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Mother Son Dance To Go – Benefiting OLOL Children’s Hospital

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This year has been anything but normal, with many events being canceled or going virtual due to COVID. This year, Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital has reimagined the Mother-Son Dance into an exclusive “To-Go” box – “Mother-Son Dance To Go!” Moms, you won’t want to miss this special opportunity to create lasting memories with your little prince! Get ready for a Mother-Son fun-filled month of activities!! This also makes the perfect Christmas gift as it can be used anytime from home! 

Each day highlights a different mother and son theme. The box includes playful items for each theme, along with daily recipes, an entertaining booklet, patient stories, a playlist, and creative project ideas for the week.  All proceeds from the Mother-Son Dance will benefit Child Life Services at Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital.

Mother Son Dance To Go

The $100 standard box includes daily themed activities and creative crafts. A $150 VIP box includes the standard box PLUS a specialty mom and son t-shirt. Daily themes include a treasure hunt, arts and crafts, dance party, and a day just for mom. 

Standard Mother Son Dance To Go Box

The standard mother and son box includes playful items (listed below) for each theme, a dance playlist, creative project ideas, daily recipes, and an entertaining booklet. Each box purchased gives you a chance to win fun items during the week like mommy makeover, family vacation, and more.

The items in the box for each day are as follows:

  • Arts & Crafts Day – DIY puzzle, DIY binoculars, K’Nex sticks, 2 mini Play-Doh
  • Treasure Hunt Day – Compass bracelet, mini treasure chest, ring pop, blank treasure map
  • Activity Day – mini bouncy ball, jump rope, DIY frisbee, buildable race car, sidewalk chalk, STEM activity
  • Ice Cream & Pizza Dance Party Day – plastic ice cream scoop, USB disco ball, glow sticks, bow tie, glow-in-he-dark sunglasses.
  • Just for Mom Day – plastic wine glass, nail file, bath bomb, face sheet mask, hair tie

VIP Mother Son Dance To Go Box

The VIP mother and son box includes playful items for each theme (listed below), a dance playlist, creative project ideas, daily recipes, an entertaining booklet plus a specialty mom and son t-shirt, and a disposable camera to commemorate the fun. Each box purchased gives you a chance to win fun items during the week like mommy makeover, family vacation, and more.

The items in the box for each day are as follows:

  • Arts & Crafts Day – DIY puzzle, DIY binoculars, K’Nex sticks, 2 mini Play-Doh
  • Treasure Hunt Day – Compass bracelet, mini treasure chest, ring pop, blank treasure map
  • Activity Day – mini bouncy ball, jump rope, DIY frisbee, buildable race car, sidewalk chalk, STEM activity
  • Ice Cream & Pizza Dance Party Day – plastic ice cream scoop, USB disco ball, glow sticks, bow tie, glow-in-he-dark sunglasses.
  • Just for Mom Day – plastic wine glass, nail file, bath bomb, face sheet mask, hair tie

Click here to purchase your box and view the items plus additional options!

Mother Son Dance To Go

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mother-Son Dance “To-Go”?
The Mother-Son Dance “To-Go” is an opportunity for moms and their sons to spend a fun-filled, memorable week safely from home.
 
Is there an age limit to participate?
Activities provided in the box are for ages up to 13 years old.
 
What are the box prices?
The standard box is $100. The VIP box is $150. The boxes are filled with fun items for each theme, but the VIP box is “extra” special.
 
What is the DOOR PRIZE “to-go”?
Each box purchase is an automatic entry to win these exciting items. There are many fun door prizes that you and your son could win. Like our Facebook event page to learn more!
 
Can I get more chances to win the door prizes “to-go”?
Yes, each time you share photos of you and your son using the hashtag #mothersondancetogo you will receive an additional entry.
 
Are boxes and sponsorships limited?
Yes, boxes and sponsorships are limited and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
Can I exchange items or return my box?
All “to-go” items and boxes are a final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.

Mother Son Dance To Go VIP Box

Mother Son Dance To Go VIP Box Giveaway

We have teamed up with OLOL Children’s to host a giveaway for 4 VIP To GoBoxes!! Simply enter via our Rafflecopter Giveaway widget below with more entry options on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RACK – Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

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Tis’ the season to get into the holiday spirit! We are RACKing up Random Acts of Christmas Kindness this season and we would love for you to join us! We are spreading the joy of the holidays by performing a Random Act of Christmas Kindness each day throughout the month of December. This is the perfect way to enjoy the true reason for the season… family, togetherness, community, and giving!

The best part of taking part in even the smallest act of kindness and or giving is that generosity and kindness are contagious!

Goodness spurs goodness: A single act can influence dozens more.

Please join us for our 6th Annual RACK! We are showering the Baton Rouge community with Christmas Kindness all month long!

RACK – Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

What is RACK and how does it work?

 It’s a way to infuse holiday spirit in others by performing a Random Act of Christmas Kindness throughout the month of December! Many do a RACK a day for 25 days leading up to Christmas, an advent of sorts. However, we are asking you to join us in doing what you can, when you can, however big, however small. Be creative and lead with your heart! Most importantly, get the whole family involved!

We have created printable RACK cards in different sizes, simply print and attach them to your RACK.  There are many ways to offer a RACK, we have put together an extensive list of ideas as well as a calendar if you want to follow a list of acts.

RACK – Random Acts of Christmas Kindness Ideas:

  1. Rake the yard of a neighbor who isn’t able to rake it themselves.  
  2. Make Christmas special for girls and boys…DONATE to Sylvia’s Toys!
  3. Bless your garbage collectors with a treat or small gift card for lunch.
  4. Have your children make the mailman or lady a Thank You card or poster with treats taped to it.
  5. Tape coins on vending machines for snacks, or sodas. The hospital would be a great place for this!
  6. Tape single dollars to items at the dollar store. (plus a dime for tax)
  7. RACK a Red Box by leaving a dollar or two and some popcorn or a candy cane.
  8. Donate items to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
  9. Pack toiletry or snack bags for Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge homeless shelters.
  10. Donate a coat to Pat’s Coats for Kids.
  11. Bake treats and take them to the police station and or fire station with thank you cards for their service. 
  12. Take a break from texting and e-mail. Mail an actual handwritten letter or card to someone you love. Just because.
  13. Send letters or gifts to an assisted living home. Coordinate with your local nursing or retirement home first.
  14. Take get well balloons or flowers to the hospital and leave them with a nurse for someone who is alone.
  15. Fill a Good Samaritans Christmas Box
  16. Tape quarters to laundromat machines.
  17. Leave a basket of Christmas gifts on the doorstep of a family in need.
  18. Leave a $5 bill on the pump at a gas station.
  19. Bring treats to your local urgent care office on Christmas Eve.
  20. Cook a meal and deliver it to someone who could use a meal. Someone who is sick, a new family in the neighborhood or at church, a new mom.
  21. Take a person who’s working on Christmas Eve something special.
  22. Drop off books to give to patients at the OLOL Children’s Hospital.
  23. Drop off a coffee and a treat to a busy mom.
  24. Bring a gift to Santa.
  25. ‘Ding dong ditch’ your neighbors with fresh-baked goods.
  26. Before paying at the grocery store, buy a gift card, and then turn around and hand it to the person behind you or to the cashier.
  27. Leave an extra big tip at a restaurant.
  28. Donate to the local animal shelter. Contact a local animal shelter to find out what they need. (food, blankets, towels, and food bowls, etc.)
  29. Put something you no longer need on Craigslist’s FREE section.
  30. Fill purses you no longer use with toiletries and fun items for men and donate to your local womans shelter. 

Rack Tag printables…

RACK CardsDownload Medium RACK Cards HERE.

RACK Christmas TagDownload Small RACK Cards HERE.

Small RACK CircleDownload XSmall Circle TACK Tags HERE

 

 A RACK Advent calendar can be found here.

 More cards and tags can be found here.

It’s our responsibility to discuss gratefulness, generosity, unselfishness and service not just during the holidays but year-round. We are our children’s greatest role models — we should start early to mold our children’s perspectives on the holiday season. May we create such treasured memories of family time and togetherness, and the joy of giving, that our children will hold on to these memories for a lifetime and pass them on to their own children.

If we missed a great RACK idea, please leave it in the comments below!

Wishing each of you a blessed Christmas Season full of RACK!

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Giving Tuesday Baton Rouge and Beyond – 225 Gives

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Baton Rouge Family Fun was created to support families in the Greater Baton Rouge area. Our hope has always been that as we with the hope that we could find ways to collectively give back to the place we call home. Last year we started a series “Baton Rouge Gives Back” when many of you asked for ways to help and volunteer right here in our community.

Today is Giving Tuesday #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that brings people together around the values of service and giving back to others, the perfect time to bring back our Baton Rouge Gives Back series where we highlight local nonprofits. 225 Gives.

Our local Giving Tuesday effort, 225 Gives highlights local nonprofit organizations who uplift and strengthen our community. As part of our series, we will be hosting a “225 Gives” takeover across our website and our social media platforms. Throughout the day, we will highlight some of the organizations taking part in this year’s “225 Give”. You can also go to 225gives.org to learn more about the participating organizations!

225 GIVES, presented by Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) and Capital Area United Way (CAUW), is a 24-hour online giving day taking place December 1, 2020 with a one week early giving period set to open on Tuesday, November 24th. 225 GIVES has set a goal of helping generate over $4,225,000 for area nonprofits. This powerful online fundraising initiative will unite the Capital Region in support of the nonprofit community.
 
225 Gives

This holiday season and throughout the year we can make a difference right here at home by giving and or volunteering.  There are over 100 nonprofit organizations to support in the Baton Rouge area. Make it a family effort, go through the list of organizations, and ask the kids who they would like to support and why. There is no better way to teach our children that we value our community and our neighbors than by giving back as a family.

Collectively, we can strive to make a difference in the lives of those in need; our efforts will in turn help create a stronger, healthier Baton Rouge for all! Join your neighbors today and become part of a growing tradition of helping and giving. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to learn more about this year’s 225 Gives Baton Rouge participants!

Hurricane Laura Relief: How to Help Louisiana Victims

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Hurricane Laura was the strongest of any hurricane making landfall in Louisiana since the Last Island Storm in 1856, according to NBC meteorologist Bill Karins said. The storm has seen over 580,000 coastal residents placed under evacuation orders, while nearly 470,000 homes and businesses were left without power, as the hurricane made landfall in Louisiana early Thursday. We’ve put together a list of Hurricane Laura Relief organizations directly helping those impacted by the storm. 

Hurricane Laura Relief

Hurricane Laura Relief – How You Can Help:

Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana: The Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana is raising money to issue grants to local non-profits that will help people recover from Hurricane Laura.

The Salvation Army: Your donation helps keep The Salvation Army on the front-lines, buying meals, drinks, snacks, and other critical commodities desperately needed by survivors and rescue workers.  For more information, visit  www.disaster.salvationarmyusa.org.  Or if you or someone you know needs to talk, please call our emotional & spiritual care hotline at 1-844-458-HOPE (4673).

Catholic Charities USA: Your support helps people through the immediate aftermath and continues helping them as they work through the long process of recovery. 100% of donations go to relief efforts through this link. 

Save The Children: Save the Children invests in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start, the opportunity to learn, and protection from harm. By transforming children’s lives now, we change the course of their future and ours.

Second Harvest Food Bank – Feeding South Louisiana: The team stands ready to respond to Hurricane Laura. They are in need of volunteers to help prepare meals for this devastating storm. Please consider signing up or donating at no-hunger.org/volunteer

Delgado Athletics: the Delgado Athletic Department is relaunching its Delgado Cares Project, which will be collecting gift cards of any denomination that can be shared directly with those impacted by the storm.

Southern Baptist Disaster Relief – Meets the urgent needs of communities in crisis, from serving food to volunteers in rebuilding communities.

Direct Relief USA: Direct Relief offers prescription drugs and other medical supplies to those who need it in emergency situations, and works with clinics and primary care doctors to ensure that people are able to get what they need when they need it. 

Animal Aid for Vermilion Area (AAVA)
 

Bethany Church: Bethany is focusing our finances and manpower on feeding thousands of displaced people and helping to muck out flooded homes and churches. They are partnering with organizations to make efforts more efficient.

Fine and Dandy in Gonzales: My husband and I will be collecting items Friday from 10-5, Saturday 10-2, and Sunday 12-4 pm at the storefront location 38011 HWY 621, next to Ace Hardware. We will be delivering these items to needed communities Monday. If you feel it in your heart to help, here is an Amazon wish list you can order from, or a list of needed items that can be purchased and dropped at the store during those set times.
 

Louisiana Hospitality Foundation The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is planning to deploy resources shortly after Hurricane Laura’s landfall to provide hot meals for first responders and community members impacted across southwest Louisiana. Please consider donating to help offset the costs of this effort: https://louisianahospitalityfoundation.org/laura/

Samaritan’s Purse : Samaritan’s Purse is deploying staff members and one of our Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Disaster Relief units to Lake Charles, Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.

We will continue updating this list daily as we receive news of more ways to help and assist the victims of Hurricane Laura. 

Louisiana Storm Preparedness: Sandbags, Checklists & Resources

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Tropical storms Laura and Marco will likely make landfall in Louisiana as hurricanes within the next few days. Residents are urged to have an emergency plan in place. Having been through hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, Rita, Issac, and the Great Flood of 2016, natural disasters are something we have become accustomed to preparing for. For those unsure of where to start, our handy guide can walk you through your preparations – Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness resources can also be found below. we will update as more information becomes available. 

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness Useful Links

Baton Rouge Sandbag locations:

Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags.

EAST BATON ROUGE

  • BREC Airline Highway Fairgrounds – 16072 Airline Highway
  • BREC Alsen Park – 601 Old Rafe Mayer Road
  • BREC Cadillac Street – 6117 Cadillac Street
  • BREC Doyles Bayou Park – 7801 Port Hudson-Pride Road
  • BREC Flannery Road Park – 801 S Flannery Road
  • BREC Hartley-Vey at Gardere Park – 1702 Gardere Lane
  • BREC Lovett Road Park – 13443 Lovett Road
  • BREC Memorial Stadium – 1702 Foss Street

ASCENSION PARISH

More than 40,000 pre-filled sand bags are available in C-Cans at the following locations:

  • Prairieville Fire Department, 14517 LA-73, Prairieville
  • 5th Ward Fire Department, 39110 LA-22, Darrow
  • 7th District Fire Department Station 71,13432 Roddy Rd, Gonzales
  • Butch Gore Memorial Park, 14550 Harry Savoy Rd., St. Amant
  • Ascension Parish Fire Protection District No. 1, 13192 Airline Hwy., Gonzales
  • Stevens Park, 4323 Cannon Road, Gonzales
  • Donaldsonville – DPW West, 725 Church Street, Donaldsonville
  • Jackie Robinson Memorial Park, 35638 Coco Road, Geismar

Stay informed! For more information contact MOHSEP at (225) 389-2100, follow Red Stick Ready (@RedStickReady) on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter, and download the Red Stick Ready mobile application – free on Apple and Android devices by searching “Red Stick Ready”. Residents are urged to bring their own shovels to fill the sandbags. Real-time information about the locations can also be found at: http://gis.brla.gov/emergency

School Closings: 

East Baton Rouge:
No virtual classes will be scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. EBR Schools ask that parents have students log-in to the classes and review work.

Diocese of Baton Rouge schools:
Closed until Monday, August 31.

Ascension Parish Public Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Central Community Schools:
Closed In-person and virtual, Monday and Tuesday.

Livingston Parish Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Zachary Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

West Baton Rouge Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

East Feliciana Parish Public Schools:
Closed Monday and Tuesday

Tangipahoa Parish Public Schools
Closed Monday August 24th

List of Flood-Prone Baton Rouge Streets

 Attempting to pass through the barricades once they have placed across the street is a traffic violation that will be enforced. Try to prepare for heavy rain, possible flooding, and power outages. Avoid driving if possible. Call (225) 389-2000 for non-emergency issues or 311 for high water, power outage, and downed trees in your area.

Baton Rouge Flooding

Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide

This Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide is an excellent, comprehensive resource! From identifying the most likely risks to providing sheltering information, evacuation routes, listing supplies to identifying special needs and more. This Guide should be YOUR Guide to personal planning and business planning.

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness

Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness

Top 10 Emergency Preparedness Apps

  • Red Stick Ready (iOS) The East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness strives to provide critical information to the citizens of East Baton Rouge Parish to help them prepare for, respond to and recover from all emergency situations. The got to resource for Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness.
  • iMapWeather Radio (iOS) this is by far my favorite app but it does cost $9.99.  You will receive critical voice and text alerts on threatening weather events. Your iPhone will “wake up” and also “follow you” with alerts wherever you go. Listen to local weather forecasts while you are on the move. Enjoy the power of a NOAA Weather Radio, with all the convenience and precision of a smart phone. Winner of MediaPost’s Appy Award in the weather category.
  • Hurricane Tracker –(iOS) $2.99 offers detailed storm maps, National Hurricane Center info, threat level maps, audio/video forecast updates, real-time feeds and push alerts.
  • Hurricane — (iOS) FREE American Red Cross for both Android or iOS is a newer, totally free addition to Android’s growing hurricane-tracking stable, but it’s more than just a tracker — this app lets you “monitor conditions in your area or throughout the storm track, prepare your family and home, find help and let others know you are safe even if the power is out.
  • FEMA Install the FEMA App, available for Apple, Android, and Blackberry mobile devices.
  • StopDisaster-   $1.99 If you can’t stop the calamity, you can stop it from turning into a disaster if you are organized. The app provides a handy series of items you’ll need on hand for various emergencies – floods, earthquakes, high winds etc.
  • Phone Aid –  $1.99 CPR is one of the things not covered by most basic preparedness courses (it’s standalone training) this app offers a series of slideshows that will help jog your memory if you’ve done CPR training and, if not, provides some first aid measures to do while you wait for emergency services.
  • Disaster Alert – (Andriod) – Disaster Alert (by PDC) – Current global disaster info on an interactive map Disaster Alert (by PDC), Active Hazards on an interactive map and in a list as they are occurring around the globe.  Additional hazard information can be viewed and shared.

Preparation Before the Storm:

  • — Use hurricane shutters or board up windows and doors with 5/8 inch plywood.
  • — Bring outside items in if they could be picked up by the wind.
  • — Clear gutters of debris.
  • — Reinforce the garage door.
  • — Turn the refrigerator to its coldest setting in case power goes off. Use a cooler to keep from opening the doors on the freezer or refrigerator.
  • — Fill a bathtub with water.
  • — Get full tank of gas in one car.
  • — Go over the evacuation plan with the family, and learn alternate routes to safety.
  • — Learn the location of the nearest shelter or nearest pet-friendly shelter.
  • — Evacuate if ordered and stick to marked evacuation routes, if possible.
  • — Store important documents — passports, Social Security cards, birth certificates, deeds — in a watertight container.
  • — Have a current inventory of household property.
  • — Leave a note to say where you are going.
  • — Unplug small appliances and electronics before you leave.
  • — If possible, turn off the electricity, gas and water for residence.

Emergency Preparedness list:

  • — A three-day supply of water, one gallon per person per day.
  • — Three days of food, with suggested items including: canned meats, canned or dried fruits, canned vegetables, canned juice, peanut butter, jelly, salt-free crackers, energy/protein bars, trail mix/nuts, dry cereal, cookies or other comfort food.
  • — A can opener.
  • — Flashlight(s).
  • — A battery-powered radio, preferably a weather radio.
  • — Extra batteries.
  • — A first aid kit, including latex gloves; sterile dressings; soap/cleaning agent; antibiotic ointment; burn ointment; adhesive bandages in small, medium and large sizes; eye wash; a thermometer; aspirin/pain reliever; anti-diarrhea tablets; antacids; laxatives; small scissors; tweezers; petroleum jelly, having the best inversion table for back pain is also a plus and it will help a lot with any pain emergencies.
  • — A small fire extinguisher.
  • — A seven-day supply of medications.
  • — Vitamins.
  • — A multipurpose tool, with pliers and a screwdriver.
  • — Cell phones and chargers.
  • — Contact information for the family.
  • — A sleeping bag for each person.
  • — Extra cash.
  • — A silver foil emergency blanket.
  • — A map of the area.
  • — Baby supplies.
  • — Pet supplies.
  • — Wet wipes.
  • — A camera (to document storm damage).
  • — Insect repellent.
  • — Rain gear.
  • — Tools and supplies for securing your home.
  • — Plastic sheeting.
  • — Duct tape.
  • — Dust masks.
  • — An extra set of house keys.
  • — An extra set of car keys.
  • — An emergency ladder to evacuate the second floor.
  • — Household bleach.
  • — Paper cups, plates and paper towels.
  • — Activities for children.
  • — Charcoal and matches, if you have a portable grill. But only use it outside.

Recover

  • Wait until an area is declared safe before returning home.
  • Remember that recovering from a disaster is usually a gradual process.

Sources: Redstick Ready, American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Hurricane Center – Baton Rouge Storm Preparedness

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive – Salvation Army

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The Salvation Army is joining forces with Walmart to “Stuff the Bus” for children in need. During this year’s Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive event, shoppers visiting a Walmart on August 7-9 can purchase and drop off requested items at Salvation Army collection bins at the front of each store. The goal is to provide new school supplies to children in need of a fresh start to the school year. 

The start of the school year can be a stressful time for families. For one in five children living in poverty, parents often have to choose between buying school supplies or putting food on the table. Now, there are even more unknowns as children return to learning in the midst of COVID-19. Whether they’re attending class online or in the classroom, school supplies remain critical to helping students feel prepared to succeed.  

The Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive is the perfect way for our community to come together to help support those that may be struggling to gather supplies for the upcoming school year.  

 

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge

Walmart and The Salvation Army have collaborated for more than 30 years with a common mission: to meet needs in their local communities. Supporters like Walmart help The Salvation Army serve more than 23 million Americans each year through a range of social services that help them overcome poverty and economic hardships.

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge

Stuff the Bus Baton Rouge School Supply Drive

When: August 7-9, 2020

Where: Walmart

Baker – Plank Road
College Drive
O’ Neal Lane
North Mall
Central- Sullivan Road
Highland- Neighborhood Market
Coursey Blvd- Neighborhood Market
Hooper Road- Neighborhood Market
Bew Roads- Hospital Road

This year, the campaign in Baton Rouge is one of more than 4,500 similar events taking place at Walmart stores across the country.

All donations made at Stuff the Bus campaign events will remain in the community to help The Salvation Army provide back-to-school support to children in need.

 

Building a better Baton Rouge by listening, learning, and growing together.

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It’s been an emotional two weeks for our country and our community. The last two weeks have shown us the best and the worst in humanity. The last two weeks have shown us that a once-in-a-generation opportunity for real change feels tangible.
 
The last two weeks have shown me, a Latina and owner of Baton Rouge Family Fun, that we have an important role to play in our community.
 
At its heart, Baton Rouge Family Fun is a community organization serving ALL Baton Rouge families. We stand in solidarity with all who are working to dismantle racism in our community. We are committed to being an ally to those leading the change. Standing against racism and injustice has nothing to do with our politics and everything to do with our humanity.
 
 
While Baton Rouge is a great place to live, with a diverse and resilient community, great restaurants, rich culture, and fun events… we have significant challenges to face, challenges that aren’t new.
 
We don’t have the answers to such ingrained and complex problems such as racism but we do know it starts at home, it starts with our children. As parents, families, and members of this community, who seek to raise one another up, we must point out and condemn racism, brutality, and indifference to suffering wherever we see it.
 
We are tasked with the important job of raising the next generation to be pro-actively anti-racist. Our children will be better able to break this chain of bias if we give them opportunities to think deeply and talk openly about justice, inequity, and humanity from a young age.
 
We do not have all of the answers but we do have this space where we can learn with one another. We hope to support families in the effort to build a better Baton Rouge by listening, learning, and growing together.
 
As a platform for local parents, we will continue to be a resource to all families, working with inclusive businesses and organizations to support our collective community.
 

Building a better Baton Rouge by listening, learning, and growing together.

Anti-Racism Resources for Parents and Kids

Below is a list of local grass-roots organizations that are working to educate and dismantle racism in our community along with some helpful resources to start the conversations at home:

Dialogue on Race Louisiana
Power Coalition
Step Up Louisiana
East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition-EBRPPR
TRUCE Baton Rouge
The Promise of Justice Initiative
Innocence Project New Orleans
Women with a Vision, Inc.

It’s never too early to talk about race.

“Adults often think they should avoid talking with young children about race or racism because doing so would cause them to notice race or make them racist. In fact, when adults are silent about race or use “colorblind” rhetoric, they actually reinforce racial prejudice in children. Starting at a very young age, children see patterns — who seems to live where; what kinds of homes they see as they ride or walk through different neighborhoods; who is the most desirable character in the movies they watch; who seems to have particular jobs or roles at the doctor’s office, at school, at the grocery store; and so on — and try to assign “rules” to explain what they see.” (Dr. Erin Winkler, 2017)

Books for parents:

Books for children:

Books for young adults:

More resources: 

 

Great Baton Rouge Easter Egg Hunt – Social Distance Edition

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 The big annual egg hunts may be canceled,  but we can come together as a community while practicing social distancing and give the kids the greatest egg hunt! Similar to the “chalk walk” and “bear hunt, we will have an egg hunt that is virtual and live…along with some fun prizes! Join Baton Rouge Family Fun for the Great Baton Rouge Easter Egg Hunt!

Baton Rouge Easter Egg Hunt

The Baton Rouge Egg Hunt starts on April 1, so get those eggs up in your windows and keep them up through Easter, on April 12. Then take a walk around your neighborhood and see how many you can find! Be sure to tell all your neighbors to participate!

Baton Rouge Easter Egg Hunt – Win a Golden Egg Prize! 

Be sure to post a picture of your Easter Eggs in your windows to our Facebook Group and or use the hashtag #BatonRougeEggHunt and tag @BatonRougeFamilyFun on Instagram. We will be selecting random Golden Egg Winners every day between April 6th – 12th. All you have to do is show your colored eggs or show us your hunting fun! Prizes will include a $50 gift card to a small business of your choice, a $30 Gift Card from Sweet Baton Rouge, Louisiana Easter books and Baton Rouge Family Fun swag!

Here is how it will work!
1. Download, print and decorate your Easter Egg Coloring Sheets – we have enough for the whole family!
2. Hang your egg in the window.
3. Take a picture and share it in our Facebook Group or hashtag #BatonRougeEggHunt and tag @BatonRougeFamilyFun on Instagram to show your eggs too!

Baton Rouge Easter Egg Hunt Coloring Sheets

Baton Rouge Easter Egg Hunt

Easter Eggs Template
Easter Eggs 2
Easter Eggs 3
Faith Easter Eggs
Frozen Easter Eggs
Art Easter Eggs
Disney Easter Eggs
Superhero Easter Eggs

Happy creating, decorating, and hunting!

Are you a business owner who would like to donate prizes for our winners? Please contact us here.

More Covid-19 related posts you might find helpful:

Where and When You Can Grocery Shop in the Baton Rouge Area

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Our Baton Rouge area grocery stores have made some changes to their hours to help keep up with stocking and cleaning the stores. If you’re looking for when and where you can grocery shop in the Baton Rouge area, here’s a helpful list!

Remember to keep a six-foot distance from other shoppers and to wash your hands when you get home. You can find more helpful tips on How to Protect Yourself From Coronavirus When Grocery Shopping here!

Alexander’s Highland Market

7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Seniors 7:00 am – 8:00 am

Calandro’s Supermarket

10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Seniors 9:00am – 10:00am

Costco

10 am – 8:30 pm on Monday through Friday
9:30 am – 6 pm on Saturday and 10 am  – 6 pm on Sunday
Seniors can shop from 8 am – 9 am on Tuesday and Thursday

Costco also sets up a board outside the store that tells customers what is in stock and out of stock that day.

Hi Nabor Stores

8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Seniors 7:00 am – 8:00 am

Oak Point Fresh Market

8:00 am – 7:00 pm
Seniors 7:00 am – 8:00 am

Ralphs Market

5:00 am – 9:00 pm
They also provide personal shoppers for Seniors.

Reeves Supermarket

8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Seniors 7:00 am – 8:00 am

Robert Fresh Market

8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Seniors 6:00 am – 7:00 am

Rouses

7:00 am – 8:00 pm

Sam’s Club

9 am – 8 pm from Monday through Saturday
10 am – 6 pm on Sunday

Target

8 am – 9 pm every day
Seniors and those at higher risk for the virus (immune-compromised, pregnant) can shop from 8 am – 9 am on Wednesday.

Walmart

7 am – 8:30 pm
Seniors can shop from 6 am – 7 am on Tuesday.

Whole Foods

8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Seniors 7:00 am – 8:00 am

Grocery Shop in the Baton Rouge Area

These hours are as of March , 2020. They are subject to change at any time. We will keep them up to date.

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Chalk Your Walk Baton Rouge – Spread joy and kindness!

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 Social distancing hasn’t stopped the community from coming together to beautify the outdoors — at least at a distance from each other. Last week we kicked off the Louisiana Boot Trail and we loved seeing your beautiful Louisiana Boots on display in neighborhoods around the Baton Rouge area! We also had many of you tag us in your Chalk Walk photos and we fell in love with the idea to #ChalkYourWalk! The perfect way to spread more joy and kindness! Many of us are looking for something to do that’s safe and gets us out of the house during this time of pandemic restrictions. Chalk Your Walk Baton Rouge is pretty simple. Go outside with some chalk and write an uplifting message or drawing on your driveway, fence or sidewalks. We’ve partnered with the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge to encourage families to get out and #ChalkYourWalkBR! 

Chalk Your Walk Baton Rouge

Haylie Smith, a Baton Rouge mom of three sent us this great idea for a fabulous chalk project using tape to share with you all! and her family was not the only ones with this fabulous idea! She 

Chalk Your Walk Baton Rouge

I’m a mom of 3 trying to find things to do around the house just like everyone else during this self-quarantine. I asked my husband to put tape around the fence so the kids could color it in since he’s the creative one. He took it to another level by adding our last name since this is week has brought us closer together. All you need it tape and side walk chalk for this time consuming art project. Loclon, Ally & Annie Jane are proud of their work. – Haylie Nola Smith

Haylie’s family was one of many that enjoyed some family time making joy-filled masterpieces with chalk and tape this weekend! Carly Peterson’s family had the same idea and decorated their driveway along with encouraging notes on the sidewalk. If this doesnt put a smile on your face, we don’t know what will! 

Chalk Your Walk Baton Rouge

Chalk Your Walk Baton Rouge

Chalk Your Walk Baton Rouge

We invite you and your family to draw inspiring art and/or write encouraging messages on a nearby sidewalk or your driveway. Or, put a surprise message or drawing on the sidewalk of a neighbor or friend . Then take a walk, go for a bike ride, or even take a drive to check out the art around your neighborhood.

Take a pic of the art and post it in our event on Facebook, or send it to us. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #ChalkYourWalkBR and tag us @batonrougefamilyfun on Instagram! We will give Baton Rouge Family Fun shirts and Tote Bags to a few lucky winners each week.

Ready, get set, chalk away!

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