What is Labor Day? And Why We Celebrate Labor Day.

The below information comes directly from The Department of Labor's website and can be found HERE: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

"The History of Labor Day

Check out our Labor Day 2012 page, complete with videos, photo, resources, and more.

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means

Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day

More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.

Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."

But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association ofMachinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central LaborUnion in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

Labor Day Legislation

Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From them developed the movement to secure state legislation. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment. By the end of the decade Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

A Nationwide Holiday

The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.

The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker."

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Friday the 13th Facts and Trivia. Why is Friday the 13th so unlucky?

I think Friday the 13th is one of my favorite days to sit back and laugh at all the silliness in the world. 

If you'd like to learn more about the origins of Friday the 13th, and how it became such a feared day, Wikipedia has some fun facts. (I don't always recommend wikipedia for finding facts, but everything I read in this article are valid.)

For example: The fear of Friday the 13th has been called friggatriskaidekaphobia (Frigga being the name of the Norse goddess for whom "Friday" is named and triskaidekaphobia meaning fear of the number thirteen), or paraskevidekatriaphobia a concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (Παρασκευή, meaning "Friday"), and dekatreís (δεκατρείς, meaning "thirteen") attached to phobía (φοβία, from phóbos, φόβος, meaning "fear"). The latter word was derived in 1911 and first appeared in a mainstream source in 1953.

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day making it the most feared day and date in history. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. "It's been estimated that [US]$800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day". Despite this, representatives for both Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines say that their airlines do not suffer from any noticeable drop in travel on those Fridays.
CLICK HERE to read the entire article. 

Another article I found fun to read was in Time and can be viewed HERE.

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FREE fun family event in Fishers, IN Great for cub scouts, webelos scouts and anyone considering scouts.

2014 Scoutorama has been scheduled!

Sunday, September 7th 
1:00pm-5:00pm

at Holland Park in Fishers, IN.

 Be sure to follow me on facebook for updates!!! 

As many of you know, I'm a cub scout and boy scout leader. Each year we put on a fun FREE community event. 

This fun FREE family event is great for cub scouts, webelos scouts and anyone considering scouts. Younger brothers and sisters invited to join in too! We will have all sorts of activities to include but not limited to: various belt loops, webelos activity badges, games, rope bridges, fire starting, water rockets and more!!!

Feel free to share and invite everyone you know. 
https://www.facebook.com/events/508491052592665/?source=1


Lots of opportunities to complete rank advancement for all Cub Scout levels,
Cub Scout Belt Loops, Webelos Activity Badges & FUN!
Tiger • Wolf • Bear • Webelos
CUBS: Community • Conservation • Sports/Physical Activity • First Aid
Map & Compass • Citizenship / Flags • Nature
WEBELOS: Readyman • Sportsman • Forester • Artist

Also fun activities like bottle launching, human foosball, monkey bridge,
fire starting, fire by friction demonstrations, Pine Wood Derby track, Cubmobile Display.

Designed for Cub Scouts and non-Scouts. Be sure to invite your friends!

Come with your Pack, Den or Family!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
1pm - 5pm
Holland Park Located near the park building
Scoutorama 2014 sponsored by Fishers Boy Scout Troops

Be sure to follow me on facebook for even more deals and ways to help others!http://www.facebook.com/ChangingtheWorldPebblebyPebble
See All Current Posts by Clicking the "View All Current Posts Here" Tab on the Upper Lefthand Corner of the Page!

Why I pack boring things in my Operation Christmas Child boxes to go along with the silly items. Plus tips on how to fill yours for less and how to get materials and more during the back to school sales.

I wrote this last year, but it has so many good tips in it I just had to reshare. Esp since all the best sales are going on right now!

Yesterday I bought the very last thing I wanted to put in my Operation Christmas Child boxes! 100 washcloths!!! Now that might not sound very fun, but over the years I have found that it is the mundane items that we take for granted that are the most appreciated. I hear story after story of children being thankful for the toothbrushes and washcloths in the boxes because it means they don't have to share one with the rest of their family. And those  toothbrushes and washcloths usually have to last for more than a year. I can't even imagine having to do that.

Last year, I began reading about the plastic boxes that I have seen sometimes being filled. I learned that these boxes are very important commodities for most families. It allows them to transport and store water. Something I had never considered. I made a point of looking for decent sized plastic totes with lids that stayed on well for a good price. Luckily they go on sale during the back to school sales. They didn't have 100 in stock at the Menard's that I went to, but as soon as they heard why I wanted the boxes, they gladly ordered me the extra boxes! (I have noticed that the dollar store has recently stocked clear plastic boxes with lids that shut well and stay closed if you are looking for a good deal.)

Art and school supplies are another set of items that I always include. Mostly because I can get a bunch of these items super cheap during the back to school sales(which start the weekend after July 4th and run through Labor Day). These items, that our kids might use for fun drawings and crafts can actually be a life saver for many children in developing nations. Most of the time children cannot attend school unless they can afford the supplies. Going to school allows them a safe place to go during the day. In some cases it will give them an opportunity to get a meal for the day from the school. And most importantly it allows them to gain an education that can teach them skills needed to succeed in life.

This year I added a new item that is my favorite of all the items...flip-flops!!! Many children's families cannot afford shoes. I have heard of sooooo many boys and girls praying for a pair of shoes to protect their feet when they walk. I was lucky enough to take full advantage of the Old Navy $1.00 flip-flop sale this summer. I spoke with a manager about the 5 flip-flop per person limit. As soon as they heard that I wanted them to donate, they allowed me to get the 100 I needed. I did pay for them 5 at a time and took the colors no one else wanted and allowed any other customers that came up to check out before we rang up more of mine. I have found that if you are honest and nice, you can get a lot accomplished.

Now for the silly items. Although I like blessing children with the things they need, I feel like it is very important to let kids be kids. These children need to be silly and have fun and do things for the joy of playing. In years past I have had great success at finding items at the dollar store. I look for items that will get me more for my buck, ie a 2 pack of spinning tops, a 4 pack of play dough, etc. Last year because I had just had my daughter I decided to supplement my dollar store items with filler items form Oriental Trading Co. I was so throughly impressed with the items and the cost, that I decided to buy all of my "silly" items from them this year. I picked out whistles and balls and pinwheels and puzzles and more nonsensical items. I waited until there was a coupon code for $10.00 and FREE shipping on orders over $75.00. I separated my orders so that each order was just over $75.00 and was able to get $10.00 OFF for each order for a grand total savings of $100.00!!!! I then used the money I saved to go buy 100 bars of soap, toothbrushes, combs, pencil sharpeners and sandwich bags(to put the soap and washcloths in) at The Dollar Store and 100 wash clothes from Walmart(they sell an 18 pack for $4.00). If done right you can get all those items super cheap. Look for multipacks. The soap I got was a 3 pack, the combs were a 12 pack and the toothbrushes were a 4 pack all for $1.00 each!

When it comes to filling your boxes make sure what you get will fit. If you are only filling a couple boxes that won't be a huge issue, but if you are filling a large quantity like me you'll want to keep track. What I do is keep one box out, and as I buy items, I add one item each to the box. This lets me see if I'm about to run out of room, or if I need more filler items.

The last thing that each box needs is $7.00. You can either place a check in an envelope in your box, or you can pay online and print out a unique barcode to affix to your box. Whether you write a check or pay online, you can pay for multiple boxes at one time. Just put the check in one box and tell the person collecting the boxes that the check covers x amount of boxes. If online you can print the barcode label for as many boxes as you need. I like to pay online because the barcode will allow you to get info about where your box(es) went. I like to use this to teach the children about the countries and people around the world. Each box will need a label affixed to the outside top. If you pay online, the barcode will have the label with it. If paying with check you can get a label from your collection center download them from the Operation Christmas Child website or order them from Operation Christmas Child(for FREE to be mailed). These labels tell people giving the boxes out if the box is for a boy or girl and the age group. I like to make my boxes gender neutral and then label half for boys and half for girls. I also personally pick the middle age group simply because my children are that age and it's easy for me to pick items I think they will like. I do know that the older age group gets the least amount of boxes, so if you want to pick a group that doesn't get as many boxes you may want to consider packing for the older children. Once your box is filled, find a collection center to drop it off to, or give it to someone that can take it for you. You can find a collection center here: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/

If you want to spread the word and get others involved, consider hosting a packing party at your house. Make it fun and festive. Have people bring boxes and items to fill boxes, or supply the items yourself and have everyone help fill them. I like to make desserts and play Christmas music and even put up a Christmas Tree to get everyone in the Holiday spirit! Just make sure you have everything ready on time.

National Collection Week for 2013 is November 18th-25th!

For more tips on what to and not to pack in your shoe box, CLICK HERE.
To order promotional materials and labels (if not paying online), CLICK HERE.
To order empty boxes CLICK HERE.
To pay the $7.00 shipping and processing cost for each box, CLICK HERE.
To download and print labels, CLICK HERE (found at the bottom of page)

If you have any questions or tips please be sure to leave a comment. I'd also love to hear what you pack, how many boxes, etc. You can even post pictures of you boxes and items on our facebook page if you like! http://www.facebook.com/ChangingtheWorldPebblebyPebble

I have a table set up with empty boxes, info and an invite to my packing party.

My filled example box for 2012

All my items that I have been stock piling,  just waiting to be put into boxes. 2012

Here are the items that will be in each of my 2012 boxes this year. 

"Like" me on facebook for even MORE deals, tips and ways to help others! CLICK HERE and then click "Like".


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FREE fun family event in Fishers, IN Great for cub scouts, webelos scouts and anyone considering scouts.

2014 Scoutorama has been scheduled !

Sunday, September 7th 
1:00pm-5:00pm

at Holland Park in Fishers, IN.

 Be sure to follow me on facebook for updates!!! 

As many of you know, I'm a cub scout and boy scout leader. Each year we put on a fun FREE community event. 

This fun FREE family event is great for cub scouts, webelos scouts and anyone considering scouts. Younger brothers and sisters invited to join in too! We will have all sorts of activities to include but not limited to: various belt loops, webelos activity badges, games, knot tying, rope bridges, fire starting, water rockets and more!!!

Feel free to share and invite everyone you know. 
https://www.facebook.com/events/508491052592665/?source=1


Lots of opportunities to complete rank advancement for all Cub Scout levels,
Cub Scout Belt Loops, Webelos Activity Badges & FUN!
Tiger • Wolf • Bear • Webelos
CUBS: Community • Conservation • Sports/Physical Activity • First Aid
Map & Compass • Citizenship / Flags • Nature
WEBELOS: Readyman • Sportsman • Forester • Artist

Also fun activities like bottle launching, human foosball, monkey bridge,
fire starting, fire by friction demonstrations, Pine Wood Derby track, Cubmobile Display.

Designed for Cub Scouts and non-Scouts. Be sure to invite your friends!

Come with your Pack, Den or Family!
Sunday, September 7th, 2014
1am - 5pm
Holland Park Located near the park building
Scoutorama 2014 sponsored by Fishers Boy Scout Troops

Be sure to follow me on facebook for even more deals and ways to help others! http://www.facebook.com/ChangingtheWorldPebblebyPebble
See All Current Posts by Clicking the "View All Current Posts Here" Tab on the Upper Lefthand Corner of the Page!