
Scene from The Peddler’s Bed illustrated by Bong Redila (Ripple Grove Press, 2015)
Even before my first children’s picture book, The Peddler’s Bed, was published, I knew I wanted to help people. But how? After the book was released, I began to research non-profit organizations that might be a good match. And although there are many extremely worthy causes out there, it didn’t take long to realize that the best match was right here in my own community: The Syracuse Rescue Mission.
Since 1887, the Syracuse Rescue Mission has been helping people in need by providing food, clothing, and shelter. Though they have evolved over the years, adding more services, programs, and locations, the values of faith, hope and love continue to form the foundation of their mission.
This is what the SRM is all about: Putting an end to hunger and homelessness for men, women, and children in our community.
- Their Food Service Center provides three free hot meals a day to anyone in need. (Nearly 700 free meals a day and nearly a quarter million meals a year are served!)
- Their emergency shelter offers 183 beds for men and women in eight separate dormitories.
- They offer employment and education resources, life skills training, spiritual care, and connection to other services.
- Rescue Mission staff help place hundreds of individuals into permanent homes in the community every year.
- Their Homeless Outreach Service is a mobile unit that reaches out to individuals experiencing homelessness, offering to bring them to shelter, and providing food, water, clothing, blankets and other support.
I am donating 25% of my royalty earnings from sales of The Peddler’s Bed between September 1, 2015 and September 1, 2016 to the Syracuse Rescue Mission. It’s easy to see why supporting the SRM is the right choice for me. If you’ve read The Peddler’s Bed, you know it’s all about kindness, caring, giving, and, of course, a warm bed.
Thank You!
If you’ve already purchased a copy of The Peddler’s Bed, thank you so much; you’ve joined with others to help provide food, clothing, shelter, hot showers, and warm beds to men, woman, and children in need.
It’s not too late to help. If you’d like to purchase a copy of The Peddler’s Bed, choose one of these links:
If you’d prefer to donate directly to the Syracuse Rescue Mission, click here, or search for a similar cause in your local area. Let’s put an end to hunger and homelessness for all people.
This is wonderful, Lauri! Good for you! I love local missions that help the community with a multi-layered approach. And I love the way your blog looks…it’s different, right?
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Thank you, Vivian! Sometimes I think people forget that there are folks right in our own communities that need help. The RM does a great job and I wanted to help. And yes, my blog got a makeover–new year, new look! 🙂
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This is wonderful, Laurie!
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Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
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This is really wonderful, Lauri!
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Thank you, Robin! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Poetry by Pamela.
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Thanks so much for sharing, Pamela! 🙂
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Love your giving spirit! The book is gorgeous and a simple reminder to work within your community.
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Thanks, Juliana, so glad you think so! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Juliana Lee and commented:
Author, Lauri Fortino is paying it forward with proceeds from her debut picture book. Check out her blog and support her mission or your own community in your own way.
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I really appreciate the reblog, Juliana, thank you! 🙂
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Beautiful heart, Lauri!
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Thank you, Mona! And thanks for commenting! 🙂
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Generous and thoughtful Lauri! I know you will inspire others by your actions.
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Thank you, Cathy! I would be thrilled if my actions inspired others! I hope you’re right. 🙂
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Wonderful way to give back!
I started a book festival to try and get people excited about literacy in my area.
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Thanks, Tracey! I love the book festival idea! I wish you much success with it! And thanks again for sharing my post on Twitter! 🙂
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