Thank you, again and again, to everyone who helped sponsor a child this year.

We're already making plans for next year - if you would like to be notified when we are again accepting sign-ups to "adopt" a child, please use the Contact Us page, and request to be placed on the list.

Seminole Sitters will be closed for business each week on Sunday, starting January 9th.

This past year has been a wonderful time of growth - both in the size of our staff and the number of families we serve. I believe it is important to provide my staff with an opportunity to rest, spend time with family and friends, and worship if they choose to do so. By having one full day each week to rest and reflect, we will be better able to serve the families we see Monday through Saturday.

It's like hitting the "reset" button, and serves as much a practical purpose as it does a spiritual. I treasure the sitters that serve with me, and their well-being is worth far more than any "profit" that could be made on any given Sunday. By investing in my team, I know they will be better equipped to invest themselves into your kids.

We will be making one exception; we are sometimes asked to be on-call for a pregnant mother, so we can care for an older sibling when she goes into labor. If we are on-call for you during your pregnancy, and you go into labor on a Sunday, we will absolutely be there for you and your family.

I am so grateful for your business and support, and know this decision will mean a higher level of service for your family and our community.

P.S. Another huge thank-you to everyone who helped sponsor children in the Guardian ad Litem program this year. We were the largest sponsor in the area - because of you - and plan on making this an annual tradition. I've put together a video on YouTube, documenting our month in giving, and welcome all (near and far) to join us next year!

Last year, the babysitters joined me in "adopting" children through the Guardian ad Litem program, and we were able to make the holiday season brighter for a dozen children. This year we have a larger staff, and a larger goal. And we're asking our families and community to join us.

Guardian ad Litem advocates are citizens who volunteer to serve as a voice for abused and neglected children in court. It's very difficult for a child to take the stand against a parent or other authority figure, and their advocate from the Guardian ad Litem program speaks to them privately, then takes the stand for them. During the holidays, getting sponsored might be the only bright spot during this difficult time for them.

Our goal is to sponsor at least 25 of these children.

All you have to do is let me know you want to be involved (use the Contact Us form), and I'll share with you the wish list of a local child. Their unwrapped gift(s) should be ready by December 5th, and the program actually requests that the items not be very expensive.

Please consider joining us, and "adopt" a local child this year.

Helping You Bring Date Night Back (all the while giving kiddos a reason to smile),
Mary & the Seminole Sitters

This Saturday morning, seven of the Seminole Sitters are volunteering their time to man the kids' station at the American Lung Association in Florida's annual Fight for Air Walk. This is a great opportunity to meet some of our staff, while they help the kids on the free bounce house, offer face painting, and more! Enjoy the day, support a great cause, and come out to meet the sitters!

The Fight for Air Walk is an event where families, friends, businesses, schools or individuals walk to help make a difference in the millions of lives affected by lung disease. Whether you are on a team or walking by yourself, this is a great way to show your community that you are fighting for air. When you finish the walk, we hope you will walk away with a new-found respect for your lungs.

Toys donated to the Guardian ad Litem program

The Seminole Sitters sponsored a dozen children this year through the Guardian ad Litem program, aged 14 months to 16 years. Eleven of the children were boys, as the program's contact informed us that there was a deep need for little boys to be "adopted" this Christmas.

The Florida Guardian ad Litem program speaks for abused and neglected children in court. It's difficult for children to testify against their own parents, especially when the parent-in-question is in the same courtroom. An advocate from the GaL program is granted time alone with the child to hear their story, and then speaks in their place during the hearing.

Seminole Sitter Lisa-Marie is a former Guardian ad Litem, and encouraged the others, writing "You guys have no idea how much this makes these kids' day - their year. My child was crying; he was so happy with the gifts he got." Without these gifts, many of the children being assisted by GaL would have a very lonely and empty Christmas.

If you are interested in getting involved with the local Guardian ad Litem program, they are always seeking volunteers.

A good friend of ours, Angie Pichard, works with the Guardian Ad Litem program. She says they have over 500 children this year, and deeply need individuals and businesses to step up and sponsor a child for the holidays.

The Sitters are stepping up one-by-one to sponsor children, and we want to encourage you to do the same. It's very simple, and inexpensive:

1. Pick a boy or a girl (they have a large need for boys to be sponsored).
2. Pick an age group: 0-5, 6-9, 10-12, or 13-17.
3. Angie has a "wish list" for each child, and you'd be asked to help put something together for them in time for the holidays.

It's such a small thing to do for a little one in need. Please E-mail Angie at alpichard@hotmail.com and let her know we sent you.