Read, Lead, Succeed!
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Spring Renewal from Be the Star You Are!®
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| Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 PO Box 376 Moraga, California 94556 US |
Thanksgiving is EVERYDAY!
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| Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 PO Box 376 Moraga, California 94556 US See more: |
UNITE FOR HUMAN DIGNITY
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“When ordinary life shackles me, I escape, one way or another. No more walls.”
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REMEMBER THOSE WHO SERVE!
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Be a Reader!
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 Miracle Moment® “To be a leader, you must be a reader.” Read, lead, succeed!” Cynthia Brian, Be the Star You Are!® slogan THE POWER OF RE Kathy Boyle created this inspirational poster after reading the article The Power of Re. Thanks Kathy.Aging With Grace by Karen Kitchel
Aging gracefully begins with admitting that things have changed. We cannot live as things were in the past. That’s the message, retired priest, Father Bob Schwartz, presents when speaking about transitions in later life. In youth, he says, we lay the foundation for our life. The first season is often struggling to get our lives going. This is a season of being heavily dependent on others. The second season is about giving our lives away in serving others, whether it’s family or contributing to the world of church, work, or culture. The third season of our lives is about leaving a legacy. We identify the meaning of our lives and share that as a gift to others whom we leave behind. The final stage of life is about finding out who we really are. This might also be the first time in our life when we do what we like to do. Be thankful for the memories, and rejoice in the way life is now. Research has proven that the happiest age group of all is the elderly. Why is that? Maybe because it’s a more peaceful existence, and we know it’s okay to slow down. When we age gracefully, we live with the wisdom of all of our life experiences. Karen Kitchel penned two chapters in the book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World, and is a dedicated volunteer with BTSYA. She serves meals to the homeless and is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. www.scatteringkindness.com  Direct Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!® 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 GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: https://greatnonprofits.org/org/be-the-star-you-are-inc GUIDESTAR: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3333882 We invite you to volunteer, get involved, or make a donation. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
Classified Ads: If you’d like to advertise your service or product while supporting Be the Star You Are!®, we are now accepting approved ads that will benefit readers. Contact info@BetheStarYouAre.org for details.
PO Box 376 Moraga, California 94556 https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org All donations are 100% Tax Deductible according to law. Thank you! Give plenty in 2020!
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BE A 2020 READER
MESSAGE FROM CYNTHIA BRIAN, Founder/Executive Director
I blinked and another year has passed. It seems that the year 2000 was only yesterday, and here we are in 2020 with Be the Star You Are!® halfway through 21 years of global service actively working to increase literacy and positive media messages to empower women, families, and youth. Did you know that only one in five adults in the United States reads more than 12 books a year? According to research done by the Authors Guild, the publishing industry caters mostly to that 20% of readers. Becoming an avid reader is essential for life success and if children between the ages five and twelve aren’t captivated by books, they will not become life long readers. As a nation, it is imperative to ignite the love of books early on and continue to give books as gifts and incentives. You’ll find a plethoras of exciting, brand new books for all ages offered through our Amazon store at http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity and also our signature books at http://www.starstylestore.net/. All sales from these two sites benefit BTSYA as a donation. 2020 is also the year to embrace the power of RE. Renew, refresh, redo, recycle, repurpose, remake, and the list of “re” continues as we must all remember to be conscientious stewards of our planet. . Read two articles I wrote this month that will encourage you to reclaim your motivation to dream green. The Power of Re: http://lamorindanews.com/archive/issue1323/Digging-Deep-with-Cynthia-Brian-Garden-Trends-for-2020-Part-1-The-power-of-RE.html Dream Green: https://blog.voiceamerica.com/2020/01/22/dream-green/ TUNE IN! Our two Be the Star You Are!® radio broadcasts provide entertainment, information, and empowerment in every hour of power.Inspiring guests are lined up to motivate you to attain your goals and live a positive, uplifting life. Listen LIVE to StarStyle® every Wednesday from 4pm PT at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2206/be-the-star-you-are or catch us on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/starstyle-be-the-star-you-are!/id669630180?mt=2
For a young adult look at life, listen to Express Yourself!™ Sunday’s at 3pm PT at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself or on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/express-yourself!/id481894121?mt=2 Read all about the Be the Star You Are!® Radio broadcasts, guests, reporters, hosts, and more at https://www.StarStyleRadio.com. 2020, the Year of the Rat, will be a productive year filled with possibilities. Make it happen for you. Thanks for being part of our STAR galaxy. Give plenty in 2020.
Cynthia Brian Founder/Executive Director Be the Star You Are!® PO Box 376 Moraga, California 94556 Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org Millennials and Boomers Give the Gift that Keeps on Giving
She writes “everyone agreed how the compilation was perfect for all ages (millennials to boomers, of course!)”
Wife of forty-five years, mother of eight, and grandmother to thirteen, writer and host of the podcast WOWMOM, Ellen Mongan, is one busy lady. She contributed the chapter, The Gift of Wings, in Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World to help readers know that the sky is the limit. Ellen has given autographed copies to families and friends and reports that “people LOVE this book!”
No matter when you were born, you, too, will find relatable true tales and inspirational stores of challenge and triumphs in all of the three books in the Be the Star You Are!® series. Each chapter is short and succinct, yet packed with motivation. 100% of the proceeds benefit Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 as a donation when you purchase from http://www.starstylestore.net/.  SHOPPING ALL YEAR ROUND? Other easy ways that assist our mission and don’t cost you a penny! 1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882 2. Discounted books at Amazon: http://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, then donate a percentage to BTSYA:https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc & buy from your favorite stores. 4. Search and GoodShop: Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too! https://www.goodshop.com/nonprofit/be-the-star-you-are 5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA 6. BTSYA Logo Store: http://btsya.rylees.net 7. Buy or Sell on EBAY:http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/be-the-star-you-are-501-c-3/1504/?favorite=link 8. Designer Clothes to Buy or Sell: https://www.unionandfifth.com/charities/be-the-star-you-are-moraga-ca/shop 9. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” T-shirts and tanks $19.99 at StarStyle® Store: http://www.starstylestore.net/ 10. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4 We appreciate a direct donation most of all via PAYPAL GIVING FUND at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504 Checks can be sent to PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556
HAPPY NEW YEAR! |
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| Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3 PO Box 376 Moraga, California 94556 US |
We MADE it!
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Miracle Moment®
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to cry,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
—Anonymous
MESSAGE FROM CYNTHIA BRIAN, Founder/Executive Director
WE MADE IT!!! Twenty years of serving our communities and country through numerous life-changing outreach programs with 100% volunteer positions and no paid staff! What an accomplishment for everyone involved. On September 9th, 2019, Be the Star You Are!® is 20 years old. Yes, it has been a labor of love for me to trudge forward despite our numerous setbacks. There was a time when BTSYA had only 43 cents in the bank and I knew I would have to close the doors within a week because we just didn’t have the funds available to proceed further. Sadness filled my soul.
Then a miracle happened. Actually…THREE miracles in the same day.
- #1 I opened the mail from my 18-year-old daughter who had just started her first year of college and was also working to pay her expenses. Out fell a check for $100 with a note that read, “Mom, this to help Be the Star You Are!® continue its great work. I know I’ll always have you, but if you quit, the other kids won’t have you. You CAN’T quit.”
- #2 The phone rang and a restaurant offered to give a percentage of their proceeds for a full day to Be the Star You Are!®
- #3 A big envelope arrived from the kids at juvenile halls that we had been providing free books and reading circles to for several years. In the envelope were numerous hand-written thank you notes from these incarcerated youth. The hand-crafted cards were colorful and happy with mostly misspelled words and messages saying “thank you, gracias, or love you for caring”. One note read “Not only was this my very first book, but it was the first gift I’ve ever received.” But the note that tugged at our heartstrings the most said the following: “Thank you for saving my life. Without Be the Star You Are!®, I would have committed suicide.”
With those three “coincidences” occurring on my darkest day, I went outside at night to look to the heavens. “If I’m supposed to keep up this mission of empowering women, families, and youth, I need to see a sign. Please send me a shooting star.” Yes, I was praying for a signal. And miracle #4 transpired. A bright star shot across the dark sky going from the far left to the far right so that there was not a chance I would miss it.
It hasn’t been easy leading a non-profit but we are still here and we are always making a difference. I am honored to work with women, families, and teens. Their successes in life give me great joy.
I want to thank every person and business who has crossed paths with our outreach through two decades: volunteers, sponsors, beneficiaries, and donors. Be the Star You Are!® has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals across the globe. We donated over $2 million in resources with a 100% volunteer workforce. Read about our amazing accomplishments at http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results . Special thanks to Lamorinda Weekly, Mechanics Bank, and Moraga Hardware and Lumber for recent donations and to Justine Christoff for creating our new logos.
BTSYA still struggles to get funding and we hope you will be generous and make a tax-deductible donation to help us celebrate our 20th birthday. You can donate through PAYPAL GIVING FUND with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
We are not throwing a party or a gala, even though we wanted to, as we will use every donated penny to help others live and thrive.
No, I never quit. And I hope you will follow your heart and never quit either.
In the trilogy of Be the Star You Are!® books, I always include the poem, Don’t Quit. You can support the charity by buying books, at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store .
But I leave you with the last verse:
For Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But, sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can.
—Anonymous
What I’ve discovered is that success rarely comes on the first, second, third or fourth try. Sometimes even the hundredth. Keep trying and don’t give up. Even when you are rejected unnecessarily, consider each rejection as character building. You are a miracle of life, and you can do it. Give yourself a break, but never quit. You are a star! Embrace each “no” and exclaim, “Thank you, I am now that much closer to a yes!”
Together WE CAN!
Thank you for being part of our galaxy. Make sure to visit http://www.BTSYA.org to see our gallery of photos from the past twenty years. In this newsletter, we share a few!
Our new motto is “Communicate, Collaborate, Innovate!” Hope you’ll join us.
Blessings and Gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org
https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
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VOLUNTEER WRITES ABOUT BTSYA EXPERIENCES
Volunteering is a great way for teens to band together or to work individually to make a difference in the community. BTSYA offers the opportunity to become a leader and learn communication skills with its numerous volunteer opportunities. Brigitte Jia is a university sophomore interested in helping to bring the flaws of society to light. A volunteer with BTSYA, she is a host and reporter on Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio, artist, and published writer. She enjoys reading, playing the violin, and weightlifting. http://www.expressyourselfteenradio.com
Read Press Pass with the full story from Brigitte:
Read the newspaper article: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1314/Local-literacy-nonprofit-celebrates-20-years-of-service.html
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COME SEE US AT THE PEAR AND WINE FESTIVAL
On Saturday, September 28 from 11-3pm, Event Teen Director Siri Phaneedra and BTSYA volunteers will be offering fun and free activities at the Be the Star You Are!® booth at the Pear and Wine Festival at Moraga Commons Park in Moraga. Henna, face painting, reading circle, pop up concert, teen radio reporters, and more will be available to celebrate our 20th anniversary. The canopy will have the name of our sponsor, The Lamorinda Weekly. Stop by with the family, enjoy the festivities, and make a tax-deductible donation. More info at 
https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org/events
To aid with sponsorship, email info@Bethestaryouare.org.
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FIND BOOKS AND HONEST REVIEWS
Be the Star You Are!® partners with The Reading Tub to increase literacy by offering first hand, honest reviews of books for young people. BTSYA Star Book reviewers read and write reviews which are published at The Reading Tub at https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/
and also in our creative community at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews.html . You’ll find more than 3000 reviews of books. We thank Founder and Executive Director, Terry Doherty, for her passion and dedication to books while collaborating with Be the Star You Are!®
“WOW! 20 years. That is awesome. Perseverance and passion … you have them in limitless supply.” Terry Doherty, Founder and Executive Director, The Reading Tub
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BUY BOOKS
‘Give yourself a boost of positivity by buying copies of our signature books in the Be the Star You Are!® series. 100% of the proceeds benefit the charity and you’ll treasure the stories for a lifetime. Buy now at https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store.
PPS: Read how BTSYA is Making a Difference: https://www.ibpa-online.org/news/460747/IBPA-Member-Spotlight-Cynthia-Brian.htm
DONATE: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
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“I Am Because We Are”
by Karen Kitchel
Photo from Wiccanbipolarforum’s Post
An anthropologist proposed a game to the kids in an African tribe. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told them that whoever got there first won the sweet fruits.
When he gave them the signal to run, they all took each other’s hands and ran together, then sat in a circle enjoying their treats.
When he asked them why they chose to run as a group when they could have had more fruit individually, one child spoke up and said: “UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?”
‘UBUNTU’ in the Xhosa culture means: “I am because we are.”
Contributed by volunteer Karen Kitchel who is passionate about scattering kindness. Currently, she serves meals to the homeless, is a volunteer teacher, writer, job coach, and mentor. She wrote the chapter, The Gift of Adoption, in our book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and she continues to volunteer as a contributor to our newsletter. www.scatteringkindness.com
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LEND US YOUR EARS!
Get inspired, motivated, and informed with our two upbeat, life-affirming, innovative radio broadcasts from Be the Star You Are!® Radio heard on the Voice America Network, Empowerment Channel. StarStyle® airs Wednesdays LIVE from 4-5pm PT with host Cynthia Brian as your empowerment architect bringing you edu-tainment that will change your life for the better. http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2206/be-the-star-you-are
Express Yourself!™ airs on Sundays at 3pm PT with teen and young adult hosts interviewing a variety of authors, musicians, celebrities, and experts on topics of interest to the younger generation. https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/2014/express-yourself
Visit www.BetheStarYouAreRadio.com to see the descriptions and photos.
To sponsor or advertise on any of our programs, please email info@BetheStarYouAre.org.
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DISCOUNTS & MORE
We appreciate a direct donation most of all via PAYPAL GIVING FUND at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
Checks can be sent to PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556
Other easy ways that assist our mission and don’t cost you a penny!
1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882
2. Discounted books at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity
3. Buy or Sell on EBAY:http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/be-the-star-you-are-501-c-3/1504/?favorite=link
4. Use GoodSearch to search the web & buy from your favorite stores. Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too!http://www.goodsearch.com/goodto-go/be-the-star-you-are
5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA
6. BTSYA Logo Store: http://btsya.rylees.net
7. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 3300+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA:https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc
8. Designer Clothes to Buy or Sell: https://www.unionandfifth.com/charities/be-the-star-you-are-moraga-ca/shop
9. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” T-shirts and tanks $19.99 at StarStyle® Store: https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store
10. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4
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Direct Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®
Positive Results: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results
About Us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us
Programs: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs
How to Help: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help
Blog: https://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog-1
Events: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events
Contact us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
GUIDESTAR: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3333882
We invite you to volunteer, get involved, or make a donation. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
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A FINAL STAR SPARKLE
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
~ Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama
Be the Star You Are! 501 c3, PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556.
Celebrating 20 years of stellar service to the world!
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
https://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
All donations are 100% Tax Deductible according to law. Thank you!
https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
Read the newsletter: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/672296/250bd40a0e/288055965/ac7221bc2f/
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Celebrating Volunteers
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Miracle Moment®
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” Muhammad Ali
A Message from Founder/Executive Director, Cynthia Brian
Besides adoring the beautiful flowers springing up in our gardens, April is dedicated to appreciating volunteers. Here at Be the Star You Are!®, we are proud of the service of our volunteers. 2019 marks the 20th year of being a 501c3 charity dedicated to empowering women, families, and youth through improved literacy and increased positive media messages, and we have much to celebrate and for which to be grateful. Throughout the years we have collaborated with volunteers from numerous countries around the globe besides working with thousands from various states in America. The majority of our crew are teens and young adults with a few adults sprinkled in the mix.
Our Star Teen Book Review Team boasts the largest amount of volunteers, currently with 92 teens reading and writing reviews that our Book Review Coordinator, Stephanie Cogeos, uploads to our Book Review site at http://www.btsya.com/book_reviews.html. Stephanie makes sure that format, fonts, and style are correct and that each review is worthy of the parents, librarians, teachers, and others who will read it. The book reviews are published at our literacy partner, The Reading Tub, where we are honored to have assisted in hitting their 3000 book review milestone. Make sure you check out the reviews: https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/
Our two Radio Broadcasts, StarStyle®-Be the Star You Are!® and Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio are setting new highs. StarStyle® has been broadcasting LIVE weekly since 1998 and Express Yourself!™ since 2011. Both programs are now on the Empowerment Channel at Voice America. Find out more information at http://www.StarStyleRadio.com. Forty one teens have become reporters and hosts through these innovative programs.
Operation Disaster Relief has become an ongoing outreach project since the devastating California fires of the past two years. Two of our teen radio hosts, Joven Hundal and Siri Phaneendra have been co-chairing this imperative service. Please consider donating to this worthy cause as we continue to help those affected by terrible disasters around the country. https://www.bethestaryouare.org/copy-of-hurricane-fire-disaster-rel
Be the Star You Are!® volunteers are involved in numerous other outreach projects. Eighty-seven volunteers became published writers through their contributions in two of our signature books, Be the Star You Are! for Teens and Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Buy the books with all money benefiting Be the Star You Are!® at http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store
Find out more about our programs, events, positive results, and how to help at http://www.BetheStarYouare.org,
Direct Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®
Positive Results: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results
About Us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us
Programs: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs
How to Help: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help
Blog: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog
Events: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events
Contact us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
GUIDESTAR: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3333882
We invite you to volunteer, get involved, or make a donation. Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
As an all-volunteer non profit, I, too, am a volunteer. And as a volunteer I agree with what Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Be the Star You Are! is supported 100% by the generous donations of individuals like you. BTSYA has no state or federal contributions. We thank you in advance for making a donation in honor of a special occasion, someone you love, or just because.
Thank you to our volunteers. We all salute and honor you.
Happy Spring!
Heartfelt gratitude,
Cynthia Brian
Founder/Executive Director
Be the Star You Are!®
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
Cynthia@BetheStarYouAre.org
http://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
http://www.BTSYA.org
THANKS FOR HELPING
In our recent shipments to help the survivors of the town of Paradise who lost so much in the disastrous Camp Fires, Be the Star You Are!® wants to thank three main supporters who assisted us in getting much needed new books to the distribution center.
Our sincerest appreciation goes to:
David Hancock, Morgan James Publishing: https://www.morgan-james-publishing.com
Monique Muhlenkamp, New World Library: http://www.newworldlibrary.com
Diana Zimmerman, The Calabiyau Chronicles: https://www.kandide.com
Caring is sharing. Thank you David, Monique, and Diana.
SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS
We are very proud of the work of all of our volunteers. We shine the spotlight on a few STARS who share their views on volunteering with BTSYA.
Joven Hundal-
“I can say with certainty that joining Be the Star You Are! is the best decision of my life. This rare organization not only does good work for the community, but also actively promotes its volunteers and affords them opportunities not found elsewhere. I’ve worked as Lead Host of BTSYA’s teen radio show, Chairperson of BTSYA’s Disaster Relief, and even was published in BTSYA’s latest positive message media anthology, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Gifts of Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World. Nowhere else could I have found such service opportunities, and I look forward to taking advantage of them even more in the years to come.”
Heather Brittany
“I have been involved with Be the Star you are since I was a teen. The incredible impact it has made on my life and thousands of others, has continued me to stay involved all through my 20’s and now in my 30’s!! This organization is based on motivating others through the power of positivity and inspirational media. Thank you for every beautiful moment this organization has brought into my life.”
Kenneth Jeon
“BTSYA is honestly amazing. I’ve been volunteering as a reporter and host for BTSYA’s teen radio show and it’s provided me with so much. It’s given me countless opportunities to speak about my interests, have fun, meet new people, and grow and develop as a person. Cynthia Brian is unbelievably kind and supportive, and an amazing leader and mentor all around. I am truly honored to be a part of this team.”
Karen Kitchel
“Amazing is one way to describe this outstanding nonprofit and its fearless leader, Cynthia Brian. Over the years I’ve seen many instances where Cynthia has been a role model in rallying teen volunteers to reach out to those in need, no matter where they are or what situation presents itself.
I support this fine organization because I believe in their cause and their leadership, and I encourage you to do the same.”
COME PLAY AT THE MORAGA FAIRE
On Saturday, May 11th from 11am-3pm, the 13th Annual Moraga Community Faire and Classic Car Show will provide a day of family fun and community. The Faire attracts 3500 + attendees with numerous attractions, vendors, Kids zone, food trucks, wine, beer, art, and a classic car show. As the official face painting booth, Be the Star You Are!® volunteers will be offering activities for children including face painting, a reading circle, and giving away books to increase literacy. A book signing is also planned. Chelsea Pelchat is our teen coordinator. ““For the past four years, I have been the teen event coordinator where I have been able to exercise and develop life skills that I will use forever.“ To sponsor or volunteer, email info@BetheStarYouAre.org. Visit https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events
EASTER GIFTS
For the perfect Easter basket gift, buy any of our books. When you order directly from our website, 100% goes to Be the Star You Are!® charity plus you will get extra FREE goodies. For spring, how about adding Growing with the Goddess Gardener. Or to bridge the generation gap, buy Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers with chapters by 35 volunteers Autographed the way you want and they are donation too! https://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store
| MORE WAYS TO GROW WITH BTSYA
If you would like to make a direct donation to our giving fund, please visit our PayPal page! https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/search-cause?charityId=1504&s=3
We appreciate a direct donation most of all via PAYPAL GIVING FUND at https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504. Checks can be sent to PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556 There are other easy ways that assist our mission and don’t cost you a dime! 1. AmazonSmile donates .5% of purchases http://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882 2. Discounted books at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity 3. Buy or Sell on EBAY:http://givingworks.ebay.com/charity-auctions/charity/be-the-star-you-are-501-c-3/1504/?favorite=link 4. Use GoodSearch to search the web & buy from your favorite stores. Choose Be the Star You Are as your charity to support. You can log in with Facebook, too!http://www.goodsearch.com/goodto-go/be-the-star-you-are 5. Shop at over 1300 stores on IGIVE: http://www.iGive.com/BTSYA 6. BTSYA Logo Store: http://btsya.rylees.net 7. Giving Assistant: Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 1800+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA: https://givingassistant.org/np – be-the-star-you-are-inc 8. Designer Clothes to Buy or Sell: https://www.unionandfifth.com/charities/be-the-star-you-are-moraga-ca/shop 9. Buy “Read, Lead, Succeed” T-shirts and tanks $19.99 at StarStyle® Store: http://www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store 10. Are you a gamer, lover of new software, or other digital content? Buy all of your favorites at Humble Bundle. http://ow.ly/cYs130iN6n4 |
““We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill
Read the newsletter at http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/672296/f916a880b9/288055965/ac7221bc2f/
Be the Star You Are! 501 c3, PO Box 376, Moraga, California 94556.
Celebrating 20 years of stellar service to the world!
PO Box 376
Moraga, California 94556
http://www.BetheStarYouAre.org
Find out more about our programs, events, positive results, and how to help at http://www.BetheStarYouare.org,
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
GUIDESTAR: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-3333882
The Gift of Literacy and Storytelling
Editor on 
“A child who reads will be an adult who thinks” – Sasha Salmina
Increasing and improving literacy in the USA is a mission of Be the Star You Are!® Joven Hundal hosts this program about literacy launching the show with the chapter, The Gift of Literacy by Kimberly Morgan from the new book, Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers (buy autographed copies at www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store) 36-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 5-time GrandSLAM champion, bestselling author, and award-winning teacher, Matthew Dicks, provides perspective on the power of storytelling with his new book, Storyworthy. Storytelling is a skill that can help us in every aspect of our lives. Matthew encourages us to find a story in the simple moments of living. Reporter Kenneth Jeon talks about the importance of pictures and visuals to increase literacy as they are generally more accessible and easy to understand. He asserts that Videos and pictures provide an alternative, probably more appealing medium to which people can relate the words they read and from which people can practice their analytical skills.
“Reading gives you a new perspective on life” – Roald Dahl
Bio:
Matthew Dicks is a bestselling novelist, thirty-six-time Moth StorySLAM champion, and five-time GrandSLAM champion. In addition to his widespread teaching, writing, and performing, he cofounded (with his wife) Speak Up, which produces sold-out storytelling performances throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York at least once a month. He lives in Newington, Connecticut. His website is www.MatthewDicks.com.
Listen at Voice America Radio: https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/109096/the-gift-of-literacy
BTSYA IS A TOP ON PROFIT!
http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
JUST PUBLISHED: Be the Star You Are! Millennials to Boomers Celebrating Positive Voices in a Changing Digital World and Growing with the Goddess Gardener. Available at www.CynthiaBrian.com/online-store
Details on all books at HomeTown Reads: https://hometownreads.com/books/be-the-star-you-are-millennials-to-boomersYouTube book announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ru354Mhvu0&feature=youtu.be
California on Fire Newsletter: http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/672296/5e24302b81/288055965/bbd34d3431/
California wildfires are raging with ttriple-digittemperatures fueling the devastation. Express Yourself! Teen Radio hosts & Be the Star You Are!® volunteers Joven Hundal and Siri Phaneendra are spearheading BTSYA Operation Disaster Relief. Please donate. http://ow.ly/ks8A30lekGe
Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
Check our Book Reviews at our literacy partner, The Reading Tub: https://thereadingtub.org/books/be-the-star-you-are/
#StartWithaSmile at https://smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882 and Amazon donates to Be The Star You Are, Inc..
Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 1800+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA: https://givingassistant.org/np#be-the-star-you-are-inc
Discount Software, Digital content. Ebooks, Games: www.humblebundle.com/store?partner=1504&charity=1504
Express Yourself! Teen Radio is produced by Cynthia Brian of Starstyle Productions, llc as an outreach program of Be the Star You Are! charity. To make a tax-deductible donation to keep this positive youth programming broadcasting weekly to international audiences, visit http://www.bethestaryouare.org. Dare to care!
For all the latest news on what teens are talking about on Express Yourself! Teen Radio embed this code into your blogs and websites <Iframe src=”http://www.voiceamerica.com/jwplayer/HostPlayer.html?showid=2014″ frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”auto” width=”420″ height=”380″></Iframe>
Listen to all broadcasts at ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/podcast/express-yourself!/id481894121?mt=2
Be the Star You Are!® charity. Every Season is for Giving. https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504
Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®
Positive Results: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/positive-results
About Us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/about_us
Programs: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/programs
How to Help: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/how-to-help
Blog: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/blog
Events: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/events
GREAT NON PROFITS REVIEWS: http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/
Contact us: http://www.bethestaryouare.org/contact
Starstyle, Be the Star You Are, and Miracle Moments are registered trademarks of Cynthia Brian
Elections and Peace By Cynthia Brian
Editor on 
Every Tuesday at NOON PT, the talented teens of Be the Star You Are!® bring you an exciting, informative, mind-boggling program with fresh ideas from youthful minds. Join the fun!
Hosts Brigitte Jia and Zahra Hassanian as well as reporter Joven Hundal offer a full hour of youthful insights on todayâs national election and how peace can be attained in the world. Joven provides an historical perspective on the political mudslinging of campaigns. Polls of millennials indicate disillusion with this âR-rated election.â An avid student of Latin, Zahra digs into the ancient wisdom of peace, providing correlations between the past and present. Artist Brigitte paints a picture of peace through the visuals of art, cartoons, and the Impressionist movement. Itâs a lively, peaceful discussion with very bright and informed teens who care deeply about who is in power and how peace can be attained.
Listen at Voice America Network : https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/95668/peace-and-election-coverage
View Photos, Descriptions, & More at Express Yourself!⢠Teen Radio: http://www.starstyleradio.com/expressyourselfteenradio
HELP HURRICANE MATTHEW VICTIMS
#StartWithaSmile at smile.amazon.com/ch/94-3333882 to stock up for Halloween and Amazon donates to Be The Star You Are, Inc..
Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND and PAYPAL with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES!
#Stand For Literacy
Read our BTSYA October Newsletter
Have you ever bought a TV cathode screen or computer screen? If yes, please take 3 minutes to help BTSYA. Easy help.
Shop. Earn. Give! Use Giving Assistant to earn cash back at 1800+ popular online stores, then donate a percentage to BTSYA.
Listen to all broadcasts at ITUNES
Express Yourself! Teen Radio is produced by Cynthia Brian of Starstyle Productions, llc as an outreach program of Be the Star You Are! charity. To make a tax-deductible donation to keep this positive youth programming broadcasting weekly to international audiences, visit. Dare to care!
For all the latest news on what teens are talking about on Express Yourself! Teen Radio embed this code into your blogs and web sites <Iframe src=âhttp://www.voiceamerica.com/jwplayer/HostPlayer.html?showid=2014â³frameborder=â0â³ scrolling=âautoâ width=â420â³ height=â380â³></Iframe>
Thanks for supporting teens!
Be the Star You Are! charity. Itâs the Season of Giving Make a donation today.
Buy books and shirts. If you are buying gifts on line, check out.
Amazon donates a % back to BTSYA with every purchase.Thanks for helping us help others.
Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®
Positive Results
About Us
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How to Help
Blog
Events
Contact us
Whatâs happening? Want to party? Visit our Event page
Starstyle, Be the Star You Are, and Miracle Moments are registered trademarks of Cynthia Brian
