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Writer's pictureCynthia Brian

Summer Picnics and Reading

Summer is for Reading

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Miracle Moment®

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read.” Groucho Marx


A Message from Cynthia Brian, Founder/Executive Director

Are you one of the 20% of adults in the United States who read more than a dozen books annually? I fall into that category, but, of course, I have also been producing and hosting a weekly live radio broadcast (Https:///www.StarStyleRadio.com)

regularly featuring authors. It’s my privilege and responsibility to read the book that will be discussed on air. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on those marvelous books that you’ve been meaning to read. Swing in a hammock, spread a blanket on the beach, or enjoy a picnic in a park. Just remember to BYOB…bring your own book.

Books are essential tools to increase our awareness of the world, instigate crucial conversations, ignite our imaginations, and offer us an escape from stress and worries. Reading is fun.


You might have read “the book is dead”? The reality is that people are reading and here at Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity we strive to constantly encourage you to read more. According to the Pew Research Center in 2017, 24% of people in the USA did not read a book that year. But that means that 76% of Americans DID read a book. Independent booksellers have actually seen an increase in sales every year since 2013. Whatever your interest, there is a book for you. Check out our BTSYA bookstore on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity)or buy one of our award winning books at book website (http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store) with proceeds benefitting BTSYA. If you are looking for great reads for your kids, check out our literacy partner, The Reading Tub for over 3000 reviews to help you choose the perfect book. https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/


And if you can’t find a book you love, why don’t you write it? We can help you with that too!


Fly the red, white, and blue on July 4thand remember that our freedom is never free. I’m proud to be an American.

Happy Independence Day!


Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org


DONATED BOOKS TO CAMP FOR FOSTER KIDS

Books are the gifts that keep on giving. They are a treasure that can be cherished for lifetime and passed to the next generation. Be the Star You Are!® just donated cases of brand new books to a Northern California Camp for Foster Kids. Many of these children, ages 7-16 who are wards of the state have no belongings. Most had to leave their homes with nothing. Some have never owned a personal book or received a gift. Now with our help, each child attending the camp will receive the gift of beautiful book in their backpack this summer. BTSYA is spreading joy to kids!

We want to be able to continue to give to those in need and we need your help to do this. Please make a donation to Be the Star You Are!® either via PAYPAL GIVING FUND with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES:

https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504or by check to BTSYA, PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556.


SUMMER READING WITH REVIEWS BY BTSYA VOLUNTEERS

The Reading Tub is a literacy partner of Be the Star You Are!® where you can find over 3000 honest reviews of books for kids and teens. Check out their beautiful website and read the books reviews by our BTSYA volunteers. Excellent resource for parents, teachers, librarians. Enjoy your summer. Read a book!  https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/


JULY WAS MADE FOR PICNICS

By: Karen Kitchel

Try to remember your favorite picnic. Maybe it was the perfectly grilled hot dogs, the challenging bocce ball game, or that cold drink while sitting in a lawn chair doing absolutely nothing.

“A picnic is a meal taken outdoors as part of an excursion – ideally in scenic surroundings” says Wikipedia. Maybe your favorite picnic was in your backyard with little kids shouting for joy, or perhaps it was just you enjoying the view of your newly planted geraniums while sipping a glass of chardonnay.

I treasure the memories of when our kids were young. We headed to a nearby lake early each 4thof July to stake out our spot for the day. We laugh remembering the time we brought fried chicken, potato salad and baked beans but forgot the silverware. And my favorite game was tossing a big beach ball,which soon became an invitation for others to join us.

Make a memory this month – have a picnic!

Contributed by volunteer Karen Kitchel who is passionate about scattering kindness. Currently she serves meals to the homeless, is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. She wrote the chapter, The Gift of Adoption, in our book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and she continues to volunteer as a contributor to our newsletter. www.scatteringkindness.com


DISCOUNTS & MORE

We appreciate a direct donation most of all via PAYPAL GIVING FUND at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


Checks can be sent to PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556

There are other easy ways that assist our mission and don’t cost you a dime!

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

4. Use GoodSearch to search the web & buy from your favorite stores. Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too!http://www.goodsearch.com/goodto-go/be-the-star-you-are

5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVEhttp://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

6. BTSYA Logo Storehttp://btsya.rylees.net

7. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 3300+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA: https://givingassistant.org/np - be-the-star-you-are-inc

9. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” T-shirts and tanks $19.99 at StarStyle® Store: http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store

10. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundlehttp://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4


Direct Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®

Positive Results: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

About Us:http://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us

Programs: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs

How to Help: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

Blog: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog

Events: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events

Contact us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact

GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/

GUIDESTAR: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3333882


We invite you to volunteer, get involved, or make a donation. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES:  https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


Have a safe and happy summer!

Celebrate the 4th with a book!


Be the Star You Are! 501 c3, PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556.

Celebrating 20 years of stellar service to the world!

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org


All donations are 100% Tax Deductible according to law. Thank you!





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