Give a Book, Get a Book

Ballou Senior High School in Washington DC has over 1,200 students. In a count earlier this year the school library only had 1,150 books in it. That's less than one book per student. The American Library Association recommends that there be 11 books per student in a school library. That's a pretty huge disparity.

Because of this, GuysLitWire has decided that their annual book fair will benefit Ballou. You can get in on the action by checking out the full post at GuysLitWire, and following the instructions to buy books through Powell's to donate to BSHS.

Similarly, KidEquip has partnered with The Giving Effect where people can donate 10 of their own gently-used books and get free postage to send to low-income and at-risk kids in the Detroit Metro area. So if you have books laying about that would be good for any child from birth to age 12, check out all of the details here.

Or, search The Giving Effect database for a local cause, and find out what you can do to help your community.

Give to any of these efforts, or spread the word about them, and tell me what you did in the comments. Every single one of the commenters will win a NEW book to keep for themselves, from us. So, when you comment, tell me what your favorite book is, and I'll try my best to match a freebie with your tastes.

Only students ages 12-18 or in grades 6-12 who can pick their winnings up at one of the 21 Sno-Isle Libraries are eligible for free books.

ECO-HERO? There's $500 in it.

From Action for Nature:

"WHY?
To recognize the individual accomplishments of young people (ages 8-16) whose personal actions have significantly improved the environment.

HOW?
Action For Nature will award cash prizes of up to $500 to young Eco-Heroes from around the world for their outstanding accomplishments in environmental advocacy, environmental health, research or protection of the natural world. Their individual initiatives will inspire others to preserve and protect our fragile environment.

ARE YOU AN ECO-HERO?

DO YOU KNOW AN ECO-HERO?"

Find out more.

Deadline is February 28, 2010.

Via SLJ.

Leftover Halloween Candy?

From one of my favorite sites, I HEART DAILY:

Did everyone have a ghoulish Halloween this weekend? Eat lots of candy? I did, but even Candy Master Anne has a breaking point, and as I ate my last fun size Twix, I threw the gold wrapper down in disgust. ENOUGH!

I started researching what I could do with all my leftover candy. I found some great dessert recipes, and even some science experiments I could conduct, but I came across the best solution: I'm going to send my leftover confections to our troops overseas.

Soldiers commonly request candy and gum in care packages. The candy should be heat resistant, so stuff like chocolate won't travel well, but things like Twizzlers, Skittles and any kind of hard candy will do just fine.

Find out how to send a care package by visiting these sites: Support Our Troops, Operation ShoeBox, or Operation Gratitude. Operation Gratitude has even started a nationwide buy back program for leftover Halloween candy. You can trade in your candy for $1/lb. at participating dentists in your area! Last year they collected over 21 tons of candy to send to our troops. Wowee zowee!

Now that's what I call sweet charity.

Don't forget to enter Sno-Isle Teens' special Halloween giveaway by midnight tonight!!