ON ANNIVERSARIES and ALTRUISM

Since my first post on Nov 4 2004 I am astounded at the changes in my life. I started this blog at my firstborn's urging, something he now admits he thought I would not maintain. I found a voice here and friends that have encouraged me. That angst that I was trying to get rid of, well thanks for shouldering part of that for me. I assume you have as it seems to be rare now days that I have the deep depressive moments I once did. Four years ago I spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself, a most unproductive activity. I can't say I have completely left the past behind but I now look at it more realistically. Dwelling on the past is an occupational hazard for a writer, but hopefully I view it with more realism and less self recrimination. 

This week I got an email from an associate (pictured above with OMER) that made me take another look at myself and the focus of my life. Up until a few years ago (pre blog) I was focused on others to the detriment of my own personal growth. I volunteered for everything and spent most of my time and energy working for others. I dropped most of those outside activities in the past four years except for one, Odyssey of the Mind. I continued in it for what may be selfish reasons, hanging out with a great group of people that not only have a lot of fun, but who truly make a difference in the world. OM is a problem solving competition that fosters creativity in children around the world, something that is often missing in our approach to education. My associate, a class room teacher in North Carolina, took a bolder step this past year. The letter below is what I found in my inbox. If any of you are so moved, please join me in supporting my friend Glenn in his mission to put books in the hands and hearts of children. 

 Dear friends,

 

    During Thanksgiving week, I will be making the trip to Cabo Corrientes to deliver the classroom libraries you have helped with. Right now, I'm getting ready to make my book order. When the books come, some of the classes in my school will help put checkout envelopes inside, attach stickers and sort them for individual libraries.

 

    We have created a terrific project for students to use to help out their Mexican counterparts. The students here ask for pledges tied to their own reading. The pledges are on a per book basis, so for every book the students read here in a month, a child in Mexico will get books to read. I love the link between our kids reading books in order to enable kids in Mexico to read books. The kids are itching to get started reading. A win-win, I think.

 

Our website will be up and running soon. We have created brochures and a logo and have had a chance to talk to a lot of local service organizations. Our sales tax exemption has been approved by North Carolina, but the federal tax-exempt status is still pending.

 

Support for this work has been wonderful, but I'm still about $1200 short of what I need for this trip to be completely successful. Some of you have mentioned your intentions to help out, so now is the time I could use your help. Even without current tax-exempt status, you can donate now with the assumption it will be approved. When approval comes, I will notify everyone and all previous donations will be considered tax-exempt by the IRS.

 

If it works for you, send a check to:

Libros for Learning

7614 Sims Rd.

Waxhaw, NC 28173