September 1st! How can it be September 1st already? This year has flown by for me and I suspect for some of my readers as well. If you have been a reader of It’s Just Life for awhile you are aware of my Comments for a Cause program that I do every month. Each month I choose a new charity or organization to highlight and for each comment left on any post (regardless of date) Chris and I have committed to make a donation of 50 cents to that particular cause. It has been a privilege to do this every month since April 2011 and one of these days I am going to put a listing of all of our Comments for a Cause recipients but not today because I am pressed for time and it is going to take a bit to get all of those links together. 
In August I had the back to school theme in mind when I choose the Connestee Falls Scholarship Fund. Chris and I love living in Connestee Falls and have gotten to know so many really wonderful people in our first year of residence. One of the things that impressed me the most is the generosity and the willingness of everyone here to give back. The Connestee Falls Scholarship Fund has been in existence since 1987. To date the Scholarship Program has been able to donate over $800,000 to 500 local Transylvania County students to help with their education.
This month Chris and I are excited to report that after counting all the comments our donation will be $175.00. Thank you to all who have generously taken their time to read and leave comments. I know you all lead busy lives and to know that you have taken the time to read and comment warms my heart.
In September I have the pleasure of introducing my readers to Special Books by Special Kids. This organization was founded by teacher Chris Ulmer who as a special education teacher saw the unique spirit and personalities of the students he taught. His dream is to publish a book that highlights the intelligence and humor that these children have and to have that eventually turn into a series for classroom use. His fear is that the neurodiverse community is so often isolated from society and he wants to change that reality.
While he has not written that book yet he has done a multitude of videos on his Facebook page highlighting some of these wonderful children. I was in tears watching many of them because yes—they are indeed amazing individuals. Here is just one of the videos that is also posted on YouTube.
According to their website this is the core of Special Books by Special Kids:
Mission
Special Books by Special Kids is a multi-media movement that spreads empathy, understanding and acceptance for neurodiverse individuals.
Vision
Special Books by Special Kids is leading a global acceptance movement that brings awareness to the joys, needs, and struggles of the special needs community and promotes the acceptance and celebration of neurodiverse individuals by all.
Values
Honesty Respect Mindfulness Positivity Collaboration
Our donation at the end of this month will help support the continuation of the SBSK global acceptance movement. All donations are tax-deductable and provide for travel accomodations, equipment, as well as salaries for staff. If you are interested in donating on your own please feel free to click here to make a secure online donation.
To watch more videos click here.
Please join me in supporting Special Books by Special Kids. For more information please visit the following places to get more information, view videos and contact them if you know of someone that could be a possible interview for them. Remember that for every comment made on any post of It’s Just Life Chris and I will donate 50 cents with a cap of $500. Every comment counts.
89 Comments
Leave a commentThis is great, Beth Ann. Where did you hear of them?
I ran across a video he did on a friend’s Facebook feed. Found out he is currently in Baton Rouge where it is flooded to interact with kids there and do fundraising for them. Pretty amazing guy, don’t you think?
Always exciting to hear about how comments for a cause is making differences!
Thanks, Jeni! I love what this guy is doing!
Another great cause. So pleased to be a very small part of this.
Thank you, Darlene! I have that post with your 20 questions bookmarked to read —I ran out of time yesterday!
I know, so many blog posts and so little time!! Thanks for reading and commenting!!
Thanks for your ongoing efforts to be a ripple for good causes.
Another awesome “heart need”!!!! Great “Cause” choice!!!!
Thanks, Doreen!!!
Always great to hear what’s coming next for comments for a cause! Always a worthy cause. Thanks for all that you do.
Thank you, Josh for always supporting what we are doing here on It’s Just Life.
Best wishes for a most successful September Beth Ann. I hope to be more involved this month.
Thank you, Jake. I am always happy to share what the new cause is and to see the reaction to what I have found and chosen. There are so many worthy causes, that is for sure.
I love how you are making a difference, how others are making a difference and that you showcase them for us.
Thanks, Audrey. It is our pleasure to make this a part of the monthly rotation on the blog. We are really blessed to do this and it is a very small thing that we can do to highlight some really great causes. Thanks for being such a faithful reader.
This is a great thing you are doing and I commend you for it. More caring folks like you guys are what the world needs.
Thank You
Thanks so much, DIAnne for taking the time to stop by and comment on the blog. It is people like YOU that also make a difference in this old world. So thank YOU!
Rabbit1 Rabbit! What an amazing person. He saw a way to make a difference and is succeeding. As are you! I’m sure his book will be both helpful and heartful.
Thanks for stopping by ! think that book will be coming and will be very useful for those in classrooms.
Glad to see that August went well. Let’s make September’s cause raise even more!
I agree, Dawn! I am always so anxious to see what people really will support and get behind each month.
Amazing guy – and amazing cause, both his and yours. (Not to mention those gorgeous blue eyes — sorry!)
Those eyes! I know! Thanks for stopping by, Dianna!
Sounds like a perfect Comments for a Cause recipient for you for several reasons! Thanks for bringing awareness to your readers for so many organizations.
Thanks, Val. Love yours this month, too! Thanks for stopping by!
Another great cause! I just love you and your giving nature! xo
Thanks, Mary! Hope we get tons of comments this month!
Thank you for featuring Special Books by Special Kids as your Comments for a Cause Charity for September! Chris and I are beyond excited for the posts to come.
All our love,
The SBSK Team
So happy to have you guys join in the fun here at It’s Just Life! I have some of the best readers in the world and they love learning about new causes. If you have anything else you would like to add just let me know and I will give you a shout out! Thanks again so much! Come back anytime!
Thanks for the great cause!
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment, Danielle! WE are so excited about SBSK!
How wonderful of you, the initiative of comments for a cause! I’ve been following SBSK for a while now, and every day it puts a smile and a tear on my face (in a good way!), it is a great cause to give to! Good luck with all that you do!
Thanks so much, Maaike, for taking the time to stop by and comment! I love what SBSK does and know that it is a great cause that my readers can definitely get behind. I am thrilled that you stopped by and hope you come back and comment often this month!
Fantastic! So glad SBSK are this months recipient!
And I think your Comments for Causes idea is amazing!
Thanks so much, Kayleigh! It is great to meet everyone who is so excited and supportive of SBSK! It truly is what makes this all work–when folks who love the cause take the time to come back during the month and leave comments on many posts those 50 cents add up. Thanks so much for taking the time today to share in the celebration of SBSK!
I have watched SBSK grow…Thanks for your support
Thank YOU for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment. It is people like you who are making the difference!!!
So glad for more people to find out about Special Books by Special Kids. I love watching their videos and they are doing amazing work!
They certainly are doing amazing work. Thank you so very much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. Please come back often–every comment on any post helps with the cause!
Love me some Chris Ulmer !
He is a very charismatic man! And the love that shows in every video is so apparent. Thank you for taking the time to stop by, Tracy! It means a lot!
I love Mr. Chris and Alyssa and their mission. Thanks for sharing more info about them here !
Thank YOU for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. It is people like you who are spreading the word and making a difference.
bringing out the Truth isn’t always an appreciated responsibility. God is there for us. i thank the people who do God’s awesome work.
God’s work is always bringing out His Truth. God makes no mistakes.
Thanks so much, Audrey! It is very true–God does not make mistakes!
Audrey–Thank you so much for stopping by and helping support SBSK! It is great to meet all of you who are so passionate about the cause!
This organization is amazing! He’s been highlighting our kids and appreciates them and the families. He has also created a world wide community of support and love for eaxh other. His organization has facilitated so many people finding their new families. He’s currently taken this love to a higher level by highlighting these unique individuals and families in Baton Rouge and the additional struggles they have with the floods. Amazing love!
Jennifer, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment. Please come back and comment often on other posts to help raise some money for SBSK! I post usually 5 times a week so there are plenty of opportunities to read and comment. I do love how everyone who has been touched by this project is so supportive and grateful. It is really a simple concept of loving that makes a huge difference. Thanks to YOU for what you are doing to help promote education and love.
Chris and his girlfriend Alyssa are incredible people doing amazing things to make the world a better place
Kari,
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment about SBSK! I love getting to see how they are surrounded by such wonderful friends and fans of what they do. Please come back often!
Love Chris and his little family
Thanks, Jess, for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. I am thrilled to be able to share a little bit about them here on It’s Just Life and follow along on their adventures. Thank you so much!
Love seeing the word spread about SBSK!
And I Love having all of you take the time to stop by and leave a comment or two. Thanks, so much for stopping by and supporting SBSK.
It’s so special that you support such beautiful causes. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and leave me a comment. It is our privilege to be able to do this!
lots of love to SBSK and the progressive positivity they’re introducing to the world! following their journey has been an unimaginable pleasure. xoxo
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting,Alexandra. There are so many great organizations out there and I love being able to highlight a few on the blog. Thanks for your support and for your kind words about SBSK!
[…] Don’t forget to leave me a comment and let me know what you are reading right now. You know I need more book suggestions and it all counts for our September Comments for a Cause which you can read about here. […]
Here to support education!! Way to go!
I love Special Books by Special Kids! The SBSK family has changed my life, so happy that Chris and Alyssa have dedicated their time and love to the special needs community. This blog is a rad idea, glad I came across it!
Thanks for stopping by Ashleigh! It is so great to meet all of the folks that support SBSK ! They do amazing work! Come back anytime and leave a comment!
[…] Before you go let me know in the comments section what helps you to heal when healing is needed. Is it writing? Is it creating in some way? Remember all comments go for our current Comments for a Cause. […]
[…] it? Any experiences with it that you can share? Don’t forget to leave a comment for our Comments for A CauseFinally–congrats to Stephanie who blogs at The Write Steph for winning the book giveaway by […]
Thank you for supporting SBSK! We love Chris, Alyssa and their wonderful work!
Dawn, Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your love of SBSK with me and showing your support of such a great organization. It is so much fun to meet all of you!
Dear Beth, Thank you for spotlighting SBSK! May I borrow the first words I heard Chris speak to his student to express how I feel about him and Alyssa and Noodle?
“I love having them in my life ( through Facebook)! I think (they) are funny! I think (they)are amazing! I think (they) are brilliant! I think (they) are doing a great job (introducing the world to the dear neuro-diverse friends they have met)!
I hope to have the honor of meeting Chris, Alyssa and Noodle someday and telling them myself!
Thank you, Trish
What a wonderful comment you left, Trish. Thank you so much! Chris and Alyssa and Noodle have captured many hearts, haven’t they? In a world that is so filled with negativity and sadness they are bringing much needed smiles and happiness to so many and my heart is touched. Thank you for sharing these wonderful words with me and my readers.
Absolutely LOVE Mr. Chris and Alyssa and what they are doing for the special kids out there. As the mom of a son with autism, this cause is near and dear to my heart!
Nancy, Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. I love how the SBSK family supports one another and all of the comments this month are showing that support is sincere. Thank you!
Keep spreading the light wherever you go!❤️
That is a great way to live life, isn’t it? Thanks for the inspiration!
My adopted son was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome and as his mother I sometimes feel alone but since I found the SBSK family I feel like I belong to a special family thanks to Me Chris Ulmer and Friends.
Laura, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and share your story. It is amazing how just having the support and love of others like the SBSK family can make a difference, isn’ t it? Thank you so much for sharing your story with me and my readers. It is extraordinary to meet people like you who make a difference.
A special and humble young man and his happy movement with a family of friends.
Its birth/
” ….. — out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. ….. ”
(a quote from the MessageBible)
Thanks so much for taking the time and stopping by and leaving a comment. I am thrilled to meet all of you that support SBSK and the love that is so apparent for Chris and Alyssa and Noodle. 🙂 Welcome to It’s Just Life.
Thank you Chris and Alyssa for all that you do. You are having such a profound impact on the neurodiverse community and their families.
Kate, thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment. I am loving meeting all of the great supporters of SBSK and learning their stories and how they got connected with the organization. Y’all are extraordinary!
Very happy to be a part of the SBSK movement and family! Alyssa, Chris and Noodle are amazing! Keep spreading the love!
Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment, Jen. It is so great to meet all of the SBSK supporters and know that we are all part of their story. Please come back to It’s Just Life anytime.
Mr Chris Ulmer and Ms Alyssa Porter are a shining beacon in this world. They have brought forth a vision where being unique is a wonderful thing to be celebrated. They have opened their hearts to broaden our minds to a new way of accepting an individual for the spirit that is inside of us all. The videos by SBSK are educational and inspirational in guiding how we should view what we perceive to be unusual. Chris and Alyssa are without a doubt angels who walk among us!
Jennifer—thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment in support of SBSK. I am thrilled to be able to highlight them and share them with my readers. They are truly making a difference in the world. Come back anytime!
Both of these organizations– SBSK and this blog– keep up the good work!
Thanks so much for stopping by. So glad to meet all of the wonderful supporters of SBSK and welcome them to the It’s Just Life family.
I have watch SBSK grow exponentially in just the past six months alone and am so proud to be a small part of their global mission spreading the message that the Neuro diverse community are just everday people with a twist.
[…] What kind of tea do you think I should brew in this one? I am sure you can come up with a creative kind so share it with me in the comments. Remember that our comments this month go to support Special Books by Special Kids. You can read more about that here. […]
Special kids need more help and care.