Blue Jean Friday is a monthly program that provides a fun, easy way to support local nonprofit organizations. Thrive has been selected as the nonprofit to benefit in February.

With management consent, purchase a $2 Blue Jean Friday sticker gives for the “right” to wear blue jeans to work this Friday.

Stickers may be obtained at the Chronicle, KBOZ Radio Station, Van’s County Market, Albertson’s in Belgrade & Bozeman, either Valley Bank location in Belgrade any time prior to Friday.

All proceeds are given to Thrive for the month of February. Please deliver the collected funds by next Friday to the Chronicle office, the Courtesy Counter at Van’s County Market or Valley Bank in Belgrade. Be sure to include your company’s name along with the donation. Blue Jean Friday is generally the first Friday of every month.

As you all may know, January is National Mentoring Month!  Next Wednesday January 11th is “I Am a Mentor” Day and we are asking for your help to raise awareness about the importance of mentoring children in our community! Thrive’s CAP Mentoring program is looking for 40 more mentors to meet the need for this year…

                                              How can YOU help?

• Change your profile picture to our CAP Mentor badge (download below) to raise awareness about this important program for children in our community! Just for January 11th or for the entire month of January!
• Tell your friends, co-workers, or family members to become a mentor by clicking here!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD YOUR FACEBOOK PROFILE PICTURE TO SUPPORT CAP MENTORING!

The 2011 recipients of the surprise donations are the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Haven and Thrive. “Zoot has weathered the economic downturn well and we feel fortunate to be able to continue our philanthropy efforts in our local community,” said Eric Lindeen, marketing director for Zoot. “Everyone likes to receive something they didn’t expect and what better time than the season of giving.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Zoot Enterprises, a company that gives so much for our community,” said Deborah Neuman, Thrive’s executive director. “This generous donation will be used to advance our mission of creating strong families and successful students. In addition to Zoot’s financial generosity, we have enjoyed a long relationship with many employees who serve as CAP mentors, giving one hour a week to help shape the lives of area students. Without community support such as this, Thrive’s work would not be possible.”

Read the full article here: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/12/prweb9066070.htm

More than three million American young people have a caring adult in their lives, meaning that they will experience a number of positive benefits, according to the research:

*  In terms of educational achievement, mentored youth have better attendance; a better chance of going on to higher education; and better attitudes toward school
*  In terms of health and safety, mentoring appears to help prevent substance abuse and reduce some negative youth behaviors
*  On the social and emotional development front, taking part in mentoring promotes positive social attitudes and relationships. Mentored youth tend to trust their parents more and communicate better with them.

“We want to be sure that the 15 million U.S. children who are still waiting for a mentor can have one as soon as possible,” said MENTOR’s President and CEO Dr. Larry Wright. “That is MENTOR’s goal as we work with our State Mentoring Partnerships and our partners across all sectors — to make quality mentoring that works a reality for each and every one of those young people.”

“We also wish the best for our friends, supporters and colleagues this Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday and new year. Together, we can ensure that millions more young people will benefit from a mentor in 2012 and beyond.”

YOU CAN MENTOR TOO!!! APPLY NOW TO BE A CAP MENTOR HERE!!!

http://www.mentoring.org/news_and_research/news_releases/mentor_gives_thanks

APPLY NOW! to be a CAP Mentor in the Bozeman Public Schools!

The media can be a good thing. It can help to spread positive messages throughout the nation and the world. It can send hope, like a weak beam of light in an otherwise, dark night, through the hearts of many.

But there is a yin for every yang.

It has also influenced what we think, say, and do.
To be specific, I’m referring to the demoraliztion of women as a whole.

When you click on a website, when you press play on your I-Pod, when you flip through the pages of a magazine, when you change the channel on your T.V., you are assaulted with images and ideas.

Ideas like women are lesser than men, women should only be wanted for their bodies, not their brains, that women should always be flawless and perfect in every single way.

Toddlers with their childhood consumed by glitter, glam and a whole lotta hairspray. Each to look perfectly fake, for a flimsy title and crown

Girls in forth or fifth grade worrying about their weight, and applying makeup during breaks in school, wearing low-cut shirts and short shorts at ages eight and nine.

Women getting breast implants and dieting to the ends of the earth.
Their is a certain expectation that ever women feels she must surpass to be truly beautiful.

But its just not true.

Women, you need to realize that we ARE beautiful.
WE are beautiful, but this kind of beauty can’t be found in the makeup department at your local JCPenny’s.

No, the true beauty we search for, we all hold inside ourselves, is our individuality.

Its in our quirks, in our interests, our thoughts and emotions, it’s in everything that makes us who we are. Everything that defines as women, as human beings, everything that makes us special.
Everyone is beautiful, its shouldn’t matter what color hair you have, what kind of family you come from, what race you are or what kind of clothes you wear. Who cares what body type you have or what bra size you are.

So women and girls everywhere, I say this.
Don’t submit to the worlds standards.
Dare to be different and rise above the rest

Everyone is different.
Don’t be afraid to be who you are.
Live out loud.
Embrace life, and live it to the fullest.
Because it’s not where you’ve been that matters,
it’s where your going.

 ”You work hard and do everything you can…at the end of each day you hope it was enough.”

As a concerned parent before Logan was born, I had made the biggest leap forward as a father. Being concerned brings awareness as a father to your position. Logan and I have so much fun going fishing, hiking, watching wildlife/photography, digging for minerals, going to playgrounds/parks or Dynamite Dads. The parenting comes easy when you are just doing what you can as a parent and not getting envious about problems that may arise. My father did his best and I am going to do my best. Taking parenting as life comes at us just gets easier all the time and Logan surprises me with his abilities at every turn. I just can’t wait for all the fun stuff in the future to come, while cherishing the memories of the past!

-Written by Matt Moffet, proud father of 2yr old Logan, and Dynamite Dad!

Did you know many successful people in our past and currently mentor or have mentors.  Although you will recognize most of these people it doesn’t take someone famous to be a great mentor!

*Aristotle mentor to Alexander the Great

*Mahatma Gandhi mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

*Margret Thatcher mentor to John Major

* James Dean mentor to Dennis Hopper

* Tina Turner mentor to Mick Jagger

* Tom Brokaw mentored by Frances Morrow (elementary teacher)

* Don Henley mentor to Sheryl Crow

* Cal Ripken Jr. mentor to Michael Barrett and Alex Rodriguez

* Bing Crosby to Frank Sinatra

~compiled by Rey Carr

 Our community, state, and nation gain significant benefits when you take the time to mentor a young person. Mentored teens are 46% less likely to use drugs, 59% get better grades, and 73% raise their goals. So they grow up to be good citizens and employees who strengthen our businesses, our community, and our society.  ~www.netmentors.org

So apply today to be a CAP Mentor and spend one hour a week changing a child’s life in the Bozeman Public Schools!  Apply here NOW!

- Run by the store on your way to school/work and drop them off at the school . You’re super!

- Oh, really? “Elliot, I don’t have time to run to the store. Do you have any ideas? …”We have graham crackers and frosting.” “You could have your classmates make their own. What could you do next time, to have your favorite cookies? I know you feel bad that you don’t have real cookies, there will be another day.”

Comment below to share your best and worst responses to the last minute cookie announcement!

Did you know that Montana ranks 9^th nationwide in percentage of residents who volunteer?  According to a recent report from the Corporation for National and Community Service, 35.5% of Montanans have volunteered an annual average of 33.5 million hours of service in each of the last three years.  This adds up to a whopping $697.7 million of service contributed.  These figures are an important indicator ofMontana’s well being and quality of life.  People want to make a difference in their community.  When we share our time and talents we help to solve problems, strengthen communities, improve lives, connect to others and transform our own lives.  Not only can we impact those we serve, we can also improve our own well being.  It was also found that state volunteer rates are strongly connected to the physical health of the states’ population.  Since Montana has a high percentage of volunteers, it is no wonder we are such a healthy state.  So get out there and volunteer!  It will do your body and community good!!   You can apply to be a CAP Mentor and spend one hour a week with a child in the Bozeman Public Schools grades K-12! Click here to apply!