Friday, November 30, 2007

Brighten A Soldier’s Day!

When our children were very young, my husband and I decided that one of the many things we wanted to teach them was the importance of giving back to the community. While we try to do this year-round, we always make sure to do it during the holiday season. Some years we donate items to a local charity. Some years we choose a child from the 'Angel Tree' to purchase gifts for. Some years we simply volunteer our time.

This year we decided to send some care packages (personal hygiene items, snacks, etc.) to deployed soldiers. I found numerous organizations that can assist in doing this. After visiting many different websites (and researching them to make sure they were legit!), I choose to use AnySolider.com

If you’re interested in brightening a soldier’s day, click HERE to visit AnySolider.com. At their website, you’ll find a HUGE list of units to choose from and requested items from those units. And if you’re short on funds and unable to send a care package, send a letter. Unfortunately, there are many soldiers who get very little mail, or no mail at all. A letter from someone letting them know that they are appreciated will put a smile on their face.


And finally, since I can see this coming….for anyone who feels the need to tell me that they don’t support the US involvement in Iraq (or anywhere else)--please don’t. I’m not saying I do or don’t support it, but I always support our troops and am very grateful for the sacrifices that our soldiers make.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

I've Been Absent

I fully intended to blog every day this past week, but life got in the way :(

My kids got the entire week out of school for Thanksgiving and Hubby took the week off work. So with the holiday activities and everyone being home all week, I got very little accomplished, and I had to spend this week playing catch-up. But, thankfully things have settled down and are returning to normal.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving!

November Contest Winner

I received 64 entries for my November contest. Thank you to everyone who participated!

I had my husband draw a name out of the hat, and the winner is...Melissa K. from Rhode Island. Melissa won a $10 gift card to Barnes & Noble (her choice from either Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or Borders Books).

Congrats, Melissa!

Please remember to check my website and blog the beginning of December for information about my next contest.

Winners of Raven Halloween Hunt and Amy’s Halloween Blog Party

I just realized that I never officially announced the winners of the Halloween activities that I participated. They were...

Raven Halloween Hunt:
Angela L. from Massachusetts won an 8-oz bottle of White Jasmine Body Lotion, and I tossed some Dove chocolate into the package too :)

Amy's Halloween Blog Party:
Pam K. from Alabama won a download of my novella, Finding Passion.

Congrats, ladies! I hope you're enjoying your prizes.

Thanks so much to Amy S. and to The Raven Blog (run by authors Michelle Pillow and Mandy Roth) for allowing me the opportunity to participate in these fun events!

Thursday, November 01, 2007

November Contest (expires 11/20/07)--Win A Gift Card!

The winner of my November contest will receive a $10 gift card to either Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or Borders Books (winner’s choice).

The contest will run through November 20th, 2007.

Click HERE to visit my website for all the details of how to enter (it's simple, I promise!).

Good luck!