Hi! My name is Laurie Tebbe and I am the Coordinator for CAPCO's Family Resource Center in Marathon. The center is located in room 110 at the High School. I have been very busy planning and organizing activities for the community and helping low-income families. If a family needs assistance or more information from any of CAPCO's services or from other community agencies, please contact me at 849-3127. I can help with Food Stamps, HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program), VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), WIC (Women, Infants and Children), Weatherization, SUPAC (Syracuse University Parent Advocacy Center), child development, fiscal management, health, safety and nutrition.
I am available on Mondays at 6 p.m.at Appleby's Exploratorium, Tuesdays at the High School 8-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m., Thursdays at the High School 2-5 p.m. and on Fridays at the High School from 8-11 a.m. We have 5 computers in the classroom for the community to use.
In October, the resource room was used by the HEART art club, the Learning Tree Nursery School, Read On Book Club and the Math Tutoring Group.
In November, we held HEAP Night (Home Energy Assistance Program) and celebrated FRC's first year anniversary in the Marathon community. We also held Family Portrait Night, which was held on two nights this year to accommodate all the families. Diane Courtney did a fantastic job of photographing 30 families.
The Snack Backpack Program also started. We are currently providing healthy food/snacks for 36 children each weekend. I would like to thank all the community members who are supporting this program either by placing non-perishable food in the orange bins located around town or by donating money to help buy groceries. I would also like to thank the Marathon Teachers' Association, the Marathon Methodist Church and Sunday School, Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Fritts and family, Mr. Turecek, Mr. Jack Dunham and the Center Lisle Congregational Church for their contributions.
In December, the Kids' Craft Club started. It meets each Tuesday after school from 3-4 p.m. in room 110. We made 95 crafts to place in the Christmas community baskets. Gail Bundy, CAPCO's Fiscal Literacy Coordinator, will be in on February 1st to talk to the kids about saving and spending money. The kids will color piggy banks. On February 8th, they will make Valentine crafts for the senior citizens.
Gail Bundy also tutors adult students every Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. She is assisting Barb Henza of Cornell Cooperative Extension with VITA. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program will be in Marathon on February 16th and March 16th from 4-8 p.m. in the High School Cafeteria. Call the Cooperative Extension at 753-5077 to make an appointment.
Toddler Time also started in December. It is every Tuesday mornings from 9-10 a.m. in room 110. Children ages birth to 4 years old can come in with their parent(s) and play with the toys and enjoy a snack. I am arranging for special speakers to come in.
FRC assisted Michelle Walker with the Angel Tree program, which collected and distributed gifts to 65 children this holiday season. Michelle did a wonderful job organizing this program.
In January, Game Time started on Thursday nights from 3-4 p.m. Board, card and Wii games will be available. Craft Club continues on Tuesdays. We will occasionally do cooking lessons.
Healthy Marathon! has also started. It is a 12-week weight loss competition. Everyone is welcome. Nikki Zeches, CAPCO's Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator, and I are conducting nutrition and healthy lifestyle classes each Monday night at 6 p.m. at Appleby's Exploratorium.
I occasionally show family movies on Friday nights. The next movie will be "Nannie McPhee Returns" and it will be shown on Friday, February 4th at 5:30 p.m.
I have also been helping Peck Memorial Library find storytellers/readers for the 10 a.m. story hour on Tuesdays. If anyone is interested, contact Mary Frank @ 849-6135.
The Family Resource Center will send home a calendar/newsletter each month. More special events and activities will be planned.