The Partnership is kicking off our 4th annual Cell Phone collection drive to support our Family Violence Shelter and Services. We are working with Shelter Alliance to recycle and refurbish old cell phones - even the broken ones.....even the ones from 1985 that are the size of a brick.

Just bring your old phone and batteries (no chargers, please) to any Partnership office beginning January 5th. We are primarily located at 1800 McCallie Avenue and 300 E. 8th Street in Chattanooga. Drop them in the blue bucket and help us toward our $3,000 goal!

It just takes $74 to cover the costs associated with providing a night of shelter for a domestic violence victim. Since some phones can bring in up to $30, just a few donated phones can help someone escape violence and find safety for their first night.

And Shelter Alliance has a zero landfill policy that assures all phones which cannot be refurbished, will not end up in a landfill. Even the cardboard boxes they are shipped in are recycled! Check out their recycling policy at http://www.shelteralliance.net/company/cell-phone-recycling.cfm.

So fufill that New Year's resolution to get more organized and clean out those old phones in your junk drawer. Help us Break the Cycle of domestic violence, and recycle your old cell phone with the Partnership.

A Partnership Christmas

What does Christmas look like at the Partnership? If you look closely behind the piles of paperwork and through the hustle and bustle in our offices, you will find true Christmas magic. And a few elves as well.

Many of the individuals and families receiving services from the Partnership require a little more assistance during the holidays, just to make sure children do not go without a visit from St. Nick and elderly have a holiday dinner. There are certain Partnership staff who really do "make Christmas" for families in need, simply by collecting up toys they have gathered all year in anticipation of the need to come. There are local businesses, such as UNUM, whose employees adopt entire families to provide gifts and food. There are volunteers, like those from the Junior League and the East Lake Neighborhood Association, who make sure those with the greatest need are provided for.

So this Christmas, we say "Thank You" to all those who contributed to the holiday cheer our clients will experience this year - all because of you.

This is what a Partnership Christmas looks like:

UNUM's Deb Kee passes a present to Katie Larue at the Partnership while UNUM and Partnership staff stand side-by-side to get all the donated items off the delivery truck and into the building.

United Van Lines donated use of their full sized tractor trailer and four staff, to help UNUM deliver a truck load of toys and food. Santa even came along for the ride.

Toys and Food for 230 individuals, arriving in at the Partnership, donated by UNUM.

The Tennessee Aquarium "Gifts for Guppies", donates toys and cheer to the Partnership every year. Our Youth Services staff above say, "Thanks Guys!"

We have named this generous guy "Biker Santa". He looks tough, but has a big, soft heart! The first annual Hamilton County toy run saw 158 bikers ride to Ultimate Cycle & Scooter with toys and goodies for Partnership families.

Hamilton County Toy Run organizers (Stephanie and Joe), pause for a moment for a group shot. Special thanks to Ultimate Cycles & Scooters and Road Rash magazine for all the support!

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Alliance puts together a fairytale Christmas party for the families of the Partnership's Family Violence Shelter every year. Pictured here are the organizers and their children, who provided extra help this year.

Beating Holiday Stress, part III

These final tips can help you enjoy the holidays and experience less stress during this busy time of year. We wish you a joyous holiday season!

18. Recruit a child wrangler. Kids underfoot can add to the stress of big events. Designate one adult to organize games and fun activities in a confined space.

19. Avoid isolation. The holidays can be a depressing time for those who’ve lost loved ones. Get out of the house whenever possible and reconnect with old friends.

20. Help someone who needs you. Nothing melts away personal troubles like helping someone else overcome theirs.

21. Pass down wisdom and tradition. Instead of mourning the passing of better times, keep those memories alive by sharing them with the next generation.

22. Review your life priorities. Combat your hectic schedule by reassessing what matters the most to you.

23. Forgive someone. Let go of past resentments to make room for future happiness.

24. Make a gratitude list. Review it whenever you’re feeling depressed, anxious, depressed or stressed out.

25. Take a time out. Indulge in things you stopped doing because you “just don’t have time for anymore” like a long lunch or a night out with friends.

Beating Holiday Stress, part II

Taking simple steps can help you beat stress during the holidays. Check out yesterday's post for the first seven pointers.

8. Cut your costs. Give inexpensive but thoughtful gifts like home-baked goods or hand-made photo albums. Bundling several small items around a theme provides a low cost, personal touch.

9. Don’t lose the meaning. If consumerism has you down, check out for awhile with inspirational literature and reconnect with what makes the holidays special and important.

10. Participate in reaffirming activities. Spend time at church and in your community with like-minded people.

11. Take some time off work. Don’t cram all errands and shopping trips into the precious little time you have outside work hours. Avoiding the weekend crowds will allow you to get more done.

12. Do a solo power shopping event. Turbo charge your efficiency by avoiding distractions and competing agendas.

13. Take advantage of the internet. Most sites offer free shipping for the holidays. Find great unique and inexpensive gifts at sites like lillianvernon.com.

14. Ask for help. If you’re playing host, assign chores and duties to your spouse and children.

15. Cheer loves company. Combine household holiday prep with socializing. Ask some friends over for a baking and gift wrapping party.

16. Lighten your cooking duties. It’s perfectly acceptable to cook a main course and ask dinner guests to bring a side.

17. Get on the same page with family. Come to a consensus on what activities are most important and cut out the extras that add work and scheduling pressure.

Check back here tomorrow for the final installment of holiday stress-busters.

Beat Holiday Stress

If the thought of upcoming holidays fill you with dread, you’re not alone. Many people get stretched pretty thin this time of year by money and social obligations. Here are some ways to keep your sleigh on track this season.

1. Set realistic expectations. Things aren’t going to go perfectly and that’s ok. You can’t control every outcome, but you can prepare yourself mentally by visualizing your calm, positive response to negative events.

2. Get moving. It’s not the chores, shopping, and Uncle Stanley’s visit that’s stressing you out – it’s your anticipation of them! Act now by creating a to-do list, and tackle one or two items per week through the holidays.

3. Avoid the shotgun approach. You’ll accomplish more by tackling one thing at time and giving it your full attention.

4. Budget your holiday expenditures. Set per person limits on gift giving and stick to them. Don’t overlook special outlays for travel, decorations, food and entertainment.

5. Pay as you go. Charging your purchases may delay your bills, but knowing they’re waiting for you in January increases stress.

6. Play to your strengths. Utilize what you have the most of – time, money, or creativity.

7. Pare down on gift giving. For extended family and social groups, suggest each person give just one gift by drawing names out of a hat.

Check back soon for more holiday stressbusters.

Partnership Participating in Scenic City Half Marathon and Charity Challenge

We just got word that the Partnership has been accepted to participate in the Scenic City Half Marathon and Charity Challenge. The event is Saturday, February 28, 2009, and we're seeking runners, walkers and volunteers for the 5k run, 5k walk, and half marathon.

This is an event the whole family can enjoy, so please join the Partnership team and help us raise awareness and funds for our 23 programs that are empowering people to build better lives.

Neediest Cases Campaign is Underway!

Each year, the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults partner in an effort to raise funds for people in need in our community. Last year's campaign has allowed the Partnership to provide assistance to 350 individuals and families already this year. The campaign series will run on Wednesdays and Sundays through December, and you can find the articles online at http://www.partnershipfca.com/ or http://www.timesfreepress.com/.

New to the campaign this year is the ability to donate online at http://www.timesfreepress.com/.

The Partnership is thankful for this long-standing relationship with the paper through this campaign; without it, many families in our community would be unable to meet their most basic of needs.

Adopt a teen and brighten someone's holidays

Imagine how good it would feel to recieve clothing, toys or even a gift card for your child during the holidays, especially if you had no way of providing simple gifts -- or even necessities -- yourself. This is what your contribution can do for a family in need this year.

Please help us brighten the holidays for the teens currently residing in the Partnership's four group homes. At this moment, 27 teens still have not been "adopted" for the holidays, and we need your help.

A wish list is available, but any contribution you can make, no matter how large or small, will make the holidays a happier time for a youth who has little to call her own.

With your help and big heart, we can make the holiday season a joyous one. For more information, call 423.755.2785.

Nutcracker Sweets

Nutcracker Sweets is almost here! The third annual dessert tasting event, benefiting the Partnership's crisis services, is tomorrow night, from 6-8 pm at Bessie Smith Hall. You won't want to miss the live music, delectable desserts, silent auction and gift shop, and our new signature cocktail, the wintertini.

Tickets are $25 each, and can be purchased online or at the door.

Items for sale include wreaths, poinsettias, hand painted ceramic ornaments, crystal jewelry, and insulated coffee mugs, good for free coffee refills at Main & Mocha during the month of January, on sale for just $15 each and pre-decorated, ready to gift.