Master Composter Mary Beth Mahoney introduced vermicomposting at Saint Vincent de Paul, in preparation for the outdoor habitat compost bin.  4th graders are in friendly competition with the 7th graders in recording their observations.  Results will be revealed later this month!  Mary Beth was also featured in the PJ Star Local/State section in the April 24th edition.

Gifts in the Moment also participated in the Keepin’ Kids Moving Expo, sponsored by the Tazewell County Health Department on May 1st.  We brought tadpoles and some stumps gnawed on by some local beavers for the kids to check out.  Kids make pine cone bird feeders and had tons of fun.

We were blessed with the opportunity to share our vision in April at the Transforming Public Education Symposium, with Education Secretary, Arne Duncan as the keynote speaker.  The Symposium was sponsored by Bradley University.  Gifts in the Moment served on the Full Service Community School Panel where we discussed the schoolyard habitat project and our role as a full service community school partner with Garfield Primary school.

On May 5th, we had the privilege to introduce gitm to the women at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Peoria.  We welcome many of them as new subscribers to our newsletter.

These and other recent events have challenged us to think how we might want to grow as an organization.  As a result, you will notice some subtle changes.  We remain firm in our mission, but the way in which we carry on will change.  We have received not-for-profit status with the State of Illinois as The gitm Foundation.

You will continue to know us as Gifts in the Moment.

Denise and Kim