Like iCarly

We haven't checked Wyatt's blog in some time.

What did he say just now when we looked at his site counter?

"I'm like iCarly, only . . . not poplular."

I love that kid's sense of humor.

He Did It!

Katie has come down with a nasty cough and cold, so I was unable to go to the Student Council Meeting with Wyatt. I sent him with a bunch of information I'd printed off the website and his older brother went in my place!

Here is the copy of the email I just received from the 3rd-grade-teacher in charge:

Wyatt came on time, did a great job presenting and taking questions. Student council agreed unanimously to give to South Africa and the Open Arms Home for Children. We are going to match what he has raised so far, $500.

Students were so motivated by this that they wanted to do even more! The students really thought about Wyatt's comments about how we are given the opportunity to go to school each day and learn, and there are some kids here who waste that opportunity. In South Africa there are kids who would love to come to school to learn, but do not have the opportunity and money to get an education. As well as, giving to children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic. He passed around his handouts for student council so they could read about Wyatt's giving tree.

And here's another email I received from his teacher:

How wonderful! I am so glad that Carole and Tyler had Wyatt come to SC. I am sorry I was gone and missed it. This has got to be a huge impact on Wyatt...to think that at nine years old he has made a mark in the world. WOW!

I am so proud of him.

Exciting News!

Wyatt has been invited by his school's ASB to come and speak about his blog and his choice to raise funds for the Open Arms Home for Children, in South Africa, tomorrow morning!

Word on the street is that the ASB has some money to give and is interested in Wyatt's philanthropic efforts . . .

I'll keep you posted!

Lessons in Serotonin

It is highly unusual that I find myself sitting in front of any television program, other than something on Noggin, until long after the kids have gone to bed. So I was savoring every minute of being able to watch the Ellen show while Katie was at preschool the other morning.

It was Earth Day, so she and her guests talked a lot about what we can each do to save the planet; basically the same stuff everyone else was talking about. Still, I didn't care, it was adult programming - the kind without the words "swiper no swiping!" being shouted at every turn, so I happily and blankly watched.

The last guest on the show was Dr. Wayne Dyer. I had heard of him, just a bit, but really had no idea who he was.

I must say, he got my attention. And getting my attention away from the pile of laundry that I was folding as I watched my little bit of grown-up tv is no easy task.

Dr. Dyer, among other things, practices the Tao Te Ching. He and Ellen were talking about how acts of kindness affect people of all cultures all over the world. I sat up a little straighter, thinking of this blog and the inspiration I've received as being a vessel for my son's generosity.

The conversation covered the fact that there have been studies done on the serotonin levels in people who have received acts of kindness. The receivers levels were higher than they were before the kindness occurred. The givers levels were higher than before they gave. And even the people witnessing, and not even participating actively in the kindnesses bestowed, had increases in their serotonin levels! Serotonin is the chemical in our brains that is responsible for the "feel good" feelings that we experience. It is the same chemical synthetically reproduced in anti-depressants to help people feel better.

Wouldn't it be a wonderful and glorious thing if the world was kinder?

Can you imagine the results of living in a place where you had the opportunity to be kind, to receive kindness or to witness kindness on a daily basis?

I can. And I will keep this hope alive in my kids every single day.

It's the least I can do.

Did I Say March 1st?

It's been a crazy, crazy month here at our house!

I wanted to share with everyone the final totals for the fundraising effort, but before I do that I want to extend my thanks for participating in so many ways. The kind comments of encouragement, the emails and the donations have meant so much to Wyatt.

I have learned to step back and let him react to his success without putting my own two cents in, which is no easy task if you know me. I should've been born with a roll of duct tape on my arm so that people could shut me up!

Wyatt has learned an invaluable lesson here, one that would not have ever been possible, were it not for this person. Jen's vision a year ago was the beginning of our family's relationship with The Open Arms Home for Children. It is a relationship that I hope will be life-long and beyond.

The act of giving to others is not a completely selfless act, as it generates feelings of satisfaction, happiness and empathy in the giver. And I am so incredibly happy to pass those feelings on to my son. He was born with a giving spirit and to see the end result and the beginning of what I hope will be an on-going gift to Africa for many of you, is the best gift ever.

It is only the beginning.

And so, drum roll please . . .

Together, this past month, YOU have raised just over $500.00 US dollars for The Open Arms Home for Children.

Now, doesn't that make you feel good?

We will leave Wyatt's blog up until the end of March for anyone who wishes to donate and did not get a chance. "Thank You" does not seem like enough words to convey my sentiments over the generosity I've seen here. In this tumultuous world of differing opinions and beliefs, it is an overwhelming feeling to know that a group of relative strangers can band together to help the vision of one 3rd-grader.

Thank You.

Update

I just wanted to share an update with the current amount Wyatt has raised for Open Arms Home for Children.

Drumroll . . . as of today, the estimated total is $320.00 US dollars. That's a whole heck of a lot more than pocket change!

Here is one of the many emails that we've received, with the name deleted for privacy:

"Hey buddy. Good job in working with your mom to get your blog set up and the donation link going. **** and I were on the Open Arms website tonight and donated $50. Most kids your age just think about playing video games, watching TV and playing sports.....you are truly a special kid! We love you and are proud of you......Keep up the good work!"

And this is just one of the many. I can't express how grateful I am to each and every one of you who has left supportive comments and donations because of this. Wyatt gets so excited when I tell him that there has been another contribution, comment or email about the children's home.

You can donate here, if you wish.

And remember, you can reach me (us) at blankenship.carrie[at]yahoo.com if you'd like to privately mention your donation, or if you have any questions.

It's Kick Off Time!

I am happy to announce that Wyatt has given his donation to The Open Arms Home for Children, in the sum of twenty of his hard-earned, nine-year-old boy dollars!

Within minutes, we matched his donation and so did his grandparents, which automatically increases his original contribution to $80! I know that it may not seem like a lot, but just as $20 was a lot to a 3rd grader, any amount we can generate for the incredible work that is being done by this organization in South Africa, will make a large difference in the lives of the children whom they serve.

I have tried, but not been able to set up a way of tracking the donations given solely via Wyatt's blog, but in the end, I don't think the monetary number is what really matters in terms of the outcome. What matters is that Wyatt inspired others to give, whatever they can, to a cause that is near and dear to all of our hearts: the future of children.

And that is the only outcome that matters to him.

So, if you are still so inclined, please click here to donate. This link will bring you directly to the donation page of the Open Arms Home for Children in South Africa.

If you could comment, just to say that you donated (you don't have to disclose the amount unless you want to, we understand that some things are private) that would be wonderful. I may also be reached by email at blankenship.carrie{at}yahoo.com if you'd like to let me know that way. Or, if you want to comment just to tell Wyatt to "keep up the good work," he would really appreciate that too!

And thank you, thank each and every one of you who has visited and left support in the past few weeks for Wyatt. Hopefully this is just the beginning of many, many good things to come, for all of us.

We will keep the link active until the end of the month, hopefully giving everyone time to donate. If more time is needed, we'd be more than happy to extend the deadline.

March 1, I will post an estimate of the donations generated so that we can all see just how much of a difference we made, together. Thank you, again, for all your support.