Authors for Earth Day Kid-Driven Donations Surpass $50,000
From the United States to Israel, thousands of eager students were inspired by this year’s amazing line-up of A4ED authors: Dan Gutman, Linda Crotta Brennan, Jody Feldman, Miri Leshem-Pelly, Peter Lourie, Patricia Newman, Miranda Paul, Jeanie Franz Ransom, Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, Elissa Brent Weissman, Brooke Bessesen and Debbie Dadey (whose homecoming event was covered in USA Today’s The Gleaner).
Our goal for 2016 was to push total A4ED contributions past the $50k mark and WE SUCCEEDED! It is quite extraordinary to consider that, in the bit-by-bit style common of grassroots, we have now donated over $50,000 to help sustain habitats, wildlife and human communities around the world!
Importantly, our participants give more than money—we also expand children’s creativity and knowledge. A4ED school visits offer students the opportunity to research various conservation organizations and apply critical thinking to determine the value and efficacy of each. Many librarians enhance that learning experience by having the kids cross-educate via PSAs, posters and presentations and students often emerge better informed about environmental issues and initiatives than many well-read adults! These bright students collectively drive our donations. And in 2016, as always, they voted to fund a wide range of causes.
Some of the winning organizations employ global strategies, while others focus on local concerns, yet, whether protecting our planet, educating the public, funding research or caring for animals in need, all of them strive for a better world. Congratulations to this year’s beneficiaries: Rhode Island Audubon Society, Wilderness Haven, Ocean Conservancy, Messinger Woods, Tifft Nature Preserve, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Blue Water Baltimore, Greenpeace, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Elephant Sanctuary of Tennessee, World Wildlife Fund, Pandas International and Defenders of Wildlife.
Most of those organizations gave back to their young supporters with thank you letters and materials for school libraries. What a joy to see generosity come full circle!
As we wrap up another successful year, we give heartfelt THANKS to all who support us! We are truly grateful for the sponsorship of school librarians, principals, teachers, parent associations, grant committees and literacy advocates—those who make it possible for our authors to connect with young readers through books and school visits.
If you would like one of our participants to visit a school in your community, please visit our A4ED website to learn more about our outreach. We also welcome you to the A4ED Facebook page for eco-minded books, ideas and events.
And if you explore the pages of our A4ED Blog, you will discover a plethora of thought-provoking essays by illustrious KidLit writers…
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Brooke Bessesen, Director A4ED
brooke[@]brookebessesen.com
