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The last saturday in July every year, (July 26th this year), the blog-o-sphere hosts a blog-a-thon.
A blog-a-thon is:
People who update their websites every 30 minutes for 24 hours straight. For this, they collect sponsorships. Pledges can be a flat donation, or a certain amount for every hour the blogger manages to stay awake.
I think this is an excellent idea and plan on participating every year. This is my second year to participate. Last year, I was part of a collaborative effort and we blogged for First Book. Won’t you join me in blogging for a worthy cause? My blog-a-thon begins July 26th at 6:00 a.m. U.S. central time and ends July 27th at 6:00 a.m. U.S. central time
The theme for 2008? SUPPORT OUR TROOPS
Usually, bloggers pick one charity and blog for that one charity for 24 straight hours. However, this year, I’m approaching the challenge a bit differently.
There are so many worthy organizations out there for our troops that I can’t possibly settle on blogging for just one. So, I would like to take this 2008 blog-a-thon opportunity to showcase several different organizations in the hopes that
1. you will know about these outstandings causes and
2. that you might find it in your heart to partake of these charities and either donate your time, or your money, in helping them carry out their mission.
In addition to some pretty awesome links and an ongoing story about three military women waiting for their men to come home during that 24-hour period, I also plan on giving away two books and one journal.
The first book (are you making notes? I don’t see you writing anything down! Have you added me to your RSS read yet? It’s a whole lot easier than actually clicking over! Do it now before you forget!) I’ll be giving away is:
A Year of Absence: Six women’s stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond
This book will be given away beginning at 8:00 a.m. July 26th. All you’ll have to do is leave a comment between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. – a random winner will be announced in the 11:30 entry.
The second is:
Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul: Stories to Touch the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit by Jack Canfield
This book will be given away beginning at 2:00 p.m. July 26th. All you’ll have to do is leave a comment between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. – a random winner will be announced in the 6:30 entry.
And the journal will be PERFECT for some lucky winner to record his/her thoughts or events while the loved one is away.
The journal will be given away beginning at 8:00 p.m. July 26th. All you’ll have to do is leave a comment between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. – a random winner will be announced in the 11:30 p.m. entry.
If you are a military spouse (or soldier), or know of a military spouse (or soldier), you really won’t want to miss this. It promises to be a patriotic, and emotional, 24-hours. I plan on showcasing several charities, showing pictures of homecoming moments and posting dedication videos to our wonderful armed forces every thirty minutes.
The fun begins July 26th, at 6:00 a.m. U.S. central time. Don’t miss out!
(If you’re participating in the blog-a-thon this year, leave me a comment and I’ll include your link on the blog-a-thon page so others can come visit you!!)
Write From Karen 
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