A huge crowd of kids and adults enjoyed a presentation by kids author Andrea Beaty, who read her newest book, “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez.” Andrea was joined by Takoma Park Mayor Kate Stewart, who gave examples of how Takoma Park kids – like the fictional Sofia Valdez – persuaded city officials to make Important changes for the environment, such as banning styrofoam containers and plastic straws. Small Things Matter concluded the program by noting community service programs they do with kids. Our thanks to Karen MacPherson, Children and Teen Services Librarian.
Nov, 2019
Takoma Park ES Kindergarten Literacy Night on November 7, 2019
STM was thrilled to be a part of Takoma Park ES Kindergarten Literacy Night on November 7, 2019. The kids had fun picking out books, bookmarks, and crayons. It was great to see their enthusiasm! Our thanks to Reading Specialist Gina Woods for the kind invite.
Nov, 2019
STM at TPES/PBES PTA Meeting on November 5, 2019
STM had a great time reading stories with the children during the TPES/PBES PTA meeting on Tuesday, November 5, 2019. The kids also drew turkey hands and wrote out 5 things that they were thankful for in preparation for our holiday season. Our thanks to STM members Auden, Abigail, and Lana for all of their hard work and kindness towards the children.
Nov, 2019
Book donations
Thank you Ter Blue and family for your wonderful donation of books for our literacy program. Ter is also the powerhouse behind our Amazon booklist here:
https://www.amazon.com/…/XLYZ6IQ0…/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1…
Please consider purchasing a book to benefit an underserved child in Takoma Park this season. Click on the link or the big orange box below. Thanks!
Nov, 2019
Donations for families in need
Our thanks to our wonderful friend Margie Billian for her generous donations of feminine products, toothbrushes, creams, coloring books, earbuds, and more for our families in need. Thank you so much for your continued kindness and support!
Oct, 2019
Bookmark donations for our literacy program
Our thanks to STM member Jacob who used his artistic talents to make these amazing bookmarks to give out to children at our book giveaways. You can see some of his process from his sketches to him coloring in his creations. The kids love choosing from the many different handmade bookmarks that are made especially with them in mind so we know that they’ll enjoy these wonderful bookmarks. Thank you!!! #smallthingsmatter#kindness
Oct, 2019
Mini grant awarded to Kokua Foods
Our thanks to Manna Food Center, Montgomery County Health and Human Services – MD, and Montgomery County Food Council for their mini-grant in support of our Kokua Foods Program. We enjoyed meeting members of your team and the other recipients of your mini-grants at your Food Rescue Happy Hour yesterday.
Oct, 2019
Freezer donation to help Kokua Foods Program on October 23, 2019
Thank you friends! Last night TPES parent Remington Stone donated a freezer to us! It is now sitting happily at the TPSS Co-op thanks to Community Engagement Manager Leandra Nichola. Thanks also to Jen Sermoneta and Spencer Clark for their generous monetary donations that will be used to purchase additional foods such as eggs when donations are low. #kindness#freezerdonation
Oct, 2019
Kokua Foods distributions during October 2019
Small Things Matter Kokua Foods distributed over 7000lbs of fresh produce, grocery, dairy, bread, frozen foods, canned goods and other nonperishable items to 150 local Takoma Park families in need in October 2019. Our members also shared new books and read to the younger children at the distributions. We are grateful to our partners at Wegmans, Wegmans, Imperfect Foods, KOL Foods, and the TPSS Co-op for their generous donations of fresh produce, grocery, dairy, bread, frozen foods including chicken, and healthy snacks, generous student donor Katherine and her family for their contribution of nonperishable foods on a weekly basis, and Difference Makers for being a recipient distribution group with our program. Our thanks to our fantastic adult volunteers (Bryan Goehring, Seth Grimes, Amber Cameron, Stephen Whitney, Wei Li, Leandra Nichola, Aurelie Bush , Doris Duarte, Kevin Buchanan, Wendy Kent, Kia Robinson, Tyrone Robinson, Margaret Sutton, Doug Disrud, Jeff Diamant, John Anderson, and Roxanne Yamashita) and great student volunteers (Carter, Sam, Sam, Zach, Jacinto, Vaylor, Abigail, Lana, Yacouba, Precious, and Hadrian) for their dedication and hard work.
We would love to have additional volunteers for our food recovery efforts. If you are interested please contact us! www.smallthingsmatter.org
Oct, 2019
“Be Your Own Author” event at Takoma Park MD Library on October 19, 2019
We had a wonderful day at the Friends of the Takoma Park Maryland Library Used Book Sale on October 19, 2019. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to make a “Be Your Own Author” book with us. It was wonderful seeing the enthusiasm of the children as they wrote their books. We can’t wait to share them in the Takoma Park Maryland Library this winter where others will get to read and enjoy them. Our thanks to Karen MacPherson, Children’s & Youth Services Coordinator at Takoma Park Maryland Library for partnering with us and to our wonderful members Eric, Jacob, and Lana.
