Local Author to Host Book Signing Event
Local Author to Host Book Signing Event
“Power Poems for Drafts” Author Hosts Special Event to Support the Needs of Children in Uganda and Ellicottville
Photo Credit / Mbubbi Daniel, Director of Care for the Needy Charity Uganda
ELLICOTTVILLE - READ-2-GIVE was a concept dreamed up and made real by the efforts of local book lovers Katie Benatovich, Carey Ann Welch, Charity Burlingame and Neal Steward. From this shared vision, the “Power Poems For Giraffes” book project was born. The project provides multiple opportunities for readers to give - to self, to the local community, to the education community, and to the international community.
“Power Poems For Giraffes” was published last year by TreeTops Publishing and has already gained momentum in “giving back”. Through the sale of the book, $1 from every book purchase will help generate funds for 54 children at an orphanage in Uganda, Africa. These children currently need a roof for their classroom (shelter from both the hot sun and heavy rains) as well as basic school provisions (such as pens, paper, books, and markers). Direct donations to this charity can be made at www.carefortheneedycharity.org.
Additionally, each book sold generates funds for the Ellicottville outdoor skatepark, too! $1 from each book sale will help provide skateboarding scholarships for children right here in Ellicottville. That is why international poet/author (and Great Valley resident) Katie Benatovich likes to call the Giraffes Project a way of spreading messages and acts of kindness - “A world LOVE family!” - one book at a time. The Giraffe Team also hosts Reading Celebrations, specialized classroom workshops, and have wonderful multilingual web resources that provide to our education and online community.
The Giraffe Team would like to invite the community to come celebrate “our World Love Family” and the start of the Ellicottville’s Skatepark Scholarships with an amazing mix of skateboards, balloons, and giraffes at the Ellicottville Memorial Library on Saturday, April 1 at 2:00pm. Here’s what you can expect:
Skateboards: Skateboarding is an awesome social-emotional tool, and once construction of the outdoor skatepark is completed and open for use this summer, it will benefit many children and families in our community. According to Benatovich, this is just the start of an ongoing commitment. At the library event, a check for $100 will be given to SK8EVL, the committee that has worked so hard over the last three years to raise the funding needed to build the skatepark here in Ellicottville.
Balloons: A special social-emotional learning (SEL) activity from the Power Poems for Giraffes book will be led by co-author Charity Burlingame with environmentally friendly balloons. Children of all ages are welcome with their families. It will be Balloon-tastic!
Giraffes: Bella, the lovable, 4-foot-tall toy giraffe is ready for photos, hugs, and new fashion looks (she has a travel trunk full of hats, necklaces and scarves). She also has special “Bella Goodie Bags” to give away. I wonder what Bella has up her sleeve… or hoof?
Bonus Book Signing: The Giraffe Team will also have books for sale and will be doing book signings of their creative, multilingual, Power Poems for Giraffes book. Co-author Katie Benatovich will be on-hand for poetry readings while book illustrator Carey Ann Welch will be spearheading some fun art activities. Connection Card designer Neal Steward will also be available to show how to make an easel by upcycling a cardboard box to use with the Connection Cards. Co-author and SEL Activity expert Charity Burlingame will be leading the balloon activities and signing books.
Join the Giraffe Team for this special celebration for the Ellicottville Skatepark between 2:00pm and 4:00pm on Saturday, April 1 at Ellicottville Memorial Library, 6499 Maples Road, Ellicottville, NY. For more information email info@treetopspublishing.com or find TreeTops Publishing on Facebook.