Hi Everyone, I’m Limecello, and I’m here to talk to you about something really important to me. Shannon very generously allowed me to invade her home in the blogosphere, and I’m very grateful. Quick intro: I’m a reader and blogger in the romance community, and a lurker here. (I’ve been outed!)

What I want to discuss is my Social Media for Social Good (SMSG) Romance Community charity fundraiser. This is my third annual go – where I ask the members of the Romance Community – readers, authors, bloggers, friends from the publishing side of it  and all, to come together and do some good. This year, after narrowing it down to a few, I chose charity: water. (In the past we gave to (RED), and Save the Children.)

Did you know that one out of nine people in the world don’t have clean water?  You can read more about the organization and need in the post here. The reason why I mention it, is also the purpose of SMSG. Beyond asking everyone to come together, step up, and give a little, it’s all inclusive. I know everyone has pressing concerns and aren’t necessarily flush, so a simple comment means you’re part of it. There are people pledging donations based on the number of comments on the Water Changes Everything post.

Isn’t that great? A simple comment on the “Water Changes Everything” post raises money for charity. (If we reach 1,000 comments in total, we can add another $750 from pledges to the total!) And, as extra incentive, there are even prizes too! They are listed here. A wide variety of offerings for readers and authors – everyone is welcome to enter, and randomizer.org will choose winners indiscriminately. (Give the page a minute to load, there are a lot of widgets for each giveaway.) You could win ARCs, among many other books, chocolates, tea, a beta read or website review, or even a bespoke hand painted silk.

It only takes a minute to comment, and it’s for a great cause. And if you’re moved to give, there’s a tax deduction for charitable donations! Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I’m adding to this plea because it all ends in a few days.

The comment drive officially ends tomorrow. So if you would please, comment here: http://www.tartsweet.com/2012/10/27/water-changes-everything/
And if you’d like, you can donate here: http://mycharitywater.org/albtalbshttp://mycharitywater.org/albtalbs

Thank you so much to Shannon for allowing me to invade her space, and to all of you for your time and support! You can peruse the pages and see the amazing and wonderful people who have already joined in.

(Note from Shannon: Since the teen’s physics class took a trip to the physics department at UNH, I’ve heard a lot about the world’s water supply and how civil engineering can make a difference. To most of us, it seems beyond belief that there are places in the world where a child can’t have a cup of clean water, but it’s sadly true.)