This 28-year-old single mom and her five kids, ages 2 to 10, were forced to move from their Savannah rental home this past spring when Robinet’s hours were cut at her housekeeping job at the Courtyard Marriott and she could no longer afford rent.

Since then, she and her children have lived in roughly 15 Savannah hotels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her story is heartbreaking and reflects the increase in first-time homelessness in Savannah due to the pandemic.

Read this mom’s story here. 

Help this mom and her kids by donating here. 

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Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless

Savannah’s number of people who are homeless for the first time is increasing. Here’s a way to get your children involved with volunteering to help.

Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless in Savannah – started by Colleen Moultry and her daughter Bethany, a home-schooled first grader-  distributes care packages, which include a variety of supplies and a kind note for people who are homeless, to Savannah shelters and hand out on the street.

To volunteer, visit Bethany’s Happy Bags Facebook page or email Bethanyshappybags@gmail.com

Find fun family Holiday happenings in Savannah & the Lowcountry in SouthernMamas.com Holiday Events 2020.

Drive-thru Nativity; Santa fire truck tours; outdoor holiday happenings; drive-thru holiday lights @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah; Santa visits; Christmas tree lighting & more.

See the holiday family-things-to-do list here.

Want to advertise your organization or business in this list? Email us at anne@southernmamas.com

Remember to check out SouthernMamas.com Best Home Holiday Lights/Decorations list for 2020 for the Greater Savannah area:

Savannah United Spring 2020 Recreational Soccer 

Give the gift of soccer this holiday season — take $10 off per player if you register before Dec. 31 2020!

Register online @ SavannahUnited.com .

Questions or concerns? Please contact Savannah United Program Director, Paul Smith, p.smith@savannahunited.com or Recreational Administrator, Vanessa Asterman, v.asterman@savannahunited.com.

Savannah United is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

We love this: an 8-week Art Boot Camp for Teens @ the beloved Studio School in Savannah.

This class – which will be Dec. 29 2020-Feb. 15 2021 – is intended to help teens up level their art audition portfolios; however, non portfolio seeking students may join in. Register online here. 

Each week, students will have an assignment that can be either begun and/or refined in class as students will have access to a password protected page created just for them where assignments will be posted before we meet in the virtual classroom.

Students will need to begin some assignments on their own and use class time to refine their art with instructor guidance while other assignments will be started in class and students will refine them on their own time. The instructor will be available for assistance through email contact. If students complete all assignments, they should end up with 8 total art pieces for the full course.

Learn more here.

8-week Art Boot Camp for Teens – let’s prep for portfolios!
Dec. 29 2020 – Feb 15, 2021
Tuesdays 5:30-6:30PM
two 4-week sessions available/ $99 per 4-weeks
includes real-time instruction & critiques, password protected page with all art resources, extra practice assignments, select demo videos
​Instructor: Linda Hollingsworth / info@thestudioschoolsavannah.com

The Studio School
1319 Bull St.
Savannah, GA 31401,
912-596-3873
info@thestudioschoolsavannah.com

The Studio School, www.thestudioschoolsavannah.com , email info@thestudioschoolsavannah.com, 912-596-3873, The Studio School is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

The holiday season equals celebration and delicious food. But staying healthy? Not so much.

But according to SouthCoast Health’s Registered Dietitian, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost.

“It is possible to eat with a healthy pattern the holiday season if you go into this time of year with a plan,” SouthCoast Health Registered Dietitian, Rebekah Laurance, RD, LD said. “It can be hard to stick to your goals this time of year. To combat this, go in prepared to deal with these indulgences. It is also important to recognize that having two or three days of less than ideal nutrition is not a good reason to give up on your goal! Get through the holidays, roll with it, and get back on your schedule.

Working hard to maintain healthy eating habits? Laurance offers tips to fight mindless eating and stay fit here. 

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Low Country Counseling in Savannah:  Sober Support for the Holidays 

The Holidays can be challenging for those in addiction recovery.

Whether you need support for yourself, or a you have a family member who is in addiction recovery, help is available.

Low Country Counseling shares 5 tips to support sobriety here.

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If you or a loved one is in need of support, Low Country Counseling offers specialized therapy for individuals, moms, couples, families, and teens. Contact Low Country Counseling for any questions or to schedule an appointment. Help is available.

Low Country Counseling is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Put Magic In Your Calendar For 2021

Ready to escape these unprecedented times and have fun with your family? Walt Disney World Resort is open, and the magic is alive.

For a limited time you can save up to 35% off your stay at Walt Disney World Resort hotels Jan. 3 – April 17, 2021.

With limited capacity inside the theme parks, now is the perfect time to visit. Take advantage of the low crowds and incredible deals to experience new attractions or the classics.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has opened 2 brand new lands, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. Both offering exciting new attractions, entertainment and dining venues.

Not sure what visiting a theme park is like right now? Two Sisters Travel has visited them and can give you all of the insider details to make your getaway stress-free.

Contact your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner at Two Sisters Travel now to plan your magical getaway. And remember, Two Sisters Travel concierge travel planning services are always FREE.

Tara McCoy
Travel Advisor at Two Sisters Travel
843.284.3241
Become a Facebook fan at facebook.com/twosisterstravel

Two Sisters Travel is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser

Free Live Nativity, Petting Zoo @ Bloom & Grow Open Market
14 Brasseler Blvd, Savannah, GA 31419 (Georgetown)
Fri. Dec 18 2020, 4:30-7PM and Sat. Dec. 19 2020 Noon-7pm
Free & open to the public

You’re invited to a live Nativity and petting zoo this weekend Fri and Sat. Dec. 18 & 19 2020.

Sing along with Christmas carolers as you take a leisure stroll through the market. Children will have an opportunity to pet live animals and families can take photos of the manger scene. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be served. Coffee will be available.

Craft tables set up for children. Marilyn Youmans school of dance will perform between 2- 2:45PM on Sat. Dec. 19.

Food will be available for purchase @ a food truck.

Questions? Email bloomandgrowmarket@gmail.com

Singing Santa in Isle of Hope, Savannah

Singing Santa will travel through Isle of Hope on Sun. Dec. 20 2020 collecting socks for the homeless beginning at 6PM.  Listen for the signing to find him.

Rain day is Mom. Dec. 21 2020.

Enter the Kindermusik Savannah giveaway. Kindermusik is giving away a FREE month to one child for January 2021.

Choose in studio or virtual.  Deadline is Dec. 30 2020 and winner will be chosen on Dec. 31 2020.  Ages 0-7 eligible.

Email: kindermusikwith88keys.com or text 912-432-5885 for more info.

Kindermusik…A Good Beginning Never Ends.

Kindermusik Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Check out SouthCoast Health in Savannah’s healthy holiday gift ideas here. 

Some healthy suggestions include cooking classes at Chef Darin’s Kitchen Table or 700 Kitchen Cooking School (both in the Savannah area) or personal trainer session with Giddy Up Personal Training or Train Me 24/7 (both in the Savannah area)

See SouthCoast’s complete list of healthy tip ideas here.

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Local fire departments will have their annual Santa fire truck convoy through certain neighborhoods during the 2020 Holiday Season in Savannah, Wilmington Is. & Bluffton.

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Islands Fire Santa Truck 2020

Islands Fire on Wilmington Island will escort Santa with their full fleet again in 2020 as firefighters help deliver candy canes and holiday cheer.

Date will be as follows: 12/12/20 – Wilmington Island | 12/13/20 – Whitemarsh & Talahi Islands.

Please use the maps here as reference for the routes. Also find interactive maps for a closer view here.

Live tracking of Santa and the Fleet will be available on the days from this page.

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Isle of Hope/Dutch Island Santa Fire Truck 2020

The Isle of Hope Volunteer Fire Department transport Santa around Isle of Hope and Dutch Island Sat. Dec. 12 2020, 1-3PM. The truck will leave the station at 1PM, head down Paxton Drive and around IOH. Then the convoy will travel to Dutch Island.

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Southside Santa Fire Truck 2020

Southside Fire’s Montgomery Division will have their annual Santa Truck detail when Santa visits various Savannah neighborhoods on a firetruck.

The 2020 Southside Santa firetruck holidays dates and route:
Dec. 20-Whitfield Ave.
Dec. 21-Ferguson Ave
Dec. 22-Burnside Island

Southside Fire will post updates and additional information here leading up to the event and during the event. This will include departure times from the station and their starting point for each area.

This will allow you to plan out an approximate time in which Santa should be coming to your neighborhood.

Free & open to the public.

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Bluffton SC Santa Truck 2020

The Bluffton Fire Santa Truck will visit various Bluffton SC neighborhoods during the 2020 Holiday season Nov. 30-Dec. 17.

Santa will ride nightly on the dates listed in the schedule above between 6-8:30PM, depending on weather.

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Find more Savannah-Lowcountry Holiday Happenings 2020 in our Event Calendar. 

Advanced Academics in Pooler

Wondering if your child is making enough progress this complicated school year. Set up a one hour evaluation and post-conference over winter break @ Advanced Academics in Pooler. Cost: $40.

Make an appointment online here or call 912.348.2017.

Advanced Academics in Pooler microschool offers full-day sessions for homeschoolers and early learners on a small campus in Pooler, as well as enrichment classes. Enrichment classes are open to the public.

Advanced Academics can customize education for each child.

Advanced Academics
email: adv.aca.mail@gmail.com
912-348-2017
405 Hwy 80, Suite 104
Pooler, GA 31322

Learn more about Advanced Academics here.

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Advanced Academics is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Forget MAP scores.

Now it’s all about GPA.

The application process to Savannah-Chatham County Public School choice program will be handled differently in the 2021 application process due to COVID-19.

Test scores have been removed from the Choice eligibility criteria for the 2021-22 school year. Instead, Choice Grade Point Average (GPA) will be used to determine eligibility.

Choice GPA is defined as the end of quarter grades for the past three full semesters of core academic and world language courses (ELA/Reading/Math/Science/SS/World Language). All Choice Programs require a minimum Choice GPA of 80% or higher.

The Choice Program Application for school year 2021-2022 will open Feb. 1 2021 and close Feb. 19 2021.

What are Choice Programs? They are various specialty programs including kindergartens offered by Savannah-Chatham public schools. These public schools such as STEM Academy at Bartlett, Garrison Elementary, J.G. Smith Elementary, Charles Ellis Montessori Academy, Savannah Arts Academy,  etc. either don’t have an attendance zone/neighborhood district or they also accept students outside of their attendance zone/neighborhood district.

Savannah-Chatham County Public School System offers roughly two dozen Choice (or specialty) Programs throughout the district from elementary through high school including kindergarten. Each Choice Program has entrance requirements. See the full list of choice programs here. 

A review of previous minimum test scores can help guide Choice Program decisions. See Choice program at choice.sccpss.com to review the previous testing criteria for each choice program.

The COVID-19 pandemic also lead to the cancellation of the SCCPSS traditional annual Student Success Expo. This year a Digital Expo will replace that event and be held Feb. 1 2021.

New Choice programs include the Innovative Learning Academy at Hubert, Cinematic Studies at Southwest Middle, STEAM at Marshpoint and a Drone Pilot Prep Program at Windsor Forest High. Learn more about the new programs here.

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Savannah-Chatham public school Choice Program open houses 2021 

Learn more here. 

Savannah Classical Academy is free, public K-12 charter school with an entirely open enrollment.

Savannah Classical Academy’s annual lottery is now open for all students from kindergarten to twelfth grade for the 2021-2022 school year.

Don’t miss the deadline for your family to enroll in this free public charter Savannah school as part of the local school system!

Apply for the lottery now here.

The mission of Savannah Classical Academy is to provide every child with a classical and academically rigorous education while instilling a commitment to civic virtue and moral character.

Savannah Classical Academy is the only public school in Savannah that has been opened since August 2020 to in-person classes during the 2020-21 school year. SCA has discontinued its dual-learning model (online and in-person) and all SCA students returned to campus Nov. 2. The last day of SCA’s virtual learning model was Oct. 30.

SCA says the school has remained free of any COVID-19 cases since the start of the 2020-21 school year.

SCA has taken many steps to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and reduce the risk to students and staff

SCA upgrades to keep students and staff safe include:
*Entryway equipped with a germicidal UV-C light.
*Specialized mats designed to sanitize footwear.
*Social distancing markings at entrances/exits throughout campus.
*Installation of ionization systems HVAC to purify circulating air and disinfect surfaces.
*Over 100 strategically placed automated hand sanitizing stations.
*Touchless thermometers and thermal imaging cameras.
*Isolation lounge space.
*Installation of cameras in all classrooms.
*Contracted with custodial vendor with trained staff using appropriate virucide, sanitation chemicals, and foggers, with increased staff for whole school sanitation each day.
*Personal protective equipment provided to all students and staff including face masks, face shields, and gloves.
*Individualized furniture purchased and arranged to maximize classroom square footage.
*Clear desktop barriers for all students.
*Alteration to student and staff traffic and meal schedules to reduce interactions to smaller groups.
*Posting signage for reinforcement of proper personal hygiene and social distancing.
*Installation of additional water bottle refilling stations for upper school students.
*Bottled water provided for lower school students.

Savannah Classical Academy
705 East Anderson Street
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 395-4040

Savannah Classical Academy is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Love, love, love this use for those store-brought gingerbread kits: Substitute peanut butter for frosting and nuts, seeds, and fruits for candy, and you have an adorable house built for birds.

This comes to you from LiveSeasoned.com.

Apparently this Christmas Eve, my kids will start what they hope will become a new family tradition: whacking a festive poop log.

Tió de Nadal (Christmas log) is a hollow log with stick legs, a smiley face, and a floppy red hat. My middle-schooler son learned in Spanish class about this Christmas tradition in Spain’s Catalan region. The log’s other name is Caga Tió, or “poop log.” Once he heard about it, he was hooked and we now have a homemade Catalan log under our tree, too.

Here’s how the tradition works:

On Dec. 8 each year — the Feast of the Immaculate Conception — families bring out the log. Every night until Dec. 24, children “feed” the log by offering him nuts, dried fruit etc. Kids must also cover Tió de Nadal with a blanket.

On Christmas Eve, kids tap the log with sticks while singing the traditional Tió de Nadal song, then peek under the blanket to find that the log has pooped out a pile of candies including a Spanish nougat called turrón and presents.

Every kids’ dream. Not making this up. Watch this.  

Santa visits during 2020 Holiday Season in Savannah & the Lowcountry

Some Santa visits/photos will be outside with masked Santas. Others at indoor malls will be through Plexiglass Santa shields. Kids can even zoom with Santa from home. Here’s a look at how your child can visit with Santa in Savannah during the pandemic.

(Outside) Morning with Santa @ Children’s School at St. John’s, downtown Savannah, Dec. 12
Sat. Dec. 12 2020, 10AM-1PM COST: $40 per family.
Celebrate the season with a festive fundraiser for the Children’s School at St. John’s, outside in the mall between St. John’s and the Green-Meldrim House. One ticket per family will include a photo with Santa (by a professional photographer with digital copy), an oyster shell craft activity, 4 Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits, a bag of chocolate chip cookies, cider (served on-site), and hot chocolate (served on-site).
Please pay online here. Extra Chick-fil-A biscuits will be available day of the event for $5 (cash/check). COVID protocols: This is an entirely outdoor event. Social distancing and masks are encouraged.

Details here.

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(Outide) Santa & Mrs. Claus @ Brendlen’s Christmas Light Display, Ridgeland, SC Dec. 12
1570 Drigger’s Lane
Ridgeland SC 29936
Nightly lights display, plus Santa & Mrs. Claus will be there Sat. Dec. 12, 6-8PM

Details here. 

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(Outside) Plant Riverside District Santa Meet & Greets, Photos

Santa visits, photos will take place outdoors during the holidays @ Savannah’s Plant Riverside District @ 400 W. River Street in downtown Savannah. Children will not sit on Santa’s lap but be positioned next to Santa. Two elves will help direct. Santa will have a white mask and children are encouraged to wear their mask. Parents or caregivers can take photos of children in the Santa setting. Visits start Fri. Nov. 28-Sat. Nov. 29, then resume Dec. 5-24.

Details here.
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Santa @ Children’s Museum of Pooler, Dec.21 

Children and families are invited to deck the halls of CMOP Mon. Dec. 21 2020, 9AM-2PM. Santa will there 10-11AM
A reading of The Night Before Christmas, photos with Santa, Christmas crafts, “snowballs”
This event requires a special event ticket for both members and nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at the door the day of the event.
Cost: Members: $8; NonMembers $10

Details here.

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Santa shield @ Bass Pro Shops, Savannah Mall 

Already under way @ Bass Pro Shops Savannah Mall are in-person Santa Claus visits, photos for kids using a “magic Santa shield” at the store’s FREE Santa’s Wonderland experience.

Details here . 

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Find more kids’ holiday happenings in Savannah & the Lowcountry here. 

First Day Fitness Hikes
Wormsloe State Historic Site, Savannah
New Year’s Day, Fri. Jan. 1, 2021

Start the year off with Wormsloe State Historic Site in Savannah with a healthy 2.5 mile hike though the coastal maritime forest.

A Wormsloe Ranger will lead the way and answer any questions that might arise. Pets welcome on 6 ft. leash. Pre-registration is required, space is limited. Please call (912)353-3023 to make reservations.

Your choice of 4 hikes during the day. Hikes start at 9:30AM, 11AM, 1:30PM, and 3PM.

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Skidaway Island State Park in Savannah will also host first day hikes on New Year’s Day 2021.

First Day Hike
Friday, Jan 1, 2021 1-3PM
Skidaway Island State Park – Savannah, GA
Kick off 2021 with a 3-mile hike on the Big Ferry Trail. Please make sure to bring appropriate footwear, water bottles, and bug spray. The terrain for this trail is flat with occasional roots. $5 parking. 912-598-2300. Details here. 

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First Day Hike @ Fort McAllister State Park, Richmond Hill, Ga
Friday, Jan 1, 2021 10-11AM
Join @ 10AM for a 3 mile nature hike with Ranger Autumn on the Magnolia Trail. This hike is medium difficulty and requires sturdy shoes and water. At 2PM there will be a History Hike in and around the fort. Ranger Mike will walk you through the past and tell you about the history of Fort McAllister during during the American Civil War. $5 parking. 912-727-2339. Details here. 

Due to the pandemic, The Savannah Ballet Theatre’s traditional performance of The Nutcracker has been changed into an on-air broadcast in partnership with local NBC affiliate, WSAV-TV.

A 90-minute Savannah Ballet performance of The Nutcracker will be broadcast twice on Christmas Day 2020 5:30-7AM and 5-6:30PM.

The performance will also be available for streaming on WSAV’s and SBT’s websites as well as via their social media channels.

Some of the performance is filmed in Savannah locations.

Low Country Counseling: 5 Bonding Experiences for Couples 

Not everyone feels completely in love constantly over the span of a lifetime.

Couples can be out of sync, where one may feel more deeply connected than the other. And then it flip-flops.

Low Country Counseling in Savannah shares tips on how to strengthen the bond between you and your partner here. 

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If you or a loved one is in need of support, Low Country Counseling offers specialized therapy for individuals, moms, couples, families, and teens. Contact Low Country Counseling for any questions or to schedule an appointment. Help is available.

Low Country Counseling is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Dr Misal Patel

Proper handwashing is important now more than ever.

Physicians at SouthCoast Health in Savannah say to avoid buying hand sanitizer with less than 60 percent alcohol content. Studies show that antibacterial gel with any less alcohol doesn’t consistently kill germs.

“You touch your mouth, your eyes, your nose throughout the day many many times without realizing it,” Dr. Misal Patel of SouthCoast Health said. “You touch doorknobs, desks, phones, keyboards, so many things that other people come into contact with as well so the best thing to do is to keep your hands clean and be mindful of what you’re touching.”

Learn more here. 

Dr. Patel is now seeing patients at the newly-expanded Pooler location (Godley Station Professional Park, 1000 Towne Center Blvd., Building 1200, Pooler). A Savannah native, Dr. Patel specializes in a variety of primary care services, and specializes in preventive care and management of chronic diseases.

SouthCoast Health is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

This is the week!

Join  Kindermusik Savannah with your 0-7 year old on Saturday, December 12 for monthly musical Kindermusik playdate!

Celebrate the beauty of winter through music, movement, instruments, stories and more!

Each child will take home an instrument and 10 Kindermusik songs from this musical playdate. Class held in studio at 10AM and virtually over Zoom at 11AM. Enrollment is limited for the in studio class, so reserve your child’s spot today: kindermusikwith88keys.com.

Also, new December themes for weekly studio classes start this week. First weekly studio trial class is free! Text 912-432-5885 for more info.

Enroll at kindermusikwith88keys.com.

Kindermusik…A Good Beginning Never Ends.

Kindermusik Savannah is a SouthernMamas.com advertiser 

Find fun family Holiday happenings in Savannah & the Lowcountry in SouthernMamas.com Holiday Events 2020.

Santa fire truck tours; outdoor holiday happenings; drive-thru holiday lights @ Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens in Savannah; Santa visits; Christmas tree lighting & more.

See the holiday family-things-to-do list here.

Want to advertise your organization or business in this list? Email us at anne@southernmamas.com