Okay, I honestly tried to stop writing and take a long and much-needed break out here in the breathtakingly beautiful Bay Area – but I miss all you guys. And I miss telling stories!
I’m not sure where What Gives 2011 is going (I really, really want to turn it into a TV show and film my Top 30 causes) but I guess we’ll just have to see. And yes, that does mean I am going to drag you along on this journey with me.
My long and winding road
I’ve also got more causes I want to write about & people whose stories I am dying to share, even if I’m not giving away money, so stay tuned for that (it just won’t be every day)…
Jason, Luke's friend in the U.S. military, and Afghani kids
And the latest News Flash is that on January 1, Luke Edenfield got his birthday wish and received the last of 1,000 donated toy cars that he’s sending to U.S. soldiers to distribute to kids in Afghanistan. Yay Luke!
(And if you want to see my world-famous debut on Martha Stewart and CNN — just click on the PRESS button in the masthead, and it will take you right to the videos! )
What Gives 
Hi Betty,
I decided to play along with a blog chain and awarded you a “Stylish blogger award”. Congratulations on your fantastic blog.
It’s all explained in my latest post
http://wp.me/pN0M1-ym
Betty,
I’ve been busy with senior year and hadn’t been reading your blog. Sorry about that. I’m going to try and catch up and read all your entries I missed. CARE Club at Reagan is going strong. We were the largest high school participant in the May 2010 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Winston-Salem and I was proud of that. I hope I can leave the club strong when I leave in June. I wanted to update you on my college search and let you know I’ve gotten into some of the schools I was interested in and a few I’ll have to wait until March to hear from. I remember your great advice that there wasn’t one perfect school so I remain hopeful I’ll find my place for the next four years. Sadly, I must tell you that one of my Reagan friends was killed in a car accident on his way to school last week in the recent snow/ice event we had here in W-S and you down in Atlanta. He wasn’t doing anything wrong, just driving to school and hit a patch of black ice. The funeral was yesterday with over 300 Reagan students in attendance. I didn’t know he was autistic and had some other issues. I only knew he always had a smile on his face and I can only hope that I can be the kind of friend he was to others. I better go because I’ve got plenty of reading to do to catch up. I’m glad you are still writing…Hope your daughter is doing well!
Dear MacKenzie — I’m so happy to hear from you!! Where are you thinking of going to college?? I’m sure you’ll do SO well! Keep in touch with me, please — and ALL the best with your plans!! b
I got North Carolina Teaching Fellows at Elon University so it is between Elon and Wake. Both great schools. I visited for Campus Day on Friday at Wake and Elon’s is this coming weekend so I think after that I’ll know for sure. Leaning toward Elon since I got Teaching Fellows. I think that is such a great program and I’m excited to be one of the 500 recipients out of almost 2000 kids. Thanks again for all your support of CARE Club!
Dearest MacKenzie —
I am SO excited for you! (and really proud of you, too!) I have known a lot of kids who’ve gone to both Elon & Wake — both great schools,
so I am quite sure you’ll be happy at & do wonderful work at either. Just follow your heart & I’m sure everything will turn out grand….
Congrats on the Teaching Fellows grant from Elon — WOW!!! Your parents must be so proud of you —
I have always loved telling the story of CARE and you writing to me … So happy you’re keeping in touch with me and letting me know your triumphs!!!
All the best & let me know what you decide
Cheers,
Betty
Betty Londergan 2702 Mabry Rd. NE Atlanta, GA 30319 (610-348-9279) https://whatgives365.wordpress.com
hi betty – i stumbled across your blog in early may and have LOVED every entry since then! i’ve shared your entries with so many friends and they too have been captivated by the stories you tell.
i love reading about so many wonderful endeavors, some i know and some are new. yet they all speak the word HOPE …. for our world, for generations to come and for the Saviour who defines Hope.
thank you for sharing! i’m excited to see what 2011 brings …
Angie B — thanks so much for writing! Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner — but YES, I will keep blogging (I missed it so much when I stopped then I suddenly realized, I CAN keep going!)
Hope you’ll keep reading! ( :
Just like you to take two entire days off. And two days in a row, no less.
I can’t wait to see what you do with this year!
SIX whole days! unbelievable … I don’t know what to do with myself! (actually, yes i do — trying to get Lulu ready to go off to Rome, and reading like crazy.
and now it’s a snow day — i feel like i’m going to get arrested, i am so relaxed! xoxox b
Glad you’re not going away Betty!
I have another interesting cause for you:
http://onthegroundglobal.org/On_The_Ground/RAE_Live.html
Happy New Year!
The warm fuzzies one gets from giving does tend to be additive.
I’m thrilled to hear I’ll still be receiving updates from you.
Betty, I’m glad you’re not going away! I’ve loved reading your posts. It would be really cool if you continued to give, however. You could truly set an example by giving away money that you DO need. What do you think?
Well, actually I COULD have used that money …. but I’m sure I’ll keep giving. It’s sort of addictive!
I think Betty should talk with Oprah and get a show on her new network – that’s right up her alley.
I think so, too — why isn’t Oprah answering my calls???
Thank you so much for the inspiration and love that you have shared with hte world this past year!
Yippee!!!!!!!
It was nice to see your post in my inbox.
I was thinking the same thing as Susan. You would be a perfect fit for OWN.
It makes me so happy to see you back in my in-box.
How wonderful! I look forward to reading more!
Hi Betty, I hope you are well in this new year. In late December I finished my annual goals which included reshaping how I was going to give to organizations in 2011. I had decited to widen the circle of giving by increasing my total giving in dollars, by increasing the number of organizations yet giving smaller amounts to each one. And then there you were on a CNN interview. I was totally inspired and your views reinforced my decisions in a very strong way. Thank you. I am 67 years old and may live another 20 years. When I die I hope my net worth is zero. I want to give it away and enjoy the smiles now. You go! 🙂 I really want to hear more from you about other people and organizations helping one person or one village at a time.
Be well and happy
GT in Western North Carolina
You are inspiring ME, GT! Lovely to see your passion for giving — Happy 2011!
Betty – you’re feeding the addict in me – but I appreciate it. Only saying this partly facetiously, but in hearing about the new Oprah network, that seems to have you written all over it – any possible connections there?
enjoy San Francisco – and do try to take a little break!
one of my favorite Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks tunes
How can I miss you when you won’t go away?
I keep telling you day after day
But you won’t listen, you always stay and stay
How can I miss you when you won’t go away?
sweet!!!!!!!
YAY!! Bring it on, baby!! Love the idea of a TV show, and Betsy’s idea of revisiting places you donated to last year. I’d also be VERY interested in hearing from you how this wonderful experiment has effected your life; what ongoing changes you’re noticing. Lastly, I adore the graphic of my hometown, and hope you’re having a mind-blowingly fabulous time in my hometown. Here’re a few ideas you may like:
http://www.citylights.com/ BEST bookstore in town; in North Beach, old Italian section; coffee houses galore
http://www.zaziesf.com/zaziesf/home.html Haven’t been there yet, but it’s on my list; review on PBS was terrific
http://www.gracecathedral.org/welcome/overview/ There’s a labyrinth to walk; nice to do on a break at the start of a new year 🙂
YAY Betty! So nice to hear that you’re in my old hometown! Maybe if you get a chance, please check out SCRAP in San Francisco! The address is 801 Toland Street (entrance on Newcomb Ave.) Tel: 415-647-1746. The Director is Ms. Kennen Shapiro and tell her “Hi” from us! Looking forward to “What Gives 2011”! Thank you so much for your inspiration and hey, maybe you can take a quick flight down here to Long Beach!
When I saw you pop up in my inbox, it was completely natural, as if you never left. I expect to see more of you, and look forward to it!
So happy to see you in my Inbox, Betty! I have an idea for year II – not that you need more ideas, you’ve got plenty of your own – how about revisiting the places you wrote about last year, with 2011 updates. I’m sure your readership grew a lot during the year, and I for one ****admit**** that I didn’t go back and read the earlier entries.
I’m so glad you are back! I was already missing What Gives 365.
YAY!!!!! more of you is just what we all need!!!!
Oh, I feel a celebration coming on. Betty isn’t through yet! That’s the best news the new year could bring. Judy
Yay! Love, love reading what you have to share and learning about so many fabulous causes out there! Keep up the great work!
Hooray Betty! Write on… we’re with you 🙂
Nick Kristoff… move over 🙂