All posts in Do Good

Please Help Us Celebrate #peaceday Today!

September 21, 2017

Young People’s Poet Laureate Margarita Engle and Amy Ludwig VanDerwater are championing the United Nations International Day of Peace which is today, September 21.

They are hoping that our educator and author and illustrator friends will flood the internet with images, poems, books, and ideas of peace on this day (9/21) along with the UN hashtag #peaceday.

Please Help Us Celebrate #peaceday Today!

Dylan Metrano (illustrator of Every Day Birds) made this image to share and use as a profile picture.

Comments: 0 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

Gratitude Flags Public Art at My Dog Park

May 12, 2017

I happened up on this public art display at Weston Reservoir where we take our dog every day. There’s a wooded mile and half path that winds around the reservoir. Metaphorically and literally, the gratitude flags take you from the beaten path up to a little ridge where there is a winding display tied to a few trees.

Once you are there, you might notice the plastic bin of cut up sail cloth, Sharpie pens, and clothespins. You are invited to write on a flag about what you are grateful for, and add it to the display. Periodically, I noticed, someone comes to add more lines. Steadily, the flags have grown.

Here are some of my favorite:

Comments: 2 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

Multicultural Children’s Book Day Sponsorships Closing Jan 6th!

January 4, 2017

The prep of the upcoming Multicultural Children’s Book Day 2017 (1/27/17) is humming right along! In case you’ve missed all the details, Valarie Budayr from Jump Into A Book and Mia Wenjen from PragmaticMom are teaming up for the fourth year to raise awareness on the ongoing need to include kid’s books that celebrate diversity in home and school bookshelves while also working diligently to get more of these types of books into the hands of young readers, parents and educators.

BUT, ALL Sponsorship levels will be CLOSING on January 6, 2017!

Comments: 0 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

25 Random Acts of Kindness Advent Calendar

December 26, 2016

I was in a pretty good habit of doing a daily Random Act of Kindness when I turned 48 that carried on for a year or so, but I’ve fallen off the wagon. It’s just so easy to speed through errands in a possessed way, and not notice or take the time for a small act of kindness. I need a reminder!

I’m using my DIY Acts of Kindness Gratitude Advent Calendar as a kickstart. It feels like doing an act of kindness during the busy month of December is impossible, but I am finding that it’s really not. It’s just a mindset and a looking for an opportunity. Just keeping it top of mind helps immensely.

So, here are mine. Most are small, but all, as I note, are truly appreciated!

Dec 1

Ran out to hold the door for a mom with a singing toddler in a stroller at the post office. She told her child how nice I was to hold the door.

Dec 2

Ran ad in Craig’s List and Newton FreeCycle to donate my son’s old bike to someone who needs a gift for their child this holiday season.

Comments: 6 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

Hasbro’s Global Day of Joy

December 19, 2016

Did you know that the holiday season alone, Hasbro donated more than a half million toys and games (valued at $6 million) to children and families in need? Their goal is to put a toy or game in the hands of parents, so they can have a present for their kids on their holiday.

They also believe in a philanthropic mission to empower childhood by bringing hope, play and service into the lives of children. And they put their money where their mouth is:

In 2015, Hasbro contributed more than $14 million in total philanthropic support, impacting 3 million children. In RI, more than 20,000 toys and games donated, one for every child in need to Toys for Tots. Hasbro is also a long-time partner supporting Toys for Tots; 19 years with approximately $3 million worth of toys and games donated annually.

Comments: 2 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

Join Us for 2016 Joy Maker Challenge

December 13, 2016

This is a sponsored post for Hasbro and generationOn. I wanted to share some easy and fun ways for kids to give back through the Joy Maker Challenge. My opinions, as always, are my own.

“If you wait until you can do everything for everybody, instead of something for somebody, you’ll end up not doing nothing for nobody.” ~ Malcom Bane

I’m so excited to tell you about the 2016 Joy Maker Challenge. Hasbro and generationOn, the youth division of Point of Light, have partnered for the seventh annual Joy Maker Challenge, a campaign encouraging youth ages 5-18 to spread joy to people in need during the holidays through volunteer service. Since the campaign’s inaugural year in 2010, more than 960,000 total acts of service have been completed, with 6 million dollars’ worth of toys donated to Toys for Tots by Hasbro.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” ~ Albert Einstein

Comments: 4 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

Sponsorships for Multicultural Children’s Book Day ends Jan 1st!!!

December 8, 2016

Wondering how fundraising is going for Multicultural Children’s Book Day? Are you an author or publisher thinking of getting involved? Our deadline to become a sponsor is CLOSING soon on January 1st, 2017!! Please go HERE to view extended details and benefits of all of our Sponsorship Levels including Author Sponsors.

For our upcoming Multicultural Children’s Book Day on January 27th (our 4th year!), we have some amazing Sponsors in place. We are thrilled to have Scholastic as a Platinum Sponsor. Other Medallion Level Sponsors include Carole P. Roman, Audrey Press, KidLitTV, Capstone Young Readers, Gayle Swift, Wisdom Tales Press, Lee& Low Books, The Pack-n-Go Girls, Live Oak Media, Charlotte Riggle and Chronicle Books.

Comments: 6 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

CapXTalk Boston on Giving Tuesday

December 5, 2016

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Capital One.

The #CapXTalk at the Capital One Cafe in Back Bay Boston was a celebration of Giving Tuesday and how Boston’s companies give back to the community in different and innovative ways. I was in the audience and I took a few clips but you can watch the entire 45 minute live stream too!

Comments: 4 Posted by: Pragmatic Mom Categories: Do Good

Donate to Causes Under Threat #GivingTuesday

November 29, 2016

We do what we can to fight injustice anywhere we see it—whether it’s writing a check or rolling up our sleeves. Aaron Sorkin in a letter to his daughter (full letter below)

There are plenty of things to worry about during a Trump Presidency and Republican controlled government.