Welcoming a New Year

Well 2012 was a busy year, and often sad or frustrating.  But let's think on a few good things for this new year. 

First I would like to share Operation Write Home (click here.)  There mission is: "supporting our nation's armed forces by sending blank homemade greeting cards to write home on, as well as 'Any Hero' cards of gratitude to encourage them."  Boxes of blank homemade cards are sent every week, so even though the holiday season is winding down, you can take part in this any time.  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, this would be a nice theme for some cards for a soldier to use to send home.  Here is a nice little video done by Sandy Allnock, President and Founder.

I also wanted to share this story about one person who made a difference, just like Sandy who began Operations Write Home.  Ken Culp, 10 years old, collected and donated 2,778 books to the Early Connections Learning Center as part of a book drive for "Success by 6".  Read the full story here.  Success By 6® (SB6) is United Way's school readiness initiative, which addresses the importance of a child's first six years of life. Success By 6 is preparing children to succeed in school and in life.

Success by 6 Goal:  All children in our community are ready for school as they begin kindergarten.

The prosperity of a community depends on the success of its children. By supporting and coordinating existing resources, identifying needs and catalyzing new approaches to improve school readiness, Success By 6® can improve the chances of success for our children's future.

Success by 6 Focus:

    Education - Promoting early learning and literacy
    Family Stability - Encouraging parent education and home visitation

Success By 6 is the largest nationally recognized early childhood movement in the country, with over 360 local SB6 initiatives reaching an estimated 67% of the total US population.


Here is a video that explains Success by 6 and its importance and amazing impact.  This is a United Way charity, so if you would like more information about "Success by 6" in your area, then contact your United Way and see how you can help out.

 

As for this blog and the new year, I have been doing this for just over 3 years now and I would really like to hear from you.

What would YOU, the followers of this blog, like to see?  Do you like reading challenges?  Another bookmark swap?  Any ideas at all are welcome.  Please share in the comments what you have liked on other blogs and would like to see done here.  

Let me take this opportunity to thank you for reading this blog, and for being part of the mystery/suspense family here.