ALL BECAUSE OF GRACE

Many acts of kindness
made the book possible.

The kindness that people show each other can be simply amazing, as Jane Martellino discovered earlier this year.

Jane is the librarian at the Consolidated School in New Fairfield, Conn. We've never met in person, but we talked over the phone a few weeks ago for an interview. In an example of how small this world can be, it turns out that Jane worked with my mother at an elementary school in Middletown, R.I. several years ago.

I found out about Jane's project several weeks ago from a colleague at the University of Rhode Island. As part of my job, I write stories that promote the work of URI's alumni, faculty, staff and students. It's something I love doing, as I am always excited to hear about the things people are involved with.

This is the story I wrote for Jane about a major fundraising project she is doing on behalf of her friend, 9-year-old Grace. In the summer of 2009, doctors discovered that Grace had a brain tumor. In effort to help Grace and her family, Jane reached out to many of the top children's authors and illustrators in the country, hoping that perhaps a handful would reply and be willing to contribute. She heard back from more than 130. 

These were not your run of the mill writers. There were Caldecott Medal winners and Newbery Medal winners. We're talking best of the best. 

These authors and illustrators are not just contributing their stories and recipes. They are helping with the promotion of the cause via social media, using Facebook, Twitter and other means to spread the word. 

Amazingly, the content for the 288-page came together in a four-week span. 

The vast majority of these people had never met Grace before. However, they were willing to help the cause. These are the type of stories I'll never tire of hearing. Through the simple act of caring, these people are working together to make a difference in a family's life.

If you are interested in learning more about Grace or the cookbook - All Because of Grace - visit http://www.yesgracerocks.com/.