The book “A Glove of Their Own” – the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Children’s Book Award winner – inspires people from all walks of life to help disadvantaged children. An article now appearing in Baseball Digest features Michael Cuddyer of the Minnesota Twins, reading the book to his son, Casey.

Proceeds from the sale of this book will help provide birthday gifts for less fortunate kids when using the code CHG132 at the time of purchase at  “A Glove of Their Own” website.

We were excited to learn from Bob Salomon, promoter of the book “A Glove of  Their Own” that he has gained the support of this legend at the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center.

A Glove of Their Own is a children’s book that is touching hearts across the nation. When ordering, choose Cheerful Givers on the drop-down menu, and $3.00 per book will be donated to Cheerful Givers.

The next great catcher Bob would like to add to his amazing list of supporters is Joe Mauer. Spread the word!

The book follows an underprivileged group of kids whose lack of equipment doesn’t hamper their love of baseball. This wonderfully illustrated, hard-cover book, which makes a great gift for kids of all ages, can be purchased for $15.95 at www.agloveoftheirown.com, and if you select Cheerful Givers (code CHG 132), a portion of the proceeds will help us to provide toy-filled birthday gift bags for less fortunate kids.

Here’s what one Grandfather had to say about the book :

I am a 61 year old male who recently purchased your book.  I plan to give it as a gift to my son with the design that he will share it with our grandson to advance a message of what the game has to offer all of us: it’s history, structure, purpose, culture, significance, and more importantly what can be learned from it.

I began reading the book in the store where I purchased it and began to get somewhat emotional as it
“flashed” me back to my youth, and how I spent many a day playing with friends and rivals the game that has meant so much to me in my lifetime.  As a result, I have tried to communicate the game and it’s merits to my son over the years, and this book has in a strong way rekindled the significance of what I did, and enjoyed as a youth, and what I am encouraging my son to “pass on” to another generation.

This book, the short read that it is, has to be one of the most moving pieces of literature about the game, creatively crafted so that anyone who knows anything about the game can understand just a little better that it truly is a “kids game”, but also delivers a companion message that can be understood and practiced by everyone.

Congratulations on a great piece of work!

- Ken Bernabe

Scholastic Books also donated a library to one of their literacy partners in response to the group reading 100 books. Cheerful Givers was one of the 10 programs that the students chose to receive one of the fifty book libraries.

Thank you Rondo Discovery Club!

]]> http://www.cheerfulgivers.org/2009/02/rondo-discovery-club-kids-are-winners/feed/ 0 http://www.cheerfulgivers.org/2008/08/a-glove-of-their-own/ http://www.cheerfulgivers.org/2008/08/a-glove-of-their-own/#comments Fri, 08 Aug 2008 14:31:25 +0000 Karen http://www.cheerfulgivers.org/blog/?p=226 Baseball stars across the country are stepping up to support a new children’s book, A Glove of Their Own. The book aims to teach children the value of sharing what you have with those in need.  And Cheerful Givers is proud to be one of the charities that will benefit from sales of the book.

Bob Salomon, the head of the movement promoting this book said “As a little league coach and proud father of two, I am fortunate enough to be passionate about the “pay it forward” or “give it back” mindset that has slowly been catching on throughout corporate America. A Glove of Their Own is a children’s picture book that personifies this mentality. It utilizes baseball, and an underprivileged group of boys’ childhood experience. Their love of the game is not defined by the equipment they don’t have but rather the passion and dreams that they do have.”

The book was inspired by a birthday party held for one of the writers, Debbie Moldovan’s, children. In place of gifts, guests were asked to donate baseball equipment for children who normally do without. A Glove of Their Own has caught the attention of big-hearted baseball players including Robb Quinlan, Jack Hannahan, Sean Casey and Craig Biggio.

The book comes out in October but reserve copies can be ordered now at A Glove of Their Own website.  Be sure to click on the Charity code CHG 132 from the drop-down box and Cheerful Givers will receive a portion of the sale.

If you have books to donate, we know of kids who will treasure them!

Now that the the book is available at Barnesandnoble.com and the gift-giving season will soon be upon us, we hope to see books flying off their site! But we’re also looking for more ideas on how to promote this one. If you’ve read it, send us your ideas and write a review at the BarnesandNoble website. If you haven’t read it, guess you better buy one today:)

Here’s what the Governor had to say:

Dear Karen,

Thank you for sending the bookmark and book “Do I Have a Birthday Too? The Cheerful Givers Story” to my office. Your effort to see that every child experiences the affirmation that is communicated through a birthday celebration is both commendable and inspiring.

Your gift has been gratefully accepted on behalf of the state of Minnesota. Best wishes in all your future efforts with Cheerful Givers.

Sincerely,

Tim Pawlenty
Governor

Melane Bower is also hosting an online web conference Saturday, April 14 at 1 pm EST. The conference will serve as a forum to learn about and discuss the many ways to become involved in the Cheerful Givers cause. Barnes & Noble gift certficates will be given to two winners. To register for the conference send an email to info@writingforthecause.com with 4/14 in the subject line. If you have a chance to listen to either of these, send us your feedback. And if you haven’t yet bought the book, you can do that at http://www.writingforthecause.com/.

“I received my copy last night. I read it and was very impressed. If I were not already committed to this cause, I know the book would convince me. I bought a few copies and plan to leave them in our common areas here. I believe this book will bring lots of attention to Cheerful Givers.” Diane Toscano

“It is an amazing book and a real eye opener about the organization and the children. I love it!” Ashley Reno

“I was pleasantly surprised by how much coverage the Seattle efforts received. It was very interesting to learn more about CG’s major players. I think I will buy a copy of the book for each of my family members and friends in other states…” Briana Keller

Susan Murphy of The Improve Group wrote “A Cheerful Story” in her blog.

If you’ve read the book, leave a comment here or send it to karen@cheerfulgivers.org You can order the book at www.writingforthecause.com

Thanks!