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Happy 2018 Message form founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian
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Miracle Moment®
"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." John F. Kennedy
In 1995 when I was writing, producing, and hosting my television program, Live Your Dreams, I was constantly encouraged by crew and viewers to form a non-profit to broadcast our message of empowerment to a larger audience. Live Your Dreams featured ordinary people doing extraordinary things not for the money, not for the glamour, not for the publicity, but because it fed their souls to do “great” for others. Since I knew nothing about the non-profit world, it took me a couple of years of research until finally in 1998 with the assistance of a hired consultant, all the paperwork was filed and the foundation built. In September of 1999, Be the Star You Are!® was granted 501 c3 status and the charity was launched in earnest with no paid staff and 100% volunteers.
The name derived from my years coaching kids. Starting in the 1980’s I taught acting classes for youth and at the end of every class, we’d sit in a circle, pound our chests and yell “I AM THE GREATEST! Then as each child left the studio, I would say to him or her, “Go out into the world and BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®” Both the children and the parents were empowered to strive for greatness, thus began my mission to help others be the best they can be.
In 2019 Be the Star You Are!® will be celebrating its 20th anniversary as a Top Rated 501 c3 non profit. What makes me the happiest is to know that the volunteers who have participated over the years have benefited as much from their experiences as the beneficiaries of our services have. In honor of these terrific volunteers, Be the Star You Are!® will feature a few of them in each forthcoming newsletter and let you read what they have to say about BTSYA in their own words.
Thanks for your continuing support of Be the Star You Are!® We are 100% financed by donations from people just like you so please be generous and make a donation to today. Checks can be sent to PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556 (and it’s not too late to write a check with a date of 2017 to help you with your taxes), or visit www.BTSYA.org and click on DONATE.
Wishing you the greatest year ever!
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
PS: My newest book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, is now available with best prices and extra freebies at www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store, If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can get , Growing with the Goddess Gardener for FREE. This little gem is chock full of inspiration and simple tips to make your garden grow. Get it today! http://ow.ly/w2BC30i0FE6
SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS
Here are the words of three of our volunteers.
Rachel Glass:
“My personal experience with Be The Star You Are is, and always has been, fantastic. I started book-reviewing with BTSYA when I was in high school and am still involved today, now three years out of college. Through this charity I was able to become a published author, get interviewed on television, and write & co-host its radio show. I would highly recommend this charity to any young person looking to get involved in the community and/or looking for a career in media. The founder Cynthia Brian is a great leader, mentor, and connection.”
Joven Hundal
“I've been volunteering with Be the Star You Are for! for almost two years now, and I have no plans of stopping any time soon. Cynthia Brian and the rest of the team somehow make it so that the charity not only touches the lives of every single person it's aimed at, but also the lives of every single person involved in the organization. I've seen my speaking skills drastically improve after appearing on the Express Yourself! Teen Radio program, and I've loved having a platform to air my views on important issues. We aim to inspire teens everywhere to express themselves, and it's an awesome added benefit to have been inspired myself after working with this organization.”
Heather Brittany
"Be the Star You are" has been part of my life for many many years now. I think this is one of the most important and yet under funded charities. If you want to make a difference TODAY for the youth of TOMORROW, volunteer and DONATE to this charity. I have seen first hand the positive impact of this organization. Be the Star you Are! is continuously working with the community to distribute positive and inspirational media (books, magazine, videos, etc) into the hands of our youth. Also, at BTSYA, many of the volunteers are in their teens and by volunteering with this organization it has helped shape their future and their views towards being an active member of their community. SUPPORT THIS AWESOME ORGANIZATION!!”
At Be the Star You Are!, we grow people! Donate today! Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
A Little Something Good
By Karen Kitchel
What can you do this year that will instantly make you smile without spending a penny and does not involve eating the right foods or giving up something you enjoy? Scattering kindness, paying it forward and helping others are a few phrases that describe a plethora of activities that create an opportunity to be the person who makes you feel good.
You probably are already doing lots of little things that make others smile. So this might be the year when you simply do more of them. Try to catch yourself in an act of kindness. Notice how quickly you pick up something that someone has dropped but barely notice their smiling nod of thanks. When you decide to let someone ahead of you in a busy store or driving down the freeway, do you feel proud for a moment because you just did a little something good?
Simply keep at it, and try to remind yourself how easy it is to change a dreary day into a day when you were the person who made you feel good.
About the author:
Karen Kitchel is a Community Volunteer who is passionate about helping those who are homeless or disadvantaged. Previously she served as President of Cheerful Givers, a nonprofit organization, and Director of BI University at BI Worldwide. She can be reached at karenkitchel@comcast.net
SHOP, GIVE, AND GET CONNECTED
Other Ways to Help Without Making a Donation
1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882
2. Discounted books at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity
3. Buy or Sell on EBAY:http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/be-the-star-you-are-501-c-3/1504/?favorite=link
4. Use GoodSearch to search the web & buy from your favorite stores,. Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too! http://www.goodsearch.com/goodto-go/be-the-star-you-are
5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA
6. BTSYA Logo Store: http://btsya.rylees.net
7. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 1800+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA: https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc
8. Designer Clothes to Buy or Sell: https://www.unionandfifth.com/charities/be-the-star-you-are-moraga-ca/shop
Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®
Positive Results: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results
About Us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us
Programs: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs
How to Help: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help
Blog:http://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog
Events:http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events
Contact us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
Wrap-up your gift shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882 and Amazon donates to Be The Star You Are, Inc..
Please drop in and give us a listen!
We love connecting with so many great people on the air and it would be fantastic if you could listen in as well! Join us at BTSYA!
Tune in to StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® radio for insights and conversations on positive living on Wednesdays 4-5pm PT LIVE on the Voice America Network, the Empowerment Channel. Be encouraged and inspired. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2206/be-the-star-you-are
Express Yourself! is broadcast Tuesdays at NOON PT on Voice America Kids Network with BTSYA young hosts and reporters interviewing authors and special guests who inspire. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself
Please join us on Star-Style Radio and Express Yourself! Teen Radio. Please also visit our calendar to find local events. Care to see what other people are saying about us? See our reviews at Great Non-Profits.
Tune into Express Yourself™ Teen Radio Tuesdays NOON PT on Voice America Kids Network.
Thanks for supporting Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
www.BetheStarYouAre.org