Giving back is a priority for back to school #GivingBackPacks #ALDIgivesback

Back to school is an exciting time for kids and parents. While kids may combine that they dread going back to the classroom, kids do enjoy seeing their friends and meeting new teachers. Wrapped in all this excitement can be a small amount of apprehension. Unfortunately, some families may not have the funds to purchase all the needed school supplies that are needed for the school year. Our family is proud to be part of #GivingBackPacks, #AldiGivesBack.  

For the past three years, our family has joined others in the annual giving back packs back to school campaign. The concept is simple. Take $25 and fill a backpack with school supplies for a deserving child or organization. This year, Aldi has sponsored the annual back pack campaign. 

As our family goes back to school this week, my kids and I went to Aldi to fill a backpack for our school. With $25, we were able to purchase a backpack, lunch box tons of pencils, pens, highlighters and Post-It notes. The back pack is jammed full with goodies for a deserving student.


Many of our family friends are school teachers and school administrators. Putting aside the debate over school funding, school teachers spend their own money on school supplies each and every year. It could be extra tissues during allergy season to more dry erase markers, teachers often used their hard earned money to provide for kids. Our giving back pack is two fold.

First, we fill a bag with school supplies that the classroom needs. It can be tissues, hand sanitizer, wipes, and even headphones (yes, the kids need headphones for tests). Aldi offers great deals on these classroom staples.

Second, we filled a back pack for a child at our school. This back pack will be presented to the school social worker on the meet & greet day. There are many children who don't get a new back pack each year. Families can't afford them, a family member is sick or there is some other conflict that makes back to school time an unhappy one. Allowing our school social worker to put the back pack where it is most needed is a great way to make sure that our school is helped.

Now, I admit, we did go over our $25 budget. But, the idea is to make sure that kids are helped going back to school. In the grand scheme of things, a little extra money to a worthy cause is money well spent.

This back to school season, please consider adding a few extra school supplies to your shopping cart for kids who might need them. If you don't know a family in need, donate those extra pens and pencils to a teacher or to your school social worker. I'm sure that he or she will be grateful for the extras. Plus, your kids might be more appreciative of all they have this school year.

Do you have a #GivingBackPack story for the start of the school year?  Share your thoughts in the comments section.


Disclosure: Aldi provided a $25 gift card to purchase school supplies. All items purchased were donated to our local school. No additional compensation was given. All opinions are my own.

Get personalized with school supplies at PersonalizationMall.com

By the looks of the store ads and the disappointed faces of kids, school is just around the corner.

Why not send the kids to school with supplies that are just for them. Get personalized school supplies and gifts from PersonalizationMall.com! 

There are so many items to designs and make special. Check it out today!

DoSomething.org and Macy's, giving you more this back to school shopping season

It's Back to School shopping season. Stores and organizations know that, in today's economy, families could use a little extra during this busy time. 

DoSomething.org and Macy's have joined forces with Kelly Osbourne and America's Got Talent host Nick Cannon for a campaign that rewards back to school shoppers with gift cards, scholarships and a way to give back to your community. 

When you or your family visit the Macy's mstylelab department (formerly juniors department) look for a special QR and mobile text code. When you scan these codes, you will receive youth volunteer opportunities in your area. Also, each scan or text will trigger a $1 donation to DoSomething.org. A maximum of $250,000 will be donated to DoSomething.org.

DoSomething.org is the nation's leading non-profit to activate teens with community service. What makes DoSomething.org unique is that all of its volunteer campaigns do not require a car, money or parents.  Some volunteer causes include bullying and the environment. All campaigns are located in your community.

To encourage involvement with DoSomething.org, any teen who volunteers and reports their service will be eligible to win a $250 shopping spree and a range of scholarships.

As a special kick-off to this promotion, Nick Cannon created a special a Public Service Announcement (PSA) from DoSomething.org supporter and “America's Got Talent” host Nick Cannon, who encourages youth to add volunteering to their back to school routine. 

"I represent youth empowerment in whatever way you possibly can do it, whether that is in your community or for yourself. Do Something has always been a great channel, a great platform for kids to funnel their energy through," says Nick. “I hope Do Something plays a major part in my kids’ lives.”

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While you are shopping at Macy's, look for special QR video featuring Kelly Osborne, the current face of Material Girl. These videos will invite young people to support the causes they care about through this campaign. 

If you can't make it to Macy's don't worry, you can help the cause on Facebook, through Raise Your Thumb, Rock Your Cause.  For every like on the mstylelab Facebook page, Macy's will donate $1 up to $250,000 to DoSomething.org.

In addition to in-store efforts, young people can take part in a social media activation that helps youths "Raise your thumb. Rock your cause." For every "like" on the mstylelab Facebook page, Macy's will donate $1, up to $250,000, to DoSomething.org. (*Total Donation of $250,000 includes in-store scans and online Facebook activations.) DoSomething.org will reach out to all youth who participate in this program to help them find ways to take action around the causes about which they're most passionate.

For more information on this program or to get involved at http://www.dosomething.org/macys or text “CAUSE” to 38383.

thredUP.com 48 hour back-to-school flash sale

thredUP.com is where busy moms swap children’s clothes, toys and books online.  This back-to-school season, thousands of moms are saving money and giving back by trading outgrown kids’ clothes for gently used school clothes that fit.

Sale Starts: August 24, 12:01 am EST
Sale Ends: August 25, 11:59 pm PST

Today (Aug. 24th) and tomorrow (Aug. 25th) only, get 30% off boxes of pre-loved kids & baby gear listed by other moms across the country.

What is thredUP.com?  The thredUP community - where moms swap kids clothes and toys. The service is free to join and boxes of preloved clothes and toys costs just $5 plus shipping. Because we know you will love thredUP we're giving new members a special, one-time offer of your first box on us (FREE! - you pay only $10.95 shipping) if you sign up today.

No more boredom: Tips to keeping your children busy

As a mom of two boys, I know how important it is to keep kids busy. Coming up with various activities to fight off boredom is so important to keeping our household happy.

Emily Patterson on behalf of Primrose Schools has these helpful hints to busy without spending a fortune.

Wallet Friendly Tips to Keep Your Children Busy this Summer

Studies show that without stimulation, children can lose up to 60 percent of what they learned during the school year. Primrose Schools, a franchise of private preschools, suggests the key to overcoming summertime boredom and the “brain drain” effect is to encourage imaginative play and have a plan in place to keep children engaged during the summer months.

And really what could be worse than a rainy summer day, when your children are cooped up inside and you have nothing planned? Even on sunny days where the list of activities they can engage in seem endless…they'll probably still yell the inevitable “I’m bored!”

So to help ward this fear off here are just a few ideas to keep young minds active during the summer months:

1. Beat the Boredom Jar: At the beginning of the summer, sit down with your family and brainstorm a list of activities that can be done alone or that you can enjoy doing together. Encourage your children to share their own ideas and help you decorate and label a simple jar as the family “Boredom Buster Jar.” They’ll feel more involved in the project and more likely to think this is a “neat” idea, if they participate in the creation and idea generation. Next, write everyone’s ideas down on slips of paper and as a group decide which ones should go in the jar. Anyone in the family can pull any idea out of the jar to fight the summertime boredom blues.

2. Stories Alive: It sounds too simple, but reading is one of the most important ways to keep young minds engaged during the summer. Make reading even more fun by finding ways to bring the stories to life. Read a book with your children and then challenge them to create their own scenes with materials they find in the backyard.

3. Fort Building: Children love to build all kinds of structures. Constructing forts or tents is an activity that can keep children focused and problem solving for hours. All the items you need can be found around the house–some chairs, cushions, blankets… and of course adult supervision.

4. Cookbook Fun: Have you ever shared your favorite cookbook with your children? Take it out and ask your children to choose a recipe to try. This can be a fun way to help your kids with their math skills, as well as teach them the importance of eating and staying healthy.

5. Summer Scrapbook: All you need for this project is a spiral notebook. Encourage everyone in the family to draw pictures of favorite activities and collect mementos from special events throughout the summer. Children love to go back through scrapbooks and albums and tell about what happened at each occasion. They will also be building their storytelling skills at the same time.

6. Listening Game: Lie down in the backyard, in the den or at the park and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear what I hear? Can you imitate the sound? It encourages everyone to slow down and focus on listening.

7. Camping Out: Pretend to campout in the backyard. Pack some snack and cards in a backpack and set up a campsite. You might even decide to spend the night!

“Keeping children engaged with open-ended activities that stretch their imaginations during the summer months helps them develop their independence, creativity, and thinking,” said Dr. Zurn. “We want to help parents keep the “brain drain”at bay while their children play.”

Parents can use this list of ideas as a starting point for summer activities that offer a balance between the freedom of child-initiated play time and more structured activities.


Submitted by Emily Patterson on behalf of Primrose Schools. For over 25 years, they have helped individuals achieve higher levels of success by providing them with an AdvancED® accredited,early educational child care services. Through an accelerated Balanced Learning® curriculum, Primrose Schools students are exposed to a widely diverse range of subject matter giving them a much greater opportunity to develop mentally, physically and socially. Emily has written a number of articles on topics varying from bilingual learning to teaching the importance of volunteering.

Free car service from Pep Boys

Get that car ready for back to school

Get a free car service from Pepboys(r) that includes: free brake inspection, free tire rotation, free tire pressure check, free battery check and free multi-point inspection.

Print the coupon here.

Limit one coupon per customer. Must surrender coupon. Not valid in combination with any other discounts, rebates, offers or discounted service packages. Not validon special order merchandise. Not valid on existing commercial and fleet accounts.

Coupon expires 9/11/11.

Great Back to School Coupons for Ziploc & Clorox

Now that the kids are back in school, it's time to stock up on all the stuff that you and your kids' teachers need.

$1.50 off any TWO (2) Ziploc Containers

$0.25 off Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

$1.00 off any TWO (2) Ziploc Brand Bags

Clorox deal at Target:
Use the printable coupon above and Target printable coupon -
$2.39 (cost) less $0.25 printable less $0.75 Target,  Final cost = $1.39

Crunchy N Yummy, our new school snack

Tomorrow is my son's first day in full time school. As a first grader, he must bring a snack to school everyday in addition to his lunch. While the idea of a snack is great, finding a healthy, portable snack everyday can be difficult. But, one of my family's favorite snacks, Crunchy N Yummy, is coming to my rescue.

Crunchy N' Yummy is a healthy, natural snack. The fruit is picked at its peak to ensure the great sweet and juicy taste. These freeze-dried fruit contain many natural vitamins and a daily serving of fruit. The freeze-dry process retains all the fruits color, flavor and nutritional value. Crunchy N Yummy contains no preservatives, salt, sweeteners or gluten. The product is made from 100% natural fruit, is certified USDA organic and is Parve Kosher.

Like many schools, our school requires that all snacks are peanut free. With this restriction, I have to be careful what he brings. While I like granola bars, many of them have peanuts, which prohibits them from the classroom.

What I've decided for my son's snack choice tomorrow is a combination of Crunchy N Yummy strawberries and cheerios. It's a good combination of fruit and grains. I like that it won't be messy in the classroom, but still offers my son a fruit to eat.

There are tons of options with Crunchy N Yummy. With the different fruits, I can do a mixed fruit snack or a fruit/salty mix with pretzels. Having flexibility will keep the daily snack from being boring.

At home, I like mixing Crunchy N Yummy into my yogurt or cereal And, on an indulgent day, adding some to my ice cream. Crunchy N Yummy a great after workout snack too.

Check out Crunchy N Yummy for yourself. Crunchy N Yummy comes in 5 flavors, Strawberry, Pineapple, Banana, Mango and Papaya. Crunchy N Yummy can be purchased at Amazon.com, Snackaisle.com and Wholeandnatural.com. Locally, Crunchy N Yummy can be purchased at select stores in New York and Florida.

For more information on Crunchy N Yummy, please see its website, Facebook or Twitter.

Gurnee Mills presents a back to school event August 19

Gurnee Mills is hosting a special back to school event on Friday, August 19.

The event will feature the following special events.

The United Way of Lake County and Bernie's Book Bank are sponsoring Page It Forward. The goal of the summer's largest bookstore is to collect 100,000 books. Patrons are encouraged to bring a children's book and stuff it in the bus.

Jimmy Novak and the WXLC 102.3 crew in the Gurnee Mills Showcourt from 11 am till 1 pm. where everyone can show off their best dance moves.

Celebrate 20 years of Gurnee Mills with birthday cake. At noon in the Showcourt, birthday cake will be served while supplies last.

Also, be sure to visit www.gurneemills.com for special coupons and discounts. Just a few of the sales are American Eagle Outfitters have jeans on sale, Levis has a back to school sale, and Osh Kosh B'gosh offers buy 1 get 2 tees free.

So check out Gurnee Mills this Friday for back to school shopping fun.

i.am.FIRST: Science is Rock and Roll, August 14

The Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am wants to get kids excited about math and science during the back to school. On Sunday, August 14, will.i.am will host his TV special i.am.FIRST: Science is Rock & Roll. The special will air on ABC from 7 till 8 pm, EST.

i.am.FIRST: Science is Rock & Roll chronicles 20th Annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship, a worldwide science and robotics K-12 competition that celebrates technology. This special should excite students and parents about science, robots, math and technology.

Mixed in with the excitement about technology, there will be musical performances by The Black Eyed Peas and Willow Smith. Other speical guest appearances include Justin Bieber, Jack Black, Bono, Miranda Cosgrove, Miley Cyrus, Josh Duhamel, Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake, Steven Tyler and FIRST founder and inventor (the Segway) Dean Kamen. All the guests will talk about why they are excited about science and technology.

In addition to the great entertainment, the purpose of this television special is to get kids excited about technology and learning. Technology powers all of the gadgets and toys that kids use in their daily lives. Showing kids how technology is fun and imperative to their daily lives is key to getting them excited about learning.

So put your family in front of the television on Sunday, August 14 for the i.am.FIRST: Science is Rock & Roll at 7 pm EST for this great event. We might just spark the interest of a future scientist.

Downtown Naperville back to school shopping event August 12-14

Downtown Naperville merchants want to give you more during your Back to School shopping. For customers who spend at least $25 at downtown Naperville merchants they can receive a free pair of sunglasses.

Starting on Saturday August 13, patrons can turn in their receipts for their free pair of sunglasses. Qualifying purchases can be made a retail stores or restaurants. Sunglasses are available while supplies last. They will be distributed from noon till 3 pm on Saturday and Sunday. To receive the free sunglasses, you must show a receipt from a participating location in an amount of $25 or more.

During the Back to School weekend, there will be music, merriment and much more all over Downtown Naperville. Don't forget the free movie night in Central Park and the Rolling on the River concert on the Riverwalk.

Make the last weekend before school starts full of fun in Downtown Naperville.