Share Our Strength Donation Update, a Giveaway, AND Milestone Challenges

You guys.

In just one week, we've nearly hit the $5,000 mark. 

When I got the news, I "YEAH"d really loudly in a client's office, and then burst into tears ('cause I'm a big old softie when you get right down to it). 

Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

Thanks also for your emails about families you know who are suffering this year and what you're doing to help... and about the food banks you volunteer for that are seeing a more than 400% increase in need... and how much more you're thinking about this problem in our country and what you can do in your own communities to help others. 

While I do love living and working in Washington, there are times it can be a really self-involved city that plays host to a lot of mean-spirited, political, back-stabbing nonsense.

So, these emails and donations mean more to me than you could ever know, and continue to renew my faith in humankind.  You guys are amazing.

Thank you.

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When the team at Share Our Strength emailed me the list of donors yesterday, I removed the names of family and close friends, then asked my Twitter followers to pick a number between 1 and 43 (the remaining number of donors who've given so far), with the 10th number Tweeted being the donor number I'd give a special little prize to.

The 10th Tweet back to me was the number 27, and on line 27 of the donation list was a gentleman by the name of Carl, from Massachusetts (I'll withhold his last name to maintain some semblance of privacy), who is the lucky winner of an iTunes giftcard as a special thank-you from me for jumping right in and donating in the first week.  That card is comin' your way, Carl.  Enjoy, and thank you.

I'm going to do a few little giveaways like this between now and when the campaign ends on January 16, so stay tuned.  And the bonus?  Winning one of these early giveaways doesn't exclude you from your chance to be randomly chosen to win one of the other amazing books, foodstuffs, and other prizes generous people have donated.  All those items are listed here, and new things are being added along the way, including a Bryan Voltaggio bobblehead doll, courtesy of my friend, Emily, a fellow Washington-based blogger whose sharp wit, shiny hair, and penchant for TV snark makes her all the more lovable.

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I had the following milestone challenges all ready to announce on Tuesday, and then meetings and work crises popped up, so I'm only getting around to putting this post up now.  Already, I see I need to cross one of these off the list, and it looks like we're getting really close to my having to light a candle and warm up the vocal cords for some outdoor entertainment for the Secret Service.

Below is what I promise to do once we reach some key donation milestones.  When we've raised:

$2,500 -- I will cook something from the Noma cookbook. [guess I better get crackin' on this one]

$5,000 -- I will go Christmas caroling at The White House. [might this happen tonight? this weekend?]

$7,500 -- I will do a row of somersaults in front of the Capitol Building.

$10,000 (our goal) -- I will dance along with the Wii videogame The Michael Jackson Experience.

More than $10,000 -- I'm going to have to come up with something really juicy to get us past our goal, aren't I?  Let me get back to you on this one.

Oh, and never fear: there will be photographic, videotape, and other documentary evidence of the above-mentioned activities posted here on the blog.  I am nothing if not accountable.  And motivated to get you guys to donate.  Seriously, if all you have is $5, that's millions to a kid who hasn't eaten in a day or two. 

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I've got a few food-related posts coming your way next week.  One is all about preserving lemons, Alinea-style, and the other is an adaptation of a salsify dish.

Until then, you can read my recaps of Top Chef All-Stars over at The Washington Post, and you can kick a few bucks to Share Our Strength.  C'mon... you know you want to.

Comments

[jordanbaker]

Aw. The hair secret is to wash it in half a Guinness once a week. The snark secret is to drink the other half.

[Carl Hero]

whoo hoo!

Thank you and I hope to see a video of you dancing to Michael Jackson!

[Jean Marie]

Altho I am still bitter about you and The Dude, I can't hold it against the kids. You really don't have to do anything but send me the Greenspan book.

[Victoria]

Over 10K? Present a Kwanzaa Cake to an actual chef with a straight face. You should be glad there is probablyt gluten in every ingredient in that thing, so you can avoid eating it...