The past two summers, I’ve sent out emails to friends and family members, asking for people to sponsor my summer reading and make a donation to the library’s summer charity.  I didn’t do that this year, though, partly because it seems gauche to constantly hit up the people I most care about for money, and partly because, well, times are tough and I know that most people are struggling financially these days.

So this year I’m just publishing a general call for donations.  The summer reading charity this year is the World Wildlife Fund, and we will be donating money to sponsor either a manatee, a mountain gorilla, or a polar bear.  The kids in town who are participating in the summer reading program have been voting for their choice of animal (1 vote for every 1 hour of reading), and so far the race is too close to call.  (The library donation to the World Wildlife Fund is generously donated by the Friends of the library.)

I have been keeping track of my reading hours, too, and am currently at 20 1/2 hours.  My goal is to reach 30 hours total.  I have made a personal pledge of 2 dollars for every hour that I read, so if I am able to reach my goal I will make a donation of $60.00 to the World Wildlife Fund, which will be in addition to the money donated by the Friends of the library. 

If anyone would like to make a pledge and sponsor my reading, that would be wonderful.  You needn’t even donate through me or the library; if you feel inclined to make a donation on your own to the World Wildlife Fund, and simply leave a comment here saying that you have done so, that would be terrific too.  Thank you so much for any and all support!!