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DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

VISIT US AT THE MORAGA COMMUNITY FAIRE on Saturday, April 29th

Volunteers Ruhani, published author and radio host of Express Yourself!™ and Taylin are the teen chairpersons for the Be the Star You Are!® booth sponsored by MB Jessee Painting (https://www.mbjessee.com/) at the 2023 Moraga Faire. Come visit Us at the Moraga Community Faire and Car Show this Saturday! At the Be the Star You Are!® booth you’ll be able to plant seeds, receive a free bag of spring potpourri, buy autographed books and fresh Meyer lemons, and enjoy free cookies, thanks to MB Jessee. The event showcases live music, over 70 classic cars, a robust (and FREE) KidZone and SportZone with games, battle bots, sporting contests, animal interactions, pony rides, bounce houses, balloons, face painting, a magician and so much more! Stroll the talented Artist’s Alley while noshing on food truck fare and Loard’s Ice Cream or while enjoying a local Wine, Cider, or Beer. Ride your bike to the bike valet and then thump a few “big wheels” on big vehicles!

There are so many interesting and interactive booths to see and enjoy this year. Besides visiting Us, you can stop in at booths about acupuncture, gardening, dog training, soaps, and creams, book a travel destination, or sign your trees up for fruit rescue.

Come see Us – rain or shine, at this wonderful, family-friendly event on Saturday, April 29th, 11a-4p at the Rheem Shopping Center (580 Moraga Rd) in beautiful Moraga, CA. MoragaChamber.org/CommunityFaire to check out the schedule of events!

And if you have shoes that you no longer want or need, bring them to our shoe drive.

See you at the FAIRE!!! Mark your calendars for April 29th as this is a very fun, family faire!

Moraga Faire: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-events

SHOES SHARE THE LOVE!

Many people are unaware that 85% of consumer textiles end up in landfills, a practice that is extremely harmful to the environment. For the past 24 years, Be the Star You Are!® 501 C3 charity has been increasing literacy and saving trees by collecting thousands of new and used books and donating them to disaster relief efforts around the country. With the Russian war against Ukraine and the unprecedented natural disasters around the world, millions of people are currently experiencing difficult living conditions, and, although books are always an enlightening resource, this year Be the Star You Are!® pivoted to share the love and assist with a basic need: shoes.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 70% of the global population needs shoes. In collaboration with Moraga’s 5 A Rent-a-Space and Mark Hoogs State Farm Insurance, Be the Star You Are!® volunteers are launching a shoe drive to collect and ship shoes to several countries including Haiti, Pakistan, Ghana, Ukraine, and more to help lift women and families out of extreme poverty by providing a means for them to create a micro-business. These micro-entrepreneurs will be able to sell footwear at an inexpensive price from their home, a street stall, or even a tent to enhance their income and support their families.

“We are excited to launch this new micro-enterprise project. Everyone has a few pairs of wearable shoes that no longer serve us. What a wonderful opportunity to give them to those who need them and will repurpose them to benefit themselves and their communities,” says Executive Director, Cynthia Brian. All clean, new, or gently used shoes of all sizes, boots, and work boots are wanted. No ski or snowboard boots, rollerblades, or ice skates can be accepted. “If possible, please keep pairs together by tying laces or putting a rubber band around the shoes,” continues Ms. Brian.

Be the Star You Are!® teen chairperson, Ella Kalpakjian is spearheading the shoe collection at Campolindo High School. Shoes may be dropped in the designated Campo bin beginning on April 17. If you will be attending the Moraga Faire on April 29^th, shoes may be delivered to the Be the Star You Are!® booth.

From May 1- June 30^th, drop shoes at these two locations:

· Mark Hoogs

State Farm Insurance

629 Moraga Road, Moraga

925-254-3344

www.TeamHoogs.com

· 5 A Rent-A-Space

455 Moraga Rd. #F, Moraga

925-631-7000

https://5aspace.com/

With your donation of shoes, you will be sharing your love. Thank you!

For more information, visit https://www.bethestaryouare.org/shoedrive

School Post-Pandemic

by Shanzay Haris

School during COVID-19 Lockdown was really different and the most significant reason was that it was online, so when I stood in front of Hidden Hills Elementary School in person for 5th grade, I was really excited to be back! School post-pandemic lockdown was definitely different than when I remembered it at the beginning of 3rd grade. In our class, we had to ensure we always wore our masks and kept our distance. It was very hard to get used to, but after a while, I got used to it and it became “normal” school. One thing my mom said I had to do was wash my hands and take a shower after school. Now, in the present day, I am in 6th grade. At school, I see some people wearing masks and some not, since it is optional. We don’t get reminded about social distancing anymore, and other than a few people wearing masks, it is back to normal. One thing I learned from the COVID lockdown, is to appreciate what I have right now, otherwise, when things like this happen you realize what things you should have done or thought about.

Shanzay Haris is a twelve-year-old volunteer with Be the Star You Are!® who loves to read books, write, and run.

Take Time to Notice

by Karen Kitchel

Has anyone ever told you that you are awesome? If not, how would it make you feel?

Leaving little positive messages, either verbal or written, can turn someone’s day around or create a lasting memory. No need to wait for a major accomplishment. All it takes is time to notice.

Stop. Look. Listen. Feel. You ARE awesome!

Karen Kitchel who penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, is the Kindness Coordinator volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com

What Literacy Means to Me

by Kennedy Hollins

The definition of literacy is the ability to read or write, but it is so much more. Without literature, we wouldn’t know as much as we do. Literature connects people from all over. Whether it’s as simple as a quick paragraph posted on Facebook, or an autobiography telling the world your story as Malala Yousafzai did. Literature can date back to 2600 BC when the first piece of literature was made. Today that piece of literature gives us insight into the past history that we might not have known about it without it. Literacy enriches the mind of our youth and later allows them to provide for themselves and their families. While literature provides knowledge, it can also teach things like empathy and critical thinking. At the end of the day, literature spreads knowledge and brings people together which is a power in itself.

Kennedy Hollins is a fifteen-year-old BTSYA volunteer in our Book Review program and is currently a sophomore in high school. When she is not reading, you can find her dancing or cooking.

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

Spring is time to stock up on gifts for holidays forthcoming. We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. Discounted books at Amazon:

2. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

3. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

4. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store:

http://www.starstylestore.net/

5. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4 e

OUR RADIO BROADCASTS EMPOWER!

When you want to be uplifted and informed, tune into our two radio broadcasts: StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio.

Live every Wednesday from 4-5pm PT, Cynthia Brian hosts the lifestyle program, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® showcasing success-perts and information that will make your life enjoyable and meaningful.

On Sundays from 3-4pm PT, listen to Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, where teens talk and the world listens. No topic is off limits and the program is uncensored and unedited. What young people are thinking, they are broadcasting.

Tune in to both programs on all platforms where you listen to podcasts and music including iTunes, Tunein, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and more!

DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-in

Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-333388

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® is proud to be honored as a TOP NON PROFIT for numerous consecutive years. We THANK YOU for making that happen!

Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Live with Joy!

Honored by the California Assembly for 20 years of community service.

Do Good with an End of Year Tax Deduction

Posted by

Cynthia Brian on December 30, 2022

Empowerment

Do Good with an End of Year Tax Deduction

Miracle Moment®

“Do all the good you can

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can

To all the people you can

As long as you ever can.”

Great Non Profits

A Message from Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian

For twelve consecutive years, ever since the inception of Great Non Profits, Be the Star You Are!® has been honored as a Top Non Profit by Great Non Profits and Candid, formerly known as Guidestar. We don’t take this award lightly.

The volunteers work diligently to consistently provide the highest level of service to the programs we provide and the outreach we serve. Teen radio hosts, Book Reviewers, Researchers, Content Providers, Event Volunteers, Disaster Relief Workers, Social Media Ambassadors, Book Review Director, Kindness Coordinator, and many others from around the world show up to provide their talent, skills, time, and efforts. At Be the Star You Are!®, we truly care about the development and empowerment of our volunteers as much as the people we serve. Teen volunteers indicate that their involvement with Be the Star You Are!® has played a pivotal role in their positive development and growth. As the Executive Director, I am proud of our volunteers and the work we all do to make our world a more kind and inclusive place.

And we do all of this through individual and personal donations and a 100% volunteer staff, including myself. We don’t receive state or federal funding. We depend on YOU!

We are grateful to the donors, sponsors, and supporters who have contributed financially to our mission of empowering and encouraging women, families, and youth. Thank you, thank you!

As we say goodbye to 2022 and welcome 2023, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of our galaxy. We look forward to continuing the journey together.

If you want an end-of-year tax-deduction, or just want to make a final donation, you can easily do that online through PAYPAL Giving Fund, with no fees. DONATE here: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Checks can be sent to Be the Star You Are!®, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556

At the end of this newsletter, you can read a summary of a few of the accomplishments of this grassroots, all-volunteer charity and other ways you can help.

From all of us, to you and your families, continue shining.

May 2023 be the best year ever!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Turning over a new leaf

by Shubham Acharya

Another year has gone by, and a new one approaches. Starting from Christmas through the new year, the air is filled with such a festive feeling and a renewed sense of hope that it is almost tangible. The new year presents a strange paradox, on the one hand, we are elated for the fresh chance we are given, followed by disappointment when we inevitably fail to fulfil the laundry list of new year’s resolutions we undertake. So, this new year, let’s keep things simple and instead of making a list, let’s follow the tagline, “A little something for me and a little something for you.” Do something for yourself—take a trip you’ve always wanted to take, buy a gadget you’ve always wanted to buy (within reason, of course!)—as a reward for surviving the previous year, and do something for someone less fortunate than you, whether economically or in terms of family: spend some time with them, lend a sympathetic ear to their problems, as little and as much as you can to alleviate some of their pain and return some of your festive happiness and hope. Lastly, I wish you a very happy and prosperous new year 2023!

Shubham Acharya is an IT professional, passionate about history and antiques living and working in India. He loves reading books and collecting antique coins. As a Be the Star You Are!® volunteer in Mumbai, he believes strongly in women’s empowerment and children’s literacy. Shubbam writes: “My mother was a teacher in a government sponsored school in one of the poorest localities in my area, so I grew up very aware of the importance of education and literacy in changing people’s lives. Having said this, I fell in love with the Be the Star You are!® motto ‘To be a leader, you must be a READER’.”

Bragging Rights!

With no paid staff and all volunteers, since receiving our 501c3 status in 1999, Be the Star You Are! has:

Served 555,927 individuals and families

Donated to 118 organizations

Logged 670,999 volunteer hours and growing

Distributed $2.1 million plus in resources

Broadcast 2200 unique hours of positive programming through radio broadcasts.

Published 5 signature award-winning books, Be the Star You Are!® 99 Gifts, Be the Star You Are!® for Teens, Be the Star You Are!® Millennials to Boomers, No Barnyard Bullies, and Miracle Moments®,

Written and published over 2530 book reviews in collaboration with The Reading Tuband Express Yourself!™ Creative Community.

Interviewed over 2500 authors, experts, and celebrities.

Nominated for the California Governor’s and First Lady’s Service Awards

Honored with five-star ratings as a Top Rated Non-Profit by GuideStar and Great Non Profits for the Women’s Empowerment, Arts and Culture, and the Arts Appreciation Campaigns since 2010.

Be the Star You Are!® encourages and supports its volunteers to GROW people.

READ the congratulation letter from California Assemblywoman Catherine Baker

READ recognition letter from Assembly California Legislature Assemblymember, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan

2021 Founder Cynthia Brian honored and featured on the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll celebrating outstanding individuals who improve the lives of others.

2022 Founder Cynthia Brian honored and featured on the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll celebrating outstanding individuals who take action to create change in communities

3 original films by volunteers accepted into International Earth Gratitude Festival: Cynthia Brian, Ruhani Chhabra, Sharanya Roy

BTSYA

Do You Want to Help? Here are lots of ways to make a difference.

Send a tax-deductible contribution or offer a monetary tribute or memorial for a loved one.
BUY an unique NFT
Buy our books by the case or as singles through our office
Buy our “Read, Lead, Succeed!” T-Shirts to give as gifts.
Buy a unique NFT to hold, share, or sell.
Make $100 donation and receive our 3 signature books
Donate air miles
Sponsor or advertise on our radio programs
Donate goods that can be auctioned off at an event
Make BTSYA a beneficiary of your UNITED WAY donation
Sponsor an event making the charitable beneficiary
Buy or Sell on eBay through GivingWorks
Shop online at thousands of stores by using one of these sites that give back:

Humble Bundle Digital Content

#Giving Tuesday PayPal adds 1%, Donate at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
Volunteer time
Become a Benefactor
Establish A Charitable Giving Account with an Investment Firm in the name of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3
Donate rent money for our storage space

Please join our Galaxy of Stars and support BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® with your contributions and/or ask your company to be on our team. Visit our creative community at http://www.BTSYA.org for book reviews, news items, newsletters, and press pass clips.

SEND CHECKS TO:

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!®

PO Box 376,

Moraga, California 94556

Make a donation via Paypal Giving Fund

View a partial list of beneficiaries we have served.

All donations are tax-deductible according to law. A tax receipt will be emailed to you for all donations over $25.00.

Thank you again for being stars in our universe. Enjoy a happy, healthy, blessed New Year! And remember to do all the good possible, always!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

http://www.StarStyleStore.net

At Christmas….

Posted by

Cynthia Brian on December 19, 2022

Empowerment

Miracle Moment®

“This Christmas…

Mend a quarrel.

Seek out a forgotten friend.

Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust.

Write a letter.

Give a soft answer.

Encourage youth.

Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise.

Forgo a grudge.

Forgive an enemy.

Apologize.

Try to understand.

Examine your demands on others.

Think first go someone else.

Be kind.

Be gentle.

Laugh a little more.

Express your gratitude.

Welcome a stranger.

Gladden the heart of a child.

Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

Speak your love.

Speak it again.”

Howard Hunter

A Message from Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian

Although published more than twenty eight years ago, I have lived by the credo in this Miracle Moment® for a lifetime. The holidays are the opportune time to share our love, encouragement, kindness, and generosity.

On behalf of everyone here at Be the Star You Are!® as well as StarStyle® Productions LLC, I take this moment to wish you the brightness and joy of this season of light. No matter what your race, religion, culture, or belief, as humans, we are all one. This is a time to come together, be gentle, and express gratitude.

I am personally grateful to everyone who has supported Be the Star You Are!® with their time, money, and ideas. For those who want to make an end-of-year contribution (and get a tax-deduction) there is still time. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504. Send a check:

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

There are many other ways you can help including buying NFTS, shopping through Amazon Smile, or visiting our online store to purchase our books and tank tops.

My Christmas wish for you is that all your dreams and wishes come true. Savor this sacred time with family and friends. Thank you for being part of our galaxy and we wish you a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2023.

With love and gratitude,

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Happy Kwanza, or whatever you celebrate-from my family to yours….ENJOY!!!

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

No Barnyard Bullies is a Favorite

If you’ve been reading StarStyle® Empowerment for a bit, you may recall that the Kindness Coordinator for Be the Star You Are!®, Karen Kitchel, purchased the book, No Barnyard Bullies, for an entire class in Minnesota. She recently emailed me this, which definitely made my day.

Hi Cynthia,

Just wanted to share a little happening in Kindergarten today. I started one-on-one reading of little five-page paper books with all the kids A student wanted to read with me so I told him he could pick any book, and we would read it together. He came back with your book and proceeded to read every word. I was amazed! I also pointed out how you, the author, signed the book. Loved seeing him smile.

All because of you…

Big hugs,

Karen

So many people have sent photos of kids enjoying the book. The illustrations by Jensen Russell are superb. Book two will be published in 2023. To purchase autographed copies now, visit

Buy No Barnyard Bullies

No Barnyard Bullies

SANTA DAY at 5A…the North Pole in Town

The weather was miserable, blustery, cold, and pouring rain, yet Santa and his reindeer made the trek to Moraga. Excited families arrived with children anxious to write letters to Santa, sit on his lap, do crafts, and enjoy treats. Thanks to Mark Hoogs State Farm Insurance, www.TeamHoogs.com for sponsoring Be the Star You Are!® and to 5A Rent-a-Space for asking Be the Star You Are!® to participate annually. Linda Pfost of 5 A Rent a space wrote:

Hi Cynthia,

You and your helpers are such a pleasure to work with. Thank you for your positive energy!

Have a wonderful Holiday!

Volunteers Sharanya, Keerthi, and Sophie were amazing elves! Thank you ladies for making the day fun and special for children. Watch Keerthi’s great video on Instagram of Santa Day at https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfradio/.

Meet the Newest and Youngest Reporter on Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, Milan Bains

Milan is an eleven-year-old sixth grader at Highland Middle School who loves looking at structures of buildings and high rises and hopes to one day be an architect. He has played violin since he was 5 years old and now plays for the school orchestra. When you don’t see him playing his violin he is probably playing on the tennis court. From a young age he has loved games whether it was Candyland as a four-year-old, Uno with his cousins (fellow teen radio reporters Nihal and Kirpa), or competitive chess at school. Milan loves math and is challenging himself in accelerated math every day at school. MIlan loves anything that involves technology and innovation and hopes to share some of this passion during his teen radio segments. He is super excited to be part of the “Express Yourself Teen Radio” team with his segment “Well-rounded!”

Listen to Milan’s first interview on the topic of Climate change on the Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/140750/climate-change

NFTS for the Holidays

If you are looking for a whimsical and fun gift to give to an internet savvy collector, check out the spectacular NFTS at www.StarStyleCommunity.com. Each NFT depicts one of five characters drawn by talented illustrator, Jensen Russell from Cynthia Brian’s new children’s book, No Barnyard Bullies. You own your purchased unique and original NFT which you can trade or sell.

When you purchase an NFT, you become a member of the StarStyle® community. As a member, you are entitled to participate in exciting events exclusive to the community including hangouts, storytelling, book readings, sneak peeks, classes, discussions, and good old down-on-the-farm fun, all virtually from the comfort of your couch.

Best of all, you will be making a difference by empowering women, families, and youth through increased literacy and positive media messages as all purchases benefit Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 charity.
Get your NFTS today! www.StarStyleCommunity.com

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

There is still time to buy gifts and make a difference. We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_a

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store:

http://www.starstylestore.net/

StarStyle Store

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

Everybody wants an NFT! Get yours today athttp://www.StarStyleCommunity.com

DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

About Us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us

Programs: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

Blog: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog-1

Events: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events

Contact us: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact

Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Top Rated non Profit

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-333388 and https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-in

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® is proud to be honored as a TOP NON PROFIT for numerous consecutive years.

We THANK YOU for making that happen!

Rejoice like the angels and celebrate love.

Season’s Warmest Greetings!

Speak your love! Speak it again!

Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity

PO Box 376

Moraga, California

94556

https://www.BetheSTARYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

Share StarStyle® Empowerment

Giving the Gift of You!

Posted by

presspass on December 5, 2022

Empowerment

https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/the-gift-of-you

The Gift of You!

Celebrating Giving

Cynthia Brian

19 hr ago

Info: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/santa-day-at-5a-december-10-2022

Miracle Moment®

“It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living.”~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

A Message from founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian

Have you ever stopped to contemplate the importance of your smile? When we walk down the street and smile at a stranger, we give the gift of recognition. A smile says “I see you” and every person desires to be seen. As humans, we want to be appreciated and acknowledged. Smiling costs us nothing yet it offers innumerable value to the recipient. We never know what is transpiring in the life of another person. Your smile could be life saving.

This holiday season as we write checks to donate to causes dear to our heart, I encourage you to also give the gift of a smile to everyone you encounter. You will feel empowered and you will shine a light on the soul of another.

Give the gift of YOU!

Thank you for your generosity of spirt.

Sending star smiles across the miles.

Cheers for the holidays.

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org

http://www.BTSYA.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Do you have five minutes….

by Shubham Acharya

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Folks, can you think of an entity that is both easy to come-by and very hard to find at the same time? It’s time, my friends. So why talk about time when talking about giving back to society? The answer lies in the inherent value of time. Time is the most precious resource that an individual can contribute to any worthy cause or person.

This philosophy of donating time to people in need forms the bedrock of human culture. Both in moments of joy and sorrow, we look to share our feelings with others.

Moreover, the scale does not matter. What matters is the gesture itself. Taking the time to listen to someone’s problems and offer a shoulder to cry on relieves some of their pain and replaces it with peace. If you manage to do this with just one person a day, you have made the world a little more emphatic. So, giving back to society does not have to involve grand gestures and major financial commitments; it can simply be achieved by devoting a little time and effort to being emotionally available.

Shubham Acharya is a Be the Star You Are!® volunteer in Mumbai, India who believes strongly in women’s empowerment and children’s literacy. Shubbam writes: “My mother was a teacher in a government sponsored school in one of the poorest localities in my area, so I grew up very aware of the importance of education and literacy in changing people’s lives. Having said this, I fell in love with the Be the Star You are!® motto ‘To be a leader, you must be a READER’.”

The Gift of Friendship

By Karen Kitchel

Not all gifts come wrapped in shiny paper with a bow on top. When we think about a time we’ve felt real joy or comfort, it was often because someone had given us the gift of friendship. It’s not the number of years we’ve known them. It’s the feeling we get when they cross our minds.

During the last year, many of us have turned to those special folks for both support and laughter. It would be easy to take these kind souls for granted, but they deserve so much more.

Let us all take a moment now to speak the names of those whom we consider to be our friend and give thanks for the gift of their presence in our life.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Come celebrate the holidays as Be the Star You Are!® charity and 5 A Rent-A-Space bring the North Pole to Moraga. Children will write letters to Santa and talk to Jolly St. Nick. Buy gifts for the holidays with autographed copies of the new children’s book, No Barnyard Bullies while enjoying complimentary refreshments, music, and crafts for kids. The event is FREE! Lots of fun giveaways, too! Bring the family. BTSYA sponsored by Mark hoogs, State Farm Insurance, www.TeamHoogs.com. Thank you!

Location: 5 A Rent a Space, 455 Moraga Rd f, Moraga, CA 94556, USA

https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/150

Santa Day at 5

Make a Donation and Receive a Beautiful Dayspring Engraved Pen

Dayspring Pens is proud to partner with Be the Star You Are! through a donation of 50 engraved pens. With a donation of $250 to Be the Star You Are!®, the donor will receive a unique luxury gift pen with custom engraving. Dayspring is honored to be able to donate to an organization that works so diligently to produce positive media and encourage families through books to be what they are! Dayspring hopes that this donation of pens can show the respect and appreciation they hold for those who are vital to Be the Star You Are!’s work of empowering women, families, and youth through the power of positive role models. Visit Dayspring Pens @ https://www.dayspringpens.com

Make a DONATION of $250 through PAYPAL GIVING FUND with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504. Email your receipt to cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org and provide your shipping address. You will receive your tax-receipt and your beautiful engraved and boxed pen.

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

The holiday shopping spree is in full swing. We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

Join the StarStyle® Community with a unique NFT and enjoy exclusive experiences. https://StarStyleCommunity.com
Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store:

http://www.starstylestore.net/

Buy books and Shirt

Buy Book

DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-in

Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-333388

BE THE STAR YOU ARE!® is proud to be honored as a TOP NON PROFIT for numerous consecutive years. We THANK YOU for making that happen!

Sending Season’s Greetings and Season’s Giving.

You are a GIFT! Thank you for being part of our STAR Galaxy. Give the GIFT OF YOU! SMILE!

Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity

PO Box 376

Moraga, California

94556

https://www.BetheSTARYouAre.org

Back to School and Exciting Announcements

Posted by

Cynthia Brian on August 17, 2022

Empowerment

Back to School and Exciting Announcements

MIRACLE MOMENT®

“Learning is acquired by reading books; but the much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading man and studying all the various editions of them.” Lord Chesterton

A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

When I was growing up, summer vacation lasted until the week after Labor Day. Of course, we didn’t get out of school until mid-June, but that seemed reasonable since August is always such a hot month. Today, our kids are back in the classroom in August and for some school districts, the curriculum is completed by the end of May.

Many schools are struggling with getting enough supplies to enrich their students. If you have the means, consider what our Kindness Coordinator, Karen Kitchel, does annually. Donate a few items that teachers can use to your local schools. Everyone wins.

And with school back in session, remember to drive safely and slowly through areas when children are present. Actually drive safely and slowly at all times!

This past week, I spent over 40 hours on tech support for a variety of issues, plus my Linkedin account was hacked. Linkedin doesn’t have chat or phone support. It was infuriating and exhausting trying to find a remedy to a deleted account with blocked emails/passwords when the only way to access any support is by logging in. Twitter to the rescue. I found a Linkedin support person on Twitter who opened a case within 3 days and re-instated my hacked account. This made me ponder the safety of our youth who use their phones for their livelihood. Encourage 2 step verifications, changing passwords, and not sharing personal information. I found the Linkedin hacking to be very disruptive, intrusive, and upsetting. We don’t want our kids to experience weirdos online.

On a very exciting and positive note, my newest book is a children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies. The series is titled Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures and it is going to delight little ones (and maybe big ones, too). This series is based on true-life stories that I’ve learned from my adopted animals over the years since growing up on a farm. The book will be available before the end of the year and we will start pre-sales soon with a discount for you plus gifts of extra goodies. Best of all, the proceeds benefit Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3, where we really care about kids. More information below.

Also, come meet BTSYA volunteers and radio reporters in person at the Pear and Wine Festival to be held on Saturday, September 24th. We welcome sponsorships and appreciate donations to continue our vital empowerment work embedded in our mottos,

“To be a leader, you must be a reader. Read, lead, succeed. Communicate, collaborate, innovate!”

School is back in session. Here’s to a safe and fabulous learning experience for everyone.

Happy School Year!

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

SCATTER KINDNESS WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES

by Karen Kitchel

As prices for basic school supplies have greatly increased, we can only imagine the challenge faced by families with many children who all need supplies. This presents a simple and easy opportunity for us to come to the aid of our neighbors everywhere.

Teachers often choose to purchase extra supplies rather than to see a child go without. If asked what is needed, they will quickly provide a short list of things like crayons, pencils, markers, folders, etc. which can all be purchased either in-store or online and delivered to a home or school.

Each year I enjoy bringing an assortment of school supplies to Partnership Academy in Richfield, Minnesota where I volunteer to assist a Kindergarten teacher. The response always makes me smile.

If you want to help children get off to a great start, consider donating supplies to your local schools. They will be greatly appreciated and give everyone a smile.

NEW CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOK SERIES COMING!

Within the next few months, Be the Star You Are!® is excited to announce the launch of a new children’s picture book series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures, authored by Executive Director, Cynthia Brian, with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!®. Also coming will be NFT’s related to the series and events of empowerment.

The animal kingdom is filled with timely and timeless tales that are relatable to humans. The animal family of Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures experiences complex encounters that challenge their integrity, individuality, and character while amplifying diverse expressions and original viewpoints to co-exist as a group. The barnyard animals address critical issues facing children including bullying, nature, power struggles, adversity, adoption, homelessness, creativity, justice, health, kindness, ethnicity, and being different through a cultural lens of hope and resolution. With visually rich illustrations, each picture book moves a child to appreciate all animals while learning the lessons the natural world teaches humans.

Format

Each book is 32 pages peppered with lively conversations between the species. Colorful, animated illustrations of the characters by Jensen Russell bring the prose and poetry dialog to life.

No Barnyard Bullies follows a pampered piglet who lives in an apartment as she is re-homed to a barnyard filled with happy critters. Thinking that she is the Queen, she bullies the other animals until she is stopped by a tiny bunny who defends a three-legged goat from her attacks. Everyone is equal in Stella Bella’s barnyard where bullies are not tolerated and inclusiveness is paramount.

Price of the book is $14.95. Pre-order NOW to get the discount and first editions as soon as they are published. https://www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store/No-Barnyard-Bullies-COMING-SOON-PRE-ORDERS-ONLY-AT-A-DISCOUNT-p486474870

More information at https://www.cynthiabrian.com/books. Premium and bulk sales available at deeper discounts.

Meet the talented illustrated, Jensen Russell

Jensen is an illustrator based out of Savannah, Georgia. She is currently finishing her last year as a student at Savannah College of Art and Design working towards a BFA in Illustration with a concentration in Publication. She currently works within children’s book illustration and editorial/commercial freelance. She have always had a taste for the strange and unusual and strives to incorporate this into her art in a way that is comforting and touches upon inner-child healing. Her goal in my art is to exaggerate the human experience and encourage others to feel emotions all the way through.

instagram@nowherejen

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE PEAR AND WINE FESTIVAL

It sure feels great to have in-person events occurring again. Join us at our Be the Star You Are! booth at the Pear and Wine Festival on September 24, 2022 from 11-3pm in the Moraga Commons Park. BTSYA volunteers and radio reporters will be offering crafts for kids, a reading circle, and we’ll plant seeds for literacy. We’ll have several free give-aways as well. The festival features food, pie eating contests, wine, live music, arts and plenty of activities for kids, including inflatables. The event is FREE and the location is beautiful. Enjoy a wonderful day of fun with the family. Sponsorships available. More info: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/2022-pear-and-wine-festival-a-day-of-free-family-fun

Sincere gratitude to MB Jessee Painting and to the Lamorinda Weeklyfor sponsoring Be the Star You Are!® again. For expert painting with integrity and care, visit www.mbjessee.com and for the latest local news delivered with love, visit www.Lamorindaweekly.com

HELP CONTINUE THE POSITIVE WORKS! DONATE TODAY!

OUR INTERNATIONAL RADIO BROADCASTS!

Be empowered, motivated, energized, informed and amused.

Truthful, heartfelt, and engaging topics and guests!

LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.

VISIT https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of topics and guests.

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

“I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

~ Mark Twain

Learn Every Moment!

Best of success to students going back to school.

Discover new opportunities, educate yourself.

Learning=Earning!

Happy August!

Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity

PO Box 376

Moraga, Ca. 94556

www.BTSYA.org

www.BetheStarYouAre.org

Share the Love!

Posted by

rstapholz on February 15, 2022

Empowerment

MIRACLE MOMENT®

“I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.” Lucille Ball

A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

Happy Valentine’s Day! February is the month of love and I hope you have plenty in your life. Lucille Ball has it right. Love yourself first.

Here at Be the Star You Are!®, the love is flowing. We are thrilled and proud of the accomplishments of our volunteers. One of our teen radio hosts, Ruhani Chhabra recently was one of eight winners out of 11,000 international submissions in the New York Times Personal Essay contest. We are also welcoming new teen reporters to Express Yourself! Radio, giving youth a voice. Two of them are profiled below. And under the auspices of Be the Star You Are!®, award-winning writer, Ruhani Chhabra is launching a FREE writing workshop for kids ages 9-14. Make sure to check out the info and sign up immediately as classes start the first Saturday in March.

We are also gearing up for Earth Day with three videos submitted to the Earth Gratitude international Festival to be held the weekend of April 22. Stay tuned for more info.

And since we know that you want to pamper yourself and perhaps a loved one on this special day, we’ll make this newsletter short and sweet.

Enjoy some chocolate, champagne, and plenty of virtual hugs.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all and Happy Birthday to all who celebrate in this love month.

May Cupid’s amour arrow find you.

Love always,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/learning/the-winners-of-our-3rd-annual-personal-narrative-essay-contest-for-students.html#link-57a860d2

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AWARD-WINNING TEEN WRITER

The New York Times announced that Be the Star You Are! volunteer and host of Express Yourself!, Ruhani Chhabra, was one of eight teens out of 11,000 worldwide submissions to win

for her essay, T.S.A. and Cinnamon Buns, in the their 3rd Annual Personal Narrative Essay Contest. Read the essay at http://www.btsya.com/resources.

BRAVO to Ruhani for her hard work and creativity. We are so proud of her.

Ruhani’s NY TIMES article:

Ruhani will be teaching, Writing with the Stars, a FREE Virtual Writing Workshop for ages 9-14 starting in March through an outreach program of Be the Star You Are!®. Read below and REGISTER ASAP at thestarsworkshop@gmail.com

About Ruhani:

Ruhani Chhabra is a sixteen-year-old girl from the Bay Area. She is passionate about creative writing and has been exploring her craft since she was very young. At the age of ten, she published her first book, The Karris Family. Since then, she’s been nationally and globally recognized for her short stories, poems, personal essays, and dramatic scripts. She hopes to expand her numerous talents by studying in New York City when she’s older. Through being a reporter at Express Yourself!, she hopes to become more interactive with people, a skill she’ll use when she teaches one day. Her focus is on teen leadership and her segment is titled, Teenship. Ruhani recently won one of eight awards out of the 11,000 global submissions in the New York Times 3rd Annual Personal Narrative Essay Contest. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/20/learning/the-winners-of-our-3rd-annual-personal-narrative-essay-contest-for-students.html

FREE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: WRITING WITH THE STARS

Are you a young person who wants to learn to be a writer or author? Writing With the Stars is a FREE online creative writing workshop for kids ages 9-14 hosted by Express Yourself! Teen Radio Host Ruhani Chhabra.

Writing With the Stars will feature a fun and engaging curriculum that encourages young writers to pursue their imaginative ideas and expertly convey them on paper:

DETAILS:

Classes will be held biweekly on Saturdays. All classes are FREE of charge!

Each week will have a different lesson, either centering on poetry, fiction, creative

nonfiction, personal narratives, etc.

Children learn different styles and genres. They will learn to read our work out loud,

receive critique, and give it as well.

Tips and tricks on how to structure novel-writing and short stories.

Working on expanding vocabulary.

Diverse prompts to get creative juices flowing

DATES for CLASSES

For 9- 11 year olds

Dates: Saturdays-March 12, March 26, April 9, April 23

Times: 10-11 am

For 12-14 year old’s

Dates: Saturdays-March 5, March 19, April 2, April 16

Times: 10-11:30 am

To Register for Free, Email: thestarsworkshop@gmail.com

Information: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/writing-with-the-stars-virtual-workshop

SPOTLIGHT on TWO NEW FEBRUARY REPORTERS

This month of February, Be the Star You Are!® launches the segments of two new radio reporters, Hannah Sahota and Kirpa Gill. We welcome these outstanding teens to our STAR Galaxy.

Listen to Express Yourself! Teen Radio on Sundays 3pm PT

More information about Express Yourself!

Hannah Sahota: Empowerment and Equality

Hannah Sahota is a junior at Turlock High School who is active both in and out of the classroom. As the first ladder player on the THS Varsity Tennis Team, she takes that competitive nature to campus, being a leader within the Science Olympiad and Math Clubs representing Turlock in statewide competitions. In her free time, Hannah has enjoyed playing the piano for the last nine years.

She is extremely passionate about promoting gender equality and youth empowerment through education and literature. To accomplish this, Hannah has tutored a diverse group of students for the last five years through Sundar S.T.E.A.M Academy. Through her experiences tutoring, Hannah has begun “Hannah’s Project”, a charitable organization dedicated to providing young girls with a platform to pursue an interest in STEM subjects.

After listening to the broadcasts and shows on Express Yourself! Teen Radio, Hannah was fascinated with the informative and engaging content written and produced by teens like herself. Through her platform, she hopes to educate her peers with a diverse and relevant array of discussion topics. Her segment is called Empowerment and Equality. Listen to her first program all about Valentine’s Day at https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/135835/valentines-day-love-fest.

Kirpa Gill: Pet Prescription

Kirpa Gill, a sixth grader at Julien Elementary School in the GATE program, loves to spend her free time with her German Shepherd, Simba. Kirpa is very compassionate about animals and her future career goal is to become a veterinarian, and provide free services to rescue animals. Her love for music is expressed through the piano, which she has been playing for the last 3 years. Kirpa has been a member of the Girl Scouts and was promoted to a Cadette last year. She has presented great leadership and academic skills and was rewarded Rotary Student of the Month for her school. She is also a two-time gold-medal winner for the county spelling bee. After observing her brother host for “Express Yourself Teen Radio” Kirpa is ecstatic about becoming a reporter on “Express “and being able to reach out and make a difference. Her segment is called Pet Prescription and you can tune in to her first segment will air on February 20th @ 3pm Pt. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself

SIMPLE WAYS TO HELP!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

`DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

Support Be the Star You Are! with Confidence. We have a 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid!

Be the Star You Are! ® 501 c3 charity

PO BOX 376

Moraga, Ca. 94556

www.BetheStarYouAre.org

www.BTSYA.org

GET A 2021 TAX DEDUCTION! DONATE NOW!

Posted by

rstapholz on December 29, 2021

Empowerment

It’s Not Too Late To Donate!

“Shatter the limits, blow up the barriers, multiply the possibilities! Hurray, a brand new year begins soon.”

Still Time to Make a Difference

Since the pandemic halted so many activities, nonprofits have had to do more with less money. Be the Star You Are!® is one of those small, grassroots 501c3 that continued to support those in need throughout these troubling times.

If you are able, make a donation now to continue our outreach efforts on behalf of women, families, and youth. Don’t forget that expanded charitable giving tax deductions were included in the CARES ACT and are applicable through December 31, 2021.

DONATE NOW

Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Or you can choose to make the donation using many different payment methods which may have fees via by GiveButter at https://givebutter.com/be-the-star-you-are-charity.

SMALL DONATIONS MAKE a BIG DIFFERENCE TO INCREASE LITERACY!

$25 provides 5 new books.

$50 provides 12 new books.

$100 provides 28 new books.

DONATE

“Read, lead, succeed. To be a leader, you must be a reader.”

OTHER WAYS TO HELP!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

`DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who has supported Be the Star You Are!® through volunteering and donating. We look forward to enjoying a healthy and happy relationship today, tomorrow, and always.

May your best days of 2021 be your worst days of 2022!

Happy New Year from Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 charity

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

www.BTSYA.org

www.BetheStarYouAre.org

DONATE FOR A 2021 TAX DEDUCTION!

Joy to the World

Posted by

rstapholz on December 19, 2021

Empowerment

Merry Christmas from All of Us!

GIVE THE GIFT OF JOY TO THE WORLD!

MIRACLE MOMENT®

“Find a place inside where there is joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” Joseph Campbell

A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

It’s the season to be jolly and goodness knows, we are all trying.

The Chinese have a powerful proverb that states, “If you want joy for an hour, take a nap. If you want joy for a day, go fishing, if you want joy for a year inherit a fortune, but if you want joy for a lifetime…help someone else!”

Joy is a feeling of fulfillment. It can be found at work, at home, and anywhere when you are willing to experience it.

How can we bring more joy into our lives? Start by taking one day this week to share joy with everyone you know. Offer a smile, a kind word, a compliment, help with a taxing project. Increase your offerings until you are joyful seven days a day. No need for a seventh day break. Your joy will bless them, but it will bless you more!

This Christmas, give the gift of joy and rejoice in the feeling of helping someone else to be happy.

You are the star of your own performance.

From our family to yours, have a healthy, happy, joyful Christmas.

And thank you for being part of our Be the Star You Are!® family. You are the reason for our joy!

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

I’m almost there

by Ruhani Chhabra

my entire life i was drowning

pushed down by my own hands

i longed to find those on the shore

craved their sweet validation

not knowing so many of them

were sinking alongside me

eventually i realized

air that held love for myself

was a much better alternative

than this bottomless, murky ocean

of meaningless negativity

my hands relinquished their hold

when i understood my flaws are just features

i was scared to appreciate

the beautiful body and strong spirit

i always looked down upon

is bringing me to the surface

and I’m almost there

Ruhani Chhabra, is a 16-year-old girl from California who is a radio host and reporter of Teenship on Express Yourself!®. She says that having the opportunity to be a radio host and reporter is the highlight of her year and she greatly appreciates the opportunities that being part of Be the Star You Are!® has granted. Ruhani enjoys writing, reading, and listening to music. When she’s older, she wants to travel around the world and teach literature. Listen to Express Yourself!® at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself

SHOP and GIVE!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

BLESSINGS, GRACE, GRATITUDE, AND JOY OF THE SEASON!

HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Be the Star You Are!® has been honored with a Top-Rated Award for 2021 from Great Nonprofits! We appreciate all of your contributions! https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc

DONATE!

FAREWELL AND THANK YOU!

For almost two decades, The Reading Tub has been a literacy partner of Be the Star You Are!® publishing book reviews written by our teen volunteer Star Book Review Team. Founder and Executive Director of The Reading Tub, Terry Doherty, and Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!®, Cynthia Brian, have worked closely together throughout the years to bring literacy home to families, teachers, guardians, librarians, and all those who love books. Although the website for the books that have already been reviewed will remain available for viewing at https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/, The Reading Tub will be retiring its collaboration at the end of 2021. We want to thank Terry for her incredible devotion to literacy and our collaboration throughout the years. Bravo Terry.

But worry not! Terry’s love of reading and her passion for literacy have not waned!! She has piles of books still to read and review and will continue to share literacy tips and reading ideas through the Reading Tub’s social media, as well as via the Cybils Awards, a literacy nonprofit where she serves on the board. (http://www.cybils.com/about-the-cybils-awards) Terry initially created The Reading Tub as a hobby website, and after 20 years, is going to return to those roots.

She will be contributing to our Be the Star You Are!® newsletter so stay tuned for more. Thanks Terry for your dedication to the minds of our youth.

Reviews from Be the Star You Are!® teen volunteers will continue to be available at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews

CANDY CANES AND PUPPY DOGS

by Karen Kitchel

Candy canes to share and plush puppies to hug were the highlights of today in kindergarten.

Each Monday and Thursday I have the distinct honor of helping these amazing students learn to read. During our time together, I get to hear their stories, and enjoy some fun times.

Because I believe Christmas is a time for sharing, everyone was given a bag of candy canes and treats which they can share with their family. To brighten their break away from school, a little puppy dog is now in their backpack.

A treasured gift I received today, in addition to many heartfelt hugs, was a framed drawing signed by each kindergartener and a beautiful towel with a beautiful saying. Many thanks to all the wonderful students and teachers.

Merry Christmas to all!

DIRECT LINKS

Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

EMBRACE A WORLD OF JOY!

Listen to our two empowering radio broadcasts!

LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.

VISIT https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of guests.

“Everything is a gift of the universe–even joy, anger, jealously, frustration, or separateness. Everything is perfect either for our growth or our enjoyment.”-Ken Keyes Jr.

MAKE A JOYFUL DIFFERENCE!

DONATE NOW!

contact : PO Box 376, Moraga, ca. 94556 www.BTSYA.org www.BetheSTARYouAre.org

Care, Share, and Be Fair

Posted by

rstapholz on September 19, 2021

Empowerment

MIRACLE MOMENT®

“Nobody cares how much you know,
until they know how much you care.”

~ Theodore Roosevelt

A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CYNTHIA BRIAN

When I was only eleven years old, a newly ordained young priest came to our parish. He was from a dairy farm in Limerick, Ireland and felt very out of place in very liberal and loud California. Since my family were fruit farmers and cattle ranchers, we invited him out to our place and he immediately felt at ease.

As he acclimated to life in the United States, he and I developed non-denominational youth programs. By the time I was in high school, our teen programs were the most popular with adolescents coming from all over northern California to attend. Father Pat McGrath became a mentor to many, but especially to me. The motto he lived by and I incorporated into my life was “Care, share, and be fair.”

In these tumultuous times, I find that adage to be more important than ever. Our Kindness Coordinator, Karen Kitchel, advises us to take a deep breath, think a kind thought, then proceed. This is a wise recommendation.

If we can all pause and remember that no matter what is transpiring, we are all in this together. When we care more, we share more.

Be the Star You Are!® has packed many cases of brand new books to ship to shelters and organizations in need of these resources as a result of the natural disasters that have occurred throughout the United States. If your organization is in need, please contact me so that we can include you in our Operation Disaster Relief program. We really do care and we want to share.

The Pear and Wine Festival is next Saturday, September 25th from 11-2pm with a live concert from 2-4pm. At this outdoor event, our volunteers will be following CDC protocols. More info at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events. We hope to see you there.

Please care about your fellow citizens and get vaccinated. Wear a mask. Employ social distancing. We need to stop the variants from mutating. Covid is not something we want to share.

Be safe and enjoy back to school in-person learning.

Care, share, and be fair.

Sending healthy thoughts,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

SEE YOU AT THE PEAR FESTIVAL!

The Pear and Wine Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 25th from 11 am-4pm with free family fun at Moraga Commons Park in Moraga. Be the Star You Are!® is participating with a booth. hosts and reporters of our radio broadcast, Express Yourself! will be in person to greet visitors. Instead of doing our normal face painting for kids, BTSYA volunteers will be providing a table with masks to be decorated. We will also have a Kids Korner with a reading circle. Many thanks to our sponsors The Lamorinda Weekly Newspaper (www.lamorindaweekly.com), Dr. Brian Sheaff Family Dentistry ( https://www.drsheaffdentistry.com) and MBJesse Painting (www.MBJessee.com). Also appreciation to author Brooks Olbrys who has donated two cases of books in English and Spanish of his 10 year anniversary special of Blue Ocean Bob. (https://www.blueoceanbob.com) Children who attend will be given a beautiful new book.

The festival will feature food, wine, art, children’s activities, a petting zoo, and fun for everyone. Admission is FREE. More information at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-events

MEET OUR NEWEST EXPRESS YOURSELF TEEN RADIO REPORTER

Rose Sarner is a Junior in high school at the Archer School for Girls who enjoys playing tennis, hiking, and hanging out with her friends. Her radio show sheds light on the pressing issues of urban food policy, nutrition, and the importance of food access in our world today. Rose is eager to share her knowledge, create an impact, and provide the tools and resources to enhance people’s lives in the community. Her segment on Express Yourself!® Teen Radio is called “Bite Share” and she is anxious to provide tips on how everyone needs to have access to eat healthy, nutritious meals. Her first reporting gig can be heard on September 26th at 3pm on the Voice America Empowerment Channel at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself

START A KINDNESS CONVERSATION

A Minneapolis parent shared her story about how her two young boys chose to make hygiene kits to donate. They helped make a list of needed items, all went shopping, and put everything together. Next was delivering them to a shelter.

“As a family, this allowed us to talk about different people’s situations, and how we can help. Our boys learned to be grateful for things like food, water, our home, and basic needs. Each month we take on a new project listed on the website Doing Good Together. This provides ideas for simple, yet meaningful ways to give back, spread kindness and engage in conversations we would not otherwise have” commented Ann K.

This fantastic organization, Doing Good Together, has many tools for families to spark kindness. Check out their “Start Kind Conversations.”

BOOK SALE

In honor of our 20th anniversary since being on the first New York Times best seller list, first edition, autographed books are discounted in a special sale with proceeds benefitting Be the Star You Are!® You will also receive extra goodies and FREE music CD with your purchase when you buy from the website. Stock up now! http://starstylestore.net

OPERATION DISASTER RELIEF

The 2021 natural disasters continue to climb. Hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornados, and fires are more ferocious and deadly causing thousands to flee their homes. Global warming and climate change are causing extreme weather conditions that have never been seen before. Throughout 2020, Be the Star You Are!® concentrated disaster relief on helping individuals who were out of work survive during the pandemic. We now turn our assistance back to helping survivors of these major natural disasters happening throughout the United States. Be the Star You Are!® will be providing books and other materials to shelters and organizations in need. If you’d like to donate, please do so at our website, https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org. If your organization or shelter is in need of our resources to supply to survivors of a disaster, please email us at info@BetheStarYouAre.org.

SHOP and GIVE!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

EDU_TAINMENT WITH BE THE STAR YOU ARE! RADIO

LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.

Express Yourself orange 72x24 banner-1 2

You’ll meet authors, actors, artists, activists, musicians, poets, scientists, educators, and other creatives. Enjoy our upbeat, authentic, and fun radio parties on the Voice America Network Empowerment Channel or wherever you like to listen.

Visit https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of guests.

DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help

“Read, lead, succeed! To be a leader, you must be a reader! Communicate, collaborate, and innovate.”

Honoring Dads

Posted by

rstapholz on June 16, 2021

Empowerment

Happy Father’s Day

June 2021

MIRACLE MOMENT®

“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Billy Graham

A MESSAGE FROM FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,CYNTHIA BRIAN

My Dad was my hero and my champion. My great fortune was to be born into a family where my parents deeply loved and respected one another and their five children. We were farmers, working the land from daybreak to dusk to feed others. At the time, as far as monetary means, we had little but we always were surrounded with love, encouragement, and home-grown fruits and vegetables. When my Dad came in from a day in the fields, we kids would fight over who got to dust him off with a broom. He was a humble, self-educated man who knew how to fix anything. We always felt safe when we were with Daddy. He’d saddle our horses, tighten our ski bindings, build our chicken coops and sheep pens, and take us on the control burns to mitigate fire danger. My Mom was his girlfriend and he treated her like a Queen. When he walked his girls down the aisle to be married, his gentle eyes shed tears of joy. He made everyone he met feel like the most important person in the world. When he died young, over 1500 people came to his funeral to honor this simple farmer who treated everyone with dignity and love.

My hands are rough and calloused from the years of driving tractors, cutting fruit, raising animals, and digging dirt. I wouldn’t have it any other way. By growing up on a farm under the tutelage of my Mom and Dad, I learned the importance of family, hard labor, responsibility, caring, and integrity. My Dad inspired me to live my dreams and help others reach theirs. He is the reason that I founded Be the Star You Are!® 22 years ago.

This week we honor fathers, those wonderful men who give so much of their talent, time, and treasures to help their children become the stars they were born to be.

Reach out to the Dads who make a difference every day in big and small ways. Show your appreciation. You can pay homage by making a donation in the name of your special father through Be the Star You Are!® In recognition donations can be made by check to Be the Star You Are!®, PO Box 376, Moraga, Ca. 94556. A card honoring your wonderful man will be sent as well as a receipt. If you prefer to use Paypal or GiveButter, here are the links:

GiveButter: https://givebutter.com/be-the-star-you-are-charity

PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

I will be forever grateful to my amazing Daddy for being outstanding in his field! He was the best of mankind and a role model for what a good person can be. Thank you, Daddy, for shining your light on me and so many others.

Happy Father’s Day to all the magnificent men who make this world a better place. We love and bless you.

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556

Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org

DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

WANT TO BE IN A SURVEY OF “Experiences of Children and Teens During the COVID-19 Pandemic”?

A group of researchers from NYU, University of Vermont, University of Ottawa, and University of Colorado Boulder is studying the experiences of school-aged children and teenagers during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are the parent of a child or teen ages 5-17 or are 18 years old, we would love for you to participate! The survey should take less than a half an hour and you can close and return to it at a later time if needed.

Here is the link for parents of children ages 5-10 to complete the survey: https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_4VGIYrj7OZgW9T0

Here is the link for children and teens ages 11-18 to complete the survey with their parent’s permission (if under 18): https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_6JS2H1zV4M87DDM

Feel free to pass the link along to those in your network with children and teens ages 5-17 or other 18-year-olds who may be interested in participating.

Please reach out to Gabriella Meltzer at gm2477@nyu.edu if you’d like more information or if you have any questions.

REMEMBERING DAD

I wish I could more vividly remember the afternoons when we ate popsicles together. Or the evenings drying dishes when I wore your slippers. A photo taken in the parking lot of an amusement park reminds me of the day I won a big plush dog, and how I couldn’t wait to show you. You were the most important person in my life.

Because you’ve been gone for more than 35 years, it’s hard to picture what I know were many days when you made me very happy. I didn’t know how I would go on without you in my life. But I did. And when I look up into the beautiful blue sky, I can almost imagine seeing your kind smile.

Happy Father’s Day Dad!

ARE YOU AN ORGANIZATION THAT NEEDS BOOKS?

Be the Star You Are!® has boxes of brand new books to donate to shelters, organizations, or charities in need. The books retail for $15-20, but to increase literacy, they are FREE to qualified groups. Shipping cost is $25 per box. There will be 10-12 books per box. If your group is interested, email info@bethestaryouare.org. We do not provide a list of the titles but will discuss with you the type of books that would be most beneficial. We have non-fiction and fiction, soft cover and hard cover. The shipping charge can be paid via PayPal or GiveButter. Details will be emailed to you.

GIFTS FOR DAD!

We have suggestions for you to shop, save, and stay safe. Please use these web sites for all of your shopping essentials.

1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882

2. Discounted books at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

3. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash at 3500+ popular online stores :https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc

4. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA

5. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” black tanks and books at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/

6. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4

EDU_TAINMENT WITH BE THE STAR YOU ARE! RADIO

LIVE on Wednesdays from 4-5pm PT, be entertained, informed, amused, and educated on StarStyle-Be the Star You Are!. Then be inspired and motivated on

Sundays from 3-4pm PT, it’s Express Yourself! Teen Radio with our Be the Star You Are! star teen hosts and reporters.

Visit https://www.StarStyleRadio.com for our line-up of guests.

DIRECT LINKS

Positive Results: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results

How to Help: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help