Mark your calender April 23 book give-aways!!

“Reading with the whole family” for World Book Night on April 23rd.

This is going to be the big event of the year for Beautiful Books, and is an international event that is going to be held by many other people as well.

Your books Darby’s Story and Bangle Bear will be one of the give-aways!!!!
Congratulations on your Mom’s Choice Award! All of the books I have ever gotten with that seal of approval I have loved.  

Bookmark and save the date. Rivka ‘s website is: www.beautifulbooksforchildren.com.

Reviews of books for preschoolers that will capture their imaginations and expand their minds. The age target for the books is between 0-6 years of age.

Be the Change – Support the NON-For Profit Organizations

The past few days an awaking has occurred… Where to support and provide financial  assistance to an animal organizations. Let’s just say one important fact. The IRS provides registered Tax Id Number to each non-profit animal organization. Here is the link:

To apply for recognition by the IRS of exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Code, use Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption, and its instructions.

www.irs.gov/charities/article/0%2C%2Cid=96109%2C00.html

I highly recommend each registered animal organization on their information/contact page provide that Tax Id Number. Why?

So any one person may consider researching your organization as valid.

We all want to be including in changing legislature at city, county and state level. So provide the contact information for those persons in office. www.opencongress.com is an excellent source providing you with 1 email to reach your district representatives (assembly, senators and congressman), including the President.

 I wish every one a wagging tail day ~ Martha

Click here to participate Be The Change

Why Transparency Matters for Nonprofit Organizations and Your Taxes

During the past few years, an awakening has occurred. Supporting and providing financial assistance to animal organizations is becoming more popular. Showing an animal that is starving, chained, caged, abused or neglected can turn anyone’s stomach and cause an emotional desire to support that animal or cause. With one click, your money will help this injured animal’s vet bills. Does this sound familiar? As a writer and animal lover, I have seen this often. It is a tactic used by many organizations, but to help donors and recipients there is a simple formula. A rescue organization asking for funds from the public is required to display a registered IRS ID number on their web page, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and it should be easy to find. Why? At the end of the year, the donors may want to write the donation off on their taxes. The registered IRS ID number needs to be valid and in good standing to take the write-off. As an animal lover and frequent donor, I recommend that an animal organization provides the registered IRS ID number on their home page, contact page and donation page. A person who is considering a donation needs to know that the nonprofit is valid and in good standing. Donors should also investigate the nonprofit organization for the ratio of expense. The administration and salary costs cannot be higher than supporting the animals in need. A legitimate nonprofit organization should provide the ratio information. If I see an animal rescue program, and the ratio is above 50 percent administration and salary costs, I avoid it. I do not want to support a person’s lifestyle. I want the money to help the animals. For more information to look up or register a rescue program, please visit the IRS website. The IRS provides registered tax ID numbers for each nonprofit animal organization. To apply for recognition by the IRS of exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the code, use Form 1023 (Application for Recognition of Exemption). I wish everyone a wagging tail day! ~ Martha Steward Source: Tax Exempt Organizations and World Wide Web Fundraising and Advertising on the Internet. About the Author: Martha Steward lives in northern California on her family farm and has a blog. All of the animals on the farm are either adopted or rescued. She has been inspired to write a series of books for families on pet adoption, blended family issues and the courage to be a Marine “mum.” Martha’s two books, “Darby’s Story” and “Bangle Bear,” inspire pet adoption through the pages. Both of them have won the Mom’s Choice Silver Award Books in Pet and Animal Care. Her books are available on Amazon.

Wearing Orange Be the Change for Animals

April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! By wearing orange in April, you take a stand against animal cruelty

This month, show you stand with us by wearing orange, and help us stop puppy mills, dog fighting and other abuses, yes even neglect from shelter, chained animals, fresh water and food plus medical care. Pet owners are held to a higher standard of care for their animals. cruelty and neglect must stop. By sharing the awareness to foster better care, educate your family, friends, neighbors we help improve the quality of life for those animals great and small. 

Orange. A past student of the arts, an art lover, and won’t pass up the opportunity to visit our art galleries within the community. I pondered the reasoning behind why the ASPCA would consider Orange for the April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month!

So taking a moment to read up on the meaning of orange.  Orange is a power color, also one of  the healing colors. Orange represents the changing seasons so in that sense it is a color on the edge, the color of change between the heat of summer and the cool of winter.

Personally, the word “Change” makes all a good  point.  Be the Change to prevent animal cruelty. Another interesting fact is orange stimulates  social ‘change’. Orange is mentally stimulating, so while we look at the color, we stimulate thought and the reaction to make change. A useful color to get people thinking or get them talking about the need for change.

Be the Change to Prevent Animal Cruelty This April, for each person reading this post, may you share and help the social movement to draw awareness: animals great and small deserve a quality of life, for they give so much to us, we need to give back.

Thank you ~ Martha

Inspiring Pet Adoption: Kids and Pet Care

Kids and Pet Care: How to teach your entire family about responsibility, love and loyalty

Reposted with permission. Posted on February 20, 2012 by Mom’s Choice Team

The decision to get a family pet – whether it’s a dog, cat, hamster or even a fish – can be a big decision. Perhaps you got a dog before you even had kids. Or maybe you decided to wait until the kids were at the “helping age” to introduce a pet to your house. However the pet got there, educating your children on animal care at a young age can be a great way to teach them about responsibility, introduce them to the concept of chores, and show them the incredible love and loyalty that pets can bring to your family.

So what can your kids do to help out with the family pet? Well in honor of “Love Your Pet Day” (February 20), here are eight ideas.

Feeding: Most animals need to be fed once or twice a day. Try putting your son or daughter in charge of the feeding times. Create a checklist and be sure they mark off when they feed the pet. Also be sure they check for clean, fresh water daily.

Walking: While walking applies only if you have a dog (although I have spotted cats being “walked” before), if your child is old enough to take a spin around the block alone, put him or her in charge of dog walking at least once per day. It’s great exercise for them both – and a wonderful lesson in responsibility.

Toy clean-up: Even at a young age toy clean-up is one thing kids can help with around the house. Each night, make sure the pet’s toys are put back in the “toy bin.”

Bathroom time: Most likely for older kids only (age 12 and up), one task could be having your kids help with poop pick-up. Whether it’s picking up dog poop in the backyard or cleaning the cat litter box or fish tank, this is a great, albeit messy, lesson in responsibility too.

Hygiene: While your family may prefer to take your pets to a groomer for hair cuts, teeth brushings, nail clipping, etc., if this is something you do at home – even if it’s just baths – have your kids help. They can participate in bath time as well as regularly brush the animal too (if needed). Bath time can be especially fun in summer months when you can do it with a hose and bucket outside.

Training: If you have a puppy, you know house training is a must! Show your kids how they can help house train the family dog or litter train a cat. Also, teach your kids some of the basics commands such as come, sit, and stay. Show them how to talk to the dogs and treat them nicely with proper-yet-firm discipline. You can also take your child with you to an obedience class and learn from the experts together.

Love and affection: Just like people, pets need attention and love too. Giving your pet hugs, kisses, rubs and walks are great ways to show how much you care. And giving them special treats now and then doesn’t hurt either.

House ready: When it’s time to get your family pet, have the kids help pet-proof the house. This could mean putting up a few barriers so the dog can’t leave the first floor or enter certain rooms. It also means checking for dangerous objects or chemicals that should be out of a dog’s curious reach. The same goes for cats and fish – your child can help you find a good litter box or fish tank location.

Remember, family pets are a fabulous way to teach your children about responsibility, love and loyalty. Overall, if your family has pets, be sure to get the kids involved. Whether they learn one or several life lessons, it’ll be lessons they will take with them for the rest of their lives.

Do you have a family pet? If yes, what lessons do you believe your children have benefited from the most? ?

Would enjoy hearing from you.

A mother and author, I am honored by MCA, my 2 books;  Darby’s Story and Bangle Bear  are family approved. For more information and products with the seal of approval, please visit:

  http://momschoiceawards.webstorepowered.com/ The Mom’s Choice Awards® Webstore is designed to introduce you to the family-friendly products that have exceeded our evaluations standards and been awarded our Seal of Excellance. Parents, educators, retailers, and media know that products and services bearing the MCA seal represent products of quality for children and families. You can be confident that you are selecting the best for your family, kids, and students.

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