Karen Putz on the Chicago Moms Blog Donors Choose Challenge!

Call to Action

Our friend, Karen Putz, is changing the world again. As part of the Chicago Moms blog, she wrote to let me know about the Donors Choose Challenge. I asked if she’d let me interview her about it. She agreed.

Listen in. It’s very cool!

Hi Karen! I hear you’re up to something special. Can you tell me In five sentences, what’s this spectacular challenge I’ve been hearing about?

The Chicago Moms Blog is joining with our sister sites in promoting the Bloggers Challenge for the month of October. We are raising money for schools through DonorsChoose.org, an organization that has been featured on Oprah and Fortune magazine: It Takes a Blogosphere. Last year, the Challenge made Internet history and raised $420,000 in one month. With the collective efforts of bloggers all over, it’s possible to break that record this year and raise even more money for school projects all over the world. This project has a special place in my heart because there are projects aimed at deaf and hard of hearing children.

Oprah and Fortune! How cool is that?!! When does it start? How long does it last?

The DonorsChoose Bloggers Challenge is for the entire month of October. Throughout the month of October, Chicago Moms Blogs and our sister sites will be featuring different projects and highlighting this important fundraiser. We know that teachers often dip into their own pockets to support classroom activities or that students go without basic supplies–this is our annual chance to make a difference in the lives of students all over.

How does it work?

Each time you visit the Chicago Moms Blog or our sister sites, you’ll find a donation button in the top left corner. Clicking on the button will take you to a list of projects that are set up by teachers all over the world. Each of our sites is highlighting different projects which cover different schools. For example, on the Chicago Moms Blog, we’re highlighting projects such as the Writer’s Workshop for Students with Diverse Needs and Bugs, Crystals and More for Deaf Scientists. You can donate to any of these projects by clicking on the DonorsChoose button and donating any amount, from a dollar to a few million.

Is it only in Chicago?

The Bloggers Challenge is taking place all over the web and covers projects that are worldwide.

Are there hands-on ways we can participate?

You can set up your own Bloggers Challenge, pick a few projects and promote this fundraiser on your blog or website. Check out the DonorsChoose.org blog for instructions on how to participate. Of course, the easiest hands on way to participate is to make a donation through the Chicago Moms Blog and help the Mom Bloggers kick some butt!

Are there ways we can spread the word?

Help spread the word by blogging about this event, setting up your own fundraising challenge or posting the links to current blogging challenges via social media sites. You can also encourage teachers to go to DonorsChoose.org and post a project that they would like to see funded. Thousands of dollars have been raised in the first two days– I can’t wait to see how much more we can raise in the upcoming days. Come and be a part of making a change for education. Together, we can impact the lives of children all over.

One last question . . .

How do we support our favorite Mom Blogger (you) the most?
Oh that’s easy, give me some link love! Help me spread the word about this fundraiser. And of course, one of the best ways to show support is to make a donation using this link and help Chicago Moms Blog rocket to the top of the Mom Bloggers list!

Last year during the 2007 Blogger Challenge, they made Internet history. More than 100 bloggers raised $420,000 for school projects on DonorsChoose.org. This year, they’re aiming to do Internet history again.

Bet we could make that goal happen . . . just like that.

C’mon let’s change the world!

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!