"Don't Think You Have A Reason to Celebrate Life?---Think Again!"

October is filled with reasons to celebrate life! Not only has Fall arrived but there are many Causes and Activities that one can become involved and make a difference in their life and the lives of others. There is so much happening in the month of October that I just don't know if I'll have the opportunity to publish on all of them individually. So just in case I don't and you want to know how you can get involved in your community or if you are looking for a Cause to sponsor or get involved with, I've listed a few: (By the way, there are also weekly observances that I'll list tomorrow.) And away we go.................

ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH

ANTIDEPRESSANT DEATH AWARENESS MONTH

APPLE MONTH

WORLD BLINDNESS AWARENESS MONTH

CELIAC DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH

CELEBRATE THE BILINGUAL CHILD MONTH

CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE MONTH

CHRISTMAS SEAL CAMPAIGN, BEGINS 10/1 - 12/31

CHURCH LIBRARY MONTH

CHURCH SAFETY AND SECURITY MONTH

CLASS REUNION MONTH

CO-OP AWARENESS MONTH

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

DYSLEXIA AWARENESS MONTH

EAT BETTER, EAT TOGETHER MONTH

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE MONTH

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS MONTH

ENERGY MANAGEMENT IS A FAMILY AFFAIR-IMPROVE YOUR HOME MONTH

GERMAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

GLOBAL DIVERSITY AWARENESS MONTH

GO HOG WILD-EAT COUNTRY HAM

HALLOWEEN SAFETY MONTH

HEAD START AWARENESS MONTH

HEALTH LITERACY MONTH

INTERNATIONAL STARMAN MONTH

INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC PLANNING MONTH

LONG TERM CARE PLANNING MONTH

MONTH OF FREE THOUGH

NATIONAL ANIMAL SAFETY AND PROTECTION MONTH

NATIONAL BAKE AND DECORATE MONTH

NATIONAL BOOK MONTH

NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL CHILI MONTH

NATIONAL CHIROPRACTIC MONTH

NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION MONTH

NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE MONTH

NATIONAL DEPRESSION EDUCATION & AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL DOWN SYNDROME MONTH

NATIONAL ERGONOMICS MONTH

NATIONAL FAMILY SEXUALITY EDUCATION MONTH

NATIONAL 'GAIN THE INSIDE ADVANTAGE' MONTH

NATIONAL GO ON A FIELD TRIP MONTH

NATIONAL KITCHEN & BATH MONTH

NATIONAL LIVER AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL MEDICAL LIBRARIAN MONTH

NATIONAL ORTHODONTIC HEALTH MONTH

NATIONAL PHYSICAL THERAPY MONTH

NATIONAL POPCORN POPPIN' MONTH

NATIONAL PREGNANCY AND INFANT LOSS AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL READING GROUP MONTH

NATIONAL ROLLER SKATING MONTH

NATIONAL RSV AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL SARCASTIC AWARENESS MONTH

NATIONAL SPINA BIFIDA MONTH

NATIONAL WINDOW COVERING SAFETY MONTH

NATIONAL WORK AND FAMILY MONTH

NATIONAL SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

ORGANIZE YOUR MEDICAL INFORMATION MONTH

PHOTOGRAPHER APPRECIATION MONTH

POLISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

POSITIVE ATTITUDE MONTH

RAPTOR MONTH

RETT SYNDROME AWARENESS MONTH

RIGHT BRAINERS RULE! MONTH

SAUSAGE MONTH

SELF-PROMOTION MONTH

SPINACH LOVERS MONTH

SQUIRREL AWARENESS MONTH

STAMP COLLECTING MONTH

TACKLING HUNGER MONTH

TALK ABOUT PRESCRIPTIONS MONTH

VEGETARIAN MONTH

WISHBONES FOR PETS MONTH

WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH

WORKPLACE POLITICS AWARENESS MONTH!

Whew! As you can see.......there's a lot to do in October, and we haven't even named the weekly and daily observances. So in the words of 'Ferris Beuller and your me', 'Life moves pretty fast...... and if you don't get out there and join it, it just might past you by! Celebrate life this month and always!'

Christmas Seal Campaign Begins In October

I can still remember the "Christmas Seal" commercials on television when I was growing up. I believe the Peanuts characters, 'Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy' were used in order to bring attention to the American Lung Association’s mission to fight tuberculosis. I don't recall seeing those type commercials anymore and would like to use The Opportunity to bring attention to the further need to fight tuberculosis and the expanded research into other respiratory diseases.

History of Christmas Seals®

It all began in 1907.

In the early 20th century, tuberculosis was the leading cause of death in the U.S. Physicians were experiencing the first signs of success treating tuberculosis in special hospitals called sanitoriums, and one of those facilities had fallen on tough times. The tiny Delaware sanitorium would have to close its doors if $300 could not be raised to save it. One of its doctors explained the plight to his cousin, a Red Cross volunteer named Emily Bissell. Bissell was a veteran fundraiser, and she soon came up with a plan based on one that had worked in Denmark: She would design and print special holiday seals and sell them at the post office for a penny each.
By the end of her holiday campaign (and after an endorsement by President Roosevelt), she and a large group of committed volunteers had raised ten times the goal and the American Lung Association Christmas Seals were born.


Expanding Mission.

The tradition continued and grew year after year through World War I, The Great Depression and World War II. As the American Lung Association’s mission expanded to include research- into other respiratory diseases, such as lung cancer, more people began to send Christmas Seals. And as the American Lung Association stepped up to protect children and families from pollution and cigarette smoke in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, America continued its support each year by supporting the Christmas Seals tradition.


A Bigger Battle.

Today, the American Lung Association fights a bigger battle than ever before. From important research on lung cancer and asthma to the fights against the dangerous poisons in air pollution and secondhand smoke, the American Lung Association’s crucial mission is still largely supported by Christmas Seals.

Each year, millions observe the tradition of sealing holiday cards and packages with that year’s special seal. And each year, your Christmas Seals donation supports the important fight against lung disease being waged every day by the American Lung Association.

Please join the generations of Americans who celebrate their health and happiness — year in and year out — with an important donation to the American Lung Association Christmas Seals campaign.

*This posting was made possible by the American Lung Association Christmas Seals Campaign, which runs through December 31st.

Celebrate Children's Magazine Month

October is "Children's Magazine Month" and the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) and library supplier Demco Inc. want to encourage children, parents, and teachers to view magazine reading as a more valuable activity.

Together, they launched "Flip for Magazines!," an initiative that includes a Web site with a comprehensive list of children's magazines, sample lesson plans, ideas for classroom use of magazines, a research section, and testimonials from children and teachers. Posters, bookmarks, banners, and giveaways are available from Demco.

ACEI is a member of AEP, and a repeat winner in their Distinguished Achievement Award Program.

For more information about "Flip for Magazines!" and Children's Magazine Month, visit the AEP Web site at www.edpress.org, call AEP at 856-241-7772, or send E-mail to mail@edpress.org.

*The Association for Childhood Education International contributed to this posting.