Our world is so full of sorrow and sadness and violence and hate right now. It breaks my heart every time I hear of another act of senseless violence, or of the women and children who are cold and hungry. These things are not only happening around the world, but here, in our communities. There is child sex trafficking and child/spouse abuse and homelessness, and so many other things that happen around us. How can we help? What can we do?

I think it’s often easy to think on a grander scale – I need to join this and this cause to benefit those in a foreign country, or go on a mission trip, etc., etc. And these are all fantastic, worthwhile things to do, don’t get me wrong! But I often think that we overlook what we can be doing in our own communities. By helping in our own communities, we are able to bring our light to others around us. Simple things like helping a neighbor with yard work, or volunteering at the soup kitchen, will bring light. And I would then say that it will become a ripple effect, encouraging others to bring their light as well.

On September 17th, the women in my church are getting together to bring our own light to our community by holding a large service project. We are focusing on gathering things for a few different agencies around our town including Bright Tomorrows, Toys For Tots, Aid For Friends, and the Pediatric Unit at our local hospital. By gathering items such as books, hygiene kits, and clothing, we will be able to bless so many people close to home.

In order to collect books for this service project, I’ll be running a little fundraiser through my Usborne Books & More business. The two main collections I would like to buy are the Very First Reading Set and the Home Library Starter Collection. I also have my eye on the Beginners Adventure Collection, Beginners Animals Collection, Picture Books Gift Set, Phonics Box Set, Hey Jack! Collection, and Billie B. Brown Collection depending on the funds raised and availability. I would like to try to get books for all ages, as evidenced by the collections above.

Our conference goal is to collect 3800 books. That is a lot, but so doable.

Here are the ways you can help me raise donations, and meet my goal of raising at least $250 worth of books

1) Donate to my PayPal account using PayPay.me or by sending money to brittannyhanson(at)gmail(dot)com through the friends and family option. I guarantee that 100% of your donation will go towards books for our service project. Even a donation of a few dollars will help, so please don’t feel like your donation won’t be of much worth, it will!

OR

2) Pick our your own books to donate by browsing the website here, and checking out under the Bring Your Light Fundraiser e-show (email me for my address so you don’t have to pay for shipping twice).

OR

3) Pick out books you would like for your own family, order them (through the Bring Your Light Donation e-show, but using your own address) and I will use the hostess rewards to order even more books to donate.

I’m planning on placing this order August 24th, so please make all purchases and donations prior to that day, so I have time to order the books, and get them here in time for the service project in September. I’m really, really, really excited about this. I’m so passionate about reading, and I know we can make a difference in children’s lives by donating books to them. Don’t be afraid to get your friends and family to join in, too!

Let’s join together to get children the books they need – and deserve.