Social Media Awareness: Social networking vs. handwritten letters to remain connected

On Feb. 23 the Diversity Achievement Center presented the pro’s and con’s regarding social media.

During the event, a film called “Social Bankruptcy” showcased what life would be like without social media, and how it affects individuals. Social media is everywhere, and it’s unavoidable, having become a communication tool for the majority of society.

According to outthinkgroup.com there are six types of social media: social network, bookmarking sites, social news, media sharing, microblogging and blog comments, and forums.

Apps are now being developed to curate your apps. One creator is Appcrawlr, and they have designed a site to better organize apps and how they’re used. A major focus is on social networking apps.

With social media as the number one activity on the web it has dangers associated with it. According to statistics from InternetSafety101.org, “Of the active adult users of Facebook, 66 percent reported they did not know privacy controls existed on Facebook and/or they did not know how to use the privacy controls.”

“If I could make a change to social media, it would probably be to get rid of the dangers that come with it,” said student Luis Cabeza.

Social media isn’t just about the apps used daily, it’s about the communication people have with each other. What happened to all the hand-written letters? At the end of the event cards, envelopes, and stamps were provided to write a letter that the DAC would send out.

According to The Wall Street Journal, studies suggest there's real value in learning and maintaining this ancient skill, even as we increasingly communicate electronically.

"It seems there is something really important about manually manipulating and drawing out two-dimensional things we see all the time," says Karin Harman James, assistant professor of psychology and neuroscience at Indiana University who led the study.

According to huffingtonpost.com there are nine reasons to not abandon hand written letters.

Those nine reasons are that they create lasting memories, show how much a person cares, make people feel good, make every word count, spark creativity, require undivided attention, require unplugging, they honor tradition, and they are timeless.  

“It has been a pretty long time since I have written a letter. It’s kind of hard to say, but I feel like I haven't written one since my sophomore year in high school,” said Cabeza.

Family Fun Day: Children and parents fill the Activity Center to raise funds

Kids play putt-putt golf.

For 38 years Family Fun Day has provided an opportunity for children and their parents to bond.      

This year’s annual Family Fun Day kicked off on Feb. 28 in the Activities Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents, children and staff all played a major role in the event.

The event featured activities for children and parents to embrace their imagination. The fun included a photo booth, putt-putt golf, face painting, target toss, karate, obstacle course, bounce house, fishing, Dr. Seuss games, and a reading area, transforming the gym into a playground.

Safe Haven Humane Society offered children a chance to meet Bailey and Fozzy the dogs, and a chance to color a critter. There was a used toy and books sale. Children also purchased playdough and silly putty from the Philomath Parent Cooperative Preschool.

Along with the activities, Mid-Valley Doula Network provided a family rest area for feeding and changing.

The event raised approximately $6,000. All money raised was from donations, ticket sales and concessions. All proceeds go the Parenting Education Grant Fund, allowing families to attend classes regardless of their financial situation.

Anyone who purchased over $20 in tickets received an Oil Can Henry's VIP pass, generously donated for 50 percent off their full service oil change or any other maintenance service.

Sponsors were G2 Fun Zone, Denise and Paul Strombeck and Good Samaritan Preschool. Food sponsors were Costco, Scio Thriftway and Fred Meyers. Volunteers were Kohls Associates in Action and LBCC Parenting Education faculty, class participants, families, and friends.

For $1 guests could purchase a ticket for a chance to win a variety of prizes ranging from handmade jackets, monthly flower delivery from Raindrop Flower Farm, OSU men’s sweatshirts and t-shirts, a free yoga session from Tiny Buddha Belly, and a marine discovery tour for two in Newport.