Wendy Smith: GIVE A LITTLE

Posted by admin on 04.06.2010 at 9:30 am

In today’s post, guest blogger and author Wendy Smith talks about how important giving is, especially at the smallest levels.  She explains that it’s the power we have as a group that can really make a difference.

I heard a story today about a wealthy man who gave $50,000 and a house to a penniless man who’d had a stroke and nowhere to live. Stories of philanthropic largess like this one are abundant; in fact, big donations, particularly those made by celebrities, get nearly all the press.  There is a myth in the U.S. that the majority of charitable giving comes from foundations, corporations, and wealthy celebs.  The truth is that 75% of all donations made to nonprofits every year come from individuals, most of them living in households with less than $200,000 in annual income.

My book, Give a Little: How Your Small Donations Can Transform Our World, describes the cumulative magnitude and power of the affordable donations made by everyday citizens. In 2008, their giving amounted to $228 BILLION.  That is more than the gross national incomes of 75% of the world’s nations!  The book shows the rippling effects of every affordable donation as it changes the life of an individual child, strengthens a family, shores up a community and reinforces peace within an entire nation.

My experience working in the nonprofit sector for 20+ years combined with my research while writing Give a Little proves that the citizen philanthropist is a crucial and undervalued part of the solution to the inhumanity of extreme poverty. Better World Books is an outstanding example of the cumulative power of individuals contributing to a valuable cause.  $7.7 MILLION dollars raised to improve literacy around the world – one person, one book, one purchase, one donation at a time.  It works.

Read more…

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Better World Books Podcast: Sarah Addison Allen

Posted by Dana on 04.05.2010 at 10:46 am

Sarah Addison Allen’s fans expect her books to be full of magic and her latest The Girl Who Chased the Moon doesn’t disappoint.

This book has  magic wallpaper, sweet sense, mystical lights that inexplicably roam the woods at night and even a giant.  While some of the magic is there to advance the plot, some is just there for fun.

The book, like all of Sarah’s books, is also full of food.  This time it’s barbecue and cake.  Mmmm.  Cake.  And if you’re as taken with some of the cakes as I am, don’t worry, you can get the recipes on her website!

I sat down to chat with Sarah last week during her tour. We talked about the book and some of the magic in it, but one of things I thought was most amazing is that she had three completely different versions of the book before it became what it is now.  Listen to what Sarah had to say about that, about happy endings, and about Grandpa Vance, the gentle giant.

Enjoy the interview, and click here to check out the rest of the great authors talking about their books on our podcast!

– Dana

P.S.  Better World Books has an awesome price on this book new!  Only $14.48 with FREE SHIPPING.  That’s over 42% off!  Get your copy now!

Better World Books Author Podcast [ 16:04 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (831)

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