The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1189528
A-8 Local Wednesday, December 4, 2019 The Press-Dispatch North Pole a night at the • Photos with Santa • Decorate Cookies • Hot Chocolate Bar • Candy Cane Crafts • Games • and More 4-H Enrollment will be Available FREE FOR EVERYONE Join us for SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7 5-7 PM 4-H BUILDING IN HORNADY PARK 18 USC 77 For more information, contact Kara Willis at 812-354-4973. Sponsored by Pike County 4-H Council Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. By Brianna Estrada On November 26, the sec- ond-year German and Im- mersion German classes, led by Fritz Krahl, spent five hours in the kitchen mak- ing cuisine from all around the world. The dishes they made ranged in origin from Danish, Dutch, Polish, Rus- sian, Irish, Mexican and, of course, German. This experience allowed Krahl's class to not only see and read about cultures across the globe, but to ac- tually taste and experience their native cuisine. The time spent in the kitchen provided the class- es with a better understand- ing of the country's native foods, a fun hands-on learn- ing experience and full stomachs. Every second- year German and Immer- sion student participated in the cooking project, even a few third-year students joined in. "It was interesting to see people's first choices in countries and food," one of the classmates claimed. Students used recipes written in German, as well as metric measurements. This project was a fun, manageable and meaning- ful experience, well worth the time and effort. Krahl is teaching a new class called Immersion, in which he teaches U.S. and World History in German. Pike Central is the only school in Indiana schools offering this class. Pike Central German class embarks on international cooking adventure Steps to take before donating to charity Donations from private citizens are the lifeblood of many nonprofit organi- zations. Without donations from millions of well-inten- tioned individuals, many charities would not be able to fulfill their missions. When donating to char- itable organizations, do- nors typically want to know their donations will make a difference. With a little pre-donation research and a few smart giving strate- gies, prospective donors can make sure their dona- tions ultimately end up do- ing the most good. • Refine your online searches. The Federal Trade Commission recom- mends searching online for a cause you care about but adding certain terms to the search before choos- ing a charity. For example, if you're passionate about help- ing the homeless, instead of entering "charities for the homeless" into the search engine, search for "highly rated charities for the home- less." Such a search may un- cover red flags about certain organizations and direct you to the most reputable chari- ty possible. • Vet a charity before donating. Transparency is important when choosing a charity. A charity should willingly share information such as how donation dol- lars are spent and the pro- grams that have been es- tablished to help it meet its mission. Such information should be readily available on the organization's web- site. The F TC recommends donors learn how much of their donations will be used to provide direct support to the programs. The F TC al- so recommends being sus- picious of charities that do not provide detailed infor- mation about their missions and programs. • Don't go it alone. Vet- ting charities is important, but donors shouldn't feel like they have to do all that legwork on their own. Var- ious organizations, includ- ing Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, Char- ity Navigator and Charity- Watch exist to protect do- nors and ensure they give wisely. Local government regulators also may be able to provide information about charities to help donors avoid fraud. Charitable donations help millions of people ev- ery day. Donors can protect themselves and ensure their money is used wisely by do- ing their homework before giving to nonprofit organi- zation. Keep safety in mind when gifting toys Few people garner as much delight from opening holiday gifts as young chil- dren. The holiday season is a wonder to behold, culminat- ing with brightly wrapped presents just waiting to be revealed. For parents, grandpar- ents, aunts, uncles, and friends, nothing is more memorable than watching the pure joy on a child's face when he or she opens a hol- iday gift. As a result, well- meaning gift-givers some- times forget to consider safe- ty when seeking out toys and games for kids. The U.S. Consumer Prod- uct Safety Commission says there were more than 250,000 toy-related injuries treated in American hospital emergency departments in 2017. Most of these injuries were attributed to nonmotor- ized scooters, toy balls and toy vehicles. However, any toy that is not age-appropri- ate has the potential to cause harm. That is why the orga- nization Prevent Blindness America, which spearhead- ed the campaign to make December Safe Toys and Gifts Month, advises caution when gifting youngsters. The following are some guidelines when gifting young kids, courtesy of PBA, the CPSC and Kids Health® by Nemours. • Always read labels to see if the toy is right for a child's age. Don't buy a toy that is too mature for a child even if you think it would be a big hit. • Consider a gift recipi- ent's temperament and be- havior before purchasing a toy. While one child may be mature enough to handle a toy, another of the same age may not be ready for it. • Recognize choking haz- ards in toys, which may in- clude marbles, small balls and uninflated balloons. But- ton batteries, which come in many electronics, can be a choking hazard and cause damage to intestines if swal- lowed. • Toys with strings and straps can strangle young children and should be avoid- ed. • Inspect all toys for sharp edges or points. Even stuffed animals with internal wires can stab, cut or shock. • Avoid toys that have parts that fly off, as they can injure the eyes or other parts of the body. • Look for nontoxic labels on toys, including crayons, markers and other art sup- plies. • Toys made of fabric should be labeled as flame- resistant or flame-retardant. • Painted toys must use lead-free paint. • Look for the American Society for Testing and Ma- terials (ASTM) label, which signifies that the toy has passed the group's safety in- spection standards. • Monitor toy usage during play, and frequently examine toys to see if wear and tear has made them into hazards. The holiday season is an exciting time for children eager to play with new toys and games. Ensuring those gifts are safe can make for a healthy giving season. Emma McKinney's smile shows her approval of this international recipe. Jackson Smith, Jace Shepard, A. J. Wilkins, Allison Turner and Alec Nowark each were busy work- ing on the part of the meal. Brody Musser gives a thumbs up to their project while Everett Attaway and Abbie Harrison work on different dishes.