Share the Thanksgiving Table

There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.”― Maimonides

Message from Founder, Cynthia Brian

For me Thanksgiving is every day because I truly believe in being grateful. So often we tend to focus on what we don’t have instead of offering thanks for what we do have. I am grateful for my health, a loving family, a roof over my head, food in my belly, friends to play with, nature to grow me, work for which I’m passionate, and for all of you who support, volunteer, donate, and believe in the mission of Be the Star You Are!® Here at Be the Star You Are!® we truly believe in empowerment, starting with encouraging and mentoring our volunteers to be the best they can be. Everyday we are reaching for the stars and helping others learn to land on them too.

As the holidays begin, we hope you will give yourself the gift of year-end giving by opening your wallets to make a tax deductible donation to Be the Star You Are!®. We make it so easy for you.

You can send a check to BTSYA, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556. You can call us with a credit card at 925-377-STAR, or easiest of all, make your donation on-line either at our web site www.BetheStarYouAre.org or directly at PayPal Giving Fund where 100% of your donation funds our outreach projects. https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3

As you reflect on what matters most in your life, consider sharing the bounty to improve the lives of those less fortunate through the outreach programs of Be the Star You Are!®.

Gratitude is an attitude and we THANK YOU!

Have a healthy, happy, generous Thanksgiving. Remember to always BE the STAR YOU Are!

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

PS: Congratulations to our teen radio hosts and reporters celebrating 5 years and 242 original programs on Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio broadcasting on Voice America Kids Network. http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself

OPERATION HURRICANE MATTHEW DISASTER RELIEF

Be the Star You Are!® has been working diligently to give a new book for the holidays to families and children in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina who suffered losses during the horrible storms of Hurricane Matthew. Brand new books totaling over $15,000 have been shipped to date. Many thanks go to our author partners Brooks Olbrys, Diana Zimmerman, Cynthia Brian, and Lee Ann Mancini for participating in Operation Hurricane Matthew Disaster Relief. For more information and to donate go to http://www.bethestaryouare.org/noperation-hurricane-disaster-relie

(Add photo of books)

Here’s what a few of the beneficiaries have written.

“We received the beautiful books you sent to First Books of Beaufort. Thank you so much! I will send photos when we are distributing the books.” Peg Schlichtemeier, First Books of Beaufort,

“The books are beautiful!! We will begin to organize and wrap them soon. Thank you again for the generous donation! Those books will be a wonderful gift for the many children we serve this Christmas.

Have a blessed and healthy Christmas and New Year!!!

Sincerely, Nadine King, Christmas Come True”, Florida

“Awesome - thanks so much.” Vincent J. DelMonte, Executive Director,

Frank Callen Boys & Girls Clubs, Georgia

ANNOUNCING OUR NEW TEEN BOOK REVIEW COORDINATOR

Our gratitude goes out to Katie Huang who has been our Teen Book Review Coordinator for the past few years. Since Katie is now in college and her hours are more restricted, she is turning over her reins to Maria Wong, an active BTSYA volunteer as well as reporter and host on Express Yourself!®. For volunteers who are part of the Star Book Review Team, please submit your book reviews to bluemango321@yahoo.com. Welcome Maria to your new leadership position!

EVENTS:

November 23-November 29th:

GIVING WEEK: Giving Assistant will double donations 11/23-11/29 https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

It’s Giving Week at Giving Assistant where you SAVE more and they GIVE more.

You’ll earn the highest cash back rates of the year and Giving Assistant will double all donations when you shop at all of your favorite brands online from 11/23-11/29 including Etsy, Home Depot, Macy’s, Gilt, Nasty Gal, and thousands more. Start shopping and giving at https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

December 17 11am-3pm PT

Visit and Photo with Santa

http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events

Visit and Photo with Santa on Saturday, December 17th, 2016

In collaboration with 5 A Rent A Space, teen volunteers from Be the Star You Are!® will help children write letters to Santa and enjoy arts and crafts as well as get a framed photo with Santa Claus himself!. Cookies, fruit, candy canes, and hot cocoa will be served. The event is FREE to the public. Bring your little ones to a visit with Santa.

Date: Saturday, December 17, 2016

Time: 11am-3pm

Place: 5 A Rent a Space

455 Moraga Road

Moraga, California 94556

It will be a fun-filled time for all ages who believe in the magic of Christmas.

Donations greatly appreciated for the outreach programs of the all volunteer non profit Be the Star You Are!®

See you there!