(6PM Update Below – keep clicking and commenting on the links!)
You guys are the ones who make this blog, and if you are reading it in a place that’s warm and safe like I am we have so much to be thankful for.
You may have already heard of Heifer International, an organization that works to fight hunger by giving needy families around the world and in the United States livestock, training, or other assistance that helps improve their livelihood. Heifer has been recognized for its work in Fast Company and Forbes, among other places.
I know we’re going through tough economic times, but if you have anything to spare this holiday season I hope you’ll consider making a donation. And, in order to encourage people to spread the word, for every comment someone makes in this post between now and 5PM Pacific time, my wife and I will donate 50 cents $1.00*.
(*Up to $1,000, I’m on a publishing salary people)
And, better yet, if you want in on the fun you could do a per-comment pledge on your own blog and I’ll link to it in this post and encourage everyone to stop by so we can multiply the giving!
In your comment I hope you’ll list:
1. Your name
2. Where you’re from
3. A wish for 2010
4. (optional) A link to your own blog or website if you want to make a similar per-comment pledge (amounts totally up to you). Write a dedicated post on your blog for people to leave comments on your blog and link to Heifer and state your pledge. I will update the post throughout the day with links to other participating blogs.
Thanks again for a wonderful 2009! I’ll be closing comments on the blog between 5pm this evening and Monday as I spend time with my family, and will be back with some reruns from yesteryear on the 28th.
Also spreading cheer with their own per-comment donations (please make sure to click through and leave comments!):
Amanda Plavich
Anna’s Got an Attitude
Where’s My Whiteout?
Single Mom Seeks Sane
Muse Ink
Matt Heppe
Anvil of Tears
John Ochwat
Jennifer R. Hubbard
Kathryn Jankowski
Robin Mullet
Ink Spells
Phoebe Kitanidis
Regan Leigh
Jeri Smith-Ready
Moira Young
Mother Wouldn’t Lie
Houndrat
Linda Godfrey
So Many Dreams
The Book Designer
Irene Rawlins
Patrick Rothfuss
6PM Update: WOW!! All I can say is THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who participated in our inaugural charity drive. Thanks to you, this is the total donation for this blog ($1 x close enough to 1,000 comments = ……):
And according to my calculations, if the other blogging participants reach their comment pledge goals it will mean another $1,250-$1,500+ for needy families. That’s what I call multiplying! But that will only happen if you keep commenting on those blogs. Many of the participants above have extended their deadlines, so if you’re just arriving click those links above and comment!
This has been a fantastic experience, but it’s just the beginning: next year we’ll really blow it out (and hold it at a time when more people are on the Internets). THANK YOU again to everyone. All comments from here on out will be held for moderation (and not generally looked at) as I’m away with my family, but will be back on Monday. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Rick Daley says
You're sitting on a goldmine of positive karma. We need to clone you.
Emerging Writer says
Merry Christmas and all those other lovely December festival greetings from Kate from Ireland. I bought my kids a pig and some chicks from Oxfam for Christmas. Great idea. My wish for 2010 is to get a job.
Alison says
What a wonderful idea! Count me in–Alison from Texas. Heifer International is a great organization.
My personal wish for 2010 is to sell my house before January is out…and sell a book!
Jaime says
Jaime in NYC!
stephest says
1. Stephanie Estrada
2. Miami, FL
3. For 2010, I wish to find the closest thing to pure happiness 🙂
Mary Ann Scott says
This is a fabulous organization! Merry Christmas from Leesburg, GA!
kmari03 says
What a nice idea. Thank you!
Kira
Atlanta, GA
holiday wish: i'm in the "never share your wish" camp! 🙂
Sandy Shin says
I'm Sandy from Texas, and my wish for 2010 is to survive the next year and get into a medical school. :>
Happy Holidays!
lgburns says
"Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; you have fed him for a lifetime."
Happy Holidays!
azang says
What a wonderful thing you're doing. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
Robin Mullet says
Hi Robin from Ohio again – I forgot, I will give a beehive if I get thirty-five comments! https://robinmullet.wordpres.com
Anonymous says
Merry christmas from Ireland! Hope the situation will get better over here in the south in 20101
Talia Vance says
I'm Talia from Sacramento. My wish is that everyone finds their Happily Ever After.
Susan Quinn says
Nathan, you rock. We've bought chickens and goats through Heifer before, and I can attest to the great connection this makes for kids to charity.
I heart Michelle's idea of buying a stuffed animal to put under the tree, to remind the kiddies about the help they've given to a family far away!
1. Susan Quinn
2. Chicago-land area
3. That perspective will be permanently implanted in my brain, so that even when things are difficult, I will remember all the blessings that I have.
4. I'm joining your drive! I will match comments with $1 donations up to $150 (a llama!): http://www.ink-spells.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
Heifer is a wonderful organization and you have made a generous pledge! We are fortunate to life near one of their farms and love visiting there.
Erinn says
Happy holidays from snowy Maryland.
Nathan this is great, it's just like the project for awesome on youtube from last weekend.
This is a great charity and if I didn't already give $900 to charitywater I would donate here.
I wish everyone success in their writing and life.
Happy holidays
https://benicetoastranger.blogspot.com/ <— this is my personal project for the month of December. I"m nice to a stranger every day and I blog about it. It's been an eye opening experience.
https://somethingelsetodistractme.blogspot.com/<– this is my snarky blog.
Rick Chesler says
Aloha all, here's my entry from Honolulu, Hawaii. Best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous 2010.
carolynyalin says
Season's Greeting from Carolyn in Colorado!
I got my simple wish, a white Christmas just like the ones I grew up with in Canada!! (It's been snowing since last night and won't stop until tomorrow).
Happy Holidays.
Anonymous says
JD Lester
Lexington, KY
That human needs will one day be exceeded by human compassion and problem-solving ingenuity.
Thanks for doing this. Wish I had a blog to help.
Happy holidays, everyone! -JD
Brian says
This is a wonderful thing you're doing, Nathan. May you have a joyful New Year.
1. Brian Spadora
2. Jersey City, NJ
3. My wish for 2009 is for my children, and all children, to be happy and healthy. I wouldn't mind if I finished my book and sold, either.
hollywoodclown says
Jason Lassen from Los Angeles California.
I wish for the economy to get better and to get people back to work. As for myself, of course I wish to get a Lit agent and a published book under my belt. And thanks to all your information on this blog Nathan, I'm sure it'll happen.
Unfortunately, I can not do a donation per comment on my own blog -https://hollywoodclown.wordpress.com
I'm on an Actor/Writer budget, did I mention a wish for more work? My comment here will have to be my donation.
Thanks to you and your wife for making it possible.
Happy Holidays and here's to 2010!
Katharine O'Moore-Klopf says
I'm Katharine O'Moore-Klopf, a freelance copyeditor from East Setauket (midway out on the north shore of Long Island), New York. Here's wishing that 2010 brings (1) a complete recovery from the recession and (2) reworked mortages for those in danger of losing their homes, so that they can once again afford to pay for them.
Heifer International is a wonderful program.
Jeanne says
Thanks for a moo-ving me.
Jen Dutton from Northeast Ohio who wishes for Peace on Earth.
Snarky Agent-man says
Name: Snarky Agent-man
Origin: Mordor
Wish: that generous people like you and your bloggees continue to support programs like Heifer International, charity:water, Habitat for Humanity, and other "charities" that don't just give, but teach and empower.
Also, an iTablet, aka a big ol' iphone screen.
Andrea says
Merry Christmas!
Lisa Schroeder says
This is great of you, Nathan.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
Alexis Grant says
Happy Holidays!
I'm Lexi from upstate New York. I wish for a healthy year for my family and friends.
:)Ash says
1. Ashley
2. Louisville
3. My wish is to work on revisions for the two novels I've written, and work up the courage to query agents. I now have a great critique group, so I know they'll help me stay motivated, and provide the encouragement I need to make my wish come true.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYONE!
aurora M. says
This ones for you! Happy Holidays 🙂
Ada says
Ada from northeastern Minnesota wishing for a finished novel and more career development and less deadend jobs in 2010. Also, a solution we can all agree on for climate change.
cttiger says
Heifer Int'l is a great organization. I donate in "honour" of each of my nieces every year.
It's so nice of you to donate on behalf of the rest of us who enjoy your blog.
Best wishes for a happy holiday!
lloveland says
1.Lori
2. New York
3. For 2010 I hope to make the world better by promoting diversity education in upstate NY while connecting students to schools in Ghana where we will be promoting literacy :).
I LOVE Heifer international! Thank you for this, wishing you a wonderful Christmas.
Emilia Joyce Plater says
1. Emilia
2. PA
3. A whirlwind of fun, success, and friends!
David Kubicek says
Happy holidays from the Kubiceks in Lincoln, Nebraska, where we're preparing for a Christmas Eve blizzard that could dump up to a foot of snow by Saturday.
My wish for the new year is that the economy improves greatly.
Melanie Avila says
What a generous thing to do!
I used to be "Melanie from Michigan" but now I'm "Melanie from Mexico." And I'm in Michigan for the holidays.
My wish for 2010 is for things — even one thing — to get better. I'm not picky which thing.
kris says
Kris from snowy upstate NY, here to help drive the total higher. What a fabulous way to celebrate the season. My wish is that your spirit of giving be extended to all of us.
Phoebe Kitanidis says
Phoebe Kitanidis from Seattle. My 2010 wish is for true national health care reform.
This is a brilliant idea! I'm totally copying.
https://phoebe-k.livejournal.com/100018.html
Sandra says
How generous of you, Nathan!
I'm Sandra Almazan from the Chicago area. May we all have writing success in 2010!
Anita3 says
Hello,
My name is Anita Mann from Atlanta Ga.
I don't make wishes. (My philosophy) If you want something to happen, make it happen.
I have a percentage deducted from my salary for charity. I have Heifer International listed as one of those charities. I've been giving to them every month for the past few years.
(For the people that wish for a book deal)
If you write a great book and a damn good query, you'll get published. (Make it happen)
Great idea Nathan. I only read your blogs. I don't post comments. I just like to laugh at everyone else comments.(smile)
Happy Holiday's
A.L. Bawden~ Author says
What a wonderful thing to do! Merry Christmas 🙂 I wish every one a Happy Holiday.
A.L. Bawden, in Utah.
Alana, Author of Domestically Challenged says
What a great idea – thanks for working to make a difference!
Alana Morales
My 2010 wish is to finish and land agent for my second non-fic book and take my platform building to the next level.
Happy Holidays!
http://www.dctheblog.com
Bec says
Hi. I'm Bec from Australia, currently enjoying the heat (:
Like others my selfish wish for 2010 is to be published. My other wish is for everybody in the world to have enough food. Thanks for all the blogging over the year Nathan – I stop in every day and love every entry!Have a good xmas everyone!
Regan Leigh says
Regan Leigh
Atlanta, Ga
To continue improving as a writer and to stop procrastinating life. 😀
I like this game. 🙂 I'm late, but I'm in!
http://www.reganleigh.com
Leave a comment and I'll donate 50 cents!
Denise Jaden says
I'm Denise from Vancouver. My wish for 2010…more of the same. I'm pretty thankful.
Anonymous says
Sarah from UT, here. Merry Christmas to everyone.
This is a fantastic idea, Nathan. Thanks for doing it.
This next year my goal is to complete my novel (editing now!) and send off queries to find an agent.
Jeri says
Hi! I'm Jeri Smith-Ready from Maryland, one of Ginger Clark's clients. My sincerest wish for the New Year is that this country use environmental initiatives to provide jobs and prosperity, instead of looking at it as an either/or proposition. And for myself, more (quality) chocolate.
I joined the Blog Challenge here, and mine runs through 5PM Eastern Wednesday, December 30.
Q says
Q, wishing for a full comment box for this excellent charity!
Terry Towery says
Good on you, Nathan! This is Terry from Peoria, IL and my wish for 2010 is for one really good thing to happen to everyone who comments on this thread!
Merry Christmas.
Anne-Marie says
1. Anne-Marie
2. Toronto
3. Selfish: finish the latest novel, get agent, get published
4. Wish for America: decent health care
5. Wish for the world: Peace and happiness for all
Is that too tall an order? (especially #3, which I would trade in for #4 and #5)
nathan, what a lovely thing you're doing. Have a great Xmas and all the best to you and your readers for 2010.
xx
AM
Ryan Ashley Scott says
Ryan from Ohio here. We've been so blessed this year, my wish is that our family will be in a place to help others in 2010.