I was really disappointed when I realized I couldn’t attend BlogHer this year. I have a business to network about, a blog to network about, things to learn, and friends to drink with see. And when Poe first lost his job (5 months and counting ago,) I thought, “Hey! I can still use our tax refund money to get myself to Chicago!” And then we needed to use that money to live off of, and I realized it’s just not going to be part of my reality this year. And I’m feeling rather… mature about it. If you consider stamping my foot mature. I decided I needed to actually do something instead of being bitter.

Enter… The Blogathon! I did the Blogathon three years ago. It was a good experience. Rough – but good. I decided to do it again. And I’m going to need your help.

Blogathon is just like the other ‘thons you may have done in school, where you got sponsored so much money per lap/pin etc. On July 25th, I’m going to be blogging every half hour for 24 hours – 6am-6am Pacific. Just think about that for a moment. Having to come up with 48 separate blog posts within 24 hours. It’s a challenge. I’m up to it.

So what? Why? Blogathon participants are blogging for charity. People pledge to sponsor them for the Blogger’s chosen charity. They either pledge for each post the blogger does (watch out, though – remember 48 posts are anticipated!) or just pledge a set amount. How it works is – you sign up to pledge, and after the ‘thon’s over, Blogathon tells you how the blogger did, and what they “owe” to the blogger’s charity. You’re then given a link to the chosen charity’s donation page. The Blogathon folks, and the blogging folks, never see your money, because you’re giving it straight to the charity.

I picked the same one I picked 3 years ago, Fisher House. Imagine your loved one is in the service. They sustain an illness or injury, and they’re in a base medical facility. Civilian family and friends (including spouses) are pretty much on their own to get there and visit and stay and be supportive through their treatment, surgeries, therapies. Fisher House provides no cost housing and support to those family members while their enlisted family member (husband? Sister? Mom?) gets their medical attention, and then they don’t have to worry about hotels, or hotel costs. It’s a temporary housing facility for these families.

My husband is a former Marine. He was out before I met him. But I’ve imagined that was not the case. I’ve attempted to put myself in the shoes of these families. It wasn’t pretty.

I’m asking you to pledge your support. $1 a post? $5 flat pledge? Whatever you can give. I don’t have any money to give in our current circumstances. I used to both be a blogger AND a pledger, and I’m not able to do that this year. But I can give my time! And so I am. I’m taking my angst and doing something with it. Will you please help me?

Here are some links to get you started:
Blogathon Main Page
My Blogathon Pledge Page -You do have to create an account with them. But don’t worry, this is run by long time bloggers who hate spam.
Fisher House Home Page
More about Fisher House
More About the Houses

And then follow along on July 25th! Maybe even spread the word AT BlogHer for me? You can pledge up to 48 hours after the event! And, maybe stop by? It’ll be mighty lonely around 4am on 7/26.