Studio Blog
It’s once again time to announce the winners of our Enrichment Opportunities Program for this month. Please join us in congratulating the following members of our community.
Work/Life Balance Award
Writer Melody Dawn and her husband have been married for 15 years. Between five children to raise and two busy schedules, this couple has never had the time or funds to take a trip on their own. Now Melody and her husband are able to plan a romantic getaway for their anniversary. Have fun, Melody!
Copy editor and Copy Chief Karen Sherman has been spending a lot of time volunteering with relief organizations since Superstorm Sandy hit New York. Unfortunately, taking time out of her schedule to volunteer has a real impact on her income. This grant will allow Karen more time to volunteer without stressing about her finances. Keep up the great work, Karen!
Writer Melissa Willets works at home with two small children and one more on the way. Without her own workspace, she often finds herself working in the midst of domestic chaos. Melissa will use this award to purchase a desk in order to make her own personal, dedicated work space at home. We hope you enjoy your work haven, Melissa!
Writer Tricia Chaves has been working from her husband’s native Rio de Janeiro for the past few years, but the family is finally relocating back to the U.S. Travel and relocation costs are starting to pile up, so this grant will help relieve some of the stress on Tricia and her family. Safe travels, Tricia!
Professional Resources Grant
Writer Bonnie Weinstein Crowe is the busy mother of a figure skating daughter and an autistic son. Because of that, Bonnie spends most of her time hanging out in ice rinks and therapy waiting rooms. With a brand new laptop, Bonnie will be able to work on her writing instead of catching up on those waiting room magazines. Congrats, Bonnie!
All Access Pass
Writer Alice Drinkworth has been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators since 2004. She has been able to meet other writers and gain valuable information from attending regional events, but she has wanted to attend one of the organization’s annual international conferences. As her first novel was published in 2012, this is the perfect time to attend. Enjoy the conference, Alice!
Remember, applications for all awards are accepted during the first seven days of each month. Be sure to get your February application in!
In early November, we proudly announced the return of the Write for a Cause campaign. This program is designed to help our partners at First Book, an organization dedicated to providing books and educational resources to schools and programs across the United States and Canada serving children in need.
In just two short months, the Studio’s community of writers and editors managed to donate 4,746 books to First Book, one book for every 10 articles published through the Studio. This was a great step in helping this organization, but we believe that as a community of writers and editors we can do so much more.
That’s why we have decided to extend Write for a Cause beyond the end of 2012. We will be continuing this program all the way through the end of March, and we’re upping our goal of how many books we want to donate. Our new goal for the end of March is to have 15,000 books donated.
You can visit our page on Facebook for more information as well as our running totals for book donations. We’ll also be using Facebook for announcements from our partners at First Book including giveaways and special promotions.
The campaign is already going strong, so log in now to get started writing 10 articles today!
For more information on First Book and the work they do – visit their website at www.firstbook.org/.
Work/Life Balance Award Winner Stephanie Chandler
Posted by Jordan | January 8, 2013 | Leave a comment
December winner Stephanie Chandler applied for the Work/Life Balance Award in order to help care for two new members of her family. Her husband had recently discovered two kittens abandoned in a field and the family decided to take them in. But new pets require vet visits, shots, and food and those expenses can really start to add up. We're very happy to have been able to step in and help out.
Stephanie sent us the following message, as well as some cute photos about her new additions:
After receiving the work/life balance award we took the two kittens to the vet. We learned both kittens were girls, so my sons named them Lacy (the white one) and Rose (the black one). Both kittens got a clean bill of health and received treatment for fleas and their first round of shots. Although initially my boys were disappointed that they could not hold or play with their new kitties, our love and patience soon paid off. Within two weeks, the kittens transformed into loving little girls, who even now accept our dogs as their new friends.
Thank you Demand Studios for making it possible for us to provide a home to the homeless. These two cats now have a chance at life and my sons have learned many valuable lessons about helping others before ourselves and the importance of patience and unconditional love.
I just wanted to update you on my holiday. I was able to go to home and see me family for 3 days. I hadn't seen them since my grandmother's funeral this summer, so it was nice to be around those who support me the most. I have attached a picture from me with my new niece, Abigail. She's such a blessing to our family. Thanks again for the opportunity!
Sincerely,
Laura
Congratulations again, Laura!
