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Making a List and Checking it Twice

By Cynthia Brian

September 13, 2009 marks the 10th anniversary of the literacy charity, Be the Star You Are! This is a huge milestone in the history of an all-volunteer organization that has logged in more than 219,880 volunteer hours, donated more than $1.6 million in resources, and served more than 199,800 Individuals within 60 organizations. For ten years, Be the Star You Are!® has been quietly operating in the background, helping other organizations shine. Most of our volunteers are young people ages 10-24 and it is they who have spent months organizing and planning the event to honor our milesone, The Books and Bands Bash Benefit.

We are all inviting our friends, families, fans, and foes for a day of celebration, dancing, book signings, hula hoop contests, martial arts demonstrations, shopping, eating, and mingling. As we’ve posted announcements on facebook, twitter, myspace, and other sites over the past few months, we’ve been rewarded with a plethora of congratulations notices, yet few donations. Although we appreciate the words “bravo, way to go, congrats, you made it!” what we’d really appreciate is rewarding our hard work with dollars. The legendary and loved former Dean of the University of Pacific School of Dentistry, Dr. Arthur Dugoni, became famous for asking his students, alumni, and anyone he met to open their wallets and give generously to the school. Under his tutelage the university became one of the greatest schools in the world to become a doctor of dental surgery because of the donations he requested, required, and received.

Taking my cue from Dr. Dugoni, I, too, am asking you to open your wallets and give generously to Be the Star You Are!® If you are reading this newsletter you can afford to send $10 for 10 years! Or be more giving and donate $100 for 10, or $1000. Do what makes you feel good. We make it easy for you. Just go to www.bethestaryouare.org and click on the DONATE button. You’ll be taken to PAYPAL where you can make an instant donation and send us a congratulatory note. You get a tax deduction and will be listed in our Galaxy of Stars.

Whether you are coming to the party or not, we need your support to fund the many literacy programs that we provide to our community and our country throughout the year. Like Santa Claus, we are making a list and checking it twice. We know who has been naughty or nice. Open your wallet and get on our friend list. As it has often been said “put your money where your mouth is.” Margaret Mead had it right with these words “A small group of thoughtful people can change the world. It’s the only thing that ever has!”

Help us change the world and make a difference. Say congratulations with a donation. Looking forward to seeing all your names on our 10th anniversary list. Thanks for your contributions. Be the Star You Are!

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

www.bethestaryouare.org.