Well, its the beginning of a new year and once again the anniversary of Cameron’s death.  Her “Heaven Day” is January 19–  and this will be the 2nd anniversary.  Pray for our family as we struggle through this difficulty time of memories and grief.

We have lots of new books and Derrick has sent out many parcels recently.  The lucky recipients are mostly shelters and schools around the state.  These include Benton County Sunshiine School, Benton County Women’s Shelter, Elizabeth Richardson Center, EOA Children’s House, NW AR Children’s Shelter, Helen R. Walton Children’s Center in Bentonville, and Kid’s First in Fort Smith.  We hope these children enjoy the books that you have shared with us, and we in turn with them through the inspiration of Cameron.

We also were featured in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette this past weekend.  The new article is available for viewing through a link above on this page.

Our most recent shipments of children’s books have gone out to the following places: Dove House Inc in Clinton, AR; Arkansas Stepping Stone, Little Rock AR; Children’s Emergency Shelter in Fort Smith, AR; Potter’s Clay Crisis Center for Women and Children in Hot Springs, AR. We receive such positive feedback from these shelters. Reading to the children in shelters is something volunteers and workers can do to help them feel a sense of normalcy. Thanks to all who continue to send books and support this important cause. It really does make a difference!

Our friend Bo Mattingly graciously volunteered to run a public service announcement on his sports radio show– Sports Rap.  I think it turned out just beautiful!  I hope you’ll take a moment to listen to it by clicking the link at the top right of the page.  Thanks Bo!  And thanks, Scott for all the work you do on the website!

Cameron’s Memorial Fund continues to grow.  We have received donations from the Wingert famiily in Franklin, TN and Dr. Tim Carr from Franklin, TN; Susan Berry from McAlester, OK; and Lisa Garvin from Jackson, MS.    The fund is now an endowment  and we will be able to donate from the fund to children’s charities in the future.  Please let us know if you have a favorite children’s charity to which we we can consider contributing!

Don’t forget about writing!  It’s the other side of the reading coin.  After all, they’re really the same thing–communicating through print!  Your child will learn to read much faster if she is exploring writing at the same time.  Writing is actually a much easier form of print to use when learning.  This is because the writer already knows the message (It’s her own!) and because it slows the process down, allowing for analysis.  So let your child write, write write!  This can take the form of pretend writing or co-construction in which you help with the hard parts.  It can be a “story” (one sentence long) about something on the child’s mind or a letter to someone special (like Grandma?).  Be sure to make it fun.  You will be amazed at how learning to write will help her learn to read.

Below is the current list of organizations that have recently received books from Cameron’s Amazing Book Club.  Please keep those books coming.  We have gotten lots of positive responses from those who have received our donations.  We know Cameron would be proud of the good that is being done in her name!  Thanks, Derrick.

Vista Health (Fayetteville and Bentonville)

Benton County Sunshine School

Benton County Women’s Shelter

Big Brothers Big Sisters of NWA

Washington County Juvenile Court

Kaleidoscope Learning Academy

Rainbow Pediatrics

Elizabeth Richardson Center

EOA Children’s House in Fayetteville

NW Arkansas Children’s Shelter

Helen R. Walton Children’s Center

Kids First in Fort Smith

Crisis Center for Women in Fort Smith

Children’s World-FUMC in Springdale

Siloam Springs Children’s Center

Donald W. Reynolds Boys and Girls Club in Fayetteville.

We are so pleased that the Cameron Bobbitt Memorial Fund is now endowed!  What does that mean?  It means that we have received an amount of contributions that has taken our fund to endowment status.  We have to have a minimum of $10,000 in the fund in order to be endowed.  Now that we are endowed, we can begin making charitable contributions to organizations that support children and families.  We will only make donations from the earnings, so the principal amount will be reinvested to earn more money.  As the fund grows over the years, so will the amount of money we can donate to others in Cameron’s name.  We owe a great debt of gratitude to all those who have contributed so far.  Please remember the Cameron Bobbitt Memorial Fund when you consider charitable giving.  Your gift is tax deductible and goes to help children in need.  You can give by sending a check to the Fayetteville Community Foundation (Cameron Bobbitt Memorial Fund)/P.O. Box 997/Fayetteville, AR/72702

I have been writing thank you notes like crazy.  We have received lots of books following Mother’s Day/Cameron’s Birthday and the newspaper article.  I will mention some of those names now and hope I don’t leave out anyone.  Cherry Frierson– Jonesboro, AR.  Angela Watkins– McAlester, OK.  Heather Horton– McAlester, OK.  Chris and Catherine Averitt– Jonesboro, AR.  Kristy Sanders– Sherwood, AR.  The Shelton family– North Little Rock, AR.  Kathryn French– Johnson, AR.  The Calaways– Fayetteville, AR.  The Hemms– Fayetteville, AR.  Lindsey Taylor– Willow Creek Women’s Hospital, Johnson, AR.  The Smart Cookie Book Club– Fayetteville, AR.  The Biernats– Little Rock, AR.  The Freemans– Springdale, AR.  Tina Lewis, and Chase Belcher– McAlester, OK.  Leigh and Lee Gruggett– Nashville, TN.

Please know how much these donations are appreciated!  We will get these books into the hands of some needy children. Love, Susan

Many friends commemorated Cameron’s birthday by sending us books!  We really appreciate the donations.  I am working on a list of organizations and charities to which I would like to donate books.  If anyone has ideas or suggestions for book donations, please let me know.  Thanks so much!

Cameron, our family and the book club were featured in our local paper on Sunday, May 13.  Please check out the article at the link below.

http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/living/53031/