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Home » Nathan Bransford’s Holiday Giving Intiative

Nathan Bransford’s Holiday Giving Intiative

by Joel Friedlander on December 23, 2009 38 Comments

One of the blogs I follow is from Nathan Bransford, literary agent at the San Francisco office of Curtis Brown Ltd.

Nathan came up with a terrific idea: contribute to Heifer International, a favorite charity, for each comment to his blog. This has resulted, the last time I looked, in over 350 comments. He invited other bloggers to do the same, and I’m happy to help out too.

Here’s what Nathan had to say:

You may have already heard of Heifer International, an organization that works to fight hunger by giving needy families around the world and in the United States livestock, training, or other assistance that helps improve their livelihood. Heifer has been recognized for its work in Fast Company and Forbes, among other places.

I know we’re going through tough economic times, but if you have anything to spare this holiday season I hope you’ll consider making a donation.

My Response

Here’s how it works. Leave a comment here on TheBookDesigner.com with:

  1. Your name
  2. Where you are from
  3. Your wishes for 2010

For each comment that’s left, I’ll donate to Heifer International $1.00, with a maximum of $100 total. So go ahead and comment away. I’ll count all comments by unique visitors until December 31, 2009 and then close the comments and send off my check.

Thanks for helping out.

Filed Under: Social Media Tagged With: Heifer International, Nathan Bransford

journal marketing

Comments

  1. admin says

    December 31, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Julianna, thanks for stopping by. And you’ve made it under the wire, no problem!

    Reply
  2. Julianna says

    December 31, 2009 at 10:40 am

    May 2010 be happier, more peaceful and at least a little more prosperous for us all! Thanks for doing this Joel – I really like Nathan’s idea and hope I’m not too late to participate in your gift-giving!

    Julianna in Seattle, WA

    Reply
  3. admin says

    December 29, 2009 at 11:59 am

    Hey, thanks for coming by. I’m reminded of that line in the Woody Allen Movie “Manhattan” when he’s riding in a cab with a girl, up the East Side, a romantic moment, nighttime, twinkling lights, the bridges over the East River, and he says something to the effect that “You’re so beautiful I can barely keep my eyes on the meter.”

    Renee, enjoy your blog. Ruth, Dorothy, thanks for stopping in, I like the idea of “making that cow thing a tradition,” that’s priceless.

    Reply
  4. Dorothy Abrams says

    December 29, 2009 at 11:34 am

    from Clyde NY–this is a great idea. I’ll include it in my blogs next year. My wish for the coming year is (in the words of my granddaughter) to “make that cow thing a tradition.” We all donated to Heifer on Christmas Day.

    Reply
  5. Dorothy Abrams says

    December 29, 2009 at 11:20 am

    I supported Heifer this year by convincing my family to take their gift money for the adults and pool it for a Heifer contribution. We had enough for a water buffalo, 2 goats and a flock of chicks. One of the kids said “We should do that cow thing every year, make it a tradition.” And so we shall!

    Reply
  6. Ruth says

    December 28, 2009 at 9:27 pm

    Hi. I’m Ruth from Hershey, PA.
    I hope this year Heifer International and all those great charities out there find a way to __________.

    Reply
  7. Renee Sweet says

    December 28, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    Thanks for doing this!
    — Renee Sweet in Connecticut, wishing for more reading time in 2010

    Reply
  8. admin says

    December 28, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    Mira and Kerri, thanks for stopping by. And there’s still plenty of spaces left if anyone wants to bump up my contribution before the bell strikes midnight on the 31st!

    Reply
  9. Kerri Reiner says

    December 28, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    Ah, that Mira has beat me every time! That’s okay, though. I’m really not a competitive person. Besides, it’s for a good cause!
    Charity!

    Well, I wish the best for the entire freakin’ world in 2010 – Lord knows most of us could use as many prayers and good wishes as possible.

    And Kudos to those who donate their hard-earned money…..

    Reply
  10. Mira says

    December 28, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    Joel – awesome of you – thanks!

    I’m Mira from the Bay Area, California.

    I hope everyone has a truly wonderful year in 2010

    Reply
  11. admin says

    December 26, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    It’s just a pleasure to meet you all.

    Reply
  12. Linda Godfrey says

    December 26, 2009 at 4:43 pm

    Linda Godfrey from seriously wintered SE Wisconsin
    I wish help and love to everyone who needs it this Christmas season, and also a book in every stocking – even those stockings already occupied by feet. And Joel, thanks for also commenting at my blog for same great purpose!

    Reply
  13. Phoebe Kitanidis says

    December 26, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    Hi Joel! I’m in Seattle, and my wish for 2010 is for all Americans to have quality affordable health care.

    Reply
  14. admin says

    December 26, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Hey, Happy Holidays everybody. Thanks to all for coming by and helping out with Nathan’s fundraiser, this has been terrific. I’ve commented on Tracy’s blog and Robin’s blog (hey, Robin, just made a batch of pistachio and cherry biscotti (for xmas) do you have a favorite recipe?) and thanks also to Namrata, Maven, Julia, Mary Jo, Cindy and Anica!

    Reply
  15. Maven Koesler says

    December 25, 2009 at 10:49 am

    Maven
    from North Central Texas
    I hope you exceed your goal for HI

    Reply
  16. Julia says

    December 25, 2009 at 7:47 am

    I’m Julia, from Ho Chi Minh, Viet Nam. My wish is that wonderful people like you can raise enough money so that organizations like Heifer become (meaning that their assistance is no longer needed).

    Reply
  17. Anica Lewis says

    December 24, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    Thanks for doing this!

    Anica Lewis
    Farmville, Virginia
    Peace and prosperity for the world, and a book deal for me!

    Reply
  18. Cindy says

    December 24, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    Thank you for doing this!

    Reply
  19. Mary Jo says

    December 24, 2009 at 11:30 am

    THanks for your generosity and have a wonderful holiday!!!

    Reply
  20. Tracy says

    December 24, 2009 at 10:10 am

    Tracy from northern California here. I’m in on the fun, too. Come bump up my pledge by commenting on my new blog – So Many Dreams at

    tkastle.blogspot.com

    My pledge window is open until Dec. 31. Let’s help Heifer in their goal to end world hunger.

    Reply
  21. Robin Mullet says

    December 24, 2009 at 6:50 am

    Joel,
    Thanks for your part in Nathan’s challenge. I’m did it too! I’m donating a beehive (my husband’s a beekeeper) and it was fun to see how many folks knew beekeepers! Have a great new year!
    P.S. I love biscotti!

    Reply
  22. Namrata says

    December 24, 2009 at 2:56 am

    I appreciate this. It’s a great job!

    Reply
  23. Jacqui says

    December 23, 2009 at 11:31 pm

    Utah

    Peace in my family and among all people…and to finish my novel, of course.

    Merry Christmas and thank kyou!

    Reply
  24. admin says

    December 23, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    Okay! Kathryn, Leanne, Meghan, Susan, I’ve commented on all your blogs, thanks for coming by!, and also Victoria, Wendy and Jennifer too.

    I hope you all have a lovely holiday season. Come back soon!

    Reply
  25. Meghan Ward says

    December 23, 2009 at 9:58 pm

    Meghan Ward
    Berkeley, CA
    I wish that all my writer friends get published in 2010!

    Reply
  26. Leanne says

    December 23, 2009 at 9:41 pm

    Hi Joel,

    Glad to have found you via the challenge. I’m participating, too, so feel free to stop by and hold me accountable here in Denver.

    I’m wishing us all a productive and lucrative 2010… and that the spread of info from the varied corners of the publishing world continues unabated!

    Best,
    Leanne

    Reply
  27. Victoria says

    December 23, 2009 at 8:20 pm

    Victoria
    Kansas
    That a lot of people will be helped by all of these generous donations.

    Reply
  28. Kathryn Jankowski says

    December 23, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Glad to see you’re helping. I’m pledging, too, so please stop by and comment at http://kjankowski.blogspot.com before midnight Christmas. Thanks.

    Wish: good health to all!

    Reply
  29. Madeleine says

    December 23, 2009 at 6:18 pm

    Ditto what Jennifer Hubbard said (other than the location)!

    Happy Holidays!

    Reply
  30. Jennifer Hubbard says

    December 23, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    from Pennsylvania.

    Peace and happiness in 2010!

    Reply
  31. wendy says

    December 23, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    Hello, Joel,
    Great site…very interesting subject matter. I’ll be back to check it out more.
    Thanks for participating in this great cause.

    Have a Merry Christmas

    Wendy from Aus whose wish is to help other’s wishes to come true.

    Reply
  32. Susan Quinn says

    December 23, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    Susan Quinn
    Greater Chicagoland Area

    I’m also helping Nathan with his drive, over on my blog Ink Spells.

    My wish is to always keep in mind the many, many blessings I have in my life.

    Reply
  33. admin says

    December 23, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    Thanks @Mags, thanks @Nathan, I feel like I’m watching the taxi meter ticking!

    Reply
  34. Nathan Bransford says

    December 23, 2009 at 5:21 pm

    Thanks so much for participating!!!

    Nathan Bransford
    San Francisco, CA
    My wish is for peace, happiness, and safety for all.

    Reply
  35. Mags says

    December 23, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Hi Joel,

    I’m Mags. It’s nice to meet you!

    This is a comment.

    Happy holidays.

    Sincerely,

    Mags.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Making Spirits Bright With Heifer International says:
    July 24, 2017 at 4:40 pm

    […] LeighJeri Smith-ReadyMoira YoungMother Wouldn’t LieHoundratLinda GodfreySo Many DreamsThe Book DesignerIrene RawlinsPatrick […]

    Reply
  2. Holiday Repeat: 1st Person Narratives: Conversational, yes. Chatty, like ohmigod no. says:
    July 24, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    […] Mom Seeks SaneMatt HeppeInk SpellsJeri Smith-ReadyMother Wouldn’t LieHoundratSo Many DreamsThe Book DesignerIrene […]

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  3. Heifer/Holiday challenge… « The Academic Editor's Desk says:
    December 23, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    […] The Book Designer Houndrat Ink Spells Anna’s Attitude Kathryn Jankowski Fishing for Words (note: her husband is a beekeeper, so she’s going to donate some bees; given the state of the bee population of late, I say anything to support the bees is beneficial!) […]

    Reply

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