6 Degrees Of Me

Today I chose to donate to First Book as well as the American Diabetes Association.

Book Relief: First Book is an international nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. We provide an ongoing supply of new books to children participating in community-based mentoring, tutoring, and family literacy programs.  The mission of the Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

I chose this charity because of the profound effect that books and reading had on my early development.  My parents, being teachers and all, greatly stressed academia and “forced” me to read when I was younger.  I started kindergarten @ age 4 and turned 5 in December.  I didn’t have complete mastery over my bowels at the time but I could sure read my ass off.

During the summertime my mom would take me to the West Orange Public library to take out a 1/2 a dozen or so books at a time.  I was pretty reluctant about going but always ended up trying to sneak in extra chapters using a flashlight under the covers once I had the books.  I was a huge mystery fan as a kid and pretty much read every single hardy boys mystery under the sun.  I really believe that reading so frequently at a young age helps a kid to excel academically.  Learn more about First Book here.

American Diabetes Association:The American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading nonprofit health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities.

It seems like more and more people that I meet either have diabetes or know someone with diabetes.  Most of the guys in Ramya’s family have it.  My buddy Fred has it.  My friend Lou’s father passed away from complications due to it.  Out of all life-long diseases it seems like this one the one that can be treated the best.  Hell, there are guys playing in the NBA who have it.  But obviously we still don’t have a cure.  We will one day, with enough funding and research.  Find out more about the American Diabetes Association here.

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