December 6, 2024 - The Center Woman’s Reading Club’s December meeting included a program on the value of letter writing along with presentations by local groups who give books to children for Christmas.
Alease Copelin, club president had the podium for the Thursday, December 5th meeting with a focus on reading and writing. She shared ‘good writers make good readers and good readers make good writers.’ She spoke about the book The Art of Correspondence: A Letter is Practically a Gift which is part of an 11 book series by the editors of Victoria, a women’s lifestyle magazine.
Copelin spoke about the disappearing art of letter writing which is terrible to see happen. She described her love of letter writing and the special gift it is to convey one’s thoughts and emotions in one’s own handwriting. The hand written letter can connect with other senses including smells absorbed by the paper or texture of the parchment felt as the recipient holds and reads. Emails and text messages can’t convey the same all inclusive experience plus they easily get lost under the daily arrival of junk and spam messages. Written letters can be kept and cherished for years as well as passed on to future generations.
Tools used with letter writing be bring a unique element. Displayed are wax seals, different pens, embossed seals, custom stickers, etc.
Fannie Watson, a club member shared a special hand written letter with the group. The letter was written by Mrs. Watson in the late 70s and had just been given back to her by a former student. She read the letter which was an encouragement to her student who today is a teacher.
Copelin encouraged everyone to write a letter and gift it to someone.
A special aspect of the meeting was appropriate for the season as club members who are great supporters of literacy collected books to donate to two groups who gift children with books - FL Moffett‘s Cookies and Cocoa and Center PD Operation Blue Santa.
From left to right: J.J. Ford (Blue Santa), Johanna Ruiz-Siso (F.L. Moffett), Amy Lindley (Blue Santa), and Amanda Rodney (F.L. Moffett)
From F.L. Moffett, teachers Johanna Ruiz-Siso and Amanda Rodney spoke about the upcoming December 14th Cookies and Cocoa event at Portacool Park from 9:30am until 11am. This is the schools 4th year to host the event which has been very well received and attended. Kids not only get to enjoy the event activities such as basketball, bouncy house, hot cocoa bar with sweet treats; but they get books to take home. The event is open to children of all ages and from any of the schools.
Next, Amy Lindley with the Operation Blue Santa team spoke. She shared the group helped around 370 kids with Christmas gifts in 2023. This year, Toys for Tots has partnered with Operation Blue Santa which will allow the team to expand their efforts to include other wish list items like clothing. The Toys for Tots donation boxes seen around town go to Operation Blue Santa and the toys stay in Shelby County. It makes it easier than ever for people to donate toys this Christmas. A big fundraiser coming up is the 10th Annual Cookies and Cocoa with Santa on Saturday, December 14 from 2pm until 4pm at the Center Community House. The event also includes a Coat Donation Drive. Blue Santa is accepting new Coats/Jackets of all sizes with tags.
