2013 Fundraising News

Toby Salk will participate again, for the 5th time in The Nike Challenge on October 20, 2013. Her dedication to this cause is an inspiration. Her overall fundraising to date is soon to move past the $10,000 mark--funds to further the work of  the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society-- research and financial aid to patients with various forms of blood cancer. 

In an effort to assist with her effort during 2011, I created a limited edition of self-published Box of Haiku sets of 35 haiku poems from 25 places worldwide. 

There are a few remaining boxes available for a $20 donation (more if you are feeling generous). Shipping is free and proceeds are contributed to Toby's Team in Training fundraising page. 

Order through PayPal button on right sidebar.

2011 Fundraising Success

.................................Toby's Team in Training event was a success. She raised $1800 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, exceeding a total of $5000 during the last three years. Box of Haiku contributed $260.

35 Poems from 25 Places

Thank you to all the writers who kindly participated in my

project to make it a rich array of contemporary haiku...

Michael Doucet, Abner Burnett, Robin Hall, Erin Soucise,

Heather Connor, Stephen Futral, Lory Poulson, Betsy Pond,

Louis Sanscartier, Trudy Stern, Michael Morgulis, Tom Revilla,

Abner Burnett, Robin Hall, Jacqueline Hannaford, Noel McLellan,

Lucy Peipins, Ginny Pendleton, Juan Luis Quintana, Teresa Peipins,

William Biesty, Birrell Walsh, Ed Taylor, Anne Bartelt,

Mark Casper, Pat Pendleton, Mary Minillo, Lyn Loubere, Shelly Heinz

FOOT

For all who run, walk, skip, jump, dance, swim, wander

Limited edition of 50 boxed sets now available--

Each boxed set (5.25 x 3.75 inches) contains 40 poem cards

$20 donation

(more if you are feeling generous)

I will be happy to mail this to you for no extra charge

Please use the PayPal button on the sidebar

Give All To The Present

Philosopher Albert Camus wrote: “Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.” Giving is a celebratory act of appreciation for life.

My good friend of 35 years is participating in her third Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training event, The San Francisco Nike Challenge--walking the half marathon (13 miles). Toby was a wonderful support to me during a year of treatment and recovery in 2004 for Multiple Myeloma. I am proud of Toby's willingness to take on this physical and fundraising challenge over and over again.  

Her 3-year fundraising total will soon top $5000 dedicated to blood cancer research, education, and patient assistance. Asking people for money is a brave act at a time when organizations in all communities are desperate for support and individuals are struggling financially.

Pondering all this sparked an idea to create an artistic offering to help with Toby’s fundraising effort. I have created a limited edition of boxes filled with individual cards printed with haiku poems on the theme of foot, feet, running, or walking. The ancient art of haiku poetry is a simple and profound form that focuses on a single insightful moment that is rooted in the physical world of the senses and presented in a 17-syllable format. Proceeds from sales of “Box of Haiku” sets will be donated to Toby’s Team in Training fund.

Write a Haiku Poem for Fundraising Project

The theme is anything related to the
foot or feet--running, walking, dancing,
skipping, swimming, jumping...

My friend, Toby Salk, is participating in her third Team in Training to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She will walk 13 miles in the Nike Challenge half marathon this October in San Francisco.

Toby hopes to exceed a $5000 3-year total this year. I am helping with the fundraising effort by creating a limited edition of boxes filled with individual cards printed with each haiku submission, the writer's name, city and state. Completed Box of Haiku sets will be available in September for a small donation. Proceeds will go to Toby Salk's Team in Training fund.

Most people likely have known a friend or family member touched by a blood cancer (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma). The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society funds research, education, and patient assistance for people with blood cancers (Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma). At a time when medical costs are rising and medical insurance coverage is diminishing, organizations such as LLS are needed more than ever.

What is Haiku Poetry?

The ancient art of haiku poetry is a simple and profound form that focuses on a single insightful moment that is rooted in the physical world of the senses and presented in a 17-syllable format.

Haiku is sometimes humorous and it often suggests the deep mysterious nature of all existence. It is a practice that is frequently introduced to school children. 18th century haiku poet, Issa, wrote…

A GIANT FIREFLY

THAT WAY, THIS WAY, THAT WAY, THIS—

AND IT PASSES BY.

Creating haiku calls upon you to become still and present in order to notice the truth of the moment.

1) Jot down of few notes about your immediate experience. What do you see, hear, feel, and smell?

2) Central to the beauty of traditional haiku is a reference to the season--either the actual word naming the season (summer, fall, winter, spring)--or a word that suggests it, such as the name of a month or a characteristic of the particular season (such as snow, heat, withering leaves, fresh blossoms, fire fly).

3) The basic haiku format is three non-rhyming lines. The first line is 5 syllables. The second line is 7 syllables. The third line is 5 syllables. There is a long hyphen at the end of the first or second line, wherever you choose to place an emphasis.

I wrote this during our summer heatwave...

FEET SINK IN SOFT SAND

FLUTTER AND KICK IN WARM WAVES--

LAKE OF HAPPINESS.

Haiku may soothe your soul and it is fun to play with. Be warned...once you start creating haiku, it may be hard to stop.

Enjoy!

Please support this effort by emailing one small poem to...

boxofhaiku@gmail.com

Your help with this project will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Pat Pendleton