Goodie of the Month: The Robert Hampson Tabs for Kids Fund

Robert Hampson with 806 pounds of pop tabs

Robert Hampson is the definition of inspiration. He is the perfect example of what determination is all about…he dreams big and never lets anything stop him from achieving his goals. This is exactly why The Robert Hampson Tabs for Kids Fund had to be Little Party-Goers Goodie of the month.

At the tender age of 4 Robert was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor which caused him to lose his eyesight. Robert was determined to not allow this to be an obstacle and continued pursuing his dreams.

At the age of 5 Robert was introduced to the idea of raising money by collecting pop tabs in order to make wheelchairs. His desire to help his friends in wheelchairs, resulted in the creation of The Robert Hampson Tabs for Kids Fund.

After spending 8 years collecting millions of pop tabs, Robert finally bought his first wheelchair. In 2005 President’s Choice Children’s Charity partnered with Robert in order to help him find children to donate the wheelchairs to. Since then The Robert Hampson Tabs for Kids Fund has bought 3 wheelchairs, a van lift and an accessible bathroom set up!

***Just a reminder to save your pop tabs in order to help support The Robert Hampson Tabs for Kids Fund or contact Little Party-Goers and we’ll be happy to collect and deliver your tabs to Robert.***


(Left Image) Getting money for tabs (Right Image) 800 pounds of tabs

Here are some questions that we asked Robert:

LPG: What do you love most about your charity?

Robert: I love knowing that children who need a wheelchair or other piece of adaptive equipment will get what they need. A child shouldn’t go without equipment just because he/she can’t afford it.

LPG: What is the number one thing you want people to know about you and your charity?

Robert: This is a charity where anyone can help no matter their age or ability. It is about kids helping kids.

LPG: What goals do you want to achieve and where do you see your charity in 10 years?

Robert: In ten years I would like the charity to be like it is now, but if for some reason I cannot keep collecting tabs and running it, I would like a group of kids to keep it running. A goal I have for the charity is to have collection centres all around Canada so even more people can help.

For more information please visit:
http://www.poptabsforwheelchairs.ca/

June Activity of the Month - Pet Rock - Craft

Pet Rocks

Why this activity? When you were a child did you ever think about how cool it would be to have a pet monster, monkey, ladybug or even a dog but your parents would never let you? Well guess what? Now you and your children can make your imaginations into reality by using a rock to create your dream pet! It’s fun, creative and most importantly a craft that you can keep forever, while remembering that odd pet faze you went through as a child.

Items you will need: Rocks (various sizes), glue (white glue and possibly glue gun), markers, jewels, glitter, googly eyes, various fabrics (i.e. cotton, felt, foam), feathers, fur material and any other unique items that you would like to use for your pet.

Where can you buy the items? Rocks can be found at any craft store, dollar store or at any beach or park. The craft supplies can be found at Wal-Mart, Zellers, Michaels, various dollar stores and art & craft stores.

Suitable ages: 3 years old to12 years old. This craft can be modified to make it suitable for younger children to engage in.

***Please note: Adult assistance and supervision during this craft for children ages 6 years and younger is a must! ***

Goodie of the Month: Jennifer Klementti Photography - Child and Family Photos

We are happy to announce a new monthly posting on our blog called our LPG Goodie of the Month!

Similar to our LPG Activity of the Month that focuses on different child friendly crafts and activities, our Goodie of the Month will primarily showcase various companies, charities and professionals in the child, family and or event industry! We hope you enjoy our new monthly "goodie" as it's a treat for everyone!

Without further due we introduce our first LPG Goodie of the Month:

Jennifer Klementti, is a talented photographer who specializes in capturing life's precious moments. LPG was delighted to experience Jennifer's work first hand as she shot our first photo shoot! In addition to her charming personality, she loves what she does and always makes her clients feel comfortable. Enjoy our Q&A with Jennifer and images of her work below!

LPG’s – Q# 1: Tell me a little bit about yourself and why you decided to start your own business?

Jen’s – Answer: I have always loved photography as a hobby, and it was through living abroad in Europe & studying language that I became enamoured with the camera as a tool of expression. I would always have my camera in hand while traveling through Europe. I loved to photograph the streets, people, buildings, cityscapes & landscapes. I found that the language of photography was not confined to words and sentences. Photography is a beautiful blend of art, intuition & poetic expression. After returning from Europe I attended Teacher’s College & then taught French & Spanish for 3 years at a secondary school. However, I still continued to develop my photographic talent & abilities. I decided to resign my position as a teacher, and drove out west to Victoria, BC to attend The Western Academy of Photography, where I completed a diploma in Professional Photography. I started my business in 2003, when I opened my studio in a beautifully renovated century home in the heart of downtown Barrie. Since opening my studio, I have been so happy to work with clients from Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, across Canada, The United States, The UK & New Zealand.

LPG’s – Q #2: What do you love most about your job?

Jen’s – Answer: I love the people that I get to work with. I love my brides & grooms, my families, the entrepreneurs & business people that I have the wonderful opportunity to photograph. It is truly so amazing to build a great relationship with all of my clients. I usually get to know many of my clients on a personal level, and I can share with them the joy of the journey of their lives...It is always an honour for me to be chosen to document the special moments in their lives! Many of my portrait clients will come to me for family portraits every 1-2 years, so it’s just amazing to build a connection with them & to see their kids as they grow. I often have long lasting relationships with many of my corporate clients as well, and it’s great to share in their successes and to produce images to capture the essence of their business from year to year. And, on top all of this, it is truly wonderful that my clients are so happy with the collection of images that we produced & they share that emotion with me...I love the tears of joy as I have presented the final collection of newborn images to a new mom, the hugs & the gratitude, and the excitement of my brides & grooms as they look through their custom designed wedding album...nothing could make me happier than to be able to give this gift of love to my clients. Really this is what photography is all about for me...I want to be able to celebrate the art of your life!

LPG’s – Q #3: What is your style of photography?

Jen’s – Answer: My visual style is modern yet classic, emotional & elegant. I always strive to produce honest, beautiful and real images for my clients with a fine art flair. Often my clients will tell me that I have truly captured the personality of their kids, or that I have captured the emotion of a moment from a wedding or event that will be cherished forever. My work portrays the vignettes of life with each photo telling a story. I love to collaborate with my clients so that I am best able to capture who they are. I have a very relaxed and natural approach. I like to have fun with it!

LPG’s – Q #4: What makes you and your business unique?

Jen’s – Answer: What makes me unique is the story & journey of my life, and the collection of experiences that made me the artist that I am today. What makes my business unique is that I strive to create the most inspired images for all of my clients, and that I collaborate with them to produce the art of their lives. It is my great attention to detail & my high level of personalized service that sets my studio apart.

LPG’s – Q #5: What are your goals for the future and where do you see yourself & your business in 5 years?

Jen’s – Answer: My studio has grown so much, that I am currently looking for a larger space to accommodate all this growth. On top of the work that I produce for my clients, I have also been producing more personal work. It has been so busy over the past 7 years in business, that I did not have much time to continue producing my personal fine art photography for exhibition. My goal in 2010 is to get back on track and dedicate time to continue building my fine art catalog. I am currently working on my JKP Fine Art Website which will also be launched in 2010. I will be moving into a new studio space in 2010 that will also have a storefront boutique & gallery to showcase my fine art photography. This new studio space will also provide more options for my in-studio portraiture & client consultations. It’s all very exciting! My real estate agent & I have been busy this spring searching out the perfect studio/gallery space. Please check back to my blog at http://www.jenniferklementti.net/ over the next couple of months to find out about what’s happening. As well, for many years my clients have been requesting lessons & workshops. In the summer of 2010, I will be starting to teach workshops as well. I see myself in 5 years continuing to provide excellent products & service to all of my JKP Portrait, Wedding & Corporate clients, and adding even more amazing options & services. It will be an art-filled journey that I am looking forward to sharing with all of my amazing JKP clients, family & friends.
Jennifer Klementti Photography
Celebrate the Art of Life TM
www.jenniferklementti.com

Hope you enjoyed our first Goodie of the Month!

XOXO

Maria

LPG's Photo Shoot

Two weeks ago we had the pleasure of working with the talented Jennifer Klementti from Jennifer Klementti Photography for our first LPG photo shoot! Jennifer did a fabulous job capturing what Little Party-Goers is all about! The photo shoot took place at Todmorden Mills Park which is a perfect spot to host a child’s outdoor birthday party or even just have a picnic with your family!

Our photo shoot setup was simple, fun and creative. It included a picnic table decorated exactly the same way as it is for any of our indoor or outdoor events. We had three adorable children as our little model guests who got to engage in various crafts and activities including crown making, bag decorating, bubble fun, flower planting and lastly sweet tooth sugar fun! Now who doesn’t love eating cupcakes, bubble gum, jube jubes, sour keys and gummy bears???? Our little model guests sure did, they all had sugar overload especially after eating those yummy beautiful cupcakes made by Lori Hutchinson from The Cakestress!

We would sincerely like to thank Jennifer Klementti and Lori Hutchinson for their time and talents!

Stay tuned for our upcoming Q&A Feature of the Month with Jennifer Klementti!

Kind Regards,

Maria

THE END....Hope you enjoyed our pictures!!!!

XOXO

April Activity of the Month

T-Shirt Decorating

Why this activity? Who doesn’t like paint, jewels and glue and the freedom to express themselves without being told exactly how? Well, this craft does just that, as children get to be little artists decorating their own shirt(s). There are no rules for this craft...just let the child have fun expressing their creativeness. You will be amazed by what children are able to create. Through their design you will also get a sense of how their little minds work. To modify this craft for children under 2 ½ years old you can have children decorate their shirts by doing finger painting and or hand prints...a perfect keepsake craft!

Items you will need: Plain white t-shirt, glue (fabric glue works best), permanent markers, jewels and fabric paint (various colours available, glitter, glow in the dark, metallic etc...).

Where can you buy the items? You can find the t-shirts at any children's clothing store including Zellers, Walmart, The Bay and Sears. Fabric paint and glue can be found at Walmart, Zellers and or any art and craft sore such as Michaels or Deserres.

Suitable ages: 12 months to 12 years old.

***Please note: Younger children will need adult assistance and supervision during this craft!***

March 'Activity of the Month'

Cardboard Box Theatre

Picture from: Shepherd, N. (2006). My Ultimate Art Class. New York: DK Publishing, Inc.

Why this activity? This craft is fun and very interactive as children learn how to engage in an activity while collaborating with others to create a unique theatre! Children can pretend to be different characters and experiment with their imagination and ideas of reality vs. make belief. Also, this craft can help foster children's social skills by presenting in front of an audience. As a result children may feel a sense of empowerment &/personal accomplished!

Items you will need: Medium or large size cardboard box (varies on the size of the puppets), felt, tissue paper, material (i.e. silk, cotton, suede, leather), yarn/string/ribbon, construction paper, makers, paint, glitter, jewels, clothes pins, glue (hot glue-optional), tape, stapler and scissor(s).

Where can you buy the items? The cardboard box you can get from any grocery store and or any leftover/unused boxes at home!

Suitable ages: 2 ½ years old to 12 years old.

***Please note: younger children may need help by an adult &/an older child when creating Cardboard Box Theatre! ***

February 'Activity of the Month'

Finger & Paper Bag Puppets




Why this activity? This craft allows children to be creative and use their imagination while making any object, person or animal they want. Making a finger &/ paper bag puppet is a great way to get children to use their fine motor skills by cutting, colouring, gluing and using their hands and fingers to move their puppets!

In addition, this activity allows children to interact with others since communicating is a key component to engaging in this activity!

Items you will need: Felt, foam, paper bag(s), glue, scissor(s), paint, jewels, construction paper, stickers, glitter, googly eyes (optional), various types of material (i.e. silk, cotton, suede), tooth picks/popsicle sticks (optional) &/ clothes pins.

Where can you buy the items? Any dollar store or art store (i.e. Michaels or Deserres) and/ recycled home items.

Suitable ages: 2 ½ years old to 12 years old.

***Please note: younger children may need adult assistance with craft!***