One of the privileges in life is being able to help people who have less than you do. We all have our favorite charities and causes, and these efforts over time help make our world a better place.
One charity that I have a special affinity for is Habitat for Humanity. My Stone Soup character Gramma has been involved in Habitat builds in Uganda and Thailand, and Holly and Alix got some early lessons in generousity through a Habitat build in California with their great aunt Marge. These storylines reflect experiences I've had in real life... like Gramma, I worked on a build in Thailand, part of a Women Build team with the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project 2009.
October 4 is World Habitat Day, and Habitat For Humanity International is celebrating their 500,000 house. House number 500,001 will break ground on October 4 in Patterson, NJ.
You can view a short video about this accomplishment by following the link below. Near the 2 minute mark you'll see me at the build in Thailand, talking with the CEO of Habitat, Johathan Reckford, from atop the Women Build house I worked on in Chiang Mai.
Celebrating 500,000 Houses and Beyond
In November, I'll be travelling with Habitat again. I'll be part of a Women Build team joining 450 volunteers in Leogane, Haiti, to help build 100 houses there. I'm hoping to chronicle this next experience once again through Gramma in Stone Soup. So stay tuned. WIFI permitting, I'll also be sending tweets from Leogane.
Meanwhile, I'm honored to be able to use my talents to support these efforts. If you are able, I hope you will celebrate our wonderful life on earth this month in your own way, with whatever cause you admire.
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