In Which My Readers Give, and Someone Wins

Last week I did a Give Back contest open to all people who took a minute (or several hours) to give of themselves. I posted this contest unsure of how well it would go over or who might enter. Not because I don’t think my readers are the giving type—on the contrary. I know they are. It’s just always hard to predict how a new idea will go over.

So I thought I’d share some of the charitable contributions made by my readers last week:

Donated to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Donated to the American Red Cross.
Organized fundraisers to purchase books for special Ed students.
Participated in food drive organizations.
Brought food / desserts / notebooks and other items to neighbors / friends in need. (The small acts of kindness we all need from time to time, and which mean so much.)
Gave free swim lessons to a needy family.
Organized fundraising efforts to help a neighbor family pay medical bills.
Raised money for the March of Dimes.
Organized a mass food drive in which the following organizations reaped benefits: The [local] food bank. The [local] veterans home, Aid for Friends, and the Bannock Youth foundation.

Guys. That was all in one week. LOOK at all that giving! *beams with pride*

YOU are my readers. You give. You love. You are all AMAZING.

I *heart* you all.

But I can only give away one prize for this contest. So I put all the names into the random generator (see sidebar). And the winner is…

Melissa Lemmon!

Congratulations! I will be emailing you for details this week.

My dear friends, I’m calling this experiment enormously successful. Because of that, I believe I shall make this a monthly thing. Or, if not monthly, often, so keep your eyes open for my next give back giveaway. My next choice of charity will be Clear Horizons Academy, a local school for children with Autism*.

In the meantime, keep on giving. We could all use a few extra Karma points.

*More details on this charity coming soon.

I Believe In Angels

Have you ever seen an angel?

Contrary to popular belief, angels don’t necessarily have wings and wear halos. Most don’t live in heaven playing the harp the way they do in fairy tales. They walk among us. Every day we pass them on the street, at traffic lights, waiting in line at the grocery store. Sometimes, we get to be the angels, while sometimes others become angels to us.

It’s amazing to me how people in general, despite all our bazillions of differences, have an ingrained instinct to help one another. I mean, okay, I know it’s not every single person on the earth, but for the most part, people are good. They—we—just are.

We care about each other.

Consider natural disasters, or massive tragedies, or other instances in which large groups of people are in need. We donate money, and blood, and time. We send supplies and help rebuild cities. Because at the end of the day, we recognize that we are all human beings. Fragile and needy.

Over the weekend, I was witness to a miracle. Smaller scale than those world-wide ones, but bigger, much bigger, for the family who was in need. It doesn’t matter who or why, just that a week ago, a young family I know was given one week to come up with an amount of money most of us would have cringed at in order to schedule a life-saving surgery for their infant son.

One week. Their hopes were very low that this would happen. But then someone sent out an email asking for people to donate pocket change in place of hope. Nothing much. Just a few dollars if you can, and please help spread the word by forwarding this email to others. (BTW, the family had no idea this was happening.)

In one week, that single email was forwarded across the country and back, and donations rolled in. Because people really are good. And because we’ve all needed the help of angels at some point, and for the bargain price of the change in our pocket, this was an opportunity for each of us to be the angel.

In a matter of five days, the angels managed to deliver. Not the full amount, mind you, but a very large portion of it. The parents of this baby were stunned, emotional, and very, very grateful. To all those who got that email and either donated it or forwarded it, the whole family (myself included) thanks you.

When was the last time you had angels help you? And when were you last an angel to someone else?

Super Quick: Launch Parties and Charitable Donations

I totally don't have time to be blogging today, but I just can't help myself. Today is a big day for one of my author friends, James Dashner, who's book The Mazerunner is on shelves and available TODAY!!!! This book has been a long time in coming, and he's been counting down the days for months.

So, because it's finally here, and because I can practically feel his excitement over the point of the mountain and like, twelve cities away, I just have to share.

He's throwing a party.

It's going to be HUGE.

Apparently, he has invited everyone on Earth. Literally. (Don't believe me? Check out this blog.) That includes you.

You can be one of the first to own his new book and get it signed.

Where? The King's English bookstore 1511 South 1500 East, Salt Lake City, UT.
When? 5:00 PM today.
How? By getting in your car and driving there. Duh.

For those not living in Utah, James will be heading out for his first major Mazerunner tour this week, so check his blog to find out when he'll be in your area. He LOVES visitors, especially Dash-fans. =)

In other news, one of my very good friends is in charge of putting together a fundraiser for the Clear Horizons Academy, a preschool for autistic children. All proceeds go toward the school and tuition for special needs kids whose parents wouldn't otherwise be able to afford the kind of care these children need.

They are currently accepting items of all sizes and values for their auction. If you or someone you know would like to donate, contact me at writenichole at gmail dot com and I'll forward you more information. Remember, every small donation adds to the larger number. (Books and promotional items welcome.)

Okay, now I'm late. Gotta run. Until next time, write on!

Nichole