[Summit] Fw: Pay it Forward Books for Billy Taylor Park

Sun Jun 22 18:21:20 UTC 2014

I think some people are really overreacting to this - and are
not taking the "big picture" into account.  The bottom line is
that kids are receiving much needed books through this effort.
And someone has to pay the cost for them.  The author has
apparently, been
 giving many away himself, but can't afford
to give to all that might benefit.  So, donations are sought.
If the author gets a (probably small) payment, he has been
putting his time and effort into the distribution effort, just as
would a (paid) non-profit staff person. This is not a "get-rich" 
scheme - it is a charitable project to help children.  Instead of complaining, folks should either applaud the effort, contribute 
to it - or put their energy into their own ways to help others.   
(And, with all the evil in
 the world, there is no lack of things 
that deserve complaint).

Blessings,
Liberty G

On Saturday, June 21, 2014 11:49 PM, Geoff Griffin <ggriffin at gordonschool.org> wrote:

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>Sorry, meant to add URLs:
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>http://booksarewings.org/wordpress1/
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>http://www.rorri.org/
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>On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 11:48 PM, Geoff Griffin <ggriffin at gordonschool.org> wrote:
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>Thank you for providing the perspective, Ellen.
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>>
>>Books are WIngs is a great, busy organization that accepts both cash and book donations.
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>>Reach Out and Read RI is similarly awesome, accepting cash though I am not sure about books.
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>>Both of these programs distribute tens of thousands of books directly to Rhode Island children.
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>>And no! I don't work for either of them, nor do they purchase or promote a book my boss wrote :-)
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>>distributes thousand
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>>On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 8:52 PM, Robert Mathiesen <rmath13 at gmail.com> wrote:
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>>Thank you for this, Ellen!  --  Bob M
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>>>On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 6:34 PM, Ellen House <elnhouse at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>I wonder whether my neighbors on the Summit Neighborhood list are aware of the huge economic disparities between the Mount Hope Neighborhood and the area that surrounds it, of which Summit is a part. The Billy Taylor Park is a park on Camp Street. Many (probably most) of the children who visit this park are growing up in poverty. 
>>>>
>>>>I am a teacher at Hope High School. Hope has very few students from the East Side who live outside of the Mount Hope Neighborhood. You probably could count our students who live on the rest of the East Side on the fingers of one hand, but we have many students from Mount Hope. About 90% of our students live in poverty (as measured by qualifying for free lunch in the federal program); most of our students have not had the exposure to opportunities that many of us take for granted. The urban education problems and its disparities of opportunity between socio-economic groups within the US are demonstrated right here in this small part of one city. 
>>>>
>>>>One thing that makes a huge difference for impoverished children is being read to. There is much research in education that validates the importance of reading to children and giving them rich language experiences. There is also much research showing that poverty in language environment, low socio-economic status, and difficulty in school all go hand in hand. (If you would like to see the research, I can point you in its direction on request.) While I don't know of any specific research about story telling, my guess is that hearing a story teller spin a tale contributes greatly to children's language experiences. Hearing a story and then being given the book to read and re-read and maybe find another child to read it to or an adult to read it aloud is powerful!
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>>>>This is the type of project that can make a difference in children's lives. I feel we should strongly support this project and others that try to make a difference for the children of Mount Hope. The people who organize and carry out such projects should not be denigrated but respected and praised as they are performing a service to others. I am certain they are not getting wealthy from doing this. Perhaps the Summit Neighborhood should organize a list of people and organizations working to enrich the lives of children in their neighboring area and find ways to help them.
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>>>>If you don't want to buy Cinderella Spinderella, buy another book, give it to a Providence teacher and ask that it be given to a child who is otherwise likely to not own a book or find some other way to help the children of Providence living in poverty. But, PLEASE do not complain about someone trying to help these children!
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>>>>Sorry this is so long. I'm rather passionate about this issue.
>>>>
>>>>Ellen
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>>>>On Sat, Jun 21, 2014 at 9:31 AM, Greg Gerritt <gerritt at mindspring.com> wrote:
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>>>>I admit I was surprised by some of the reactions.  To me it was a
>>>>>legitimate charitable event that is fine on this list.  Greg gerritt
>>>>>Administrator  Environment Council of RI Education Fund (a 501c3
>>>>>corporation) and student of non profit management
>>>>>
>>>>>On 6/21/14 8:48 AM, "Beth Hellman" <beth at storyamonth.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>Hi all,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I had replied to Kim off the list, not realizing that her reply went out
>>>>>>to everyone. (I'm on the digest version)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I'm a bit at a loss to understand how this project is disingenuous or not
>>>>>>"giving."
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Are we non-profit 501c3? No, but we are partnering with one. Also, as I
>>>>>>pointed out to Kim, we are paying taxes on any income received.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>We're trying to raise funds to donate copies of Cinderella Spinderella to
>>>>>>young people in Mt. Hope.
>>>>>>That's why I sent it to the Summit list.
>>>>>>Are we going to be giving books? Yes? Are we using our time and resources
>>>>>>to do so? Yes.
>>>>>>Is this a Kickstarter? No. As  the contributions come in, the books will
>>>>>>be given out.
>>>>>>On his own, my boss frequently contributes time, money and books to local
>>>>>>organizations.
>>>>>>But we can't afford to give books to every child at an event.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If you'd like to donate, please do so. If not, I'd appreciate it if you'd
>>>>>>not disparage our project.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>If you have questions, please email me directly and I'll be glad to
>>>>>>answer them.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Beth Hellman
>>>>>>beth at storyamonth.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>>http://sna.providence.ri.us/mailman/listinfo/summit_sna.providence.ri.us
>>>>>>SNA Website: http://sna.providence.ri.us/
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>Summit mailing list
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>>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>
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>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>-- 
>>
>>Geoff Griffin 
>>www.gordonschool.org
>
>
>
>-- 
>
>Geoff Griffin 
>www.gordonschool.org
>
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