Amy English

Photo:  Amy English and Iowa Poet Laureate Mary Swander

Dear Frances Hodgson Burnett,

Everyone says making a difference is important, but what do they really do? What can I do? Sara Crewe definitely did something to help.

Your book, A Little Princess, inspired me to actually do something. Sara Crewe is an extraordinary girl. She is close to my age and gave to those who were hungry and mistreated, even when she was herself. For example, she gave her buns that she had certainly earned to that beggar girl, even when she could have devoured all six herself. Sara did this all when she was penniless, and I have plenty of money but what do I do? I was thinking this one day and I found out that I could support an organization called Operation Christmas Child. Operation Christmas Child sends gifts to needy children. You help by wrapping a shoe box and filling it with small gifts, candy, and hygiene items for a 3-6 year old, a 7-9, or a 10-14 year old. Then you give the box to a participating church and they send it to Operation Christmas Child. Then they ship it to places all over the world to places with famine.

Operation Christmas Child is a very simple way to help children in need, and I'm proud to be a part of it. I'm hoping that those people, who don't do anything to help, will take Sara Crewe's example and try to make a difference too.

Sincerely,
Amy English