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February 1, 2015

Backpacks, Books and Kids – Comments for a Cause

38 Comments/ 8060/ 1

It’s February 1st and on It’s Just Life that means it is time to tally up the comments for the month and share our total donation to our Comments for a Cause for the month.  This past month I featured Blessings in a Backpack which is a wonderful organization that provides weekend backpacks full of nutritious food items to elementary children across our country who might otherwise be unable to have food available to them during the weekend.  blessings-in-a-backpackI have been so blessed to read comments from so many folks who volunteer in various parts of the country with these programs.  Some of the comments have come from Texas, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, and Illinois. That is just a sampling of where these folks are offering blessings to children in the form of food.  How wonderful that this exists. I am thrilled to announce that even with the glitches with the blog this month I have received a good number of comments and Chris and I will be making a donation of $190 to Blessings in a Backpack.  Thank you to each of you who has taken the time to comment.

Did you know that February is Library Lovers’ Month?   My friend, Val, who blogs at Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids  and who almost had her baby at the Chiles Birthing Center (not really but it was a fun night waiting with her!) let me know that it was and since she is amazing and does Comments for a Cause on her blog as well we decided to team up and donate this month to the same organization.  Room to Read

 

Room to Read is an amazing organization that promotes literacy worldwide.  Their website is a glimpse into what the world SHOULD look like in terms of reading capabilities across the world.  They are located in 10 countries in Asia and Africa and their mission statement as found on their website is:

We envision a world in which all children can pursue a quality education, reach their full potential and contribute to their community and the world.

To achieve this goal, we focus on two areas where we believe we can have the greatest impact: literacy and gender equality in education. We work in collaboration with communities and local governments across Asia and Africa to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the life skills they’ll need to succeed in school and beyond.

One of the most important things when I look at a charity is their rating on Charity Navigator and Room to Read boasts an 8 year 4 star rating which means they put their money where it is supposed to go with low overhead and good oversight to spending.  They have lofty goals, yes, but wonderful goals that make my heart happy.

The organization began when an overworked Microsoft executive, John Wood, went to Nepal for a backpacking getaway in 1998. While hiking he met a Nepalese “Education Resource Officer” who took him to their school to show him the conditions that existed there.  What shocked him was that the few books that they had there, a copy of a Danielle Steele novel, Lonely Planet Guide to Mongolia and a few other books that other backpackers had left behind were kept locked up so they would be protected from the children!  What? When John left the village the headmaster requested that maybe someday he would return with books for the school and children. John took that request to heart and within two months had collected over 3000 books for them.  The story continues from there and in 1999 John left his position with Microsoft and started Room to Read.

A few statistics from Room to Read:

  • 17,366 libraries established
  • 1,041 books published
  • 30,210 Girls’ Education Participants
  • 1,825 Schools constructed
  • 14, 588,494 Books distributed
  • 8.8 million children benefited

I am sure that all of my reading friends who follow It’s Just Life will be able to get behind this cause and comment.  If you are interested in donating on your own or just learning more about Room to Read just click here to go directly to their website.  Remember—for each comment on ANY POST during February Chris and I will donate 5o cents to Room to Read.

Please join me this month in supporting this great cause and don’t forget to stop over and take a look around Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids and comment there as well in support of Library Lovers’ Month.

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38 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Virginia
    February 01, 2015 at 06:22 am

    I love your heart. I love the way you steadfastly show God’s love by finding others to bless each month.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 01, 2015 at 06:59 am

      Thanks, Virginia. It is my pleasure. We have been so blessed by doing this!

      Reply
  2. Darlene
    February 01, 2015 at 06:39 am

    As a writer and a reader, this is a perfect comment for a cause. Nice that you are teaming up as well. (I only get the odd post in my email, so I back track)

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 01, 2015 at 06:57 am

      Thanks, Darlene. Sorry the email thing is still wonky. I think I might have to go in and resubscribe all of you from the original list somehow. Need to get my tech guru on that …I have managed to figure a lot out on my won but that problem eludes me. Thanks for back tracking!

      Reply
      1. Darlene
        February 03, 2015 at 06:38 am

        At least I get the Teapot Tuesday posts!!

        Reply
  3. Marla aka Crazy Mom
    February 01, 2015 at 07:26 am

    I enjoy reading and learning about the monthly Causes. Thank you for sharing with them and them with us.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 01, 2015 at 07:34 am

      You are very welcome. There are a lot of worthy causes out there for sure and it is fun for me to find new ones to share and support. Hopefully this will be a great month!

      Reply
  4. Pix Under the Oaks
    February 01, 2015 at 07:54 am

    I got email notification of a post today! Great way to start the month of February! Room to Read is a great choice Beth Ann!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 01, 2015 at 08:08 am

      Yay!!!! Glad the email thing worked today. I have not had a lot of luck figuring out the sporadic nature of those!!! Thanks for stopping by!!! Hope you are well. We are snowy here……ugh.

      Reply
  5. dawnkinster
    February 01, 2015 at 08:13 am

    This sounds like a great cause. I’ll support it for sure.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      February 01, 2015 at 08:34 am

      Thank you so much, Dawn! I think it is a great cause as well–anything that helps people read is a winner in my book!

      Reply
  6. My Odd Family
    February 01, 2015 at 08:21 am

    Wonderful! Everyone should have a plentiful supply of good reading materials to choose from – from penny dreadfuls to the classics and everything in between. Happy to support this cause

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann
      February 01, 2015 at 08:35 am

      I thought this was one that folks could get behind so I am thrilled to share it with you guys. Thanks for stopping by and offering y our support!!!

      Reply
  7. poemsandponderings
    February 01, 2015 at 09:13 am

    Congrats to “Blessings in a Backpack” and best of luck to “Room to Read” for the upcoming month.. Because it is a short month, I will have to comment more often.. (Brace yourself)..

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 01, 2015 at 09:16 am

      I am ready! Bring it on! You still snowed in? We have it today do i am staying in!

      Reply
      1. poemsandponderings
        February 02, 2015 at 05:23 pm

        About 14 more today.. Ground Hog Day, 6 more weeks of winter.. OUCH..

        Reply
  8. Dianna
    February 01, 2015 at 09:32 am

    I also received my email notification of this post. Another great cause; I remember as a young child, not being able to wait to learn how to read! Stay warm and cozy and be safe in that snowstorm!

    Reply
  9. Rachel
    February 01, 2015 at 11:20 am

    I cannot imagine not having books to read. Our small town in Nebraska was a county seat and we were blessed to have a great library where I could check out many, many books. My parents also valued reading so we had books at home too. Great cause this month … thanks for another great one to support!

    Reply
  10. Gibber
    February 01, 2015 at 07:01 pm

    This is wonderful and you have an amazing heart.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 01, 2015 at 07:12 pm

      Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment!!!! You know I love all of you guys who are so faithful in commenting! Makes this so easy!

      Reply
      1. Gibber
        February 01, 2015 at 07:16 pm

        It’s a pleasure. 🙂

        Reply
  11. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    February 02, 2015 at 07:18 am

    Another great cause. It’s hard to believe that books would be locked away to keep them from children. That’s an eye-opener right there. Thanks to you and Val for taking on this cause in February.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 02, 2015 at 07:21 am

      I know—that was a startling fact to me. And their selection of book choices was very interesting—just cast offs and probably not the best ones to be reading to children. 🙂 I am happy to share this one with you guys.

      Reply
  12. jenieats
    February 02, 2015 at 08:09 am

    Excited to comment away. I’ve never heard of this organization. Happy to support their efforts.

    Reply
  13. Helen Brown
    February 02, 2015 at 09:27 am

    I have never heard of this one before and it sounds like a very good way to help children enjoy reading some good books.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 02, 2015 at 09:37 am

      Exactly. Reading is such an important thing and it is so hard to imagine a world without books, isn’ t it?

      Reply
  14. Valerie Plagge
    February 02, 2015 at 09:15 pm

    Looking forward to helping a great cause together this month!

    Reply
  15. Thread crazy
    February 03, 2015 at 08:28 pm

    Due to your blog problem last month, I wasn’t getting your daily column…yikes I missed a lot of Teapot Tuesdays!! Then suddenly you reappeared – so glad and should it happen I’ll track you down next time! Both you and Chris do a wonderful job at selecting your charities. Anxious to learn more about Room to Read as the month goes along.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      February 04, 2015 at 07:51 am

      Glad I reappeared. I can not tell you what has happened and why it has been sporadic but I am still here, posting and writing 5 times a week at least. 🙂 You have a lot of reading to do but I am going to give you a pass. I have missed a lot of everyone else’s post lately but I am trying to catch up with you all. I am here—just busy! Yikes!

      Reply
  16. Waffles and Pancakes - It's Just Life
    February 05, 2015 at 06:00 am

    […] Don’t forget that our Comments for a Cause recipient this month is Room to Read and for each comment on ANY post during February Mr. Diamond and I will donate 50 cents to help with literacy in Asia and Africa.  Click here to learn more about Comments for a Cause for February.  […]

    Reply
  17. The Ties That Bind - It's Just Life
    February 09, 2015 at 06:01 am

    […] How do you relate to your siblings?  Are your memories of growing up happy ones like mine or are there ones you would rather just forget?  Do you maintain ties as you grow older or let those go by the wayside?  I would love to hear from you today so please feel free to leave a comment. Remember it is all for Comments for a Cause. […]

    Reply
  18. Happy Valentine's Day - It's Just Life
    February 14, 2015 at 10:37 am

    […] your day and remember that “Owl always love you” for leaving a comment.  Comments for a Cause this month goes to Room to […]

    Reply
  19. Lenten Letters on This Ash Wednesday - It's Just Life
    February 18, 2015 at 06:01 am

    […] Do you have any traditions that you do during Lent?  Do you give something up?  Do you increase your Bible study or church attendance?  Do you give up or give?  I would love to hear what you do.   Please feel free to comment and remember that Comments for a Cause this month goes to Room to Read. […]

    Reply
  20. Chick Chick Chick - A Quick Visit to Hoovers Hatchery - It's Just Life
    February 19, 2015 at 06:01 am

    […] have chickens?  If so I would love to hear all about your experiences.  Remember to comment for Comments for a Cause.  Every comment counts!  Thanks for stopping by […]

    Reply
  21. Serendipity - It's Just Life
    February 20, 2015 at 06:00 am

    […] Have you ever had an experience that is serendipitous?  I would love to hear about it in the comments and remember each comment this month goes to our Comments for a Cause Room to Read.    […]

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  22. A Bit of Spring - Fort Worth Botanic Garden - It's Just Life
    March 16, 2015 at 06:00 am

    […] away a few hours on a vacation?  I would love to hear your answers.  Remember  it all counts for Comments for a Cause.  Thanks for stopping by […]

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  23. benzeknees
    April 02, 2015 at 01:30 am

    Since reading was my most constant companion as a child, it always makes me so sad to learn of children who have no access to books. Good luck with this month’s Comments for a Cause!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      April 02, 2015 at 06:25 am

      We had a great month. What would we do without books?

      Reply

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