PAY IT FORWARD KIDNLE WINNER….I MEAN WINNERS!

Last week, because of the amazing example and generosity of Tina Reber (click here for the story), I set out to pay it forward by giving someone a free Kindle.

The response was overwhelming.

I was truly blown away by so many caring people responding on behalf of some extremely special individuals. The stories and support was heartwarming. I cried my way through most of them, and I don't cry, usually...almost never. 

When I set out to do this, I had thought that one of the nominations would stand out, making my decision easy. I was wrong. Every single nomination was special, and every single person deserved a free Kindle. I really, REALLY wish I could gift one to everybody. In fact, I'm pretty heartbroken that I can't. I tried to win half a billion dollars in the power ball...but I didn't, so I finally decided that the only way I would be able to choose would be to put all of the nominations in a bowl and pick one at random. Since I was so taken aback by all of the nominations and their stories, I decided I just had to pick two winners! So I did. 

I wanted to share the winners' stories with you, and say thank you to the nominators Jen Feinberg and Amber of Up All Night Book Addict for being part of this. Also, thank you to Tina Reber for inspiring this entire giveaway and everyone who sent in a nominations. 

I need to go cry….again.

I am nominating my best friend Michelle Chavers.  Here is why.... She is a single mom.  She does everything on her own and takes everything in stride.  No child support.  No welfare assistance.  She makes $10/hour as a MOA at a small private practice.  With bills and student loans, she always does without.  She saved and saved where she could a couple years ago and broke down and bought her self a Kindle.  Well, she allowed her son to use it ONE day while she was at work.  The one rule, it didn't leave the house.  Well, being a 10 year old... we know that rule wasn't followed.  He took it outside and no sooner dropped it and shattered it.  She has been without a Kindle for a year and without the means to replace it.  It would tickle me to death if she were able to get one!  She is behind on my reading recommendations and I need her to catch up (haha). 

CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLE!! YOUR KINDLE & FREE COPY OF JACKED IS ON THE WAY!!

I'd like to nominate one of my former students, Bailey Raffensperger. She was one of my all time favorites. She's a lover of books and reading and is a phenomenal writer. She hasn't had the easiest of lives. She has a medical condition that I only began to understand after I read Maybe Someday. Her family doesn't have that much, either. She moved across the country to Tulsa in June and we still keep in touch via email and instagram. She even sends me her essays so that I may help edit them. This girl deserves so much better than the hand she's been dealt. I'm a better teacher for having her in my class as a student. Please consider Bailey as the recipient of the Kindle Fire.

CONGRATULATIONS BAILEY! I CAN'T WAIT TO REVIEW ONE OF YOUR BOOKS SOMEDAY! YOUR KINDLE AND COPY OF MAYBE SOMEDAY IS ON THE WAY!