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| Diana Cosby at a Nov. 5th signing |
U.S. Navy Chief Meteorologist/ Oceanographer, Diana Cosby began her last tour in the military by re-enlisting on the back of a camel in Tangier, Africa. With 32 moves and an incredible career, she decided to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she's met over the years. Her years of living in Europe influenced her decision to write in the medieval time frame, hence the MacGruder brothers were born. Diana now lives in Texas and in her spare time volunteers for Habitat For Humanity, Ducks Unlimited, her church, tithes her royalties to the Scottish National Trust, funds a high school writing scholarship, and volunteers for many other charities. Her mission today is:
It's the holidays again, an emotion filled time where it seems that there's not enough time to fit everything in, not to mention dealing with the struggling economy. But, in this time of financial challenges, I ask each of you to please consider one more stop on your crazy To Do list, that of making a donation to a local food bank. Your donation could be a dollar, a can of corn or peaches . . . whatever you can give. Anything you can offer to those with nothing will be a gift they didn't have.
I volunteer for Habitat For Humanity. Something amazing happens when you offer someone a flicker of hope. That even a stranger them hasn't forgotten them, and understands that sometimes life shoves us onto a long and difficult road.
In addition to my personal donation to my local food bank, I decided this year that I'm going to start a Food Bank Challenge. Except, it has grown wonderfully out of hand. Amazingly, once I posted The Food Bank Challenge on my Facebook page and my Facebook fan page, people from across the U.S. began donating to their local food banks. Then, I read donation posts from Canada. Holy cow, the Food Bank Challenge is now international! And you know what, this is truly a blessing. In this venture, we all win. Gifts from the heart do that, they fill you, and remind you there is good in the world, that you can make a positive, profound difference in others' lives.
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| Donate to a food pantry today! |
I wish each of you a wonderful holiday season filled with friends and laughter. May your every dream come true!
"His Conquest—one part heaven, one part sin." Award-winning Author - Rebecca SinclairHIS CAPTIVE-Alexander MacGruder/ HIS WOMAN-Duncan MacGruder/ HIS CONQUEST-Seathan MacGruder
HIS DESTINY - Nov 2011
International Food Bank Challenge - Goal 1000
International Food Bank Challenge
Welcome, Diana, to the Sweethearts of the West.
ReplyDeleteA lady at our church is a huge Food Bank advocate, and she dons a turkey outfit at Thanksgiving, walks to the lectionary, and gives her speech--"A Minute for Mission." At Christmas, no costume, but there she is again! Very dedicated.
Our church--and community really support our Food Bank. They prefer cash to buy in quantity,and the HEB here in town (Central Texas) donates generously, too.
Individuals have a difficult time volunteering at the Food Bank, because the Sororities and Fraternities at the university volunteer on a regular basis.
Good for you for taking on this worthy project.
Celia
Good morning Celia,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing about your passion for this cause as the lady at your church who dons the Turkey outfit. So moving. What touches me the most is how many people out there truly care, who never hesitate to make a positive difference in others lives.
I love my volunteer work for Habitat For Humanity, because when you give people a home, you allow them a foundation to begin to dream. And, as important is a meal, a moment where they allow hope to flourish, that maybe the world isn't that cold and best, to allow them to hope.
Take care and I wish you a fabulous holiday season filled with friendship and laughter.
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
Our local food bank has always been close to my family's heart because my husband as a child knew the lack of food. Our kiddos preschool did a food drive last month and our family donated over 60 cans of food and other items. My kids picked it out and were happy to do so. I love your giving heart and I pray others catch the giving fever! God bless you this Christmas! (And I am praying to win the contest, I never seem to be "lucky." LOL)
ReplyDeleteDawn Gore Meador
dawngoremeador@yahoo.com :)
Hey, Diana!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you with us today! And the Food Bank is a wonderful project to promote and support. I'm going to look into our local food bank today and see what they need. Right now where I live the local businesses are having a childrens' coats drive. Phone banks are taking donations for the coats so every child here will have a coat. This has been going on for years here on the border. And I'm sure the local food banks could use some help too. Thanks for the reminder.
Just finished reading His Conquest and truly enjoyed it. Wishing you all the best!
*Hugs*
Jeanmarie
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteOur local food bank has always been close to my family's heart because my husband as a child knew the lack of food. Our kiddos preschool did a food drive last month and our family donated over 60 cans of food and other items. My kids picked it out and were happy to do so.
~Wow, that’s fabulous. And so very personal. My sincere thanks for your tremendous generosity!
I love your giving heart and I pray others catch the giving fever! God bless you this Christmas! (And I am praying to win the contest, I never seem to be "lucky." LOL)
~*Hugs* Dawn. You’re name is in! I’m truly blessed with so many incredible, amazing friends. If I can make a positive difference in others lives, that’s what it’s all about. I with you and yours a blessed Christmas, and may your New Year be filled with friendship as laughter! *Hugs*
Dawn Gore Meador
dawngoremeador@yahoo.com :)
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
Hey, Diana!
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you with us today!
~Hi Jeanmarie, it’s my sincere pleasure to be at the Sweethearts of the West blog. Thank you SO much for working me into your schedule to blog about this important cause!
And the Food Bank is a wonderful project to promote and support. I'm going to look into our local food bank today and see what they need.
~^5 Excellent. Your name is in the drawing! :)
Right now where I live the local businesses are having a children’s' coats drive. Phone banks are taking donations for the coats so every child here will have a coat. This has been going on for years here on the border.
~They have the coat drive going on locally as well. Another fantastic cause.
And I'm sure the local food banks could use some help too. Thanks for the reminder.
~:) Again, my sincere thanks for having me here and supporting the food banks!
Just finished reading His Conquest and truly enjoyed it. Wishing you all the best!
*Hugs*
~My sincere thanks for your kind words. The MacGruder brothers stories are books of my heart. That you enjoy them as well is humbling. Take care and may your holidays be filled with friendship and laughter. I hope your New Year is the best yet! *Hugs*
Love you!
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
Diana, what a great cause. Every year the local boy scouts send a flyer around letting people know what they will be around for the annual food drive. I use this time to help out both the local food charities and myself - I get my pantry cleaned out and reorganized!
ReplyDeleteA couple years ago, instead of buying Christmas gifts for each other, everyone in my family donated money to a family at church who had not been able to afford to visit the their family in Colorado for years.
Along with the money they received from others at church, they were able to go home for the holidays for the first time in 5 years.
It was a great feeling to do that.
I wish you great luck in your food drive and all other endeavors. :)
kyrrah.james@gmail.com
Kyrrah James said...
ReplyDeleteDiana, what a great cause. Every year the local boy scouts send a flyer around letting people know what they will be around for the annual food drive. I use this time to help out both the local food charities and myself - I get my pantry cleaned out and reorganized!
~:) You have to love how the community comes together to help out this fabulous charity. Thank you for your part and your name’s in the drawing!
A couple years ago, instead of buying Christmas gifts for each other, everyone in my family donated money to a family at church who had not been able to afford to visit the their family in Colorado for years.
~That is fabulous and my sincere thanks for sharing. I have faith your wonderful ‘gift’ idea will inspire others.
Along with the money they received from others at church, they were able to go home for the holidays for the first time in 5 years.
It was a great feeling to do that.
~*Hugs*
I wish you great luck in your food drive and all other endeavors. :)
~My sincere thanks. Each day is filled with incredible blessings. I’m truly thankful, and my goal is to make a positive difference in others lives. And if I achieve that, how can life get any better? Take care, I appreciate your stopping by. I wish you and yours a tremendous Christmas filled with friendship and laughter. May your New Year be the best yet!
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
Diana, you are such a compassionate person, it's a pleasure to have you fill in for me today. Our church also supports the local food bankd (our town has two) and I'm the service chair for our women's group, which supports the food banks, an organization for teens at risk, and the local women's shelter. I would add a request that people not only support at the holidays, but ALL YEAR!
ReplyDeleteCaroline Clemmons said...
ReplyDeleteDiana, you are such a compassionate person, it's a pleasure to have you fill in for me today.
~Caroline, thank you SO much for allowing me to slip into your spot today. I owe you a big one! Looking forward to sitting with you tomorrow! *Hugs*
Our church also supports the local food bank (our town has two) and I'm the service chair for our women's group, which supports the food banks, an organization for teens at risk, and the local women's shelter. I would add a request that people not only support at the holidays, but ALL YEAR!
~That's fabulous, but knowing you, I'm not surprised. You're such an amazing as inspiring person whom I'm blessed to call friend. Definitely, the need for food is a year-long issue. Awareness is the key, and each step counts. Take care, thank you again for your generosity in having me here in your spot, and I wish you and yours an amazing holiday season. May your New Year be the best yet! !!
Love you!
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
A truly wonderful post for such a worthy cause, Diana! Here, my favorite radio station sponsors a Basics For Babies drive every Decemeber for families in need. It's a project our family honors each year. This time we'll be donating a tray of baby food plus a box of diapers.
ReplyDeleteDear friend, may you and yours have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and 2011! Love & hugs!
Mary Forbes said...
ReplyDeleteA truly wonderful post for such a worthy cause, Diana!
~Hi Mary, thank you SO much for stopping by! Food drives for local food banks rock! ^5
Here, my favorite radio station sponsors a Basics For Babies drive every December for families in need. It's a project our family honors each year. This time we'll be donating a tray of baby food plus a box of diapers.
~Wow, excellent charity as donation. Diapers . . . 'nuf said. I added your name! :)
Dear friend, may you and yours have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and 2011! Love & hugs!
~My sincere thanks for your kind wishes. Your friendship is truly the best gift. *Hugs* Love you tons!
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
My sincere thanks for having me on today. It was an absolute blast. Fabulous seeing old friends and meeting a few new ones. :) I appreciate your donations to the food banks, you're making an amazing difference in others life. Everything does matter. Take care and I wish you a fabulous holiday season filled with friendship and laughter! *Hugs*
ReplyDeleteSincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
Hey Diana,
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful cause. I always give to the Postal Service's food drive and to one of the shelters here who does an annual Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner. When my kids were in school there was always a food drive of some sort going on, but now that they're grown I make it a point to try to give as much as I can for the holiday dinners at the shelters. This is a very worthy cause and I am so glad to know that you are such an advocate for it!
Hugs,
Cheryl
Cheryl Pierson said...
ReplyDeleteHey Diana,
This is a wonderful cause.
~It is. To help another, give hope, is an amazing blessing.
I always give to the Postal Service's food drive and to one of the shelters here who does an annual Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner.
~Excellent. I've added your name in the drawing! :)
When my kids were in school there was always a food drive of some sort going on,
~Isn't it wonderful how schools get involved in this cause.
but now that they're grown I make it a point to try to give as much as I can for the holiday dinners at the shelters. This is a very worthy cause and I am so glad to know that you are such an advocate for it!
Hugs,
~My sincere thanks for your belief as hard for this amazing cause as well. *Hugs* Take care and I wish you a fabulous holiday season filled with friendship and laughter.
Sincerely,
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
The winner for the 1st Annual Internatinal Food Bank Challenge is Killeen Armstrong!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Killeen, and my sincere thanks to EVERYONE who donated to the Food Banks throughout the world this year! Killeen receives a copy of my first three books in the MacGruder series along with a signed copy of The Pursuit ...of Pleasure by Elizabeth Essex.
*The challenge returns 1 November 2011!!! :)
Diana Cosby, AGC(AW), USN Ret
International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com