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Writer's pictureCynthia Brian
3 days ago5 min read

Thanksgiving Gratitude



MIRACLE MOMENT®

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to live on this beautiful and astonishing Planet Earth. In the morning, I woke up with a sense of gratitude.” –Earl Nightingale


StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/thanksgiving-gratitude


A MESSAGE from Founder/Executive Director, CYNTHIA BRIAN

As the nights become chillier, wafts of the comforting aromas of warming fireplaces fill the misty air while colorful autumn leaves decorate neighborhoods in shades of crimson, gold, and pumpkin. Fall heralds the season of gratefulness and giving.


I have always been a big believer that Thanksgiving is every day. In other words, expressing gratitude is part of my persona, and being thankful for every tiny thing is a way of living for me. All of us here at Be the Star You Are!® open our arms with gratitude for your support throughout our 25 years of serving the world. Creating collaboration and community is important to us and we appreciate you being a part of it.


2024 has been an extraordinary year for Be the Star You Are!®. Not only have we been celebrating our 25th anniversary, named a Top  Nonprofit by Guidestar and Great Nonprofits  http://greatnonprofits.org/reviews/be-the-star-you-are-inc/ for numerous consecutive years, but we have also reveled in the honor of being Moraga’s 2024 NonProfit of the Year. Thank you to volunteers, benefactors, and the community for your dedication to helping us empower women, families, and youth through improved literacy and positive media messages.


On December 7th from 11-4 pm, our volunteers will be participating once again at Santa Day at 5 A where we will help children write their letters to Santa, create craft projects, sample snacks, and of course, take a fabulous photo with Jolly St. Nick. See below for more details.


We also invite you to attend the unburying of the Moraga Time Capsule on November 12, 2074 (yes, in 50 years!) where you’ll be able to see treasures from the first 50 years of the town, including 25 years of Be the Star You Are!® Our teen volunteers, Ella and Sean, have promised to attend!


As you shop for gifts for the holiday, check out our new branded merchandise at https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/. Buy autographed books for all ages at our StarStyle® Store, and check out a plethora of books and CD’s at our Amazon Store. https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity

Sadly, America has experienced many natural disasters this year and as part of our outreach, BTSYA continues to provide books and other resources to organizations to relieve the stress and suffering. If you wish to contribute to our Operation Disaster Relief efforts, please donate via PAYPAL Giving Fund with no fees. https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504


Wishing you a wondrous Thanksgiving celebration. Share your love with those who have made a positive difference in your life. Family and friends are the fuel that runs the roads of life.


Thank you for being part of our STAR-STUDDED family. Keep on shining and being joyous!

With gratitude,

Cynthia Brian

Founder/Executive Director

Be the Star You Are!®

PO Box 376

Moraga, California 94556



COME PLAY at SANTA DAY at 5A

The annual Santa Day at 5A will be held on Saturday, December 7th from 11-4 pm. In collaboration with 5 A Rent-a-Space, Be the Star You Are!® volunteers will welcome children and adults for a festive experience including writing letters to Santa, crafts, and snacks. Buy autographed books for holiday giving and take home free bags of potpourri and special swag provided by our sponsor, Mark Hoogs State Farm Insurance. The Showtime Photo Booth will provide the modern BTSYA logo photo wall for our event. Wear your holiday wardrobe and come to celebrate Noel with Be the Star You Are!® and 5 A Rent-A-Space. More info at https://www.bethestaryouare.org/events-1/2024-santa-day-at-5-a-on-december-7th

Address: 5 A Rent-a-Space

455 Moraga Rd. #F

Moraga ca 94556-2208

Santa Day at 5 A is December 7th. Join the fun!


TIME CAPSULE CELEBRATION

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the Town of Moraga celebrated its official 50th Anniversary of becoming a town by burying a time capsule filled with special memorabilia from people, businesses, and nonprofits from the last five decades. Be the Star You Are!® was thrilled to have several items included in the time capsule including three of our signature books in the Be the Star You Are!® series, a tank top, pen, and button with the BTSYA logo as well as photos and a thumb drive of photos and videos from our 25 years of service. Founder Cynthia Brian, 25th Anniversary chairperson Ella Kalpakjian, and videographer Sean Kwok were in attendance at the celebration. Since Ella and Sean are both teens, they pledge to attend the 100-year celebration on November 12, 2074. Sean may have to bring his current laptop to show the photos and videos on the thumb drive he created! Vera Kochan brilliantly chaired this historical event. Thank you everyone.

Be the Star You Are!® is included in the 2024 Time Capsule to be opened in 2074


NEW BRANDED MERCHANDISE

If you are a fan of Be the Star You Are! charity, you can now buy shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, kid’s T-shirts, long-shirt tees, and hats in many colors on our new Bonfire Official Merchandise site with proceeds benefiting the charity. Check it out and shine with Be the Star Be the Star You Are! Great gifts for the holidays! Here's the link https://www.bonfire.com/store/be-the-star-you-are-merch/


BOOKS ARE EVERGREEN GIFTS

As you create your list for holiday giving, consider buying our signature books with proceeds benefiting Be the Star You Are!® charity. Buy them at our online store. You will receive extra goodies with every purchase and books can be individually autographed.  www.StarStyleStore.net

For a selection of brand new books at the best prices, check out our Amazon Store. https://www.amazon.com/shops/be_the_star_you_are_charity


THANKSGIVING RADIO BROADCASTS

Tune into the Express Yourself!™ Teen Radio broadcast focusing on Gratitude, Thanksgiving, and Thankfulness at https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/151959/thankfulness-thanksgiving-and-gratitude. Teen Host Julia Howe tells the true history of the first Thanksgiving, which is different from what we were taught. Kirpa Gill and Milan Bains share how they celebrate Thanksgiving and how to be grateful.


On StarStyle® Radio, Cynthia Brian helps you appreciate the everyday wonders that occur in your life like breathing, walking, or eating. She reads the Gratitude chapter from the signature Be the Star You Are!® book and provides quotes to ignite your gratitude. Since Thanksgiving is the biggest travel week of the year, she’ll also give you tips on rental car insurance. Be grateful and enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving. https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/151956/thanksgiving-gratitude-and-rental-car-insurance


Make a DONATION through PAYPAL GIVING FUND with 100% going to BTSYA with NO FEES:  https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1504

Or you can choose to make the donation using many different payment methods which may have fees via Givebutter at https://givebutter.com/be-the-star-you-are-charity


Links you can use for Be the Star You Are!®



Remember, you are SPECIAL. You are UNIQUE. You are Valued!

Wishing you a bountiful, beautiful Thanksgiving. THANK YOU!


StarStyle® Empowerment is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/thanksgiving-gratitude


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