Reading for a Cause: Celebrities Share the First Book That Got Them Hooked

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

It’s back to school season! Normally it’s around this time that you’re thinking: pencils, erasers, lunch boxes, books. So along with shopping for school supplies, make a stop by FirstBook.org and tell them what book got you hooked on reading and vote on which state you would like to receive 50,000 new books for low income youth.

First Book, an organization that provides books to children in need, has delivered more than 65 million books across the continent since its inception over 20 years ago. By giving books to underprivileged children, First Book is helping address the concern of illiteracy in our nation.

For this campaign, First Book asks the question: What book got you hooked on reading? They ask that you share this beloved memory with them and then vote on which state you would like to receive 50,000 new books for low income children, allowing them to get hooked on reading, too. Past winners include Oklahoma and Kansas, and the top five states for this year’s campaign are currently made up of: Oklahoma, West Virginia, Kentucky, Nebraska, and Massachusetts, so if you would like to see your state win the prize, tell your friends and vote until September 30.

You can also see what books hooked numerous celebrities like: Morgan Freeman, David Duchovny, Patti LaBelle, Selena Gomez, Bow Wow, Edward Asher, Neil Patrick Harris, John Krasinski, Steve Colbert, and Scarlett Johansson.

Be sure to go to http://www.firstbook.org/, share what book hooked you, and vote! “Because there are some stories no child should grow up without”.

To purchase books that give back to charity, go to the book page of Uptown Liz.

Shop for a Cause: Trash Turns into Treasure with TerraCycle

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

They say “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”; is it ever with TerraCycle, where your trash can be upcycled into useful products. Upcycling (the opposite of recycling) is the process of using waste to create new products. Thanks to one of the top 100 most innovative companies, we can decrease landfill and have super stylish gear that will be sure to turn heads.

TerraCycle takes your garbage and turns it into useful products. Currently the company is collecting drink pouches, Flavia Freshpacks, Kashi packages, energy bar wrappers, toasted chip boxes, Bear Naked bags, cell phones, cork from wine* (link to UL wine products) bottles, and yogurt containers. Once these are received, TerraCycle will donate 2 cents to your favorite charity (and 25 cents for cell phones). So grab all of your friends and neighbors and start collecting trash! TerraCycle even sends you the packages to ship your items so you don’t have to pay extra. This is such a great way to give back to your favorite charity and it doesn’t cost you a penny.

Well it does , of course, if you purchase some of TerraCycle’s amazing products. Currently you can buy lawn and garden care products, household cleaners, office and school supplies, bags, and winter and holiday merchandise. I am rather fond of the wine cork board ($20) and CD-ROM Christmas ornaments ($8). Just go to http://www.shoponlygreen.com/ and check them out for yourself. You won’t regret it!

To find out more details about upcycling and the TerraCycle brigades visit: http://www.terracycle.net/brigades/.

Celebrities for a Cause: Angelina Jolie Visits Walter Reed Military Hospital

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

Angelina Jolie is always full of surprises! Earlier this summer, the actress and humanitarian paid a visit to our troops in DC while volunteering with the USO. But that's not what surprised us - it's that no one knew about it! The only pictures taken of the actress that day were from other volunteers and the soldiers; how she managed to slip past the media, we may never know.

The passionate humanitarian decided to spend her charitable day at Walter Reed Military Hospital, where she leisurely spent time with the injured soldiers and their families. Wearing her USO shirt, Jolie gave out gift bags to show her appreciation that included a one thousand dollar gift card to Best Buy!

Jolie's philanthropic life began after filming "Laura Croft: Tomb Raider" in Cambodia, where she witnessed the need for aid. Since then, she has become a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations and also founded the Maddox Jolie Pitt Foundation. She also plans to finance future philantropic efforts with one-third of her income from her salary. Jolie has proven that even when she's not in the spotlight, she stays dedicated to the causes close to her heart.

If you or someone in your family is in the military, Lisa Hoffman, a skin care company, offers 50% off any items purchased through her Web site. And don't forget to check out the military page of Uptown Liz for other ways to help the Armed Forces.

Shop for a Cause: Leonardo DiCaprio Partners with TAG Heuer to Help the Environment

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

It seems that ever since Jack Dawson's encounter with an iceberg in "Titanic", actor Leonardo DiCaprio realized the importance of caring for the environment. Now serving as an environmental activist, DiCaprio has joined forces with the internationally recognized watch brand TAG Heuer to aid environmental, nonprofit organizations.

All royalties from this partnership, which will last three years, will go to aid the National Resource Defense Council, a nonprofit organization focused on protecting all of Earth's life and the elements that sustain it, and Green Cross International which focuses on improving humanity's relationship with nature.

The partnership between DiCaprio and TAG Heuer could not be a better match; both are driven and both are determined to make a difference. DiCaprio has gone a step further by committing to donating an additional multi-million dollars to support these environmental charities. Now that's putting your money where your mouth is!

To shop for more products that support the environment, go to Uptown Liz.

Eat for a Cause: Be a Hero on Miracle Treat Day at Your Local Dairy Queen

Article written by guest blogger Melissa Long

This Thursday only, Dairy Queen is hosting their annual Miracle Treat Day! On August 13, you can make a difference in the life of a child in your local community just by enjoying one of summer's best desserts from one of America's favorite ice cream shops.

For every blizzard purchased on this day, $1 will go to fund your local Children's Miracle Network hospital. Just last year, Miracle Treat Day raised $5.7 million nationwide and has collected a total of $77 million since the first Miracle Treat Day in 1984.

They say one person can't make a difference, but $77 million is nothing to overlook! So grab your family and friends for one last celebration before summer ends and school begins. Find your participating DQ and learn more about Miracle Treat Day and The Children's Miracle Network at www.miracletreatday.com.

Becky Lavelle of Jenny’s Light Interview (Part 4)

To read parts 1, 2 and 3 of the interview, click here.

RR: Because Jenny had such a severe case of postpartum depression, do you worry about having a baby?
BL: I do a little, but I am obviously much more aware of what can happen and will have a very heightened sense of awareness, as will my family and friends.

RR: The grieving process is very complicated. What surprised you most about grief?
BL: The second year has been harder than the first. Last year seemed almost surreal, now the reality is setting in a little more.

RR: How have you changed since Jenny’s and Graham’s deaths? How has your family changed?
BL: I am definitely more emotional with many things, but also more open and more grateful for the things I have and the life I am living. I’ve learned to not take anything for granted, to truly “live” each day, and not be afraid to be happy. I sometimes say to myself, “What would Jenny do?” and I try to honor her by doing things she and I both loved to do, or going out of my way to help out a stranger, or smiling at a random person on the street, petting a stray cat, buying something because “I like it”, etc. I think my family has become closer, we talk on the phone more often, I try to see them as much as I can and they come out to California as much as they can. We all grieve in different ways and it’s sometimes hard to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, but we all try to be understanding and lean on each other.

RR: What do you miss most about Jenny and Graham?
BL: Jenny’s laugh, her smile, talking to her every day, sharing my day-to-day activities with her, and just knowing that she’s always there for me. She still is now, but in spirit, and I know she will always be looking out for me. Graham was such an adorable little thing; he made the cutest little noises and was just so sweet.

RR: What do you want people to know about Jenny?
BL: She had such a big heart and a big smile and she was the most genuine person I know.

For more information on Jenny's Light, go to http://www.jennyslight.org/.

Photo caption: (From left) Becky Lavelle, Brian Lavelle, Chip Bankston and Jenny Gibbs Bankston.

Becky Lavelle of Jenny’s Light Interview (Part 3)

To read parts 1 and 2 of the interview, click here.

RR: How did you get into triathlons?
BL: I swam competitively since I was 10, got a scholarship to swim at LSU and knew I was done swimming after college but still wanted to compete and stay fit, so triathlon was the perfect thing. My brother Randy signed me up for a local race in 1995 and I never looked back from that!

RR: What do you like most about triathlons?
BL: I love being fit, traveling all over the world to compete, and I love the challenge of it; it’s always evolving and I’m always finding things I can work on or improve. And the fact that my husband also trains and races professionally makes it that much more enjoyable.

RR: What is an average day like for you when you’re training?
BL: Up at 5:20am, swim from 6-7:30am, breakfast, work on the computer for a few hours doing e-mails, Jenny’s Light, booking travel, keeping in touch with sponsors, updating my Web site, etc.. Then 1-1.5 hour run midday (or a 2-3 hour ride in the late afternoon with a 3 mile run off the bike), lunch, sneak a 30 min nap in if I can, run errands (groceries, plan meals, etc.), cook dinner (I love to cook!), do some more computer work, watch a little TV with Brian or read a magazine and pass out!

RR: You had one of your best racing years last year. How is that possible after going through such a horrific tragedy?
BL: I have to attribute much of my strength to Jenny and the fact that I wanted to make her proud. She would have wanted me to go on and be successful (and especially make the Olympic Team!). I also felt like I was racing for a greater cause; I knew success would also help the foundation and in turn help spread awareness of PPD and hopefully help save lives.

RR: How do you find balance between competing, Jenny’s Light and your personal life?
BL: It’s tough and I struggle with it from time to time, feeling like I’m overwhelmed with too much on my plate! But thank God I have Brian; he is so great at making me feel better and putting things in perspective. He’s my rock. I sometimes have to take a deep breath, step back, and remember the most important things in life are your health and your family.

Stay tuned for part 4 of the interview.

Photo caption: Becky doing a triathlon in Alcatraz in 2008.