Left: Brianna M's "Goodnight Moon". Right: Michael S' "Where the Wild Things Are". Photo courtesy Hathaway-Sycamores

For more than 100 years, Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services has been dedicated to nurturing hope, healing, and the opportunity to thrive for children, youth, young adults, and families facing serious life challenges. The agency provides therapeutic and other support services to some 7,000 youngsters and families annually, and it is on their behalf that Hathaway-Sycamores is reaching out to the community to help bring holiday happiness to those in need.

Purchase a heartwarming calendar: There are several ways that members of the community can help. Consider, for example, buying a 2015 Children’s Art Calendar. Hathaway-Sycamores provides onsite therapeutic services at many area schools. Students receiving such services at Pasadena’s Webster and Longfellow Elementary Schools had the opportunity last spring to create artwork inspired by their favorite books. The children – ranging in age from 5 to 10 – spent afternoons receiving art instruction from Master-in-Residence artist Mary Kay Wilson. The art program is designed to not only equip youngsters with a new skill set, but also to introduce them to an empowering avenue of self-expression. The kids let their imaginations run free, resulting in a smile-inducing, one-of-a-kind calendar that makes for a joyous holiday gift. The calendar can be ordered at http://www.hathaway-sycamores.org/ or by calling (626) 395-7100 ext. 2516.

Darren M's "The Reluctant Dragon". Photo courtesy Hathaway-Sycamores

Donate a gift: Gifts are needed for all age groups, from infants to age 21. Gifts should be unwrapped and nonviolent in nature. Often requested items include: sports equipment; electronic and board games; art supplies; DVDs (PG or PG-13); radio alarm clocks; beauty products; video games (G rated); stuffed animals; clothing; backpacks; hair accessories; and watches. Many of those in Hathaway-Sycamores’ care are teenagers, so gift cards (such as Best Buy, GameStop, Footlocker, Target, Walmart) are always a good choice, as are movie passes. Cash donations are especially valued for helping Hathaway-Sycamores to fulfill children’s special wishes. Donated items can be mailed or brought – by Dec. 19 – to Andi Sica at Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, 210 S. DeLacey Ave., Ste. 110, Pasadena, CA, 91105. If you have questions, or need delivery assistance, call (626) 395-7100 ext. 2516.

Gagik A's "Charlotte's Web". Photo courtesy Hathaway-Sycamores

Adopt a family: Among the families receiving services from Hathaway-Sycamores, the agency has identified those most in need. Community members can “adopt” one of these families by providing gifts, household items, food, or grocery-store gift certificates. Donated items can be mailed or brought – by Dec. 19 – to Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services Development Department, 210 S. DeLacey Ave., Ste. 110, Pasadena, CA, 91105.

Host a “wish tree”: This is an opportunity for area businesses. Hathaway-Sycamores provides tags – that can be hung on a tree – listing the names of youngsters in residential treatment, their ages, and what they would like for a gift. Employees can then select a tag and fulfill that child’s wish. Hathaway-Sycamores will pick up the gifts prior to the holidays. Interested businesses should contact Andi Sica at (626) 395-7100 ext. 2516 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Shop here: If you buy an item at Vroman’s Bookstore (695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA, 91101; http://www.vromansbookstore.com) you can designate Hathaway-Sycamores as your Vroman’s “Give Back” recipient. Once you do, Vroman’s will donate a percentage of your total purchase to Hathaway-Sycamores. You also can shop online at http://www.smile.amazon.com and designate Hathaway-Sycamores as your charitable organization. Amazon will then donate half-a-percent of your purchase amount to the agency.

Make a Gift on “#Giving Tuesday” – December 2, 2014: By making a tax-deductible, yearend contribution to Hathaway-Sycamores, not only will you be helping to improve the lives of children in need, but – by doing so prior to year’s end – you also will receive a 2014 tax deduction. Donations can be made online at http://www.hathaway-sycamores.org. Giving Tuesday is a global movement to celebrate and remind us that the spirit of the holiday giving season should be about community, and a shared commitment to work together to help build a better world.

“The kids in our care – many of whom have experienced unimaginable trauma – deserve happiness, particularly during the holidays,” said Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services’ President and CEO William Martone. Adding, “Our goal is to brighten the holidays for more than 500 children and families. Any and donations will be deeply appreciated.”

About the “Stories Come to Life” Art Project

A group of young artists from Hathaway-Sycamores’ School-Based Services at Webster and Longfellow Elementary Schools in Pasadena had the opportunity to create artwork inspired by their favorite stories last spring. The children let their imaginations run free as they began their creative journey bringing books to life. The varied and colorful results are showcased in the 2015 Children’s Art Calendar. Master-in-Residence artist, Mary Kay Wilson introduced the children to basic concepts of drawing before undertaking their watercolor paintings of the stories that captivated the children. The goal of the drawing exercises was to help the children experience seeing the way an artist sees. Mary Kay guided the young artists through the design process and introduced them to the basic techniques of watercolor painting. An important character or element of the story was painted on a separate piece of paper, cut out and attached to the painting (like a pop-up book), depicting the idea that when we read stories, they truly do come to life. According to Mary Kay, “It is my privilege to work with these kids, they inspire me as we learn and grow together. It is exciting to see the results of their vision.”