A Little Help

So. That oil spill.
I sure haven't said much here, what with trying to be a little less wordy this summer and all, but I'm going to say something now because I need a little help.
Not long after this disaster occurred, I found myself having a good, serious conversation with my kids about it.
Honestly, we don't have TV (it isn't some self-righteous thing, we just neglected to get a converter box when they were widely available and don't feel like putting out the effort to find one now), so we haven't been over-exposed to all the awful news and the updates and the photos.
We were in the car (isn't that where all the best talks happen?) and heard a blurb about it on the radio.
As I began to explain to my kids what had happened and how the environment and animals would be affected, the gravity of the situation really began to sink in.

This family loves nature.
We especially love critters - of all shapes and sizes.
And we especially, especially love birds.
Andrew grew quiet and Emma sobbed big, heaving sobs. Soon thereafter, Emma began drawing sad pictures and telling me she'd entered a Blue Period like Picasso.

And I knew I wanted to help them do something about it.
Don't get me wrong. This isn't politically motivated and I'm really, really not a chipper cheerleader who tries to rally people to a cause. I just want my kids to know that when their hearts are moved by a situation, the right thing to do is to follow your heart and do something about it. Even if you can only do a small thing.

I looked into volunteering - physically going somewhere to help out. I really did. But honestly, children and girls-with-good-hearts-but-no-training are not on the help-wanted list. But there are a lot of non-profit organizations coordinating people who know what they're doing.

We really don't have a lot of extra money to donate - (shrug) who does? But the kids and I brainstormed and came up with a fun way to multiply what we do have to give. We're making bags of candied popcorn in yummy flavors this weekend and plan to sell them to our local family and friends.
All money will be sent to the National Audubon Society. Like I said - we love birds.
Two dollars per bag (a generous snack for one or just enough to share between two) with a lovely label designed by the Divine Miss Emma herself, including one the following illustrations: