You won't find a Grinch in the Indie Community: Giftapalooza 2014

Today I have witnessed something that is nothing short of a miracle.  I've been hearing about Giftapalooza 2014 for months and I had a feeling it would be something big.  But let me tell you I had NO idea just how big it could be.

Author T.E. Ridener has been promoting the cause for months.  She is the co-creator and co-owner of a web-based charity called Random Acts of Christmas and she created Giftapalooza to get her fellow authors and all of their readers, like me, involved with giving to the less fortunate during Christmas.  Their biggest target is children and making sure they have presents to unwrap on Christmas morning when they otherwise wouldn't have them.  Sometimes it's because parents are sick, someone is laid off from work, or money is just tight.  Either way, RAoC exists to help out.

Today, as I said, I witnessed something incredible.  The whistles sounded at 9 AM and she posted the first wishlist for a little boy, 7 years of age.  Within an hour readers and authors had purchased 4 gifts off his wishlist. That was pretty awesome, but it gets better.

She then posted a wishlist for a little girl and low and behold, more gifts were bought.  Five if I remember correctly.

Two more wishlists were posted and more gifts were purchased, but here's my favorite part.

We travel back to wishlist number one.  A pretty awesome little guy who had a few small things on his list and one BIG thing.  Do you know what that one big thing was?   A wii.

So, in natural Ridener fashion--which I have learned over the last month or so--T.E. asked for gift card donations to get him the game system every kid deserves in their young lives. (Not necessarily a Wii, but a game system in general) and do you know what happened?  They were able to raise the $192.99 needed within 3 hours.

I was floored watching this miracle take place.  I have never been around such altruistic people in my life.  The readers and authors within the indie community are seriously amazing people and I am proud to be a part of this.  

I should also mention that the 'Santas' are receiving thank-you gifts. These gifts are donated by authors and bloggers from around the world.  Colleen Hoover donated 5 paperbacks which went quickly (no surprise there), and there are loads more ebooks, paperbacks, gift cards, and swag awaiting new homes.

In the first day of Giftapalooza they have given over $600 in toys and they show no signs of slowing down.  I am damn proud of everybody getting involved to help out children in need.

You can check out Giftapalooza by clicking here.  Get involved. Help a kid in need.  Get help for your kid if you need it.  Let's show the world what we're made of and make a difference for some small human being out there.

Happy Veterans Day

Before I start my post I just want to thank all the men and women who have served, are currently serving, and will serve for their loyalty and bravery.  You rock and deserve our utmost respect.

With that said, I am trying to familiarize myself with an actual blog so wish me luck.  This is our second post and I think I'm doing okay.

I just realized when you visit our Google Plus page it says female and that's okay because one of us actually is a woman.  However, you'll mostly be hearing from me.

I wanted to post some reminders.

COVER CONTEST

This is now a thing.  We're trying to raise funds for giveaways on our page and if you donate a $1 Amazon GC to us, you get a chance to be involved.  If you win then you get bragging rights for a week and will be our featured cover photo for the following week.

-Submit your cover and Amazon buy link to IABBCONTACT@GMAIL.COM

-Send a $1 Amazon GC to the same address.

TEESPRING CAMPAIGNS

We have some really awesome designs created by Double J Book Graphics that we are currently offering for really great prices.  All funds go towards our giveaways and/or Giftapalooza 2014.

Read Indie

I would Rather Be

I would Rather Be Tee 2

Reality is Overrated

I am going to try to make at least one blog post a week but possibly more.

Thanks for taking the time to check out our blog and thanks for being a fan of our page.  We are here to help you out so don't hesitate to message us on our FACEBOOK PAGE.

G. & E.

Announcement: Cover Contest

Hey, all. G here.  As you all know, we have been trying to figure out ways to raise funds for our page to give away awesome stuff to you, the readers (and authors & bloggers).  We have some teespring campaigns going on, but now we have an awesome new idea we'd like to offer to you.

For a $1 Amazon GC you can enter your cover into our weekly contest.  Our first one will be on November 14th and will run for exactly one week.  At the end of the week, the cover with the most likes will be our winner and we will feature this cover as our cover photo for the following week (and so on and so forth and what have you).

$1 adds up really quick, so we thank you all for your interest and for those who have already entered.  When we have new ideas, we will share them with you.

Want to enter your cover?

--Send a $1 Amazon GC to IABBCONTACT@GMAIL.COM

--Email your cover AND the Amazon buy link to the same email address.