Freebies

(Part 13: In the Open blog series)

by Stephanie Pericich

When I was a child, one of my prized possessions was a book titled “Free Stuff for Kids,” which contained countless items that kids could receive simply by mailing in a SASE (remember SASEs?) and a nominal shipping/handling fee.

Through the use of this book, I received small toys, stickers, lip gloss, and even a bright red popcorn ball maker! It was always exciting to go to the mailbox and find a package containing free stuff.

Apparently, some things never change; I still enjoy receiving free stuff in the mail, although my tastes are now more practical than whimsical. A case in point: my Parent Toolkit from Alliance of Healthy Communities (AHC).

During a school-sponsored parent seminar, I learned that AHC will mail a prevention-related toolkit to any parent who requests one via AHC’s website (https://ahc-stl.org/resources/parent-resources/) or Facebook page. When the toolkit arrived at our house, my son and I opened it and sifted through the contents: medication safe disposal packets, substance testing kits, parent resource brochures, and helpful information sheets on a variety of topics.

Perhaps the best part of receiving the toolkit was that it sent a clear message to my son that I care about his well-being and that I am committed to being a lifelong learner. This toolkit (and many other resources for parents) is available to all of us. Did I mention that it’s free?

Stephanie Pericich is a Parkway area wife, mother and an independent author of non-fiction and poetry. Ms. Pericich has volunteered to share her experiences and perspectives as a mother navigating the challenges of parenting for the purpose of encouraging community conversations about keeping kids safe and healthy.