September is here already and that means it is my favorite time of the month on the blog. Can you believe that I have been doing Comments for a Cause since April 2011? That’s a lot of charities that have been highlighted and shared and I always get excited to share the latest one on the first of the month. Chris and I have been blessed to be able to continue to do this and hopefully it is helping to make a small difference.
This past month in August we focused our attention on the charity Find Your Anchor This wonderful organization focuses on suicide prevention, awareness and education. You can read more about them by clicking on the above link or by going to my post here.
Suicide prevention and mental illness awareness is so very important. I venture to say there is not a reader out there that has not had their life touched by either of these and it is so important to be able to reach out to those who are struggling. That is why I love Find Your Anchor so much. A grassroots movement to get hope into the hands of those who are hopeless. I am thrilled to report that due to the comments left on the blog during August 2019 we will be making a contribution of $125 to Find Your Anchor to help fund their mission. Thanks to all who have left a comment or two during the month.
All thoughts turn to back to school in September (even if some schools start in August these days) and I decided that it would be fun to have DonorsChoose to be the Comments for a Cause recipient in September. If you have never heard of this organization it is a pretty amazing way to help teachers get projects funded for their classrooms. I have donated through DonorsChoose since 2012 and have been able to help partially fund some pretty neat projects over the years. From tablets for students to comfy reading nooks to storage caddies to literature to bee themed items I have had the privilege to help fund projects for teacher friends and local teachers. It is really a great way to help both teachers and students.
Some quick facts about DonorsChoose from their website :
In 2000, Charles Best, a teacher at a Bronx public high school, wanted his students to read Little House on the Prairie. As he was making photocopies of the one book he could procure, Charles thought about all the money he and his colleagues were spending on books, art supplies, and other materials. And he figured there were people out there who’d want to help — if they could see where their money was going. Charles sketched out a website where teachers could post classroom project requests, and donors could choose the ones they wanted to support. His colleagues posted the first 11 requests. Then it spread. Today, we’re open to every public school in America.
$872,263,694 dollars raised
1,497,004 projects funded
35,756,398 students helped
82,643 schools participating
531,195 teachers funded
94% of teachers said their funded projects increased their effectiveness in the classroom.
3,969,235 supporters
The majority of these supporters are first-time givers to public schools.
The latest project I helped back was a local elementary school whose teacher wanted to provide some better reading materials for her students. With the help of 15 donors her project was fully funded and she will be able to receive Scholastic Magazines and books throughout this school year for her students to help with their reading skills.
Join me this month and share the love of learning. Search the projects listed and see if there is one in your own community that you can support. It is simple and small donations are so valuable to fund these projects. Check out DonorsChoose by clicking here to go directly to their website.
Remember—Comments for a Cause works because of YOU. Simply leave a comment on any post during the month of September and Chris and I will make a donation at the end of the month to Donors Choose. Each comment means a 50 cent donation (with a cap of $500) and the comments add up. Thank you to each of you for your continued support of Comments for a Cause.
No post tomorrow but come back on Tuesday for another Teapot Tuesday adventure. I will put the kettle on.
