On Wednesday, January 25, 2007, PIC's Family Literacy Program hosted a special evening activity for parents and children.

The theme for this evening's program was based on the ever-popular story, "The Gingerbread Man" as retold by Jim Aylesworth and illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Thirty-two children representing eighteen families began the evening by creating a mischievous-looking gingerbread man refrigerator magnet out of card stock paper, pompoms, and wiggly eyes. PIC staff members and parents were there to assist with this project.

Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a belly-warming meal of warm sloppy joes, oven baked tater tots, rich gingerbread cake (don't forget the dollop of cool whip!), and fruit punch before gathering back together for story time.

A Family Literacy Program parent volunteered to read "The Gingerbread Man" to a contented group of children. This activity was followed by a gingerbread cookie decorating party. Children were given the choice of a gingerbread man or woman and, assisted by PIC staff and volunteers, decorated their cookies with vanilla icing, sprinkles and chocolate chips. The end results were beautiful and edible! The gingerbread cookies were baked by PIC Family Literacy Program parents under the guidance of Oneida Sedok from the Penn State Westmoreland County Cooperative Extension Nutrition Link.

When the evening closed, the children were sent home with a copy of "The Gingerbread Man" which was provided by the PIC Family Literacy Program. Many thanks to the PIC staff and parents/volunteers who assisted with making this program a success. This series of literacy events was made possible and is supported by the Private Industry Council's Family Literacy Program and through grants provided by the Target and Wal-Mart Foundations.

See our photo gallery for this event..