WE'VE GOT OUR BINDER REMINDERS READY AND OUR PENCILS ALL SHARPENED

It's been an eventful school year for us at 826. While we were opening a new center in Washington, DC, our existing chapters produced more than 800 new student-authored books! Over the summer, we'll be composing arias, casting magic spells, and traveling back in time.* We'll also be thinking up ways to make next year even better, and we hope you'll join us. The donations you make are vital, helping us thrive and letting us serve even more students.

To thank our most generous donors, we're rewarding donations of $5,000 or more with an 826 National Rickshaw messenger bag; a limited-edition, fur-covered copy of The Wild Things by Dave Eggers; and a copy of Give. Listen. Help. Vol. 6 (a benefit CD featuring special recordings from over two dozen artists, including MGMT, Sonic Youth, Passion Pit, and the Cold War Kids).**

To donate, or make a recurring monthly donation, please visit http://www.826national.org/donate/

* At our summer workshops. Please note: We are NOT RESPONSIBLE for magical or time travel-related mishaps.

** (Plus, of course, our undying gratitude and recognition as one of 826 National's MVPs for 2010.)

SUPPORT 826: SHOP THE 826 NATIONAL STORE (AND GET SOME FREE TUNES!)

Another way to support 826 is by shopping in our online store. Here's a sampling of what we've got in stock right now:

Acclaimed author and founding 826 Valencia board member Vendela Vida has just released her newest novel, The Lovers. For a very limited time, Vendela will sign and personalize copies bought from the 826 National Store.

Our "Are You Absolutely, Positively, and Wholeheartedly Ready to Publish Your Novel?" poster was recently featured in The New York Times! Pick it up today, and learn the tricks of the novelist trade, including: key props for a stunning author photo, the reasons why a dinosaur might be essential to your story's plot, and instructions on how to assemble the "Spinny Wheel O' Titles."

We also have new custom-made 826 messenger bags; t-shirts for kids and grown-ups alike; and much, much more. As always, all profits from the store directly fund our nationwide programming. And if that's not enough, we're also giving away a free copy of 826's 2-disc benefit CD, Give.Listen.Help. Vol. 6, with every order over $10. So what are you waiting for? Get shopping!

THANK YOU

We're grateful to all of our donors and especially to the Panta Rhea Foundation, Sidra Durst and Rickshaw Bags for their generous support for our annual professional development conference in Boston.

An extremely special thanks to Grammy-nominated musician Neko Case and her team. We can't say why just yet, but stay tuned for a ridiculously exciting announcement.

WISH LIST

We are always looking for donations to keep our office running, and if you are able to support us, these are some items we especially need right now:

• Four laptop carrying cases for MacBooks
• Frequent flyer miles to send our staff to the launch of 826DC
• Hotel points for lodging
• Gift certificates to restaurants, sports events, etc. for our volunteers
• Subscription to The Chronicle of Philanthropy
• An Ikea office chair

With love and thanks,
All of us here at 826 National

If you wish to make a donation to 826, please remember that we accept both one-time and recurring donations. We hugely appreciate your support. Your contribution will be tax deductible and go directly towards serving the students and teachers who need help the most. Thank you.