Why Wait to Make Someone's Day?
Hi friends.
I just wanted to send a quick note this morning thanking everyone who donated during #1000wordsofsummer this past year. One hundred percent of your subscriptions for the month went to either charities chosen by the author contributors or toward sponsoring a Scholastic Book Fair in New Orleans. I am happy everyone shows up for the summer event no matter if they are able to donate or not because I want everyone everywhere to feel inspired to write, but I am definitely appreciative if you are able to donate. So thanks to those who could contribute!
Well, I write to you today to tell you the book fair finally happened a few weeks ago! I got to attend it and it was just really moving and genuinely delightful. I loved meeting everyone so much. Thanks to librarians Kristy Tett and Maureen Iverson and all the children at Schaumburg Elementary for making it such a meaningful day. And, again, to those who donated: for the first year ever, every student got a book because of you.
I was going to save this letter for the end of the year but last night one of our contributors Laila Lalami said it was nice to receive photos of happy children so I thought why wait to make someone’s day?
I am leaving the comments open for you to suggest your favorite charity to donate to as we approach the end of the year. Thanks again to everyone for making this such a special year. I am glad to be in a community with you.
Jami
You are reading Craft Talk, the home of #1000wordsofsummer and also a weekly newsletter about writing from Jami Attenberg. I’m also on twitter and instagram.
One of my favorite charities is the Grey Muzzle Organization. They fund dog rescues and dog welfare orgs that help senior dogs. Senior dogs are much harder to adopt out, and they face health issues that can be expensive. Even routine dental care can be difficult to fund. I have been personally involved with this foundation, and they are fiscally sound, well-managed, and utterly professional. https://www.greymuzzle.org/
Thank you for the great work you're doing with the book fair!
Might I recommend folks support their local prison book program? These nonprofits send books to people incarcerated in prisons and jails across the United States because they believe access to books and education are human rights, and they are fighting an uphill battle against the largest book ban in the nation. You can find a program that serves your state here: https://prisonbookprogram.org/prisonbooknetwork/. And a special shout out to the Appalachian Prison Book Project (https://appalachianprisonbookproject.org/).