Hello Readers and Happy Memorial Day! On this day when we remember those who have served and are serving, I would also like you to take action against leukemia. You can do so by logging onto www.globaltravelerusa.com/auction. There are some wonderful flights, hotels and travel packages from which to choose to bid. All proceeds go directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The bidding ends at 11:59.99999 pm EST on May 30th! I would also like to introduce you to a new charity, Pencils for Kids. I serve as one of the board members of this organization which was established by Loretta Jitner, an advertising executive in Los Angeles. Loretta has always been a world traveler, frequently traveling to Thailand, Myanmar, Bali and other destinations. Loretta has never been afraid to pack up and go, with her backpack in hand, engaging and meeting people wherever she travels. In Myanmar, she was struck by the lack of school and educational supplies available to the children. Lack of these supplies often meant that these children could not attend school. Travelers return and they tell their tales of meeting people and places and so did Loretta. But to her, these children would not remain “just stories” over a cocktail party. Loretta had to do something, she had to act, and she did. She reached out to industry leaders, friends and family and she launched Pencils for Kids as a not-for-profit organization. Due to the near impossibilities of working with the military junta in Myanmar, it was decided to start efforts with Bali. This decision was made prior to the recent devastating cyclone to hit Myanmar. I am proud to say that Loretta and her team will make their first trip to Bali to distribute our first load of school supplies this summer on June 28th. This will be a full three week journey and will also involve meeting with local schools, teachers and their administrators.

Here comes your part, please log onto www.pencilsforkidsinc.com and donate whatever you can so that Loretta and her team can reach their fundraising goal for this trip. You can also learn about the organization and its goals. I think the mission sums up our goals:

Pencils for Kids is dedicated to helping children around the world to attend school and, in doing so, build the foundation for a better future. We partner with other like-minded individuals, organizations and corporate sponsors to fulfill this mission. We believe that, working together, we can transform the world, one child at a time. Thanks for being a part of this special project!

-Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO