $50 or more.

Details

7 a.m. Check-in
8 a.m. 10k race begins
8:20 a.m. 5k race begins
9:15 a.m. Kids Dash heats begin

Location

PERA Club
1 E. Continental Drive
Tempe, AZ 85281

Register at: http://childcrisisaz.org/events/k-4-kids-run/

February brings one of my favorite events!  You know I love ALL of our events, but there’s something special that happens when Miss Felicia brings her Science Experiments to the Crisis Center.

If you haven’t met Felicia yet, she is an engineer by trade.  She is absolutely passionate about science and is phenomenal  with the kids and showing us that science is FUN!

We have 10 volunteer spots available for February 20th.

Please RSVP if you would like to join us.

It’s a great start to the New Year!  We had a very successful January event with the Big Kids at Crisis Center Arizona.  A huge thank you to Miss Amanda for teaching yoga to the kids!  Her smile is contagious and I wish I could bottle her energy!!

Our leader drive was also a success with almost every month filled for 2016.  There are still a couple spots available, so if you were wanting to lead an event this year, please email or call me soon.

Thank you ladies for all you do!  I am so grateful for all of you.

Stacy

It’s that time of year again!    Monthly leaders are needed to fill our Chicktime calendar through 2016. We are running a two week leader drive to fill up our volunteer events. The kids at Child Crisis Arizona depend on us and if we don’t have leaders, we can’t continue our work.

Group event dates are listed below, and always need to be one hour long (6pm to 7pm). I have listed if we are with Middlers (4 years old – 7 years old), or Big Kids (8 years old – 12 years old), or both.
January 23 (Big Kids):                          Amanda – Yoga
February 20 (Big Kids):                        Felicia – Science Experiments
March 26 (Big Kids):                             Angie & Jesi H. – Spring crafts
April 16 (Middlers):                               Nanette – Outdoor games
May 21 (Big Kids & Middlers):             Chicks with Picks – Music
June 25 (Big Kids):                                Felicia G – tentative
July 23 (Big Kids):                                  Need to fill
August 20: (Big Kids):                           Bethany P.
September 24 (All Wings):                   Stacy B. & Cheryl N., Spaghetti dinner & games
October 22 (Middlers & Big Kids):      Angie & Jesi H. – Harvest Festival
November 19 (Middlers & Big Kids):  Need to fill
December :                                              Book drive only – no group events.

Monthly Leader Duties: Each monthly leader identifies her gift (Yes, you have one.!) … something she loves to do… her vocation, her hobby, or just something she thinks would be fun for the kids. Then create a way to teach that skill or passion to the children. The leader is responsible for developing her program, and supplying needed materials (but be sure to ask me if you need help with supplies – we have lots of extra items on hand from past events!). If you have been a leader before, you can always repeat your event too. Remember, the children that you taught / played with before, likely won’t be the same children when we go back. So it will be brand new!

If we get an overwhelming response of more leaders than we have dates listed – not to worry! Our intention is to be able to one day run events for both the Middlers and Big Kids on our scheduled dates. We can always add more events if we have the volunteers to make it happen.

We have many new members, so I want to repeat what we have said in the past – We realize Chapter members won’t make it to all of the programs, and that is okay! Chicktime is guilt free and we all know how busy everyone gets! The goal is to have enough volunteers to make the events fabulous, and that typically just happens by grace! Also, the month you volunteer to lead is the only month you have to do any leg work, the other 10 months you just show up and have fun!

We are looking forward to a great 2016 and making a difference in the lives of the children that call Child Crisis Arizona home. Thank you for all you do!

Stacy & Cheryl

Miss Amanda is back to do Yoga night with the Big Kids on Saturday January 23rd.  We will be meeting at 5:45pm at Child Crisis Arizona. Please let us know if you can join us.

We have 10 open volunteer spots available – first come, first served.

Amanda is AMAZING!!!   Your face will hurt from smiling so much!!  

Happy New Year!

Stacy & Cheryl

It’s that time of year again!

Our annual Christmas Book Drive for the Center’s Christmas Party.

This year the theme is “Polar Express”.  We are needing to collect fifteen (15) new copies of “The Polar Express” by December 5^th.   (hardback books)

http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Express-anniversary-Chris-Allsburg/dp/0544580141/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448165182&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+express+book

Books can be found at Amazon and also Walmart for $12.64.   If you’d like to donate a book, please email Stacy & Cheryl at boltmans3@cox.net.   Books can be delivered anytime prior to Dec 5^th, but if you’d like to get together with the gals on the 5th, we would love that!

Our next volunteer opportunity at the Crisis Center is this Saturday November 14th.
We will be bringing Movie Night to both the Middlers and Big Kids.   Please join us for a night of “Inside Out” – a great Disney Pixar film about emotions.

Please RSVP to boltmans3@cox.net if you can join us!
So far I have RSVP’s from Cheryl, Angie, Jesi and Bethany.
We will need 5-7 more volunteers since we will be with both wings of the Center.
We’ll be starting at 5:30pm to get the projectors and screens set up,
and get the popcorn served into bags.

Hope to see you then!  

Our Harvest Festival at the Child Crisis Center will be on October 24th.

Marlene and Angie are leading this event which will include both the Middlers and Big Kids.

We will need lots of helping hands for this event!

We need volunteers to run the game stations, give out prizes, and help with crafts.

Please RSVP to Stacy if you are able to join us.

Meeting time is 5:45pm at the Center.

On November 6th (Friday), the Child Crisis Center and Nursery will be hosting their annual luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore.  I have requested a table for Chicktime.  If you are interested in attending, please let me know.  We will fill the table on a first-come first-serve basis.  I went to this last year and it was a fabulous event.  Great food, great people, and more importantly…hearing first account testimony from those that once called the Child Crisis Center their home and how it impacted their life.  The Center and YOU make a profound difference in the lives of these children.  

Hope you can make it!
Stacy

Please join us on September 19th for a spaghetti dinner night with the Child Crisis Center. 

We will be feeding all 3 wings of the Center:  Tiny Tots, Middlers, and Big Kids 

We will need lots of extra helping hands – so please send your RSVP as soon as possible.  

After our meal, we will have a group event with the Big Kids.  

More details to come regarding time.   Stay tuned!

Thank you Mesa Chicks for volunteering this month!

The kids loved making their friendship bracelets and creating their chalkboards.

And the black chalkboard paint was surprisingly easy to clean up!  

Here’s a pic of some of our volunteers and a sample completed chalkboard.

SAVE THE DATE!! 

August 22nd, Saturday will be our next group volunteer night at the Child Crisis Center. 

Bethany Privitera will be our monthly leader.  We will be making friendship bracelets and dry erase  boards with the Big Kid wing.  

Save The Dates for the remainder of 2015: 

*  September 19th – Spaghetti dinner night for Toddlers, Middlers, Big Kids and Staff.  (need a big turnout for this event to make it a success!)  

* October 24th – Harvest / Halloween Festival.  Looking for leaders to run this event. 

* November 14th – Movie Under the Stars event 

* December – no group events, but we will do our book donations for the Crisis Center’s Christmas Party

Please feel free to RSVP early for any of these events — these are some of our most popular events at the end of the year and tend to fill up fast.  

We hope you all are enjoying your summer!  

Stacy & Cheryl 

Thank you Chicktime Mesa for volunteering  at the Child Crisis Center on July 25th!

Erica Aurich was our monthly leader and she brought the best Pirate’s night to the kiddos! 

The kids started off by making their own pirate hat, then painting a treasure box to hold their own treasures, next a game of ring toss on Captain Hooks’ plank, and finally a treasure dig for gold and jewels.  You skallywag Chicks were much appreciated with all the hands on help and encouraging the kiddos!   😛 

One little boy asked if they got to keep the treasure box and jewels, and when we said “yes” he yelled “Oh Lord, this is awesome!”   That brought JOY to my heart and  — and I thought “yes, this IS awesome!”  The kids were awesome, and YOU are awesome!  Thanks for all you do!

Stacy & Cheryl 

Erica and her sweet hubby made the Captain Hook Toss! Then donated it to Chicktime to use for our Harvest Festival in October!

Hello Chicktime Mesa!  Our July group event at the Child Crisis Center is fast approaching.

Erica Aurich is our monthly leader and could use some extra helping hands.

Please RSVP to Stacy if you are available to volunteer on July 25th.

We will be with the Big Kids wing from 5:45pm – 7pm.

Hope to see you there!

Thank you Joey for a great “Backyard Camping” event!   The kids LOVED this event and we absolutely appreciate all the time and effort you put into making this a success!

Thank you to the volunteers that helped keep the “fire” burning and encouraging the kiddos as they built their camp fires.  

We couldn’t do what we do without all the volunteers!    

Stacy & Cheryl 

JUNE NEWS

Save the Date Mesa Chicks!  

Saturday June 20th for some “Backyard Camping” with the Big Kids.

Joey is our monthly leader and she has some great activities planned:

• Tent Set Up
• Build a “Fire” (faux fire craft)
• Sing some campfire songs and do some group story-telling
• Charades
• And last but not least –  you can’t have a real “camp-out” without S’Mores – so we will end the evening with a favorite treat

Want to join in the fun?  Please RSVP to Stacy if you can make it at:  boltmans3@cox.net 

Thank you Chicks With Picks for sharing your talented musicians with us:  Carly, Lysa & Ramon.

The Middlers had a great time “bustin’ some moves” (to quote one of the 5 yr olds that had a great time dancing to music played by Carly)!

And the Big Kids loved the opportunity to get their turn at the microphone to sing with Lysa!  What a talented group of girls there were and they knew all the words!

We just can’t say it enough — you Chicks Rock and we hope to see you again next year! 

Hello Chicktime Mesa:  One of our favorite nights of the year is almost here!

Please join us on May 23rd when the Chicks With Picks musicians come to play for both the Middlers and Big Kids!

The Chicks With Picks Foundation™ helps all ages in music, in turn helping those in need, through their music.  They are a non-profit division of the AZ Chicks With Picks Organization, LLC.  They not only partner with Chicktime Mesa, but also work with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Local Women’s Shelters, Fiddler’s Dream and more!

We are so grateful they have chosen us as one of their recipients to share their love of music with the children at the Center.

Please RSVP to Stacy at boltmans3@cox.net if you can join us.

Time is 5:45pm – 7pm, Saturday May 23rd.

Thank you “Chicks” for spending an evening with the kids at the Child Crisis Center.

We had a great time learning all about “Density” with Felicia and doing some cool science experiments!

We also had a great get together just before Easter and took some donations to the Center for their Easter baskets!  We missed many of you and I know the timing was tough with many of you going out of town.  But for those that missed, we will do it again later this year.  Stay tuned.   Here are some fun pics from our Chicktime networking night:

Hello Chicktime Mesa volunteers!  Our next event is coming up on April 18th, 2015.

Felicia G. is our monthly leader who is coming back to bring some of her exciting science experiments to the Big Kids at CCC. 

Please join us from 5:45pm – 7pm.   We NEED you!   Be sure to RSVP to Stacy @ boltmans3@cox.net if you can make it.  

Hope to see you then! 

Thank you Chicktime Mesa volunteers for spending time with the Middlers this month.

Special thanks to Angie B. and Jesi H. for planning some great Spring crafts for the kids!

Check out the pics of our masterpieces!

Our volunteer night for this month is fast approaching.   We will be meeting at the Child Crisis Center this Saturday, 3/21/15, at 5:45pm.  We hope you can join us!

Jesi & Angie are our monthly leaders and I hear they have some cute Spring crafts lined up for the kiddos.  Can’t wait to see what they have created!

Please RVSP to Stacy at boltmans3@cox.net if you can make it.

Thank you for all you do,

Stacy & Cheryl

Save the date for our next Chicktime event at the Child Crisis Center.

Angie and Jesi are leading our March event (more details to follow).

We will be with the Middlers (ages 4-7 years old) on March 21^st from 5:45pm to 7pm.

Please RSVP to Stacy if you can join us!

Hey Mesa Chicks!   Wanted to give a big thank you to Amanda for leading our Yoga night, and to those that came to volunteer:  Sundi, Angie, Melissa, and Joey

I wish I could bottle Miss Amanda’s energy!!   The kids absolutely LOVED HER and I’ll hope she’ll come back again SOON.

Also, thank you to those gals that donated items for the “snack packs”.   Chicktime donated 75 snack bags for the Family Resource Center, as part of their upcoming foster/adoptive family zoo event.  Thank you Joey and Miss Sundi for your help in getting the bags filled, and thanks to the little helper that assisted me in delivering  them.  

The Child Crisis Center is in need of 3 volunteers to help with their Wine, Women and Horses event.  The event is Sat., March 7th at Turf Paradise. We would need you to be there from 10:30am to 3pm.

Let me know if you are interested, and I will pass along your name to the Center.  They will contact you and provide more details of what you will be doing.  

Please also “SAVE THE DATE” for April 11th, 2015 for Miami Nights.  This is a great fundraising event for the Center and a beautiful night out at Gainey Ranch with great food & great people.  Tickets are $175 each.   More to follow on this event, but just wanted to get the date out to you early.

Hello Chicktime Mesa!   Please join us on February 21, Saturday @ 5:45pm for Yoga with the kids at CCC. 

If you missed last year with Miss Sundi, be sure to register this time.  You won’t want to miss it!  The kids loved Yoga night and here’s what PBS says about the benefits of kids practicing yoga:

Yoga for Kids

Yoga is about exploring and learning in a fun, safe and playful way. Yoga and kids are a perfect match. 

• Yoga teaches us about our bodies.

  When we practice the physical postures or exercises (called asanas), we learn how to move more freely and with greater ease and awareness. These postures help our bodies become strong and flexible.

• Yoga teaches us how to breathe better.

  When we breathe deeply and fully (called pranayama) and become more aware, we can bring peacefulness or energy to our bodies.

• Yoga teaches us how to use our energy more effectively.

  When we practice yoga, we learn how to use the life force energy in our bodies (called prana) to feel more relaxed, focused, or motivated.

• Yoga teaches us how to quiet the mind.

  When we practice yoga, we learn how to be still. This helps us to listen with attention and make good decisions.

• Yoga teaches us about balance.

  When we practice yoga, we learn to be more aware about the need for balance in our lives. This could mean equal stretching on the left and right sides of our bodies or making sure we balance our very busy time with equal quiet time and relaxation.

• Yoga teaches us about taking care of ourselves.

  Yoga is a great way to move our bodies and feel healthy. And teaching children how to take care of themselves is one way to show love. As with all forms of exercise, a good yoga practice can mean a good night’s sleep!

Please be sure to send your RSVP to Stacy at boltmans3@cox.net if you would like to join us!  

Thank you to the volunteers that came out and helped the kids learn to decoupage! 

They made super cool organizer buckets and some of the volunteers made them too!    

Here a couple of them “in progress”:

Amy B., Angie B., Jesi H., Sundi K., Justine O., and Corrine – the kids had a great time with you!

We received the following “Thank You” from the Center:

Happy New Year Chicktime – Mesa!   We are so excited to start our volunteer events for 2015!

As a reminder, our first volunteer night is this Saturday 1/24/15 from 6pm – 7pm at the Child Crisis Center.

Please arrive by 5:45pm to get signed in.

We will be making decoupage tin buckets with the Big Kids.

Please RSVP to Stacy at boltmans3@cox.net if you are able to join us!

No prior experience needed in decoupage!  If you can help the kids with cutting out pictures from magazines –  you are exactly what we need!  

The buckets are perfect “kid size” so they can use them to store their pencils & markers, hair bows, baseball cards, or plant seeds.  Whatever their heart desires.

It’s that time of year again!   Our Chicktime chapter is running our annual Christmas book drive for the Center’s Christmas party.  This year they are having an “Olaf” themed party (the darling snowman from the movie “Frozen”).   We are trying to collect 30 books of  “A Day in the Sun”, currently listed at only $3.19 on Amazon, in the paperback version.  http://www.amazon.com/Day-Sun-Disney-Frozen-Pictureback/dp/0736430881/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417453599&sr=8-1&keywords=olaf+book

If you would like to donate a book, you can drop it off at the Child Crisis Center.  Be sure to tell them you are with Chicktime, and to deliver it to Alicia Kenney.  If you do take the book(s) directly there – just let me know so I can adjust our count.

If you would like to deliver it to me, or have me meet you to pick up the book(s) – please email me at: boltmans3@cox.net. I would be glad to do that!

The Christmas party is just one short week away.    We’ll need to collect/deliver books no later than next Monday.

Thank you for participating in this event for the kids!   They do such a great job with these parties and we are excited to at least be a small part in it’s success.

Stacy & Cheryl

From all of us at Chicktime – we want to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!  We give thanks for YOU – the volunteers that pour out your hearts and give your time to the children at the Center.  We couldn’t do what we do without you!

Thank you to those that participated in the Movie Under the Stars night!  The kids had such a great time and I received the below thank you from the Center that I wanted to share with you.

Be safe and stay tuned for details on our upcoming Christmas book drive!

Warmest wishes,

Stacy & Cheryl

 Please join us on November 22nd, 2014 for our Annual

“Movie Under the Stars” night!

This year we will be showing the movie “How to Train your Dragon 2”.

If you would like to join us for this event – please RSVP to Stacy at:  boltmans3@cox.net

This event will start at 5pm to fill popcorn bags and set up.

The movie will begin at 6pm.

We will be sitting on the basketball court (it does have a rubber mat on it) – but be sure to wear comfy and warm clothes.

Please join us on October 18^th at the Child Crisis Center for our Annual Kids Harvest Festival.

We are in need of 10 Chicktime volunteers to help run games and crafts for the kids who will call the Crisis Center their home this Halloween.

Email your RSVP to Stacy Breckenridge –   boltmans3@cox.net

Festival time is 5:45pm – 7pm, Saturday

Thank you to the Chicktime Mesa gals that helped serve our Spaghetti dinner to 42 beautiful children at the Child Crisis Center!

I wish I could have taken photos of the babies, the toddlers and the big kids enjoying their Vito’s spaghetti!   They loved it!  Some had two or three servings (and I believe one toddler had 4 servings – I’m not sure where he put it, it certainly didn’t end up on the floor).   It was a great night and Cheryl & I are very grateful to you gals that spent your evening with us, with the kids, and cleaning up floors and highchairs.

I was reminded of a quote by  Steve Maraboli, “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”  Thank you Chicktime gals for the compassion you show over and over again.
 

Chicktime Mesa will be sponsoring a spaghetti dinner at the Child Crisis Center, while their chef is out for the week.  We will be providing spaghettini from Vito’s, garden salad, bread, and carrot sticks.  We would also like to make a dessert with the Big Kids after dinner.  If someone would like to volunteer to bring in carrot sticks (would need to be the pre-packaged ones from store), or sign up to make dessert, please let us know.  (I’m thinking an easy dessert like Chex Mix with marshmellows & chocolate, or the chocolate pudding dirt worms? Send us your ideas!)  After dessert, we will still have some time for games or crafts.  Volunteers are needed to lead the activity – contact Stacy if you would like to help!

Please email your RSVP to  boltmans3@cox.net

Dinner will be at the Center: 

Child Crisis Center

604 W. 9th St.

Mesa, AZ 85201

Hope to see you there!

Stacy Breckenridge & Cheryl Namie

Can you believe it is already August?   I hope everyone has been enjoying their summer.  My kids are back in school, and so are the kiddos at the Child Crisis Center.  If you haven’t checked out AZ-Mesa Chicktime on Facebook – go check us out!   We have shared some of the photos from CCC of the kids 1st day of school.

We are gearing up for our August activities – and are excited to tell you we have TWO groups this month.  Our volunteer date is August 23rd, Saturday from 5:45pm-7pm.

Felicia “the Great” will be doing science experiments with the Middlers and needs some volunteers to help her.   We also have Michelle W. and Marlene R. that will be leading “sand art” with the Big Kids.  If you are able to volunteer with either group this night, please email Stacy at boltmans3@cox.net.   We can take up to 10 volunteers for each wing of the shelter.

We are also still in need of some chicks to help plan our September event.  If anyone is interested, we can meet right after our 8/23 event.

Thank you “Chicks” for all you do!  Looking forward to seeing you!

Stacy Breckenridge & Cheryl Namie

Thank you to the “Chicks” that volunteered Saturday night!  The Big Kids and Middlers were off on a swimming field trip – so we had the rare opportunity to be with the Tiny Tots!  (ages 0 to 2 yrs).  
I am so proud of the “chicks” that jumped right in to help clean their kitchen, sanitize their toys, feed bottles, put babies to sleep (great job Erica!), and just sit on the floor reading books and playing puzzles.   The staff LOVED YOU!!

Can you believe it is almost August and the kids are about ready to go back to school?  We have only 4 more volunteer events for the remainder of 2014.  Here is what we have on the schedule: 

August 23rd – Michelle West and her sister in law are signed up to lead next month.

September 20th – I need some “chicks” who would like to be part of a planning group.   Some ideas we have thrown out:   Carnival at the park (bounce houses, snow cone machine etc), reserving a group party spot at Jumpstreet, or Brunswick XL Bowling.  We are open to suggestions.   If you know of a really fun place you’ve had one of your kids’ birthday parties at – please let us know.  

October 18th – Angie and Jesi will be our leaders this month and are planning a Halloween party for the Big Kids.  (We are checking to see if the Middlers are available this night also – so we may need two groups).  

November 22nd – myself and Cheryl will be leading our Movie Under the Stars night with the Middlers and Big Kids.  If you know of someone that does outdoor projectors, please let us know.  Stacey and Danielle had a great guy last year – not sure if he is still available?  

December – We will do our Book Drive again this December, as well as an event open to our entire group…more details to come.  

Have a fabulous week Chicks and thank you for all you do!!  

Stacy & Cheryl 

Hello “Chicks”:

Our next volunteer night is just 19 days away!  Bethany P. is our monthly leader and we will be doing a craft called a “Tree Canvas”.  It looks REALLY cool!   We could use some volunteers to help the kiddos with the project, encourage them, and just be there so they know they are cared for.

Please RSVP to Stacy if you would like to volunteer this night.  Meeting time is at 5:45pm and we end at 7pm.  All volunteer events are held at the Child Crisis Center in Mesa.

Also, please check out our new Chicktime Blog!  http://chicktimemesa.wordpress.com/
Here you will find the address and directions to the Center on the Home Page.  If you “follow” the blog, you will get an automatic email when a new Volunteer event is posted.  Click on the “Where We Serve” page and you’ll find a drop down for the “General Wish List” of items the Center is in need of.

We are also now on Facebook – so be sure to “Like” our page to find additional information and events held at the Center.  Facebook page name is “Chicktime – Mesa”.

Hope to see you on the 21st and thank you girls for all you do!  We had such a great turnout last month – we were able to have Music Night for the both the Middlers and the Big Kids!   Check out a couple of the pics on the Blog – the gals from Chicks with Picks were amazing!!

Stacy & Cheryl

Ps – new Tshirts have arrived!  We now have black and brown to choose from.  If anyone needs one for the 21st, just email me color and size.  ($10 wholesale cost)

Hello Chicktime gals!   I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.  We had a great time at the Child Crisis Center Saturday night.  We had 4 musicians from the Chicks with Picks foundation come play music for the kids at the Center, ages 4 yrs to 10 yrs.   Chicks with Picks is a non-profit that uses female musicians (of all ages)to reach those in need, through their music.  They play for the Phoenix Childrens’ Hospital, and also hold fundraisers to help families with medical expenses.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude that they chose to partner with us!  I wish I could have taken photos of the kids smiling faces, and clapping hands…but, due to confidentiality we just cannot do that.   I think the Middler girls sang “Let it Go” from Disney’s “Frozen” about 5 times.  They took turns singing in front of the group, and not knowing all the words, but could belt out “Let it go!” when the chorus came – too stinkin’ cute!  

Rachel closed out the night with the her original song “Safe Haven” – explaining that your safe haven could be home, it could be a person, …the song was very befitting for the evening.  It was just beautiful.  We then had a special request for Pharrel’s “Happy” song.  Although Rachel didn’t know how to play it – she quickly pulled it up on her iPad and gave it her best shot – making one little boy in particular very happy!  

Did you know?  A child in Arizona is abused or neglected every hour.
Over 7,500 children in Arizona last year had to leave home due to reports of child abuse (Arizona Department of Economic Security Child Welfare Report). Approximately 30% of all of these reports were of physical abuse; the rest were emotional abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse. Even though each child’s situation is very different, they all had one significant common factor; 100% could have been prevented.

Our hope is to one day find the wings at the Child Crisis Center completely empty.  Until then, we are in desperate need of volunteers to come spend time with the children at the Center…our children from our communities…who deserve so much better than what they have been dealt.  Come sit with them, talk with them, laugh with them, and on May 17th – SING WITH THEM!

On May 17th, we are absolutely thrilled to have CHICKS WITH PICKS coming to the Center.  Our Chicktime group will have both the Middlers and the Big Kids this night, so we are in need of extra help (double our usual number).

Please RSVP to Stacy if you would like to volunteer this night.  boltmans3@cox.net.

5/17/14   5:45pm – 7pm

All events are held at CCC.

Thank you AZ Chicks for coming out to the Child Crisis Center in April to play with the Middlers.

Also, a big thank you to those members that joined us at the 13th Annual Fiesta in the Tropics night at Gainey Ranch.  It was a wonderful evening under the stars.  With a live mariachi band playing…we celebrated, shopped the live auctions, and enjoyed some amazing south of the border cuisine!  More importantly, we helped to raise much needed funding for the Child Crisis  Center.  (The funds go to direct care needs of the Emergency Shelter.)    350 people attended, and over $150,000 was raised!!   It was such an incredible event,  I hope more of you are able attend next year and get to experience it.

Thank you Kathy & Cindy for leading the Team Building events for the Big Kids!  Also thank you to Cheryl, Joey, Angie and Daniel for showing up to play with the kiddos!  I heard it was a great event.  Here are some of the highlights of the games they played:

* Rock, paper, scissors, with a twist…THE KIDS LOVED  egg, bird, dinosaur then king or queen. 

* Stand in line holding a cup and straw and passed smarties to the next kids cup…they loved this one! 

* Blindfolded a partner and the other partner had to give directions on where to go to pick up item.

* Hot chocolate game…where the kids had to cross over stepping on little markers as a team.  Very FUN!

Don’t forget the upcoming Child Crisis Center Gala on April 12th, Saturday.   We have a table of 10 being held for Chicktime – get your RSVP in by the end of day tomorrow as it’s LAST CALL.

Tickets are normally $175 — but Chicktime Mesa is offering the tickets at a reduced cost of $100.  First come, first served!  Hope to see you there!

Blessings,

Stacy

The “Chicks” are really excited about our upcoming March event at the Child Crisis Center!

Kathy L. is our March monthly leader and she has a great “Team Building and Challenge Course” event planned.   We are in need of 5-7 volunteers to help with activities and just come play with the kids.  We will be with the “Big Kids” this night (ages 8-12 yrs old.)

The event is Saturday March 22nd, from 5:45pm to 7pm.  If you would like to register for this event, please email Stacy @ boltmans3@cox.net.

Thank you for all you do to serve the children at the Mesa Child Crisis Center!

Blessings,

Stacy Breckenridge & Cheryl Namie

We are off to a great start this year here at Chicktime (Mesa)!  I am in awe at the number of women that have come forward to help the hurting children in our community.  (Did you know we have over 100 volunteer members here at Chicktime Mesa?)   Some of these women have come with “hearts on fire” to get involved!  I am ever so grateful for you!  Our calendar for 2014 is almost entirely full with leaders for each month, and the activities planned are so thoughtful.  I am so excited to see all that our group accomplishes this year.

Did you know May will be our second month that we will have both the Middlers and Big Kids together?  Our goal is to get to the point where we are able to run activities for both wings of the children’s home.  WE CAN DO IT!  

A BIG THANK YOU to Erica A for putting on the BEST puppet show for the Middlers on Saturday.  Check out the photos!   Erica had some of the 12-13 yr old girls from church help make the puppet theatres out of cereal boxes and parchment paper.  The kids cut out shapes of the characters from the beloved Humpty Dumpty story.  The shapes were then glued to colored popsicle sticks.   The kids decorated the front of their theatre with pom poms, stickers, glitter glue etc.  Then the REAL fun – Erica brought little table lamps for each of the kiddos – and their shadow puppets came to life!   Aren’t they just TOO CUTE?   The kiddos got to keep their table lamps and puppet theatres…and Erica left a poster board behind of the nursery rhyme.

Erica A. will be our February Monthly leader and she will be making “Shadow Puppets”  with the Middlers (ages 4-7 yrs old).  Erica is in need of 5-7  volunteers to join her and help out.   The event is Saturday the 22nd, from 5:45pm to 7pm.  Erica has had some wonderful little helpers gathering all the supplies together.   You have to come see the darling puppet stage they have put together!

If you are interested  in volunteering for this event– please RSVP to Stacy at:  boltmans3@cox.net.

Thanks so much for all you do!

Stacy Breckenridge & Cheryl Namie
Chicktime, Mesa

Thank you Rebecca C for leading our January event!   We received the below photograph from the Child Crisis Center.  The Middlers had a GREAT time with all the activities planned.  They especially loved the Cheese Head game!

Thank you to the following volunteers who helped out:  Angie B, Jesi H, Ashley C, Johanna B, Cheryl N, Tabitha H, Lorena V, Brittany S and Marida L.

January News

Happy New Year Chicktime Gals:

We are gearing up for our first Volunteer event for 2014!

Rebecca Carlson is our Monthly leader and will be doing a “Mini-Olympics” night with the Middlers (ages 4-7 yrs old).  Rebecca is in need of some volunteers to join her and help out.   The event is this Saturday the 18th, from 5:45pm to 7pm.

If you are intestered in volunteering for this Saturday – please RSVP to me at:  boltmans3@cox.net.

Thanks so much for all you do!

Stacy Breckenridge & Cheryl Namie
Chicktime, Mesa

Thank you Chicktime Mesa gals for all you did in 2013 that benefitted the children at the Child Crisis Center.  You donated your time, your finances, your talents, ….your hearts.  We are so grateful for you!  2013 was a successful year here at Chicktime!  Our chapter has grown to 83 members and with that, we brought some fun events to the kiddos this year.

In 2013 we learned how to do art journaling (with author Ms. Dawn), we created tiaras and swords (with beautiful girls Michelle & Sydney), learned yoga poses (Namaste Ms. Sundi), checked out scorpions under black lights, made punch with dry ice, saw how gases can inflate a balloon (thanks to  “Felicia the Great” – Engineer), scrapbooked with the ever talented Shannon R. and Gracie K.,  made ooey gooey “Oobleck” with Cheryl, played HeadBanz & Pictionary during our Game Night, decorated Halloween cupcakes with Cakes by Lisa, and ended the year with our Movie Under the Stars night (special thanks to the creative gals at Destination Manager – Stacey O. & Danielle P.)

Our 2014 calendar is filling up with more great events to come!  Here are some sneak peaks:

•  Shadow puppets  with Erica A.
•  Science Experiments  with Felicia
•  Animal Interaction & Carnival games
• Team Building and Challenge Course with Kathy L.
• Music Night – courtesy of Chicks with Picks

We have a new calendar tool on the Chicktime website (thank you Cheryl for keeping this up to date for us!).  It’s a pretty slick tool.  You can RSVP for volunteer events here & automatically add it to your smartphone calendar.

Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!

Stacy & Cheryl

What a fabulous group of women!

Last night was a huge success!  Thank you to Erica, Medhen (& her fabulous friend!), Stacey O., Athina, Joey, and Danielle for your big hearts!  The kids had a great time watching Monsters University under the stars last night. A huge thank you to Stacey O and Danielle P. who were our leaders for this event.  They got us a great deal on the projector screen cost, and their company donated the Harkins movie theatre popcorn and bags!   And the glow stick bracelets were a huge hit!   It was so fun to hear the kiddos laughing at the movie, all bundled up in their blankets…under a beautiful full moon last night.

It was the perfect event to close out 2013.   I am so blessed to know such a great group of women, and look forward to 2014 and all that we will accomplish!

Putting popcorn bags together

November News

This month Danielle P. & Stacey are hosting our “Movie under the Stars” night at the Child Crisis Center.  Please join us as we watch our favorite monsters reunite in “Monsters University”.

Both the Middlers and the Big Kids will join us this night.   We have a vendor that will be setting up an inflatable movie screen with a great sound system.

We will be bringing popcorn for the kids, staff and our volunteers.   Don’t miss this night!  This is a great opportunity to get a large group of Chicktime volunteers together as well.

**   Bring a coat/jacket as we will be outside and it will get chilly!

Please RSVP direct to Stacy if you would like to volunteer – boltmans3@cox.net.

Date: November 16th, 2013

Time: 6pm – appx 8:30pm.   Please arrive about 5 minutes early for check-in.

Place:

Child Crisis Center

604 W. 9th St.

Mesa, AZ 85201

Our next volunteer night at the Child Crisis Center is this Saturday, 10/19.

Lisa McGee is our monthly leader and will be doing Halloween Cupcake Decorating with the Big Kids.
I have the following volunteers already signed up to help: Kiva, Danielle I., Gloria L., Rachel L., and myself. I can fit another volunteer in, so if you wanted to attend but hadn’t RSVP’d yet – please let me know as soon as possible. Also, if you signed up and for some reason cannot make it Saturday, please let me know so I have time to find a replacement for you.

Hope you all enjoyed your Fall Break (if you have kiddos in school) and the nice change in the weather! I just got back from Big Bear last night and it was so nice to see the leaves turning and feel the crispness in the air! I love this time of year!

I am looking forward to Saturday and hoping to bring some smiles to the Kids at the Center. They won’t be trick or treating with their families this year, or attending Fall Festivals with their families. I know the Center will have some events planned for them and I am thankful to all of you for being a part in that.

Stacy
Chicktime – Mesa, Founder

August News

Join the Chicktime gals on Augsut 17th to create Scrapbooks with the Middlers (ages 4-7) at the Child Crisis Center

Gracie K and Shannon R will be our monthly leaders. They are in need of at least 3 more volunteers to help this night.

RSVP to Stacy at boltman3@cox.net

Below is a picture of the book we will be creating.

Creative Memories describes the book this way: “Make it simple. Make it matter. A Simply Said Book is a fantastically quick way to share your hopes, sentiments and memories with someone you love. We give you the format to fill in the blanks with your photos and feelings to create a unique tribute. It’s love and honor in under an hour.” Chicktime – Mesa purchased the books with $2 from every sale going directly to the Make-A-Wish foundation.

Time: 6pm – 7pm Please arrive about 5 minutes early for check-in.

Place:

Child Crisis Center

604 W. 9th St.

Mesa, AZ 85201

July Highlights

Thank you Cheryl N. for being our July monthly leader! Cheryl & 4 other volunteers read the book Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Suess.  Then they made “oobleck”.  Check of the photo of the cool oobleck they made!

Cheryl N. and four volunteers will be leading our event in July!

June Highlights

Thank you to those that volunteered this month!  We had another fun night of Science Experiments – -this time with the big kids!

We received the following hand written note from CCC:

This month Felicia is conducting Science Experiments with the Big Kids at the Child Crisis Center.

If you missed this event in March with the Middlers, you won’t want to miss volunteering this night!

Felicia puts on a fantastic science event for the kids!!

Please RSVP direct to Stacy if you would like to volunteer – boltmans3@cox.net.

Date: June 15th, 2013

Time: 6pm – 7pm Please arrive about 5 minutes early for check-in.

Place:

Child Crisis Center

604 W. 9th St.

Mesa, AZ 85201

May Highlights

Thanks to a great group of volunteers that showed up to play games with the Big Kids at CCC!   (Joyce, Shobhana, Cheryl, Sundi, and our  two newest members  Mary Ann & Natalie!)

The kids (& the “Chicks”) had a great time playing Pictionary, Guesstures and HEDBANZ!

For those that don’t know – this was Joyce’s last time to volunteer with us.  We are sad to see her go.  Joyce has been with us since the start of Chicktime – Mesa, and she has volunteered with us every month.    Thank you, Joyce, for sharing your time with us and the kids at CCC.   You will be deeply missed!!   We wish you and your husband well on your new adventure in Michigan, and hope that you find a new Chicktime chapter in your area!!

I have to share a few of the Pictionary drawings the kids did Saturday night.  What artists they are!  Can you guess what the Pictionary word was?

Our May event is full!!  Thank you Gabby, Joyce, Shobhana, MaryAnn and Shannon for volunteering this month.

Gabby is going to join me in leading a “Game Night” with the Big Kids at CCC!   We will be playing Jr. Pictionary and Guesstures (charades).

Date:  May 18th, 2013

Time:  5:50pm – 7pm

 April Highlights

Thank you Ms. Sundi for our fun night learning yoga with the Big Kids at CCC!   And thank you to our fabulous volunteers who joined us:  Felicia, Joyce, and our newest members Shannon &  Shobhana.

I received the above photo from the Director at the Child Crisis Center this week.    What a great group of women you all are  — I am so blessed to be on this journey with you!

Yoga for kids!

Join us on April 20th, 6pm to 7pm at CCC for some yoga fun with the Big Kids!

Yoga is an ancient system of physical exercise, breathing techniques and  meditation practices that aim to strengthen the body and calm the mind. Yoga can  be a useful tool for both children and adults, and yoga for children may be  especially helpful for developing focus, calmness and body awareness.   An article in Yoga Journal points out that many children are under great stress  from school, peers, activities and home life. Yoga may be able to help children  reduce stress and deal more effectively with stressful situations.

Ms Sundi K. will be our instructor for this event.  If you would like to volunteer to help this night, please RSVP to  Stacy at boltmans3@cox.net.

March Highlights

Thank you Felicia for the awesome night learning about Science at the Child Crisis Center!   And thank you Michelle S.,  Joyce, Gabby, Brittany and Felicia’s sister (who came all the way from New Mexico to spend the evening with us)!

The kids had a great time (and so did the Chicktime girls!!).   For those that missed it, Felicia will be leading again June 15th, this time with the Big Kids at CCC.

We checked out scorpions under black lights, made cherry soda, learned how carbon dioxide gas blows up a balloon, and the difference between dry ice and ice made from water.   We topped off the night with dry ice in soda & ice cream!   The room was full of oooh’s and aaah’s as the bowl bubbled over with clouds from the dry ice!

This month Felicia is conducting Science Experiments with the Middlers at the Child Crisis Center.

We still have room for volunteers to assist Felicia with this event!! Please RSVP to Stacy @ boltmans3@cox.net.

Date: March 23rd, 2013

Time: 6pm – 7pm Please arrive about 5 minutes early for check-in.

This month Michelle S and Sydney S are throwing a Princess & Knights party for the Big Kids at the Child Crisis Center.

This event has filled up!!  Thank you Michelle, Sydney, Joyce, Cheryl & Felicia for volunteering this Saturday.

Date:  February 23rd, 2013

Time:  6pm – 7pm  Please arrive about 5 minutes early for check-in.

January News

Thank you Ms. Dawn for volunteering to lead our January event with the kids at the Mesa Child Crisis Center.   Dawn is a talented artist who has a passion for art journaling!

We will be providing each of the kids with their own blank  journal.    Dawn will teach them how to create their own journal through drawing, collages, & other art mediums.  I am very excited for this event!  Art journaling provides a way for the kids to combine art & words to express themselves in a creative way.

If you’d like to join Dawn this month to help the kids with this event, please RSVP as soon as possible.  This event will fill up fast as there are only 5 openings.

Date:  Saturday, January 9th, 2013

Time:  5:45pm – 7:00pm

December Happenings

Thank you to all the Chicktime gals that donated books to the Child Crisis Center in December!  We were able to donate 20 books to their Christmas party!!  They were very, very appreciative of Chicktime’s generosity.  I should be receiving a photo or two from the party and will post them to this site as soon as I get them.

The Child Crisis Center of Mesa has a need for about 40 copies of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”  The Center has a program that supports grandparents raising their grandchildren.  Every year the Crisis Center throws  a Christmas party for them, which they love!  This year is a “Whoville” theme so they are hoping to give each family a copy of the book.

Many relative caregivers are finding themselves having to raise relative children because biological parents are unable or unwilling to care for them.  Statistics show that almost 3 in every 10 of the children in our schools are being raised by a relative caregiver.  The reasons are endless, but include: neglect, abuse, incarceration, substance abuse, mental illness, homelessness, death, and even military deployment.

If you are able to donate a new book, we would be very appreciative!   Contact me if you would like to help!  I’ll need all new books by December 8th, in order to have them delivered in time for their party.

As a reminder, due to outside activities and visitations at the Child Crisis Center, there are no Group Volunteer events in December.

November Happenings

We had a great time in November visiting the Middlers at CCC!

A big thank you to Ms. Neal who was our group leader!   She did an awesome job of organizing all the games the kids played.    Also, thank you to Miss Gabby & Miss Cheryl —  you chicks ROCK!  We couldn’t have done it without you.

I received the following from the Volunteer Director at CCC.  I wanted to share it here — and just remind you how much you all are needed and appreciated!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Join us in November for an Olympic-themed event at the Child Crisis Center!  Ms. Rebecca is our monthly leader & can use a few Chicktime gals to help with running relays, and other active games!  We will have medals for all the kids and some healthy snacks afterwards.  Please RSVP if you would like to attend this event.  First come, first served as space is limited!

Date:  Saturday, November 17th, 2012

Time:  5:45pm – 7:00pm

Wear your Chicktime tshirt, or contact Stacy if you need one!

Happy Halloween from Chicktime – Mesa!   We had a great October event with the kids at the Child Crisis Center.    Thanks to Gracie, Kari, Gabby & Erin for coming out and playing Halloween Bingo with the kids!   The kids had a great time, and EVERYONE won at least once & grabbed a prize from the Halloween bucket.  One of the highlights of the night,  as we were leaving…one of the girls waved us goodbye and in a sweet little voice said “Come back anytime!”