25 Days to Save the World
The power of a smart kid never fails to inspire and move me to new heights. Kids for whom doing the right thing—like helping others, being nice to peers and adults—is as normal in their daily routine as waking up and eating breakfast. Children Young souls generally see without the blinders of political or social institutions. They see each other and the world with open eyes, colorblind eyes, inclusive and welcome eyes. What a wonderful way to live. We should all take a lesson.
This is the way Laura Stockman lives her life, it would seem apparent from her blog and movement for giving. Laura is little in size, at just 10 years old (according to press clippings; I’m not sure if she’s 11 yet), but her goals are huge. She started a blog called 25 Days to Make a Difference after her grandfather fell ill, and later passed, in 2005. Two years later, she decided to do something to honor his spirit. She started giving to those who needed it. It was an infectious thing for her to do, giving her time and money (like, all of her allowance....I mean what little girl does that?); things quickly moved from being an activity to honor her grandfather’s memory to a movement of giving and generosity that is unheard of in most kids like Laura.
The challenge for visitors to her site, her friends and family and others who came into contact with Laura, was to donate to the charity of choice for the month. Some months have been geared toward helping animals, others for other kids. The 25 Days to Make a Difference concept is one that began with the launch of this mini-movement, where people give something every day the month of December until Christmas. Certainly, good ideas tend to take flight and soar higher than their originally intended goals. That’s exactly what’s happening with Laura’s site, and it’s thrilling to watch and be a part of.
Read her statement on her blog, which her mom, Angela, updates regularly:
RIGHT AFTER THIS FIRST CHALLENGE WAS OVER, I DECIDED TO TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ALL YEAR ROUND!!
I decided that I wanted to spend 2008 supporting smaller causes in my area that may not get as much attention or support as bigger ones do. I also wanted to pick causes that all of my readers could support as well, even if they lived very far away.
Each new challenge begins on the 1st of each month and ends on the 25th. My family and I use the last week of every month to get ready for the month ahead. I am raising funds for my chosen causes by recycling bottles that people donate to me. I am also doing a lot of service work as well all month long. I work closely with people from these organizations, and I get good ideas from them about how to help them best! More than anything else, I want to YOU to participate.
The individual who makes the most difference for my chosen cause each month will win a $20 donation to ANY CHARITY of his or her own choice!
The classroom, school, group, or organization who makes the most difference for my chosen cause each month will also win a $20 donation to ANY CHARITY of their choosing!
Make sure that you leave a comment or email me so that I know you are participating! If you have a family-friendly blog or website, I will also link back to you so that you get some more visitors!
I hope that this will encourage everyone to make a small difference with me throughout the year!
Love,
Laura
Posted by on 09/23 at 03:20 PM
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