Shoes, we all have shoes. Some of us love them & many of us have too many. But in parts of Africa the cost of a pair of shoes is beyond the reach of many families. Simply not having shoes can deny girls the chance of an education. Not only are shoes a school requirement, but also the scorching roads & risk of diseases make them a necessity. $14 can give one girl a pair of shoes to protect her health & help send her to school. An education could really change her life. Imagine what we can do!

I always have my nose in a book. Reading is such a big part of our lives that I was stunned to learn from First Book that in most low-income communities there's only one book for every 300 children. So here's what I want to do: I want all of us to get together to provide 50 books for kids. First Book has a special deal with publishers, so you can get 5 books for just $15. I hope you'll join me, and let everything know why on the blog!

The amount of human suffering taking place in Darfur is deafening. Communities torn, thousands of lost lives, villages completely destroyed, there are no schools left to attend. The children affected by this violence have very few places to learn the skills they will need to recover. With a few dollars and emails, we can make an impact. Together, we can build a schoolroom and give an entire village of children the opportunity to build a different future.

I can't believe it - but I am going to be running in the Boston Marathon next year on Monday, April 21, 2008. The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, with 20,000 runners last year to complete the race. Wish me luck and if you can - help me support United Spinal!

We all know that tickets to cultural events, even those offered at discounted rates, are often too expensive for aspiring young artists. Let's join up for the students and send them on their way to see some fantastic shows and be filled with inspiration!