Today our Earth Scouts group paid a visit to
PAWS of Tinley Park. PAWS is a no-kill animal shelter dedicated to the protection of domestic animals. Our current Earth Scouts’ focus is to make a difference through participatory democracy–and through those means, together, we chose to focus our attention on animal welfare. Specifically, we are gearing up to take action against the unfortunate and cruel practice of puppy mills.
So, as a way of understanding the issue better and spending some time with the adorable creatures we are working to protect, we all took a trip over to PAWS. Susan at PAWS was most generous with her time. She guided us through a tour of their facility, talked to us about what they do, and let us spend some time with the animals. We all learned a lot–and just barely got out of there without adopting half the place.
The issue is a serious one, though. The problem of animal homelessness is on the rise. Lost, abandoned, and stray animals account for many of the residents at PAWS, but relinquished animals also make up a large number. Tough economic times sometimes means people can’t afford to keep their animal companions. Also, in this post holiday season, many of the animals come to the shelter as unwanted Christmas gifts. In April 2008, 49 dogs at the center of a puppy mill operation came to the PAWS animal shelter where they were cared for until offered for public adoption.
The 150 volunteers at PAWS give so generously of their time and energy to make such an important difference in the lives of the animals they care for–through providing foster homes, transporting animals for veterinary care, working shifts at the shelter itself, donating money and time for fundraising events, and so on. All of the Earth Scout kids want to lend a hand–to volunteer and work with the animals–but unfortunately volunteers need to be at least 14 years old. There are upcoming opportunities, though, to help out in fundraising events–skating parties, doggie washes, and other fun gatherings. Hopefully our scouts can lend a hand in these and other important ways.
Check out PAWS or your local no-kill shelter soon–especially if you are looking for a companion animal to love and provide a good home to. Put the puppy mills out of business! Don’t shop! Adopt.
Tags: animals · earth scouts · photos · service-learning · tours
This has been a month of performance for Aidan. From theater to musicianship–he loves performing arts and doesn’t mind being in the spotlight too much either, as long as he’s on a stage that is. For the past six months or so, Aidan has been taking guitar lessons and has been having fun with it. I can’t say that he practices too much, but he likes noodlin’ around with it (as long as no one is making him do it), and he likes going to his lesson. It’s fun for him.
Each year, Tamara, his guitar teacher organizes an opportunity for all her students to get together to play a Christmas concert at local nursing home. It’s a great chance to get students of all levels and ages together in one place to bring their music to people who welcome it.
In the clip below, Aidan plays a little lead in to “Away in a Manger” before the whole ensemble begins playing. The concert was a lot of fun.
Tags: art · classes · guitar · music · performance · singing · video
Aidan debuted in his first big stage production this past December 6, 2011 with the
Stage Play Musical Theater Company. He played two roles–the Brave Combat Hero Soldier Prince and the Huntsman. Both were speaking parts and the latter included a full scene with a song. The show took place at the Lockport Township High School in an auditorium designed to hold 1500; while it wasn’t a packed house, there were at least 375 people there that night.
Aidan and his cast-mates prepared and rehearsed for 14 weeks leading up to the big show. A lot of work went into it–both through group rehearsals and many individual hours or running lines, memorizing song lyrics, practicing dance moves, and understanding the technical aspects of stage “blocking.” By show time, it paid off. Everyone did wonderfully, and Aidan pulled off his part without a hitch. You could kind of tell that he was a little nervous, but he knew his lines, he delivered them with conviction, and he performed his song with perfect timing. To see the look of personal satisfaction and pride come over his face after his main scene was absolutely priceless.
He danced; he sang; he acted. Aidan worked really hard to get to this show. For a kid who struggles a good deal with social anxiety, he was right in his element on that stage–and often seems comfortable in the performer’s spotlight. Chris and I are so proud of him, and we love him so much.
Tags: art · classes · creativity · dancing · learning · performance · photos · singing · theater
