Saturday, December 19, 2009

25GoC: Marlene Perez + Super Generous Contest!

This Christmas
by Marlene Perez

I’ll confess now. I am bending the rules a little (as usual.) I was asked to post about a favorite Christmas memory, but I wanted to talk about this Christmas, a holiday that may not be so bright for many people.
I am the youngest of twelve children. When my mother was pregnant with me, she divorced my father and began the overwhelming task of raising her children as a single mother. I’ve read about other people who lived in poverty as children, who’ve they didn’t know they were poor growing up. I did. I knew that there just wasn’t enough to go around, not enough money, not enough clothes, and sometimes, not enough food.
My mother worked miracles, though. She always had a huge garden, so we had fresh vegetables in the spring and summer and her canned goods in the winter. I remember my mother working non-stop in a hot kitchen canning vegetables and fruit, which would help to tide us over during the hard winter months. There was always food in the cupboard and my mother knew how to stretch a dollar with her family depression recipes, but I still remember wondering if there would still be enough for everyone next week or next month.
Today, too many parents are wondering how to find a job, how to keep their house, and how to feed their children. The economic downturn has everyone worried. Articles I’ve been reading say that kids aren’t asking for toys this year as much as they’re asking for things like food and socks.  I realize that times are tight for everyone this year and people are cutting back, but if you can, please stop by a food bank and donate a can or two.
Or donate to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Spark of Love, or the Salvation Army Angel Tree.
Here are a couple of my favorite holiday songs, which I hope will get you into the spirit of giving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUCbZhIfQbA This is Christmas (War is Over) by John Lennon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2-rhtOKvCc Dig That Crazy Santa Claus by Brian Setzer
     ___________________________________________________________________________

And in the spirit of giving, Marlene has kindly donated 2 copies of THE COMEBACK and 3 copies of UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT!
To enter comment below!
+1 comment
+1 follow me
+1 link to 25GoC and/or this contest
open to U.S and Canada

Happy Holidays!
Jill

17 comments:

Bianca said...

Marlene, your mother sound awesome! Thats so nice of her.

+1 follower
+1 comment

infinitemusic19 at gmail dot com

Lilixtreme said...

+1 comment
+1 follower
+1 tweeted about contest: http://twitter.com/Lilixtreme/statuses/6854696097

Love the contests you have going on, and I love Marlene's books, so I'm definitely in!

chicareader@gmail.com

Sara said...

Thank you for the post and the contest! :)

+1 follower
+1 comment
+1 linked in tweet (@thehidingspot)

Sara @ The Hiding Spot
grochowskisAThotmailDOTcom

Leslie said...

Thanks for the contest.
+1 comment
+1 follower
probablyreading(at)gmail(dot)com

Simply Stacie said...

Please count me in.

+1 comment
+1 follower

simplystacieblog at gmail dot com

Uhunoma said...

This contest is so cool. Your mother sounds like a really strong person. Every year my family and I donate all our old clothes to people who need them more than we do. I love your books and I would really like to win this contest. This should help people get into the Christmas spirit! I hope this contest is successful to the peoople in need of clothes and food.

+1 comment

nomaguebor1@verizon.net

BookHounds said...

Wonderful story, makes you look on the bright side.

+1 new follower
+1 comment
+1 posted this on my blog:

http://maryinhb.blogspot.com/2009/12/marlene-perez-giveaway-over-at-reading.html

justpeachy36 said...

justpeachy36@yahoo.com

Please enter me in the giveaway.

I am a follower.

kaymf said...

Great post
flayla14(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kelsey O said...

Great contest, so count me in!

Kelsey
krae991@yahoo.com

~The Book Pixie said...

Such a generous giveaway Marlene!

+1 comment
+1 follower
+1 Post: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2009/12/25-goc-at-reading-is-bliss.html

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Anonymous said...

+1 Aww, great post. I have noticed more parents shopping for clothes rather than toys lately. I guess people are buying more essentials this year. It's pretty sad to see empty toy stores during Christmas. D:

+1 Follower

Anna ♥
goodgonegirl@gmail.com

Justine said...

Wow, this is indeed very generous! :)

+1 comment
+1 follower
+1 tweeted: here

Thanks!
justeena_25(at)yahoo(dot)Ca

Morgan said...

I think it's wonderful of you to ask people to donate. Not enough people do that- and during times like this, more people should. So I thank you so much for posting those amazing places to donate things.

Merry Christmas!

morgansact (at) comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

Hi! First time on your blog. :)
Have a great Christmas.

Please enter me in your giveaway.

Connie

connie_bryant@hotmail.com

L said...

Merry Christmas!

+1 follower
naggy8(at)gmail(dot)com

Marilu said...

Your mother sounds like an amazing woman. To raise 12 children and still find time to tend to a garden and do her own canning is something I could never do. I am mom to 2 children and sometimes find it hard to find the time to have a long bubble bath!!
+1 comment
+1 follower