THOUGHTS FROM GIRLS AND BOYS TOWN The Original Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home Battle Holiday Doldrums With Fun Father Val J. Peter, JCD, STD little child ...~And I played for Christmas preparations seriously, almost as seriously as Eisenhower my drum.” “Away in a Manger”is another favorite, especially the third verse —“Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and (NAPSA)—Here in the famous Village of Boys Town that Father Flanagan founded we take our preparing for the invasion of Europe. In some ways, weusetheholi- day season to prepare for battle— a battle to bring FUN to children embattled by abuse, abandonment and neglect. Ourlittle Village is home to more ow than 550 boys and Val J.Peter girls from all over “America. Many of them have never celebrated a REAL Christmas. Many of our boys and girls have no home other than Girls and Boys Town, either in this village or one of oursites across the country. Sure, there is a place out there where a motheror fatheris, but him pa rum pum pum pum, on take them to heaven, to live with Theethere.” On Christmas Day, it’s the girls’ turn. All the girls gather at our conference center, gazing out the frost-tinged windows that overlook our snow-framed lake andall the Canada geese. Wegather aroundthefireplace in a hugecircle and talk about how each one of these girls will someday be a mom. Wediscuss the important role a mother has at Christmas. We teach ourgirls how to be leaders. They will be the ones whoensure their families celebrate the holidays in the true Christmasspirit. Then we have an absolutely splendid dinner. We make grapejuice toasts to happy Christmases and forget about the bad Christ- many times it also includes drugs, alcohol, neglect and mentalillness. That is why we try so hard to make there are many, but mainly things why so many of our girls and boys stay “home”for the holidays. These children actually get two Christmases. Thefirst is in their family homes before the Christmas break. Theyall celebrate the May you and your family enjoy the warmth and love our children are enjoying this Christmas. Take time to prepare for the holiday and include the simple fun things that make it special, like adding Christmastime fun, and that is holiday in a special way only fami- lies can. Then, those that don’t have a safe place to spend the holidays, or they don’t want to leave, get to celebrate all over again. On Christmas Eve, we have a gigantic celebration for the boys. An evening turkey dinner as nice as you can makeit with turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, cranber- ries, tasty salads, pumpkin pie and loving and caring people surrounding them. Then, we sing Christmas car- ols with great resound...Our favorite is: “The Little Drummer Boy.” Our boys identify with that masesofold. Then there are the presents, that are from the heart. some simple warmth andlove in yourlives. Merry Christmas. Girls and Boys Town, the original Father Flanagan’s Boys’ Home, is a leader in the direct treatmentand care of abused, abandoned and neglectedgirls and boys. Through 19 sites across the country, the organization directly cares for more than 37,000girls and boys annually. Girls and Boys Town also assists 1.5 million children and parents through its National Hotline (1-800-448-3000), outreach andtraining programs and community partnerships. @
