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NEWSLETTER - Spring 2003

It is not now, and has never been, our intention to send this free newsletter to anyone who does not want it.  If you received this in error, please respond with "REMOVE" on the subject line.  Forward this to anyone who you think may be interested in its contents.  If this was forwarded to you, and you want to receive it monthly, reply with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Visit our web site at http://www.bethestaryouare.org.  Please note, by responding to this email, you do not reach the charity.  To reach Cynthia Brian directly, email her at cynthia@bethestaryouare.org. Thank you.

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Reality TV

By Stephanie Simons 

Standing in the checkout line at the supermarket, you may have noticed J. Lo and Ben have been forced to share glossy magazine covers with a new breed of instant-celebs—the amateurs of reality TV. Suddenly, professional entertainers have become the least amusing people on television.

It all began with 7 strangers, picked to live together in New York and have their lives taped on MTV. But not even early fans of The Real World could have predicted the future onslaught of this type of show, nor the popularity of such garbage.

The recipe for these mega-hit shows is simple and affordable, requiring only the creation of conflict or cut-throat competition, known to bring out the beasts in even the most demure “bachelorettes” or docile “survivors.” Throw in a couple of wackos who are eager to dive into the national fish bowl, and you can expect the ratings to explode.

Suffice it to say, this carefully constructed “reality” does not exist in the real world.

Where’s the spontaneity and authenticity in having a camera crew persistently on your tail? Candid Camera—now that’s the good stuff. Of course, we can’t put the genie back in the bottle, wishing television shows would return to the squeaky clean days of Alan Funt, but we can try to focus on the more positive, small-scale events in our own reality—like the amazing speed of the clerk behind that checkout counter.

Stephanie Simons is a volunteer with Be the Star You Are!™ as well as a regular contributor to Diablo Magazine, Style Columnist, and other magazines.  Thank you, Stephanie, for your writing contribution to our newsletter this month.

DREAM BIG!

OUR MISSION:

Be the Star You Are!™ is a library of books and other media donated to youth at risk to raise their skills and self esteem to improve their daily lives. This media ranges from education and advisement to inspiration and guidance which covers every aspect of life from abuse through money management. Be the Star You Are!™ has no religious or political agendas or affiliations as it caters to the literate and illiterate by providing audio tapes and videos as well as books to give these kids a head start in their lives so they can beat the odds.

MIRACLE MOMENT

"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning."

                               Mahatma Gandhi
                               1869-1948, Indian Nationalist Leader

HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO

We are often asked the logistics of collecting and distributing books, CD’s, audio and video tapes and how we determine if what we are doing is effective.  We thought giving you a brief run down of our efforts may help you understand how we operate. 

Every day we work on obtaining resources for our charity from the numerous publishers, authors, and production companies with whom we have developed relationships.  As donated boxes of goods arrive at our offices, volunteers open, stamp, and log the resources into the computer.  The resources are then sorted into boxes to be re-distributed to any of our 29 current beneficiaries based on a needs assessment survey which is given to each charity. We have a questionnaire which determines who needs what.  Here are questions we ask:

1.      How many children and teens do you serve?

2.      What is your purpose? (For example, runaway shelter, homeless shelter, juvenile hall)

3.      Have the children and teens in your program suffered from:

*Drug and alcohol abuse

*Eating disorders

*Depression

*Anti-social Behavior

*Violence

*School Drop Out

*Teen pregnancy

*Sexual abuse

*Promiscuity

*Learning disabilities

*Criminal activities

*Poverty

*Homelessness

*Other (please specify)

4.      Is the content of our books and resources been beneficial and if so in what way?

5.      Are we increasing literacy?

6.      How else can we help?

  After books are boxed, they are labeled by volunteers and prepared for shipping.

For local shipping, we currently have a wonderful benefactor, Sunny Express, that ships our resources to the beneficiaries at no cost to us.

Two weeks after shipment, we contact the beneficiaries to make certain all resources were received and useable.

Who qualifies to be a beneficiary?

At this time, we are serving groups who work with youth and families at risk.  To qualify for receiving materials from Be the Star You Are!™ you must be:

    * A "group" recognized as a not-for-profit organization (charity), or local, state or federal organization (schools, rehabilitation centers, shelters), with a part of their mission to assist youth-at-risk in their personal development.

    * The qualifying group must have individuals who have demonstrated a desire to make positive changes in their life and require the tools to assist in their success.

    * The qualifying group must have no other viable alternative to acquire these resources.

Individuals do not qualify directly to receive materials. An individual must be part of a "qualifying" group or organization and the "group" will be responsible for the distribution of materials as needed. Examples of groups that qualify include: 

    * Juvenile Halls

    * Inner City Schools

    * Treatment and Recovery Programs

*Boys and Girls Clubs

*Homeless Shelters  

Distributions will be granted to those who qualify as materials are available.  If your charitable organization is interested in being a recipient of our library, please send an information packet to:

Be the Star You Are!™
P. O. Box 376
Moraga, CA  94556
Or call 877-944-STAR

IN MEMORIAM:

On December 25, 2002, our very special Founding Board Member, Deane Hawley, died from cancer at his home in San Diego.  Deane was a remarkable visionary and a great friend to Be the Star You Are!™  It was Deane who co-wrote and produced our theme song which is sung by the legendary Frankie Laine. We will all miss him greatly, but his ideas and insights will live on with us.  Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, Paula, and their children.  Thank you, Deane, for never giving up and for teaching us all how high to fly.   

THANKS FOR DONATION:

Our appreciation to Laren Hirst of Hirst Construction who made a monetary contribution to our charity this month.  Laren has  been one of our staunchest supporters since our birth.  Thank you for your gifts, Laren.  

Thanks, to Kyle Logan from New York, The Pocket Persuader, for donating his time to research over 49 foundations offering grants to programs such as ours.  Kyle’s web site is: www.pocketbookpersuader.com.  We will utilize the information Kyle provided us to get grants for the coming year.  

CAN YOU HELP US WITH SHIPPING?

We need shipping money or a company who would like to donate shipping by using their UPS, FED EX or other account for the following:

1.     The publishers of Traveler’s Tales have over 3000 books sitting in a warehouse in Reno that they wish to donate to our charity if shipping costs can be provided. Most of the  boxes are the following dimension: 
     10.5" x 10.5" x 8.5"
     Approximate Weight: 24 lbs
     Address of origination: 1170 Trademark Drive, Reno, CA  89511 

2.     Patrick Combs, author of Major in Success, would like to donate another few hundred books to our beneficiaries.  We need shipping from San Diego.  Again, the size of the boxes and weight is about the same as above. 

If you or your company would like to help out with any part of these two needs, we would be most appreciative.  Remember, it is a tax deductible donation. 

SOMETHING NEW….OUR ON-LINE AUCTION:

Generous donors have made it possible for us to create an on-going
auction site.  Here’s how it works:

Items or services are donated.  A minimum bid and a buy-out bid are
listed.  Email us with your bid and you’ll be notified if you won.  If
you’d like to donate an item or service to our on-line auction, send us
the item or a gift certificate for services to PO Box 376, Moraga,
California 94556.  If it is a very large item, please do not send, call
us first 925-376-7126.

Here’s what we are offering this month at www.bethestaryouare.org/auction.html:

* Donation of a local walking excursion from Pedal Pusher Adventures.
* Two-night stay at Taylor House Bed & Breakfast in Boston, MA.
* Vintage Christmas Card collection from the 1940's-1980's.
* NEW!  Two Armand Cabrera Oil Paintings have been generously donated for our auction!  Here are the details:

Armand Cabrera’s paintings reflect the skill and discipline gathered from years of experience as a successful production artist in the computer games industry where he created conceptual designs, background art, special effects animation and storyboarding.  Now a full time fine artist, he has become a dedicated landscape painter. Armand paints in the alla prima style, completing his work in one sitting. 

Born in San Francisco in 1955, Armand currently makes his home in beautiful Marin County, California where he is inspired by a wealth of visual information.  In his spare time, Armand teaches plein air and studio painting workshops.

 

 

A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER:

We are living in the best of times and the worst of times.  It is our choice whether to see the good or find the bad.   Life is always a choice.  As we send our men and women off to fight for our freedom, we must remember that peace and harmony occur first within our own individual hearts. When we love deeply, live with integrity, and treat others as we ourselves wish to be treated, we create the power to make the world a better place…one person at a time. 

Bad things happen to good people.  No one leaves this earth without experiencing some type of suffering, no matter how spiritual, purposeful, or on track we are.  Within seven days last week my 17 year old niece almost died from an acute asthma attack,  my brother had emergency stomach surgery, and my youthful husband was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.  Yet, we choose to see the positives in the negatives and the lessons in the mistakes.  In times of trial I always whisper to myself, “This too shall pass!” 

What helps me and so many other Americans get through the hard times is volunteering to help those less fortunate than ourselves. According to INDEPENDENT SECTOR’s Giving and Volunteering in the United States national survey:

    * In 2000, nearly half of adults (44%) or 83.9 million people volunteered their time;

    * Their work represents the equivalent of over 9 million full-time employees at a value of $239 billion;

    * The average volunteer gave 3.6 hours of time per week; and

    * The annual hours for volunteering were 15.5 billion. 

INDEPENDENT SECTOR found in a previous survey that: 

    * Eighty-five percent of nonprofit organizations and 92 percent of religious congregations use volunteers; 

    * Sixty-five percent of nonprofits and 82 percent of religious congregations provide training for their volunteers; and

    * Eighty-six percent of nonprofits and 93 percent of religious congregations report they would use more volunteers if the volunteers had the skills needed. 

Engaging Youth in Lifelong Service,  a new report from INDEPENDENT SECTOR and Youth Service America illustrates the strong impact of youth service on the giving and volunteering habits of adults. Engaging Youth in Lifelong Service reports that adults who engaged in volunteering in their youth give more money and volunteer more time than adults who began their philanthropy later in life.  

Key findings 

    * Forty-four percent of adults volunteer and two-thirds of these volunteers began volunteering their time when they were young.

    * Adults who began volunteering as youth are twice as likely to volunteer as those who did not volunteer when they were younger.

    * High school volunteering recently reached the highest levels in the past 50 years. 

    * In every income and age group, those who volunteered as youth give and volunteer more than those who did not.

    * Those who volunteered as youth and whose parents volunteered became the most generous adults in giving time. 

The President has asked Americans to volunteer four or more hours per week so that they will reach the goal of 4,000 lifetime volunteering hours in less than 20 years.  What better way to take your mind off the brutality of war, the prolific protests, the threat of terrorism and the fear of the unknown by volunteering to help a cause close to your heart? 

When life seems overwhelming, just whisper, “This too shall pass!” and go out and make a difference for someone else. 

With gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder

EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHARITY

PURPOSE: Be the Star You Are!™ is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that collects and distributes books and other positive media to youth at risk as a way to raise their life skills and self esteem. This media ranges from education and advisement to inspiration and guidance and covers every aspect of life, from abuse through money management.  Be the Star You Are!™ is an ALL volunteer organization that operates through contributions, in-kind donations, and proceeds from fund-raising events.  Be the Star You Are!™  does not receive state or federal funding and is solely dependent on contributions from the community and corporations. Be the Star You Are!™ has no religious or political agendas or affiliations.

Be the Star You Are!™ believes that information infused with inspiration has the power to transform and change lives. Be the Star You Are!™ is a library of books and other media that empower youth at risk to improve their daily lives. Be the Star You Are!™ is committed to providing positive role models for kids to help them grow into valued citizens. Through its newsletters, web site, radio, TV, and READING SPELLS SUCCESS literacy outreach programs, Be the Star You Are!™ promotes and distributes its ever-growing list of informative positive videos, tapes and books to young audiences who would otherwise never obtain these materials. Recipients of Be the Star You Are!™ products and services include other non profit youth at risk groups, juvenile hall facilities, youth camps and children's hospitals. 

In an era when violence and skepticism dominate the airwaves, Be the Star You Are!™ charity offers a refreshing, welcome alternative helping kids beat the odds encouraging the American Dream.  

Be the Star You Are!™ is making a difference in the lives of many people and their communities. We need your support to help us empower youth and to continue the numerous services we provide.

Here are SIMPLE ways you can help and have fun doing it: (All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.)

* Send a tax deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memoriam to a loved one.
* Purchase any of these books: "Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference", "The Business of Show Business", and "Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul". Every time you purchase this book at a store, you are making a contribution to this charity. When you purchase the books directly through the charity, we get an even bigger contribution, so consider buying through our order form at the bottom of the page. These books are also available for fundraisers and corporate premium sales at a discount to your organization or company. Call the charity offices at 925-376-7126 or by email, info@bethestaryouare.org.
* Donate air miles.
* Donate your vehicle, boat, or trailer, running or not,…call us, we’ll do all the work for you! 
* Donate goods that can be auctioned off at an event.  
* Sponsor an event making Be the Star You Are!™ the charitable beneficiary.
* Ask your company to match your donation or make a contribution.
* Volunteer time. 
* Donate books, tapes and CD's from your own library that you don't want anymore.
* Become a Benefactor.
* Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in the name of Be the Star You Are!™.

Please join our galaxy of Stars and support Be the Star You Are!™ with your contributions and/or ask your company to be on our team. Visit the web site at www.bethestaryouare.org for more information. Please send your checks to:

Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556.

We can be reached at 877-944-STAR or 925-376-7126. You will receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation.  Credit card contributions and purchases are accepted.

Thank you from the volunteers at Be the Star You Are!™. 

Cynthia Brian is the Founder and President of Be the Star You Are!™ Please visit www.bethestaryouare.org for biographical information. Be the Star You Are!™  a 501(c)(3) non profit

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Our Founder, Cynthia Brian is a professional speaker lecturing internationally on the philosophies of Be the Star You Are!™ If you are seeking an energetic and passionate motivational speaker for your next conference or event, consider booking through our charity office. Here is a listing of upcoming events where Cynthia Brian is speaking:

April 4-6, 2003, Albany, New York, The 18^th Annual International Humor Conference on the Positive Power of Humor, Hope, and Healing. Presentations of Be the Star You Are!™, The Business of Show Business, and Dream it! Do It!. For info and reservations, call 1-518-587-0362 or visit http://www.humorproject.com . 

April, 9, 2003 Monticello Inn, San Francisco, California 5:30-7pm. Presentations based on Cynthia’s books, “Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference”, “Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul,” and “The Business of Show Business”.  For more info contact, Chris Holbrook, Monticello Inn ,127 Ellis Street, San Francisco, CA  94102, 415-394-0661 direct , www.monticelloinn.com 

April 12, 2003,  4pm  Words are Your World Literacy Day for National Literacy Day. Reading and presentation of Be the Star You Are!™, Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, and the Business of Show Business at Wal-Mart , 4101 S Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008, Store phone: (323)299-8014. 

May 1, 2003 Holy Spirit School Children (day time Be the Star You Are!™ presentation) and at 7pm, Parent’s Club.  1050 North Texas Street, Fairfield, Ca. For more information, call 707-422-5016. 

May, 9, 2003 12 noon radio interview with Romanus, “Kick Start Your Business” on wsradio.com. 

May 20, 2003   6:30pm Women’s Retreat at St. Bonaventure’s Catholic Church in Concord, 5562 Clayton Road, Concord. For more information contact 925-672-5800 or 287-0246. Co-sponsored by Bob Skelton, The Pull-Out Shelf Company , www.pulloutshelfman.com. 

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