TO THE EDITOR:

I don't normally write a letter to an editor over a book that I have read; I read too many books to do so. The book titled "Giving," by Bill Clinton, however, opened up a dormant desire within me to do well and to pass it on. Hence forth, the first letter I write to an editor regarding a book I have read.

Again, the book is Giving, and it jammed pack with ideas of passion, hope, and philanthropic ideas any and all can do to help one and many, both here and there. It is my hope and proposal that everyone read this book. If all people gave just 1 percent of their time in contribution to worthy causes the world could be blossoming in vibrant color and rays of wonder could burst into space. What a sight that would be; better yet what a feeling it could be.

A few ideas that come from this book include: Giving Skills, Gifts That Keep on Giving, and Organizing Market for the Public Good. One does not need to be a scholar, rich, or in public office to help change the world. This book clearly gives incentives and tips for aspiring to help great causes.

One of many that touched my heart is Heifer International, an organization started in 1944 with the goal of helping poor and suffering people support themselves instead of giving temporary help. It works to end world hunger by first giving animals, (incoming producing livestock such as cows or goats) to poor families. Secondly, those who receive an animal must "pass it on" by giving away its first offspring. What a wonderful idea. It is as simple as dominoes, with only one push it keeps going and going. Anyone can donate to this worthy cause for minimal amounts of money, or better yet, start a fund-raiser towards it and more people can benefit through socializing. One idea I thought of was having youth (from school or church) paint original artworks of the animals, then have an art show where the public purchases the art. The profits go to Heifer International, and everyone wins.

Another chapter of the book I valued was about the work we can do to ease global warming; not only individually, but through patronizing those businesses dedicated to this cause.  Giving lists many ideas, and also corporations who are following suit. We as the public have more control than we realize, just by banding together where we shop and what we promote we can bring about change. An organization can put together a fund drive for buying and using compact fluorescent light bulbs in lieu of the incandescent bulbs, we can also become smartly educated about global warming and what can be done by holding meetings of awareness. If one person shares their knowledge with others, we can again benefit from the "domino effect" as I like to call it.

This book gave me hope and inspiration as to what just one person can do to truly make a difference. It is filled with incredibly creative ideas on what people are currently doing to change the world, but even more importantly it is packed with little gremlins which will motivate and rejuvenate something dormant in all of us. My suggestion would be to use the new libraries Chisago County has so generously paid for and check out this book: Title:  Giving. Author: Bill Clinton. Publisher: Alfred A. Knope. New York. Copyright 2007. 214 pages.  Let the new motto around town be called "Move Your Feet!"

Erin Waters
Rush City