Thanks to all my generous, beautiful girlfriends and students who showed up yesterday with books as holiday gifts for kids whose parents can’t afford to buy them books. Part of the fun of the party every year is wrapping the books (hundreds!) and then giving them to my friends (a teacher and a nurse in inner city schools) who will directly hand them out to the children just before the holidays. Another batch of books will be taken up to a HeadStart program in
Hi Barbara! We had sudden major problems getting our emails out to our members this past summer. (I work at a non-profit association.) We signed up with Constant Contact for email distribution lists and I'm pleased to tell you that it works like a charm. It takes a bit longer to put your email together, but it looks great and they have an agreement with most of the internet provider to pre-recognize them. Just a thought.
Posted by: Joni | December 06, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Joni - Thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by: Barbara | December 06, 2009 at 06:56 PM
I'm so sorry to have missed one of my favorite parties of the year!
Posted by: elizabeth | December 06, 2009 at 09:40 PM
Thank you for hosting such a wonderful event! It was so much fun to hang out with the gals for a few hours for such a fantastic cause. VIVA BOOKS FOR ALL KIDS! xox Magdalena
Posted by: Magdalena Edwards | December 07, 2009 at 01:17 AM
Barbara! I'm glad it was great but I am so bummed I didn't get an invite! I enjoy that event every year so very much Drats.
Posted by: Ruth Rudnick | December 07, 2009 at 03:10 AM
elizabeth - I'm so sorry too.
magadalena - yes!
ruth - besides the spam issue my email list was a mess - save the first Saturday of December 2010!
Posted by: Barbara | December 07, 2009 at 06:43 AM
What a wonderful party, such great ladies and a fabulous cause. Thank you so much. Barb
Posted by: Barbara Force | December 07, 2009 at 08:26 AM
Barbara,
I would be happy to send some books to be included. Also, do you know where to take books that I am giving away --- used, by me -- but in good condition. At moment take to shelter on 12th Street in SM.
Happy Holidays --- enjoy your blog (is that what your lovely web spot is called).
Harriet
Posted by: Harriet | December 07, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Barbara,
Thank you for inviting me to your lovely home for this special cause. What a wonderful group of inspiring women and what a great way to kick off the season!
Much love, Michele
Posted by: Michele Farinola | December 07, 2009 at 09:26 AM
Barbara:
What a joyful event. Writers everywhere and the ocean right out the window.It was deeply satisfying to be an elf writer wrapping, a writer chatting and best of all sharing the writers spirit of the season. You make beauty happen Barbara dear it was memorable.
Thank you for including me.
~Mary Rose
Posted by: Mary Rose Betten | December 07, 2009 at 10:11 AM
Barbara, so sorry to have missed. I was at the Genealogical Library in Burbank showing my film, Los Pastores, and giving a speech afterwards. They got started late so that I couldnt get over the hill in time for one of my favorite parties of the year. Thank you for doing this. Have a wonderful holiday. Off to NYC. Hugs, Loren
Posted by: Loren Stephens | December 07, 2009 at 11:22 AM
Barb - thanks for coming and yes, great ladies -
Harriet - Save the first Saturday next December -
Michele - a great photo of you!
Mary Rose - only a poet could write those singing words: elf writer wrapping.
Posted by: Barbara | December 07, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Barbara,
What a lovely party! Our fireside chat made my day.
Posted by: Denise Emanuel Clemen | December 07, 2009 at 01:20 PM
Denise - It made mine too! We've got to do that more often.
Posted by: Barbara | December 07, 2009 at 03:37 PM
I like the idea that you give free books to those who cannot afford them. I was hoping to also participate a group like yours.
Posted by: Lea | December 07, 2009 at 06:20 PM
Lea - think about starting a group of your own. A lot of friends have copied this idea - I love that it's spreading.
Posted by: Barbara | December 08, 2009 at 07:13 AM
Sorry to have missed it! I didn't get an invite either so don't know if it's email or spam. I hope to join you next year!
Cynthia
Posted by: Cynthia | December 09, 2009 at 10:45 PM