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FALL 2001 NEWSLETTER
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.
FEEDBACK
| SUBSCRIPTION | ISSUE ARCHIVE
School
is back in session, the leaves are turning red, and the days already seem to
be getting shorter. Autumn....the time to reflect back on the first
three quarters the year. Summer was a busy time around our charity.
We have completely revamped the mission and vision of Be
the Star You Are!™
to focus on empowering youth-at-risk and raising self-esteem. Check out
this issue for all the new updates. Enjoy the last days of warmth, sunshine,
planting, and remember to hug your kids.
"It is not what you do for your children but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings. " Ann Landers
NEW
MISSION STATEMENT:
The Mission of Be the Star You Are!™
, a not-for profit corporation, is to provide, promote and distribute its
library of books and other media to empower youths at risk to improve their
daily lives.
NEW VISION STATEMENT:
The Vision of Be the Star You Are!™
is to help all youth-at-risk, regardless of ethnicity, religion, sex, vocation
and avocation overcome obstacles, increase self-esteem and give these kids a
head start so they can beat the odds.
BE THE STAR YOU ARE!™
EMPOWERS KIDS:
Be the Star You Are!™
provides a Library of books and other
media to empower youth at risk to improve their daily lives.
According to the NCVS (National Crime Victimization Survey), in 1997 juveniles
under age 18 were involved in 27% of all serious violent victimizations,
including 14% of sexual assaults, 30% of robberies, and 27% of aggravated
assaults .
In 1998, nearly four in 10 fourth-graders nationwide failed to achieve even
partial mastery of the reading skills needed for school success. In our
highest-poverty schools, nearly seven in 10 fourth-graders fail to read at
this basic level .
Teens with poor self-esteem are more vulnerable to peer pressure, more likely
to have depressive reactions, eating disorders, and low achievement standards.
They are at higher risk to abuse alcohol and drugs, partake in violent
activities, and to take risks such as driving dangerously.
Adapted from Snyder, H. & Sickmund, M. Juvenile Offenders and
Victims: 1999 National Report, p. 63. Washington, D.C.: Office of Juvenile
Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1999. Internet citation: OJJDP
Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/qa136.html.
30 September 1999.)
U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education statistics.
(1999). The 1998 NAEP Reading Report Card for the Nation. NCES
1999-459, by Donahue, P.L., Voelkl, K.E., Campbell, J.R., and Mazzeo, J.
Washington, D.C.: Author.
Article by Margaret S. Freidman, Psy D. "Parenting for
self-esteem". 1997. http://www.coolware.com/health/medical_reporter/parent.html
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.
In addition, Be the Star You Are!™
supplements the materials with a number of focused programs including Reading
Spells Success- a literacy outreach program for young people. This
program provides readers to children to encourage and increase a literate
younger generation. Be the Star You Are!™
is a good steward of our earth. We are actually saving trees as these donated
books are mostly over runs, returns, early editions or slightly damaged books
that were destined to be destroyed.
Be the Star You Are!™
also partners with other synergistic organizations to target the most needy
individuals and leverage existing programs such as the Juvenile Halls and The
Boys and Girls Club.
Be the Star You Are!™
has seen what a difference these donations and programs make, and wants to
make more donations and introduce more programs to help change the face of
tomorrow from one of despair to one of hope for the next generation of adult
citizens.
SUPERSTARS
SPOTLIGHT:
STAR VOLUNTEER: Susan Sykes is the volunteer all star this
season. Susan became a volunteer in the summer and within 6 weeks had
completely changed the focus of our organization with her strategic planning
expertise and project management skills. We all are grateful to Susan
for helping Be the Star You Are!™
target teens-at-risk as our primary concern. Kudos and gratitude
to our English-born champion, Susan Sykes, the wonder woman!
STAR BOOKSTORE: Barnes and Noble in Pleasant Hill donated seven boxes
of books to our organization recently. Hats off to Chris Hoffman of
Barnes and Noble, Pleasant Hill who made this possible. We love
partnering with a bookstore to do good deeds in our communities. Thank
you, Barnes and Noble.
JOIN US AT OUR FUNDRAISING AND FUN EVENT:
Did you know that between 1914 and 1944, more Bartlett pears were grown and
sold from the Moraga Ranch than from any other operation in California?
Well, neither did we, even though our charity offices are close to the
numerous pear orchards that are over 100 years old. The town of Moraga
is celebrating its pear legacy with the Moraga Days Pear Festival and we'll be
there!
The popular Sí Sí Caffé, an espresso and smoothie meeting place
extraordinaire is hosting our local Be the Star You
Are!™
charity book sale on Sunday, October 7th from 11 am until 4:30pm. A
variety of wonderful books for the entire family will be on sale for reduced
prices. A great time to stock up for Christmas gifts and stocking
stuffers with all proceeds benefiting youth-at-risk and Be
the Star You Are!™
non profit, while you enjoy a cafe latte, gelato, or smoothie. Sí Sí
Caffé is graciously donating 50 cents from every sale of gelato to our
charity. LET'S ALL ENJOY YUMMY ITALIAN GELATO! Circus
performances will be held in the former pear orchard next door and there will
be food, fun, and raffles for the entire family. Meet celebrity authors,
Marilyn Azevedo (Defending Andy) and Cynthia Brian (Chicken
Soup for the Gardener's Soul and Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts to
Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference) and take home
autographed copies of best selling favorites.
Date: Sunday, October 7, 2001
Time: 11am -4:30pm
Location: Sí Sí Caffé
910 Country Club Dr.
Moraga, Ca. 94556
(Across from the Moraga Post Office---just look for the balloons!)
See you there!!!!
Many thanks to Sí Sí Caffé for hosting Be the Star
You Are!™
and donating 50 cents from every gelato sale to us, to TJ Van Buren for
printing our flyers, and to our celebrity author, Marilyn Azevedo who has
donated her time and energy to make our fundraiser a special day. To check out
Marilyn Azevedo's book, Defending Andy, please visit: http://www.hcibooks.com/book-description.asp?BookID=359
Reading
Spells Success-an outreach literacy program:
Twenty percent of today's adult population in the United States can not read
well enough to read a children's story book. Literacy is one of the most
important factors in determining whether a child ultimately goes to college or
to prison. The sad fact is, though, that most kids would rather watch TV
than read a book. Today's parents want their kids to read, but face
stiff competition from fast-action games, surround-sound DVD's and other media
that propose instant gratification. Be the Star
You Are!™
charity, a 501 (c)(3) non profit media library is dedicated to providing,
promoting, and distributing positive books and other media to empower
kids-at-risk. Through our literacy program, READING SPELLS SUCCESS, volunteers
go into schools, hospitals, and hospices and read for one hour plus give away
a book to each person who participates. READING SPELLS SUCCESS works
with other literacy programs to provide optimum opportunities for entertaining
reading and learning. Contact our Library Program coordinator, Pat Hallberg,
at 925-376-7126 if you would like to volunteer with this outreach.
BOOKS THAT DONATE PROCEEDS TO OUR CHARITY:
Be the Star You Are!™
charity is a beneficiary of the proceeds from the sales of the best selling
book, Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul. The book was on the New
York Times Best Seller list for 19 weeks! Support this charity and enjoy the
bounty of a fantastic book by buying copies of Chicken Soup for the
Gardener's Soul. CD's and Audio cassettes of the book are wonderful
entertainment while commuting. The products are available at all bookstores
and on line book sellers as well as through our charity office. Every
book purchased through the charity will be autographed and you will get a
packet of Renee Shephard's fine seeds FREE, a $2.29 value. If you haven't
planted Renee's Garden seeds, you are missing real treat! Fill out the order
form at the end of this newsletter, email us, or call us above. Chicken
Soup for the Gardener's Soul is also available as a premium sale or in
quantities.
Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning
to Make a Difference published by Ten Speed Press and authored by our
Founder, Cynthia Brian, hit the bookshelves on June 1st to much acclaim.
Dr. Bernie Siegel wrote a beautiful foreword to the book and endorsements were
received by 91 of the world's experts in personal growth, business and
success. Deepak Chopra wrote: "Cynthia Brian's advice will
make a big difference in your life, so you can have more fulfillment and fun
everyday." Brian Tracy calls it "a handbook for happiness and
personal joy!" A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book
benefit out charity. Books are available everywhere...at your local
bookstore or on line bookseller. Autographed copies can be purchased by buying
the book through our charity office. Books are $15.95 plus tax which
totals $17.30. Add $3.50 for shipping for the first book ordered and
$1.75 for each additional book. Books are also available at discounts
for premiums and large quantity sales. Inspire your employees, friends
and relatives. Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts for Living, Loving,
Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference is the perfect gift for all
occasions. Mastercard and Visa also accepted. Here are the easy ways to
order while making a donation:
1.call our office at 877-944-STAR
2. email us at: info@bethestaryouare.org
3. Fill out the order form at the end of this newsletter and send your check,
money order, or credit card information with the number of books requested,
your address and phone number to:
Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, Ca. 94556
If you have a product or service and would like to donate a portion of the
proceeds to Be the Star You Are!™
please email us: info@bethestaryoouare.org
or call our offices at 925-376-7126. All donations, no matter how small,
are greatly appreciated in our mission to empower kids at risk.
In
order to make a difference in communities, our country, and our world, we need
your support. Financial
contributions assist Be
the Star You Are!™
in its mission to provide,
promote, and distribute positive message programming to groups in need of
hope, inspiration, and tools for daily living.
Our
NUMBER ONE need at this time is DOLLARS.
It costs an enormous amount of money to keep our offices open and
operating and to facilitate the free services we offer.
Please take a moment to write us a check. ANY AMOUNT IS APPRECIATED AND IT IS 100% TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
Buy Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul and
Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts
for Living, Loving, Laughing, and Learning to Make a Difference books for all your friends
and employees from our offices and get autographed copies.
Our
NUMBER TWO most important need at this moment is a person or company to donate
printing services of our color brochure which was lavishly designed by our
talented volunteer, Kim Carlson. It
is a three fold brochure which can easily put put into an envelope. We would like to get 1000 or more copies off set printed and
donated. Are you the chosen
donor???
Here are some other specific ways you can sponsor or financially support BE THE STAR YOU ARE!™:
*
Send a tax deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memoriam to
a loved one
* Buy quantities of the two books which donate proceeds to our charity: Chicken
Soup for the Gardener's Soul (HCI) and Be the Star You Are!™ 99 Gifts
for Living, Loving, Laughing and Learning to Make a Difference (Ten Speed
Press) (Available through our office or in stores)
* Donate air miles
* 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
* Become a Benefactor
* Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in BE
THE STAR YOU ARE!™ name.
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. You will receive a receipt for your
tax-deductible donation. Credit card contributions and purchases are accepted.
Thank you for your support.
BE THE
STAR YOU ARE!™ 501
(c)(3) non profit corporation A volunteer organization providing
positive educational and inspirational resources and tools to kids in need of
hope.
Sharing
Your Wealth...it’s a time for giving
Here is a convenient tax-effective strategy for supporting Be
the Star You Are!™.
Use a Charitable Gift account through a brokerage firm such as Charles Schwab,
or Fidelity. Here's how it works:
Contact the brokerage firm of your choice and ask about their Charitable
Giving Account. Each firm has a special name for their charity account
but they are basically set up the same as an independent, nonprofit charity,
earning the donor immediate tax deductions. Choose the investment pool
you are interested in such as growth index, balanced index or gift
preservation where the assets appreciate tax free.
Advise the fund that you want to nominate Be the Star
You Are!™
as the beneficiary of your contribution. The fund then ensures that the
charity is registered as an IRS-qualified non profit organization (which we
are). Once that process is complete, the fund sends the charity a check.
Donors can remain anonymous, or the fund will provide their names to us.
Donors can also ask the fund to direct their grant towards a particular
project or division of our charity. For example, if you wanted to fund
our radio program, you could direct your dollars to go to that endeavor, or if
you wanted to fund the distribution of books. Fund donors benefit by the
ability to give more with contributions growing tax-free, so you have more
money to grand. If you are in the 39.6% tax bracket, a $10,0000
contribution costs you only $6,040 after taxes. In the 36% and 31%
brackets, a donor would pay $6,400 and $6,900 respectively for that same
post-tax donation. Your contributions to the charitable gift account is
tax deductible in the year you make them. You also pay no capital-gains tax on
appreciated securities that you donate to a charitable gift account and you
also reduce the amount of holdings in your estate as money in a gift account
are not part of your estate, therefore your heirs won't have to pay tax on
them. For more information about charitable gift accounts, call
our office at 877-944-STAR or your favorite broker. Charles Schwab is
800-746-216 and Fidelity is 800-544-7272.
Be the Star You Are™! 501(c)(3) is a volunteer self help media library
Thank you to all our dedicated volunteers and to you, our outstanding supporters around the world. We value you and couldn't do what we do without you. Please tell a friend about us and have them tell a friend. Send this newsletter to everyone you know! If you would like to volunteer or get involved with our charity please contact us at volunteer@bethestaryouare.org. (PLEASE NOTE, BY REPLYING TO THIS EMAIL YOU DO NOT GET TO THE CHARITY). If you wish to reach Cynthia Brian, send to cynthia@bethestaryouare.org.
All donations are 100% tax deductible according to law. It's the end of the year so what better time to make a tax deductible donation. We appreciate all contributions. We care.
Until we visit again, remember, you are a wonder of creation. Just Be the Star You Are!
Be the Star You Are!™
PO Box 376
Moraga, Ca. 94556
877-944-STAR
http://www.bethestaryouare.org
Be the Star You Are!™
a 501(c)(3) non profit organization
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ORDER
FORM:
PRODUCTS AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR CHARITY. Donations are tax-deductible to
the full extent of the law.
PRODUCTS CAN BE ORDERED DIRECTLY!
PRICE LIST
Be the Star You Are! Book
$15.95 plus $1.35 tax=$17.30
Miracle Moments™ Book
$9.99 plus $.86 tax = $10.85
Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul book
$12.95 plus $1.10 tax = $14.05
Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul CD
$11.95 plus $1.05 tax = $13.00
Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul tape
$ 9.95 plus $ .85 tax= $10.80
CASH, CHECKS, VISA OR MASTERCARD ACCEPTED. SHIPPING ADD $3.50 FOR FIRST BOOK,
$1.75 FOR EACH EXTRA BOOK
Make checks out to: Be the Star You Are!™
non profit
PO BOX 376
MORAGA, CA. 94556
925-376-7126
ORDER FORM:
NAME OF
BOOKS/TAPES/CD'S:____________________________________
NUMBER WANTED of each:_______________________________________
AUTOGRAPHED TO WHOM_______________________________________
SHIP TO:____________________CITY_________STATE____ZIP________
BILL TO: VISA____MASTERCARD______ CHECK:____
CREDIT CARD NUMBER____________________________EXP.__________
PHONE NUMBER_________________________
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YOUR FEEDBACK
If you have comments, questions or suggestions for this newsletter, please
write to Kim Carlson,
your Be the Star You Are!™ newsletter
coordinator at: bethestaryouare@hotmail.com
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
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.
If this was forwarded to you, and you want to receive it monthly, reply with "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line.
To subscribe to the text-only version of this newsletter, reply with "TEXT-ONLY" in the subject line.
NEWSLETTER
ARCHIVE
To request previous issues of our newsletter, contact our
newsletter coordinator at bethestaryouare@hotmail.com.
FORWARD
TO A FRIEND
Forward this to anyone who you think may be interested in its contents.
Keep the special people in your life informed as to what is happening in the
world of positive programming!
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.
Be The Star You Are!™
PO Box 376, Moraga, CA 94556
Tel: 877.944.STAR or 925.376.7126
Fax: 925.376.7142
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