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Making Spirits Bright With Heifer International

December 20, 2010 by Nathan Bransford 370 Comments

‘Tis the season for our annual Heifer International blog fundraising goodness!! We are spreading the cheer with one of the most worthy causes out there. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to help raise money for a great cause, and you too can participate with your own pledge!

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 still going through some difficult economic times, but if you have anything to spare this holiday season I hope you’ll consider making a donation.

In order to encourage people to spread the word, for every comment someone makes in this post between now and 6PM Pacific time on Wednesday, my wife and I will donate $1.00 (up to $1,000)

And, better yet, if you want in on the fun you could do a per-comment pledge on your own blog and enter it into the linky list at the bottom of this post. We can encourage everyone to stop by so we can multiply the giving! Last year we raised over $2,000 together.

In your comment I hope you’ll list:

1. Your name
2. Where you’re from
3. A wish for 2011
4. (optional) Your own 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. Then enter it into the linky list so everyone can stop by and leave a comment.

Thank you so very very much for making 2010 such a great year, and let’s keep the good cheer going into 2011.

UPDATE 12/26:

Donation made!

And thanks to the other generous bloggers/commenters, the total raised so far is nearly $1500 (and some are still in progress).

Thanks so much to everyone for participating!

Filed Under: Giving Back Tagged With: Giving Back

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Down the well says

    December 23, 2010 at 5:38 pm

    Commenting again for another buck toward Heifer International. Merry Christmas!!

    Reply
  2. Hilary says

    December 23, 2010 at 5:41 pm

    Hilary, from Phoenix, and I wish my work would stop making us eat Pringles so they can use the containers for the science club.

    Thanks for extending this, I meant to post yesterday and forgot!

    Reply
  3. Natasha Fondren says

    December 23, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    Happy Holidays, Nathan! Thanks for your blog and all you do for the writing community.

    I'm currently in Tucson, and I wish for something I'm afraid to say, I want it so much!

    Reply
  4. Anna says

    December 23, 2010 at 5:58 pm

    Once again, happy holidays! Stop on by and comment for extra money for Heifer: My Blog.

    Reply
  5. janehdavis says

    December 23, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    Merry Merry Christmas from Jane Davis in Fairfax, VA. Please let's hope for a cure for cancer, especially Mantle Cell Lymphoma. It is truly a happy holiday season for us as my husband has been in remission for almost 9 months!

    Reply
  6. Aaron says

    December 23, 2010 at 6:47 pm

    Hiya from Aaron, down here in J-Ville, Jacksonville, Florida! My wish for 2011 is that A). The BRATS in my neighborhood stop littering on our neighborhood trail, and de-beautifying it and B). I finish my VERY FIRST NOVEL and that it's GOOD, and that it's published! 😀
    Oh, yeah…. and world peace.

    Reply
  7. Danielle Gibbons says

    December 23, 2010 at 6:48 pm

    1.Danielle
    2. Ashland Oregon
    3. I hope 2011 is less about stuff and more about connection.
    4. My 6 year old son chose a basket of chicks ($60) to be donated in my parents name. Thanks for your service Nathan.

    Reply
  8. writeintention says

    December 23, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    Kris from Volcano, Hawaii, wish for 2011 is to really use the Secret!

    Reply
  9. Two Flights Down says

    December 23, 2010 at 7:48 pm

    I am Kassie from Illinois. This is a wonderful fund raiser. I wish everyone a safe, happy, peaceful 2011 filled with books and inspiration!

    Reply
  10. writeintention says

    December 23, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    Kris from Volcano, Hawaii wishing to use the Secret more effectively!

    Reply
  11. Courtney Price ~ Vintage Ginger Peaches says

    December 23, 2010 at 7:56 pm

    If you're willing to give $1000, you should just do it, regardless of #s of comments. I've about had it with comment-related stuff. That is my wish.

    🙂

    Reply
  12. Josin L. McQuein says

    December 23, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    A wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and make a lasting impact on the world!

    Merry Christmas!

    🙂

    Reply
  13. Jenna St. Hilaire says

    December 23, 2010 at 8:06 pm

    Leaving a comment, hopefully in time. I just saw the extension.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

    Reply
  14. Sarah Laurenson says

    December 23, 2010 at 8:38 pm

    So if we comment a second time, does that add another buck to the pile?

    Reply
  15. Amethyst says

    December 23, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    Happily remaining anonymous in Union City, CA.

    A wish for 2011? For life to never lead any of us astray…

    Happy Holidays! 🙂

    Reply
  16. Rebecca says

    December 23, 2010 at 8:53 pm

    Hoping for common sense and laying down of arms, from Rebecca McBride, Old Chatham, NY. Thank you for providing a way to something good for others.

    Reply
  17. Nathan Bransford says

    December 23, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    courtney-

    The idea is that rather than just one person donating money, by asking people to comment we're ensuring that people click through, see the other participants, and hopefully inspire more people to participate.

    Multiplication instead of addition!

    Reply
  18. jill says

    December 23, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    This is Jill, from near Portlad, Oregon. My blog is gathering cobweb and dust bunnies, so I've made a donation myself. Thanks for the reminder of a worthy charity for our extra money!

    Reply
  19. Karen Peterson says

    December 23, 2010 at 9:26 pm

    I think it's so great that you're doing this!

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  20. Melody Jackson says

    December 23, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    Melody B. Jackson from South Carolina. My wish for 2011 for everyone to have a happy new year and for the rest of my school year to go smoothly.

    Reply
  21. Brittany says

    December 23, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    I heard about this on another blog, but I thought I'd comment here first. Happy holidays everyone!

    Reply
  22. Anonymous says

    December 23, 2010 at 10:14 pm

    Happy Holidays from Beth in California. My wish: that every child in the world gets a new book for Christmas.

    Reply
  23. Bryan D says

    December 23, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    Nathan–thanks for a great year, and good luck at CNET. We'll all miss the hope of having you as our agent, but at least you're keeping the blog around for now.

    Thanks for the donation to HI (headquartered in my home state!). Bees are our favorite gift this time of year.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  24. Heather says

    December 23, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    This is Heather from the rainy portion of the west coast of the US.

    A wish for 2011, that I finally finish this current draft of my WIP, and of course world peace.

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    December 23, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    Happy hollidays

    Reply
  26. gideon 86 says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:12 pm

    Merry Christmas Nathan to you and your family. What you're doing is great!

    Mcihael

    Reply
  27. Caitlin R. O'Connell says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    Merry Christmas, Nathan!

    Reply
  28. Linda says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    Thanks for all you do Nathan! This is LindaSW from Baltimore, but geography's all relative here. Best of luck in your new position, and may your book sell, sell, sell!

    My wish for 2011 is all writers continue to write from their hearts — the market be damned! Peace…

    Reply
  29. Anonymous says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:18 pm

    Steph from Texas
    2011 wish: hoping to finish my novel – really finished this time…no really, I MEAN it.

    Reply
  30. Lyn Miller-Lachmann says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    Count me in!

    Reply
  31. Jaden Terrell says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:49 pm

    BethTH (pen name Jaden) from Nashville here.

    What a great idea, Nathan. I don't have a personal blog yet, only a group one, but as soon as I have one, I'll follow your excellent example.

    Wish: That every country, city, household, and individual be guided by wisdom and compassion.

    Selfish wish: To make enough money and earn enough recognition from my books to make my living writing and teaching workshops.

    Reply
  32. Marta says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:51 pm

    Happy holidays from the San Francisco Bay Area. Thanks for doing this. My husband has someone donate ducks on his behalf each year. My wish is for more of these gifts to find their way to homes that need them.

    Reply
  33. kdrausin says

    December 23, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    Krista Dondero-Rausin
    Cape Coral, Fl.
    I wish for a peaceful and magical 2011.

    Reply
  34. Monica B.W. says

    December 24, 2010 at 12:05 am

    My wish? Happinnes for every human being.

    Reply
  35. T. Wahl says

    December 24, 2010 at 12:33 am

    Happy Holidays from the Valley of the Sun!

    Reply
  36. e_journeys says

    December 24, 2010 at 12:57 am

    May 2011 be filled with compassion.
    Blessings to all.
    Peace.
    And Thank You.

    Reply
  37. Lauren says

    December 24, 2010 at 1:11 am

    Thank you, Nathan, for doing this. I love Heifer!

    I am Laurence from Manchester, Massachusetts, wishing everyone peace and hope for 2011.

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  38. Anonymous says

    December 24, 2010 at 1:26 am

    What a wonderful idea, what the holidays are all about!

    Lesley, PA

    Reply
  39. Anonymous says

    December 24, 2010 at 1:29 am

    What a great idea, Nathan. Well done. Debra Hemminger from soggy Portland, Oregon wishes that everyone could get the astronauts' view of our blue marble and know that we're all in this together.

    Reply
  40. fakesteph says

    December 24, 2010 at 1:38 am

    1. Steph
    2. (not-so-sunny-at-the-moment) Los Angeles
    3. A wish for 2011 is to get more time to spend with my nephew.

    Thanks so much for this post, Nathan! I love The Heifer project. They are so great and doing wonderful things in the world.

    Reply
  41. Micky says

    December 24, 2010 at 2:12 am

    Micky L, Westchester NY. Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  42. Katie says

    December 24, 2010 at 3:17 am

    I'm Katie and I split my time between two US states. My wish for 2011 is healing.

    I like the comment donation idea!

    Merry Christmas!
    <>< Katie

    Reply
  43. moirayoung says

    December 24, 2010 at 3:21 am

    Sorry I'm a bit late to the party. I saw the post on Monday, and then life got in the way. But I'm here now!

    I'll participate at my blog too ($1 per comment):

    https://moirayoung.livejournal.com/10858.html

    Reply
  44. Wordfly says

    December 24, 2010 at 3:22 am

    Katrina from Berkeley, CA.
    Thanks, Nathan, for doing this! My wish is that you will do this for many years to come.

    Reply
  45. moirayoung says

    December 24, 2010 at 3:25 am

    Ooops. Sorry for the late comment, but I'll keep mine going until Boxing Day at least!

    1. Moira Young
    2. Vancouver
    3. A wish? To continue to grow as a writer.

    Reply
  46. Madeleine says

    December 24, 2010 at 3:54 am

    I'm planning on participating on my own blog next year. Yes, I said it. Someone hold me to it! ;D

    I'm Madeleine, and I'm from Portland, Oregon, where we have very wet but more gray than white Christmases. Such is our curse. It's Christmas all the same, though.

    My wish is that my friends and I will be successful in our writing endeavors, whatever they may be.

    Reply
  47. Stephanie Theban says

    December 24, 2010 at 3:57 am

    Stephanie from Oklahoma. My daughter did a weekend at a Heifer International camp. Wonderful experience. They got assigned to a third world housing unit. Some got cardboard boxes, some got huts. My daughter was lucky. She got an Appalachian cabin, so she had a roof over her head, even if it leaked and the wind came through the cracks. They had to work together and trade to get something to eat. My daughter's group got a small quantity of beans. Then they had to figure out how to cook it. That meant they needed water and fire. Hours later, they each ate about three spoonfuls of beans, after which they slept on the floor without warm blankets. Great organization. Thanks for supporting it. My wish is that fewer children will live in poverty.

    Reply
  48. Germaine Dulac says

    December 24, 2010 at 4:18 am

    I wish everyone a happy, productive 2011!

    – Germaine, California.

    Reply
  49. Stephanie Black says

    December 24, 2010 at 5:50 am

    Stephanie from California, wishing everyone a wonderful 2011!

    Reply
  50. Heidi says

    December 24, 2010 at 7:03 am

    Heidi Horchler, sending you a warm holiday greeting from the Arizona desert.
    My wish for the new year is a college scholarship for my son.
    Enjoy your kids while they're little, because man, does it go by fast!!

    Reply
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Hi, I’m Nathan. I’m the author of How to Write a Novel and the Jacob Wonderbar series, which was published by Penguin. I used to be a literary agent at Curtis Brown Ltd. and I’m dedicated to helping authors achieve their dreams. Let me help you with your book!

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