“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

On January 21, 2008 we acknowledge and celebrate the late great Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. King is recognized as being one of the main leaders of the American civil rights movement. Originally a Baptist minister, his interest in the growing epidemic of violence towards black Americans led him to become a civil rights activist early in his career. He led the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 and helped found the Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. All of his efforts led to the highly publicized 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. In 1964, Dr. King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end segregation and racial discrimination through civil disobedience and other non-violence means.

Dr. King was assassinated on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. Martin Luther King Day was established as a national holiday in the United States in 1986.

To get involved in this important celebration, introduce your children to Dr. King through books featured in the Kiwi Bookworms Club such as Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King. Additionally, there’s great resources on the web including FamilyEducation.com and or the Holiday Zone which even has the complete text of Dr. Kings famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

Also, there are many local activities that can be found online. For example, as a part of Philadelphia’s annual “Dr. King: A Day of Service” proceedings, I’ll participate in several commemorative events. As alumni of Penn State Abington I will be on campus helping to organize students who will volunteer at several organizations throughout the Montgomery, Bucks, and Philadelphia county areas, including The Attic and the William Way Community Center.

Also at Penn State Abington, is a one-man play written and performed by Michael Fosberg, called “Incognito.” The play addresses diversity and stereotyping and is scheduled on January 21 from noon to 1pm in room 108-109 Lares Building.

Later this evening I’ll attend the African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch Street), where their Day of Service Tribute to Dr. King’s life and work will include music, dancing, a laser show, a community service project to aid the homeless and more. These activities are scheduled to run from 11am-5pm, for more information call (215) 574-0380, or visit www.aampmuseum.org.

I hope that you will take the time to honor this great man who has helped make our country a better place to live for all of us.

–Shaneka Holliday Dawsonia, Special Events and Promotions Coordinator, KIWI Magazine

Received a gift card for somewhere you don’t shop or would ever even consider stepping in? We all have faced this problem. What am I going to do with a $25 gift card to Outback Steakhouse? I am vegetarian! Why do I have a gift card to Toys R Us? My kid does not need anymore toys!

Well, worry no more. You can trade, swap, and sell your gift cards at Swapagift.com. You can pay your bills here, fund raise with this site, and exchange your unwanted card for Visa. Have a gift card that you simply do know what to do with? Can’t re-gift it? Head over to Swapagift and get a gift card you really want.

Can’t think of a gift card you want? Try selling them back at GiftCard Buy Back. (Who couldn’t use a little extra money?) Simply search their database for the gift cards you have, sell the cards and receive cash.

What do you do with your unwanted gift cards? Leave your answers in the comments!

We here at KIWI hope your holiday was wonderful! We have so much planned in 2008, so stay tuned.

What can you get someone at the last minute? Running around getting gifts for Bobby, Suzie, Aunt Lilly, Uncle Joey and Grandpa Ed, you have simply forgotten cousin Debbie. What to do? Gift cards are good way to give a thoughtful gift in a short amount of time. Here are some of KIWI’s recommendations for gift cards:

-A great way to give the gift of music without the bulk of CDs:
-Plenty of organic and natural options for the eco lover in your lot: Amazon.
-Target’s organic and eco conscience products options are growing: Target.
-Search for an local or organic restaurant, a dinner out is always appreciated: The Eat Well Guide.
-Let your loved ones buy whatever they want: Visa Gift Card.
-Nordstrom has a gift card for every occasion (a late Hanukkah gift, Christmas or Kwanzaa): Nordstrom

So hurry up and click away! Last minute gifts do not have to be bad gifts!

As kids, we all love toys we put together, like Legos and Build-a-Blocks and Lincoln Logs– all great toys. But as environmentally conscience parents, how do we choose the best imaginative gifts that are safe for our children and our environment?

Here is a toy that will satisfy your little builder and your eco-conscience. This Solar Lego-Style Helicopter is a must have for the little scientist in your family. It’s a great way to learn about reusable energy, solar power and building techniques– all tools for a innovative kid.

The building blocks are not compatible with other brands of building toys, but the rotor blade, panel and motor are compatible with Lego, K’Nex, Fischer Technik, Atco and Eitech.

Available at OutdoorGB, $28.93. Ages 4 & up.

Everyone loves a good pair of jeans. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a new pair of jeans. It’s like a birthday party for your legs. Well, anyway, sometimes it is hard to get your husband, brother, uncle or son to try something new. That’s why today’s gift is a wonderful ruse for the reluctant male.

Here’s the solution! Organic Levi’s. Yes, Levi’s. And the best part? They are from Target. These Levi Strauss Signature® Organic Slim Jeans - Tattered are one of the four organic options available. They are also an affordable $34.99 versus a lot of more expensive jeans that aren’t even organic. So if you have a Levi loving man who doesn’t want to try new things, this is a sneaky way to get him into organic. (And come on, you know best, right?)

Available at Target, $34.99.

It’s almost winter time, but it has already snowed here on the East Coast. Sweaters, mittens, gloves, boots and scarves are an everyday need now. That is why today’s gift is perfect for the chilly weather.

This adorable sweater from Oeuf is well too cute for words. Seriously, just look at it! It has built in mittens! No more telling your tiny kittens that they may have no pie.

Made with 100% alpaca wool for warmth, and of course comfort, this sweater just cries HUG ME. And what a coincidence, that the name of this adorable– the Hug Me Sweater!

Available at Arte Bebe, $88.

Know someone with a big sweet tooth? Vere Chocolate (pronounced very) is an excellent option for someone who loves decedent chocolates.

KIWI’s pick out of all their wonderful options? The Truffles. Enjoy Vere’s unusual and wonderful flavors: rich Cream, lush Cognac, bold Coffee and floral Earl Grey Tea. Yummmm! These chocolatiers start with sustainably grown, pesticide-free cocoa beans and sweeten them only enough to enhance their rich, distinctive flavor. Also the cream used in the truffles is all locally grown. My mouth is watering just thinking about these delicious truffles.

Available at Vere, 4 piece box (1.4 oz.) for $10 or 16 piece box (5.7 oz.) for $35.

Today’s gift is very unique. It is a pair of TOMS Shoes. I mentioned TOMS in my previous blog about Hanson. This shoe company is doing something to make a difference in the lives of children all over. So you need a great gift that will make you & the person you are buying them for feel absolutely wonderful, TOMS is the way to go.

Pictured to the left are a pair of TOMS shoes. I find this pair so adorable I can barely stand it (Mom? hint, hint ;)). Anyway, this pair in particular is the Gold Stripe Woven TOMS. This upper part of the shoe is woven fabric and the insole is soft leather. The sole has a textured bottom for traction. Plus every pair you buy, a pair of shoes goes to a child in need. Priced at $48, you are truly getting 2 pairs of shoes for the price of 1. And on top of scoring an awesome present, you are helping someone less fortunate. Truly a fitting shoe for the holiday season.

TOMS come in a variety of colors and patterns. They are available in Mens, Womens, and even Tiny TOMS.

Available at TOMS shoes, $28-$48.

The Holiday Season in upon us, bringing with it joy, excitement…and intense anxiety for those of dealing with food allergies. The heightened risk of exposure at school parties and family gatherings gives the holiday season a different significance. While there is no substitute for vigilance, there are steps we can take to enjoy the holidays with a little less fear.

1. Always carry an epinephrine auto injector– every second counts during an allergic reaction.
2. When attending parties, tell your host ahead of time about your or your child’s food allergies and offer to bring safe food/desserts.Do not assume that a dish or dessert you or your child have eaten before (and been assured is safe) is okay to eat.
3. Many people spice up their regular recipes with new or special ingredients so be sure to ask about all the ingredients used to prepare the meal.
4. If you are unsure if the food that will be served is safe, give your child something to eat before going to the party and bring some safe snacks/treats he can eat while you’re there.
5. Identify your child by his specific food allergies. This can help prevent well-meaning friends and family from offering your child food to which he/she is allergic.
6. Have a food allergy conversation with family members, teachers and caregivers to remind them of the heightened risk at this time of year.

Best wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season full of love, happiness and health!

-Robin Davison, MPH, JD
Founder of STAT KIDS