[Note from Mike: The following guest post is from my good friend and OFFICIAL Buzz Kids Reporter, Cole. He's only 3 years old, but he has an amazing understanding of the importance of giving to others. You can see below that Cole and I share a passion for snow angels, but I had no idea that his musical tastes were so fabulous, too! Seriously...The Beatles! Cole is an AWESOME kid!]
Dear Mr. Schaffer,
Ever since I saw the video of you making a snow angel for 12for12K I have been trying to find ways I can help do something nice for someone else and teach others to do good too. At school I was the door helper and helped my teacher and friends by holding the door. I am trying to teach my baby sister Lauren to share. Mom says that whether you are big (like Mike) or small (like Lauren) everyone can do something to help others. And that is what 12for12k is all about…doing something.
I wanted to make you another angel, but there’s no snow. I tried anyway, but it didn’t work. I was a little mad about that, but mom showed me a concert on the 12for12k site. I did a holiday concert at my school and mom said that even though it’s not winter, I can still do a concert!
So here it is… my own concert for 12for12K. The song I chose is “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” by The Beatles. I like to sing it to my baby sister and it makes her laugh. I hope that everyone who hears my concert will smile. Maybe if I can make some more people smile, they’ll visit 12for12k and help bring some smiles to those who need one.
Thank you for letting me come play on your blog.
Sincerely,
Cole
Age 3
Note from Cole’s Mom & Dad: The 12for12K Challenge is a combination of social media awareness and fund-raising that aims to change the lives of millions worldwide. In our home, 12for12K reminds us that there are many important causes and that while we can’t do everything, we can each do something. We hope you’ll take a moment to visit the 12for12K site, and consider making a donation and using the power of your voice to reach out through social media and spread the word.
[Note from Mike: Cole has done snow angels and a music video - what are you doing to raise awareness of important causes?]
Thanks everyone for the firestorm of birthday wishes! I feel the love, for sure
For my birthday this year, I don’t need any presents. What I would like is for you to look into some of my favorite charitable causes. I’m not asking you to donate, just read up on a few of these organizations.
Stand Up, Take Notice – My good friend Lisa Pagano is nominated for Woman of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This is a tremendous organization that does terrific work. Leukemia took my grandfather – and with more research, hopefully it won’t take anyone else.
Wayne Blann Scholarship Fund – One of the smartest minds in sports marketing, Dr. Wayne Blann is the pioneer in college majors in the field. The original also happens to be the best. Ithaca College created a scholarship fund to help Sports Management and Sports Media students pay for summer internships.
(There is no donation mechanism online for the Blann Fund. If you are interested, checks may be made out to Ithaca College with a note that this is for the Blann Scholarship Fund. The check should be sent to Michele Exposite, Associate Director, Individual and Planned Giving, 235 Alumni Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850)
12 for 12 k – Their tagline says it best: changing the world through social media. Think there isn’t charitable power in social media? Look at the lesson it taught my friend Cole this winter! He’s 3 years old and 12for12K showed him that EVERY person can help.
Again, I’m not asking anyone to donate money. But the perfect birthday gift to me would be to take a few minutes to learn about these organizations.
Last weekend, during the #Snowpocalypse2 in Washington, DC, my good friend Heather Dueitt dared me to do a Snow Angel. I did it, but in the name of the phenomenal 12for12k charity, which uses social media for social good [since I'm much closer to 30 than to 20, these days it takes a dare to do a snow angel ]. As the winter weather has returned to the East Coast (we’re calling it #Snowdiculous here), I got this letter from our newest OFFICIAL Buzz correspondent Cole…and I am honored to share it with you!
Dear Mr. Schaffer,
My name is Cole and I am 3. My mom showed me the video of you making a snow angel for 12for12k. I know all about 12for12k! It’s about doing something good for someone else every month. And mom says that whether you are big (like Mike) or small (like my baby sister) everyone can do something. So here it is… my first snow angel ever! And maybe anyone who likes my angel can visit 12for12k and help do a little good.
Thank you for letting me come play on your blog. And for helping me make my first snow angel.
