I have been a Charity Miles ambassador for many years now, and it is astounding to see how the app and its impact on deserving causes have both evolved (big props to creator Gene Gurkoff for that). I am excited that Charity Miles is partnering with Penguin Random House to conduct a campaign around children’s books.
Charity Miles Expands Beyond Feet on Pavement (Or Pedals)
As a proponent of Charity Miles, one of my goals over the years has been to encourage people to use the app, to dispel misunderstandings, and in general to talk it up in order to help as many causes as possible.
For example, you don’t have to be a “serious athlete” doing “serious mileage” to make a difference. Walking from your parking spot into the grocery store, for example, can help. Anything over a tenth of a mile counts toward benefiting a favorite charity.
I know, I know — everything I have said so far involves physical exertion.
Now, however, Charity Miles has added READING to the ways you can help a cause.
READING, people! And you know how I feel about that!
Helping Save the Children Earn Children’s Books Through the Charity Miles Readathon
Though April 23, Charity Miles is partnering with Penguin Random House for the #ProjectReadathon campaign. During the campaign, Charity Miles members will be invited to contribute minutes to the Million Minutes goal by visiting the Charity Miles Impact Hub!
Side note: Even as a veteran Charity Miles user, it took me a little searching to find the Impact Hub. Here’s a screen shot of what it looks like (assuming you have installed the Charity Miles app). Just follow the red arrow.
Today, for example, I read “Hardwiring Happiness” which generated a 3-book donation.
Reading inside the Impact Hub triggers book donations from Penguin Random House to kids in need in the US, Canada, and Mexico through Save the Children. The more you read, the bigger impact you have: read a 20-minute excerpt and you could unlock a 5-book donation, or read an hour and unlock 20. The excerpts expire in 24 hours so keep up your reading streak and read every day.
But Moving Is Always Good Too!
You can also unlock books by walking, running, or cycling and logging Charity Miles. Charity Miles has set a goal to log 10,000 Charity Miles for Save the Children. Each mile will translate to one minute read, for every 20 mins a book will be donated. Reaching the goals means moving 2,500 books to children in North America!
Why This Lights My Fire
So many of us have books peeking out of multiple little corners of our homes. Stacks of books our children discarded long ago. Books we grabbed on impulse at the bookstore and haven’t gotten to. Books we read, loved, and just can’t part with.
For many kids, that is not the case. Let this infographic from Reading is Fundamental sink in:
RIF says it well:
A productive, contributing nation is dependent on a literate society. Every child deserves an opportunity to own books, learn how to read, and obtain the fundamental building blocks to achieve their highest potential.
I applaud Penguin Random House for helping kids become readers and, therefore, lifelong learners via #ProjectReadathon.
Getting Started Personally
Since starting yesterday, I have read two excerpts, resulting in donations of six books, and walked 0.28 miles. That part was a pretty tiny start, but hey, that means there are only 9,999.72 more to go?
I would love your help in getting there. More importantly, so would kids in need of children’s books.
