Poetry, Fall and Fundraising!


Autumnal Equinox

The misty ghosts rise early from the river bed.
Traveling up the mountain side,
they wrap their icy arms around 
the swaying maples and bending birches.
Their chilly welcome signals a change from
homely gowns of green
to garments of lush red, startling orange and brilliant gold.
Soon, the entire mountain is resplendant
in its autumn finery.

by Linda M. Rhinehart Neas © 2012

How I love the autumn season and writing poetry!  This fall, I am so excited to be participating in the Poem-a-day challenge because for each poem I write, friends and family have pledged a donation to The Center for New Americans (CNA).  CNA is an organization that supports immigrants and refugees by providing various resources and programs that help acclimate them to their new home.  

Some of you know that I am very passionate about CNA.  This is were I teach English as a second language.  I have had the joy of seeing students with few English skills progress to community college and beyond.  One of the things that makes our program at CNA different from others is that we provide a child care literacy program that allows parents to go to ESL classes, while their children are also learning.  All the services at CNA are free of charge, which means that funds are raised through various means, including fundraising.

This November, CNA will celebrate 30 Poems in November, an event that invites poets, writers and community members to take the challenge of creating a poem a day during the month of November.  Each writer sets up a fundraising page on the secure FirstGiving site.  There, friends and family can pledge money towards the fundraiser.

But this isn't simply a fundraiser.  30 Poems in November is also a celebration of poetry and community.  In December, writers are invited to come together at Smith College in Northampton, MA for an evening of readings, sharing and the celebration of literacy. 

If you are interested in helping me raise funds, my page is found here. 
If you would like to join in this wonderfully creative celebration as a writer, you may sign up at  http://www.cnam.org/30-poems

What a wonderful way to share our language!

Namasté!

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