MARCH 2025
Upcoming Events
FRIDAY, March 14 is the last day to enter our Beats headphone giveaway on Instagram! If your Webster teens are on Instagram, please encourage them to enter. We hope this giveaway helps us grow our youth audience on Instagram, where we primarily post information supporting teens from a youth perspective. Check out our content here.
WEDNESDAY, March 12, noon - Monthly Coalition Meeting at our new venue: Webster Chamber of Commerce - 1110 Crosspointe Ln. Suite C, Webster, NY 14580. Register here to join us online or in-person.
WEDNESDAY, March 12, 6:30 p.m. Thomas-Schroeder Charity Basketball Game benefitting WHEN! Please come out to the Thomas HS gym for this fun family event and wear your WHEN T-shirt! (Members: contact Janine if you would like a T-shirt to wear to the event). School resource officers will be officiating the game, including WHEN member, Officer Herrle. You won't want to miss it! Suggested donation of $5 at the door benefits WHEN.
WEDNESDAY, March 19, 6:30 p.m. WHEN Family Game Night with free Candy Bar BINGO at Plank South. Volunteer here. Register here.
SATURDAY, April 26, 10-2:00 p.m. - DRUG TAKE BACK at the Webster Justice Court. Start cleaning out your medicine cabinets – the DEA’s next National Drug Take Back Day is April 26 and our collection location is in front of the Webster Justice Court Building at 1002 Ridge Rd, Webster, NY 14580 (look for the blue roof!). This is a drive-through event. You will not even need to get out of your car. We’ll share more details about how you can help to keep Webster safe by properly disposing of unused medication in next month’s newsletter, so stay tuned!
Webster Headlines
There are a lot of upcoming birthdays! Happy March birthdays to these WHEN members: Garrett W., Nicca S., Stephen G., Jennifer C., Martha W., Jen D., Ciara K., Candi G., and Brandon J.
Last month, WHEN worked with WCSD to reinvigorate a much-loved, pre-COVID program that brought together community elders and middle schoolers for fun, conversation, and connection during school lunch. It was a huge hit! Formerly known as Listening Post, we're thinking of calling it Lunch Legends going forward, but let us know if you have a great program name for consideration. You can read more about the program in this Webster on the Web article by WHEN member, Missy Rosenberry. (Thanks, Missy!)
WHEN recently shared a fun afternoon of Candy Bar BINGO with the Best Buddies group. Check out the photos below.
Thanks to Jen Calus for sharing these photos!
Family Bonding is Protective
“Protective factors are conditions or attributes in individuals, families, and communities that promote the health and well-being of children and families.” - ChildWelfare.gov
By WHEN member, Judi Swanson, LCSW~R
Bonding is defined as “the establishment of a relationship or link with someone based on shared feelings, interests, or experiences,” according to the Oxford Language Dictionary. Strong family bonds have an influence on the behavior and well-being of children in the family. These bonds can “encourage better behavior in children, improve academic performance, strengthen parent-child communication, and teach your child how to be a good friend,” according to Very Well Family.
“No amount of money or success can take the place of time spent with family.” -Unknown
Family bonds do not happen without effort. Parents and guardians lead the way in cultivating and protecting family bonds. According to Life Family Fun, activities such as “family game night, cooking together, reading together, eating dinner together, family trips, hiking together and volunteering together are positive ways to strengthen connections with family members.” Storytelling about shared experiences (including when things go awry) keeps family memories alive for years to come.
“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” -George Santayana
Family bonding also serves as a protective factor that increases resilience in children, equips them with skills to deal with stressful situations, builds confidence, and encourages communication. So, go and bond with your family. Head out for a hike, make a meal, read a book, or gaze at the stars together.
Spotlight
This month, we'd like to shine a light on WHEN member and volunteer, Dana Buccieri. Dana's contributions to our recent Navigating the Tween Years parent forums has been significant and impactful. Her genuine care for Webster families shines through all of her work, and her expertise in mental health allowed us to include important insights and perspective. Dana has also volunteered at Family Game Nights and other WHEN events, where her warm presence is always appreciated. Be sure to thank her next time you see her!
Upcoming Meetings
Next Coalition meeting:
March 12 at noon.
NOTE THE LOCATION: Webster Chamber of Commerce at 1110 Crosspointe Ln. Suite C, Webster, NY 14580. Click here for in-person and online details and to register.
We meet in person AND online via Google Meet the second Wednesday of each month at noon. Many of us join during our lunch break. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. In fact, our goal is to have representation from all walks of life, to better meet the needs of the whole community.
Read February's Coalition Meeting Minutes.
Reminders
The deadline to enter our Beats headphone giveaway on Instagram is Friday, 3/14! If your teens are on Instagram, please encourage them to enter. We hope this giveaway helps us grow our youth audience on Instagram, where we primarily post information supporting teens, from a youth perspective. Check out our content here.
