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Ronni Kahn Australian Hero of the Year 2010, Founder of OzHarvest  spoke about her special lunch with the Dalai Lama who had asked her to go on MASTER CHEF to promote giving food to the homeless and hungry.

Ronnie spoke passionately about her journey to establish a fleet of vans collecting excess meals and foods for the homeless, disadvantaged supplying now 354 charities.

She’s a dynamo getting Woolworths, ALDI & IGA on board. OzHarvest collects 20 tons of food every day distributing to Sydney, Canberra, Newcastle and Adelaide and opening in Brisbane on 1st September.

The luncheon hosted by Angela Mentis Executive General Manager NAB was warm, wonderful and dynamic with 20 amazing women there celebrating OzHarvest – Sandra Levy CEO Australian Film & Radio School, Natasha Stot- Despoja former Australian Democrats Leader and on Not For Profit boards, Annalise Law MD of Kanga Group and Telstra Woman of the Year  … and of course Ronni.

Annalise said that her company was supporting  Father Chris Riley and Kids Off The Street last week. My daughter and I were cooking dinner last week for teens in trouble, in an inner city  Kids Off The Street house. The stars were aligned and as the Dalai lama says:-

‘Our prime purpose in this life is to help others’

My daughter Tory and I peer into Don Bosco House in inner city Marrickville.

The youth officer opens the locked front door, hands me a large knife and Tory a lighter for the gas stove and we head down the corridor.

We pass bedrooms, graffitti,  a billiard table, mix-match gym machines, a well worn mega lounge with a girl watching the TV, EminEm belting through the house, the dining room -

‘Here’s the pantry.  Up to you, what to cook.’

Tory & I look at each other. ‘For how many people?”

Around 10 and then the youth officer is gone and we’re in the kitchen.

It’s a search and discover expedition – our menu:-

Wholemeal pasta, tomatoes, onions, capiscum, bacon pieces, carrots, pesto sauce……and more. We start.

The knife is the bluntest knife possible. I cut the onions with big strokes. Tory’s into the chopping the tomatoes.

 Really liked meeting the kids. 

They chatted, talked about sharing Don Bosco House with 10 other kids. Don Bosco House was giving them a chance to work out their lives.

One girl was starting at TAFE. One young guy with plenty of studs in his face was starting work at a tattoo parlour doing piercings.

Some of the kids spoke to us, others didn’t. The staff were cool and everyone liked our mega pasta. 

What wasn’t eaten will be taken on the on the Youth off The Streets bus to feed homeless.

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By: Susanne Gervay, on 6/16/2011
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Room to Read, MONKEY BAA THEATRE, NSW Writers Centre, Charities, HarperCollins Australia, Always Jack by Susanne Gervay, Pink Ribbon Day Cancer Council, The Cancer Council Australia, The Hughenden home of SCBWI, Add a tag

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By: Susanne Gervay, on 6/14/2011
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  OAM, Order of Australia Medal, Susanne gervay Australia Day Ambassador, News, SCBWI, Room to Read, The Hughenden, NSW Writers Centre, Charities, Add a tag

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By: Susanne Gervay, on 6/12/2011
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Kiribati, Phil Glendenning Director of Edmund Rice Centre, Patrick Dodson, Sydney Film Festival, 'The Hungry Tide' by Tom Zubrycki, Jill Finnane of Edmund Rice Centre, Nicola Daly cinematographer. Louise Whelna photogrpaher, president Tonge Kiribati, News, Charities, Add a tag

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By: Susanne Gervay, on 5/28/2011
Blog: Susanne Gervay's Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  News, Charities, Susanne Gervay's 'Always Jack', Books in Homes, La Perouse Public School, South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club, www.booksinhomesaustralia.com.au, Add a tag

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By: John, on 5/11/2011
Blog: DRAWN! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  art, John Martz, letterpress, Ed Emberley, Meg Hunt, S.Britt, charities, Tad Carpenter, Bob Flynn, Becky Dreistadt, David Huyck, Bwana Spoons, Nate Wragg, screen prints, Heather Ross, Rebecca Emberley, Souther Salazar, Maura Cluthe, Caleb Neelon, Add a tag

Cloudy Collection is excited to announce our latest special edition print set, honoring and including the inimitable Ed Emberley. There are two “Monster Parade”-themed prints available: one 8”x10” four-color letterpress made exclusively for Cloudy Collection by Ed Emberley, and the other is a set of fifteen (plus one!) 4”x6” four-color screen prints by Ed Emberley, his daughter Rebecca Emberley, S. Britt, Tad Carpenter, Maura Cluthe, Becky Dreistadt, Bob Flynn, Meg Hunt, David Huyck, John Martz, Caleb Neelon, ;Heather Ross, Souther Salazar, Bwana Spoons, and Nate Wragg.

A portion of the sales of these prints will go to Heifer International, providing reliable sources of food to women and families in developing nations, and to the Central Asia Institute, which provides books and literacy and educational opportunities to girls and women in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Get one or the other or both sets right now at Cloudy Collection!

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By: Kelly Fineman, on 3/23/2011
Blog: Writing and Ruminating (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  news, fineman, charities, Add a tag

The Kidlit 4 Japan auctions continue apace. Today's new offerings include a collection of signed books and a Skype visit Kate Messner and a signed book and critique from Becky Levine, as well as a number of other items.

The first auction, my friend Anne Marie Pace's offering of a signed book plus a critique, closes at 9 a.m. ET tomorrow. The auction for signed first editions of Jo Knowles's books closes at 11 a.m. ET tomorrow. Debbi Michiko Florence is auctioning off two copies of her Japan book - though it might be hard to outbid her husband for one of the copies - he's in with $100. What a mensch Bob is! Her auction, like mine, closes on Friday. (I'm offering up poetry critiques, which may include picture book critiques - I am pleased to see three bids for the two critiques. Of course, it would be nice to see more - hint hint.)

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By: Brimful Curiosities, on 12/22/2010
Blog: Brimful Curiosities (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags:  Gifts, Christmas, Charities, Zonderkidz, Lands' End, Children's Books, Holidays, Add a tag

'Tis better to give than to receive. Have you taken the opportunity to give in some way this holiday season? Earlier this month I received an exciting email from Lands’ End. They offered my family the amazing opportunity to participate their Share the Joy program. We received a $100 gift card with the instructions to use it to "Share the Joy" and help those in need through charities and activities of our choice.

Throughout the year both my husband and I give of of our time and talents by volunteering with various organizations. We also give monetarily. But, up to this point, we really haven't discussed in detail with our children what it means to give - to share the joy. This year we involved them directly in the giving this holiday season.

As a family, we decided to use our gift card and share the joy locally by giving to a charity and sharing the joy with an individual. I obtained a wish list of items from our local violence safe program that helps provide assistance to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. My family went on a shopping trip together and bought several items off the wish list including diapers, toothbrushes and soap. My daughter spent quite a bit of time picking out a nice hairbrush. It was a wonderful bonding experience and a great way to help the kids think of others instead of themselves. The other half of the money we decided to share with a neighbor who recently lost her husband to cancer. Holidays can be so hard for those that have experienced the death of someone close, and we wanted to let her know that we are still thinking of her. We hope she enjoys "Sharing the Joy" in some way in memory of her husband. We made an angel card to accompany the gift card using this Candy Cane Angel Template.

Lands' End has a tradition of also giving a few of their employees the chance to Share the Joy. You can read about it on the Lands' End Facebook Page.

Thanks so much to Lands' End for this opportunity. I grew up near Lands' End headquarters in Wisconsin and can personally attest as to how much the company does for their community. They have a long legacy of giving. I also full-heartedly recommend their products because I know they strive for quality and everything comes with a full guarantee.


❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖

As far as reading about giving, this Christmas we found a Zonderkidz book titled,

Love the Livewire kids. I was chatting with some kids online, on Friday. The kids are fantastic. Their thoughts  really moved me:-

My best friend said that life sucks sometimes, but it’s amazing other times. You’ve got to live the moment.

The friend has died, but she inspired so many kids and parents to celebrate everyday.

Livewire  is a free and safe online peer support program connecting socially isolated kids affected by a serious illness, chronic condition or disability. 

It’s for kids who have serious illness or where they have an ill brother or sister.

It’s for parents and carers of ill kids to connect, talk and support each other.

 I was invited as a guest author. We chatted about my books ‘Butterflies’ and ‘That’s Why I Wrote This Song’, my JACK books and about them. A lot of the kids said that they love reading.

Livewire.org.au is an initiative of the Starlight Children’s Foundation and is supported by Optus and initially funded by the Australian Government.

If you want to know more about Livewire email: [email protected]

Master of Ceremonies Chris Taylor comedian and co writer of The Chaser’s hosted a celebratory night – with Indian girls dancing, henna artists decorating hands, sparkly bangles, hundreds of people celebrate and raise funds at the Big Night Out dinner -the opening of the BANYAN School, in Bangalore India.

The BANYAN School gives 150 kids from the granite quarries a chance – education, a medical clinic and outreach to surrounding villages and quarries.

It’s been 6 years – driven by Clary Castrission, who went to the quarries 6 years ago. Just a handful of university students and support of young volunteers and the Australian community - they have built BANYAN!!!!

The patron of 40K is Celebrity Chef Julie Goodwin who spoke passionately about the poverty, the kids in the quarries – kids who were like her own 3 children and deserve a chance for a future.

For more information:  Contact [email protected]

Website: www.40k.com.au

My husband dragged 9 Hefty bags full of clothes and boxes of old books to Good Will this weekend. We’re cleaning up and streamlining here! I have so many Empty Nester friends doing the same thing now, I’m sure there are many of you out there who are doing the same. Here’s a list I compiled of 5 legitimate National charities where you can take your stuff or have it picked up and get a tax credit for your donations.

We sorted piles of clothing to give away and now have immaculate, uncluttered closests

1. Good Will Industries – They take clean clothing, working electronics and toys with all the parts included. They do not want soiled clothes, broken items, anything unsafe or recalled or anything incomplete (like 1 mitten!)  83% of the money made is used to fund employment and training programs. I find that dropping off to Good Will is convenient and easy and there are locations all over the country.
2. Salvation Army - This charity provides help to adults through their Adult Rehab Centers, striving to make those who use them totally self sufficient. They will gladly take furniture in good condition, clothing, books, household items, electronics and more, all in good condition. Their stores are really a great place to shop too, which is another way to support this excellent charity.
3. Habitat for Humanity – Other than donating cash or your volunteer time to build homes, this charity has “Restores” that sell building materials as well as furniture and other home improvement items. So if you have any extra wood, tools, furniture, lighting or decorative items, this is a great place to donate. We gave an unused giant tub of high quality house paint (almost 5 gallons) one year. It was enough paint  for the exterior of a small house.
4. AMVETS – Supporting American Veterans, Amvets is a great choice for donations, because they will come to your house to pick up your donated clothing and household items. They sell these in their thrift stores and use the proceeds to help veterans receive benefits, provide educational scholarships and much more.
5. Vietnam Vets of America – They too have a pick-up program. You can schedule the pick up online. They take clothing, household goods, books, shoes and appliances.

There are many great local charities in every community as well. Check local churches, women’s organizations, animal shelters and more. Don’t forget our troops too.

For me, there’s no better feeling than to see my old stuff heading out the door. It means that I will have a less cluttered house and a less cluttered life. And there’s someone out there who can really use my stuff. It’s a Win/Win situation all the way around!

Have fun cleaning, and feel good about donating!

The Pacific Calling Delegation is leaving after a total imemrsion in Kiribati culture – with awareness of serious education, sanitation, crowding, climate change problems – but also with friendships, awareness of the volunteer Australians in Kiribati working with the people in everything from the courts to schools, libraries, climate, programmes to sustain the islands.

We are supportive of  Kiribati youth teams reaching outer islands to take the message of climate change to their people, the articulate President and Vice President who are calling for the world to help their islands being impacted by climate change, a beautiful culture of singing and community …. there’s so much there.

The voices of the peope of Kiribati have deeply powerful harmonies. Their songs make modern music feel thin. The youth service on Sunday was in their cathedral which is a massive church with open walls to the air and breeze can wft through - it’s hot on the equator.

Their traditional dancing is stylized, fast, beating, theatre with huge casts of strong, beautiful young people. The dancing and singing involves the whole community and is not for tourism. It’s part of their lives.

Our sturdy boat lost its top on the crash and crunch trip from Tarawa Island to Abaiang – highlights include:-

-my toe sliced and deciding to hang my leg over the side into the water

- Good news – no sharks were attracted to the trail of blood

- The Pacific Calling Partnership delegation all survived the 3 hours trip.

Abaiang has a wonderful Catholic school and old limestone church in the centre. However we focussed on the southern side with white sands, thatched huts, coconut trees and village hospitality.

The village elder told us about the sea flooding the taro plots and threats to housing and food supplies with warming climate and rising seas.

They prepared a feast in their mwaneaba meeting place. They cooked octopus – just caught in the sea – not my favourite dish. Kids played around us, the sea was blue, the palms green … and these villagers want to stay in their village.

Kiribati is low lying and vulnerable.

The children are beautiful, warm, laughing and school is valued. Most live in basic island accommodation with the  mwaneaba – community meeting area – where there’s eating, gathering, praying, sharing,  under a canopy of woven palms.

 The main island of Tarawa is densely populated with the ocean on one side and lagoons on the other. The other islands are sparsely populated, but all islands and peoples face serious issues of:-

safe water supply, sanitation, sea water rising with climate change.

 I’m here with the Pacific Calling Partnership to find out more about these low lying islands and take the message back that these islands with their people are at serious risk.

 

It’s a Pacific Calling Delegation including Patrick Dodson father of reconcilation, Phil Glendenning human rights advocate and Director of the Edmund Rice Centre, Tom Zubrycki award winning film maker - www.tomzubrycki.com. 

The world is so small – apologies for cliche – Tom met my cousin Ruth Balint (also a documentary film maker) for coffee a few days ago.

Our delegation shared dinner last night in preparation to start our 8 day mission on Monday.

My purpose: As a kids and YA author who writes to gives choices to young people, and as an ambassador for Room to Read bringing literacy to kids in the developing world, I’m on a fact finding mission.

I’ll try to report from Kiribati.

Deborah Abela gave a vivacious reading of John Wood’s kids’ book - Zac the Yak.

Zac the Yak is sending the message from Room to Read  that kids in the developing world need books and the right to read. That’s the way to end poverty and change the world.

Tristan Banks gave a terrific speech about all the ways we can help Room to Read from joining their City to Surf team to joining the charity ball ….

Illustrator Gus Gordon joined in and there were lots of other authors and supporters. Even though I was a little late due to Sydney Harbour Bridge traffic, I made it for the speeches. It was a great night.

"We don't have to feel helpless. We can help. Our small actions together will ripple outward." - http://ripplesketches.blogspot.com/

Last night I learned about a wonderful blog called Ripple where artists donate small sketches/illustrations and others purchase the artwork by donating money to one of two different organizations that provide assistance to animals devastated by the oil disaster in the Gulf (The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center). Illustrator Kelly Light, upset at the news of the Deep Water Horizon Gulf Oil Spill, started the Ripple blog and thanks to the generosity of the participating artists and donors, the effort has raised an impressive total of over $7000 so far for the non-profits.

If you are a children's book lover, be sure to check out the Ripple this month. Several "Great American Illustrators" have donated sketches including Mo Willems, Aaron Zenz and many others. Help those ripples continue to spread each day and turn into a great tide!

The beautiful people of Kiribati are threatened by the seas. These 32 atolls are around the Equator, formerly known as the Gilbert Islands. First sighted by British Captain Gilbert in 1788.

I’m part of a delegation that is an initiative of the Edmund Rice Centre, that works in partnership with the low lying Pacific Island countries to find a global solution for a sustainable future.

We’re leaving Sydney on 30 August for a week and visit communities on the islands of Tarawa and Abaiong. We will meet the President Anote Tong and the Australian High Commissioner, visiting schools and kids.

I hope to extend friendship and support.

Melina Marchetta, Tristan Bancks and me, Susanne Gervay,  as patrons of Room to Read invite you to celebrate Room to Read’s 10,000th library and its 10th year of operation.

It’s FREE  FUN & FABULOUS!!!!!!!

Where? The NSW State Library, Macquareie Street Sydney

When?  10 am-12 p.m. 23 June

Cost:  Free entry, donation encouraged.

How to book: For an official invite, contact Pam Cook [email protected].

Room to Read raises funds to support girls’ education, the establishment of school libraries and printing of books in home language in developing countries. www.roomtoread.org

Bringing literacy to the kids of the developing world.

So far Room to Read is working with kids and communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Zambia.

- has reached more than 3000 million kids

- aims to reach 10 million children by 2015

- gives scholarships to girls in remote and poor areas

Have a Great Time & Join Us Celebrating

the 10th Year of Room to Read

Relay for Life in beautiful Centennial Parklands -www.relayforlife.org.au

24 hours dedicated to survivors, carers, memories for those touched by cancer

Walking with family & friends in the candlelight HOPE Ceremony.

Snuggling in cold tents, warm hearts, with kids dancing, musicians playing from Bondi Lifesavers, Celebrity chefs,school kids, the Woollahra Masonic Lodge, the Cancer Council daffodil choir, the local Councils, NIDA and the community coming together.

I spoke at the Survivors Morning Tea - about transforming cancer to HOPE.

We utilize our own public library nearly every single week. We check out primarily children's materials, but both my husband and I also check out books when we find the time. He listens to audio books, and I like to read Christian and other fiction. We've also attended several library programs. So when I learned about this week's 2010 Library-Loving Blog Challenge, I knew I wanted to participate.

For every commenter on this post between now and Saturday, March 27, at noon CST, I will donate 50 cents to our local library here in Wisconsin up to the first 100 comments ($50 total). Our public library is hoping to expand in the near future, and I'm sure the library will be appreciative of the donation and all your comments.

In case you're interested here's a little information about the Wisconsin Public Library System:
Wisconsin has a large and expansive library system comprising of seventeen public library systems with nearly 400 public libraries. According to the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries, "Wisconsin public libraries serve a total state population of 5.6 million and in the past 10 years, library visits have grown by 28 percent."

Please note that my pledge is “per commenter”—so if a single person leaves 50 comments, that still only counts once! But you can do more by spreading the word … please link to this post, tweet about it, and send your friends here so they can comment and raise more money. If you’re moved to make a flat-fee donation to your library, or to start your own challenge, please take a moment to do so. Every bit counts!

For a complete list of participating bloggers (and to visit other sites where you can help libraries just by leaving a comment!) visit the writerjenn blog at http://writerjenn.livejournal.com/

Thankyou to Sujata and husband for their hospitality in their home and a fabulous Indian dinner. The white marble floors keep their house cool and beautiful. I loved the Ganesha Hindu Elephant Gods in her home. The God of wisdom and success.

Love Sujata’s  book, ‘The Warp & the Weft’ a collection of short stories published by Srishti India. Meenakshi Bharat, Professor of Literature University of Delhi wrote – Sankranti’s stories are ‘a celebration of the complexities of human existance.’

Sharon Rundle Writer and Editor Australia wrote, ‘they are an absolute delight to read.’ I agree. Sujata will be in Australia for the launch of ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’ on 21st March at the Hughenden in Sydney.

Sujata is softly spoken, a lecturer at the Unievrsity of Delhi, and a Princess of Serala. Today her palace is a State Heritage Site, but she was born there. She’s happy that people can visit it and see her heritage and the Indian heritage.