During The Pandemic
Greg's story has been shared in books for different reading levels. The Silhouette Man is geared to adults. The First Thirty is for 5th - 12th grade. The Milkshake Man is geared to Kindergarten through 4th Grade reading level (& kids at heart). One Lunch is the companion workbook for The Milkshake Man. A Place To Sit is the companion workbook for The First Thirty or The Silhouette Man.
He normally travels to different places to do readings or teach or speak at schools, private events & conferences. In early March 2020, he had an event in the Midwest. Shortly after that, due to the pandemic, his remaining Spring 2020 events were postponed & he isolated at home.
In the months that have followed, he began looking for ways he could help. On the civic side, his foundation has given out 25+ grants in 15+ states to help youth with financial need during the pandemic. Separate from the foundation -- on a personal level, he has looked for ways he could make a positive impact while home alone - & - to see how his books & workbooks could be put to good use during this challenging time.
Scroll down to see examples - as well as - some of the ways you, your kids, your family, your organization & your company can get involved if you are interested - and - a few other ideas you can do on your own.
In the months that have followed, he began looking for ways he could help. On the civic side, his foundation has given out 25+ grants in 15+ states to help youth with financial need during the pandemic. Separate from the foundation -- on a personal level, he has looked for ways he could make a positive impact while home alone - & - to see how his books & workbooks could be put to good use during this challenging time.
Scroll down to see examples - as well as - some of the ways you, your kids, your family, your organization & your company can get involved if you are interested - and - a few other ideas you can do on your own.
(1) BOARD MEMBERS, DONORS, VOLUNTEERS & STAFF
As a way to thank Board Members, donors, volunteers &/or staff for their support during the pandemic & keep them engaged (&/or as part of a professional development initiative), nonprofits & foundations & companies have ordered copies of The Silhouette Man (i.e. for each Board member or for specific donors / volunteers or for members of their own staff). Then, Greg does a Zoom Q&A exclusively for those people who received those books. During the pandemic, he is doing this activity with companies, organizations & foundations in states like Utah, Alabama, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, Mississippi, Idaho, & Arkansas. It has involved groups as small as 7-10 people (7-10 books) & as large as nearly 200 people (nearly 200 books). Want to do this for your Board members, volunteers, donors or staff? Email us here
As a way to thank Board Members, donors, volunteers &/or staff for their support during the pandemic & keep them engaged (&/or as part of a professional development initiative), nonprofits & foundations & companies have ordered copies of The Silhouette Man (i.e. for each Board member or for specific donors / volunteers or for members of their own staff). Then, Greg does a Zoom Q&A exclusively for those people who received those books. During the pandemic, he is doing this activity with companies, organizations & foundations in states like Utah, Alabama, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, Mississippi, Idaho, & Arkansas. It has involved groups as small as 7-10 people (7-10 books) & as large as nearly 200 people (nearly 200 books). Want to do this for your Board members, volunteers, donors or staff? Email us here
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(2) SCHOOLS AND STUDENT GROUPS
During the pandemic, organizations & schools in places like California, Montana, Oregon, Ohio, & North Carolina have gotten copies of Greg's books &/or workbooks for students in specific classes, grades or groups (i.e. youth volunteers, teen philanthropists). Then, Greg takes part in long-distance Q&A sessions with those groups & schools. To arrange something with your organization or school, Email us here.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
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(3) LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
During the pandemic, organizations in places like Georgia, Ohio & Virginia have gotten copies of Greg's books as a 'common read' book for participants in adult & youth leadership programs. Then, after the group reads the books, Greg does a Zoom Q&A session with that group. To arrange something with your organization, Email us here. |
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(4) CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
In places Iike Nebraska, a parent has gotten copies of Greg's books and workbooks as gifts for their child and their child's circle of close friends -- to give them an activity they can do together despite being apart. In selected cases, Greg has signed on to take part in a Zoom Q&A with those kids and their parents after they finish the books. To arrange something with your child & their circle of friends, Email us here.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(5) SENIOR GROUPS
To help seniors feeling isolated during the pandemic, Greg is teaming up with senior communities & other organizations that serve older adults in dozens of states such as Alaska, Kansas, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Connecticut, Washington, Wyoming, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Delaware & Florida on a two part project. Part one: group orders copies of The Silhouette Man (which was honored as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors) &/or its picture book version (The Milkshake Man) through the Shop on this website for the seniors to read as a 'Common Read'. Part two: Greg does a Zoom Q&A for those seniors. (Alternatively, if the seniors don't have access to Zoom: A staff member collects questions from the seniors who read the books & emails the list of questions to us. Then, Greg makes a video where he answers the questions. Then, the staffer can play the video for the seniors). For more on this, click here. Want to do this? Email us here
To help seniors feeling isolated during the pandemic, Greg is teaming up with senior communities & other organizations that serve older adults in dozens of states such as Alaska, Kansas, New Hampshire, Louisiana, Connecticut, Washington, Wyoming, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Delaware & Florida on a two part project. Part one: group orders copies of The Silhouette Man (which was honored as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors) &/or its picture book version (The Milkshake Man) through the Shop on this website for the seniors to read as a 'Common Read'. Part two: Greg does a Zoom Q&A for those seniors. (Alternatively, if the seniors don't have access to Zoom: A staff member collects questions from the seniors who read the books & emails the list of questions to us. Then, Greg makes a video where he answers the questions. Then, the staffer can play the video for the seniors). For more on this, click here. Want to do this? Email us here
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(6) INDIVIDUAL SENIORS
In addition to many senior groups ordering copies of Greg's books for that group project (#4 above), individual people & families in places like Maryland, Illinois, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nebraska & California have ordered extra copies of the books & companion workbooks -- and then left it to us to identify seniors who receive them as a surprise gift during this time when many seniors are isolated away from their families. The recipients have been seniors - including Veterans - in places like Alaska, New York, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Oregon & Utah. Want to order copies of the books or workbooks as a gift for seniors &/or those who care for them? Email us
In addition to many senior groups ordering copies of Greg's books for that group project (#4 above), individual people & families in places like Maryland, Illinois, Colorado, Wisconsin, Nebraska & California have ordered extra copies of the books & companion workbooks -- and then left it to us to identify seniors who receive them as a surprise gift during this time when many seniors are isolated away from their families. The recipients have been seniors - including Veterans - in places like Alaska, New York, Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Oregon & Utah. Want to order copies of the books or workbooks as a gift for seniors &/or those who care for them? Email us
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(7) HOME SCHOOLING / OFFLINE LEARNING
Searching for productive ways for their kids to occupy their time at home during the pandemic, parents in places such as Nevada, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, California, Connecticut, Ohio & Maryland have filled part of that void by ordering The Milkshake Man & companion workbook, One Lunch (for K-4th grade kids) or The First Thirty & companion workbook, A Place To Sit (for 5th-12th grade kids). The workbooks in particular provide hundreds of questions & activities that can be done at home & almost entirely without a computer or phone. In selected instances, Greg has arranged a surprise Zoom visit with a parent and their child reading the book / doing the workbook. To order copies of the books & companion workbooks for your own kids, click here.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(8) NEW GRADUATES
As told in The First Thirty and The Silhouette Man, the main character's last semester of high school gets turned upside down by an unexpected roadblock & his future becomes uncertain. College does not end as he envisioned, either & he skips his own graduation ceremony: In the days that follow, he must decide whether he will be defined by those dual disappointments -- or -- by how he responds to them. Students who graduated from middle school, high school, college or graduate school in 2020 can relate to the story in a way few others can. So, when people in places like Illinois and Arkansas have gotten the books for someone graduating from a school during the pandemic, Greg has written personal letters to each graduate. The letters are inserted into the books. For more information, click here. If you want to get the books for a graduate, send a message here so the order can be flagged & Greg can write a similar note to them.
As told in The First Thirty and The Silhouette Man, the main character's last semester of high school gets turned upside down by an unexpected roadblock & his future becomes uncertain. College does not end as he envisioned, either & he skips his own graduation ceremony: In the days that follow, he must decide whether he will be defined by those dual disappointments -- or -- by how he responds to them. Students who graduated from middle school, high school, college or graduate school in 2020 can relate to the story in a way few others can. So, when people in places like Illinois and Arkansas have gotten the books for someone graduating from a school during the pandemic, Greg has written personal letters to each graduate. The letters are inserted into the books. For more information, click here. If you want to get the books for a graduate, send a message here so the order can be flagged & Greg can write a similar note to them.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(9) HOSPITALS & HEALTH CARE - PART ONE
To support patients during the pandemic, Greg teamed up with a hospital in Texas. The hospital ordered copies of his books & workbooks for child patients. In turn, he made a video the hospital can play for the kids before they read the books — expressing hope they enjoy the book, stay upbeat and get well soon! He made a similar video for a hospital in North Carolina where selected kids are receiving copies of The Milkshake Man thanks to a donor. The pandemic is also a challenging time for essential workers in hospitals & the health care industry. Thanks to some anonymous individuals, we were able to donate copies of Greg's books & workbooks in places such as Illinois & Pennsylvania -- for the children of health care workers & the children of folks who work with seniors. Want to order copies of the books for your hospital &/or to want to order copies to be given as gifts to the children of hospital staff & staff in other health care-related fields? Email us here
To support patients during the pandemic, Greg teamed up with a hospital in Texas. The hospital ordered copies of his books & workbooks for child patients. In turn, he made a video the hospital can play for the kids before they read the books — expressing hope they enjoy the book, stay upbeat and get well soon! He made a similar video for a hospital in North Carolina where selected kids are receiving copies of The Milkshake Man thanks to a donor. The pandemic is also a challenging time for essential workers in hospitals & the health care industry. Thanks to some anonymous individuals, we were able to donate copies of Greg's books & workbooks in places such as Illinois & Pennsylvania -- for the children of health care workers & the children of folks who work with seniors. Want to order copies of the books for your hospital &/or to want to order copies to be given as gifts to the children of hospital staff & staff in other health care-related fields? Email us here
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(10) HOSPITALS & HEALTH CARE - PART TWO
Hospital & health-care related foundations value the support of their Board members, staff, donors & volunteers during the pandemic. This led to an idea. First, the foundation orders copies of The Silhouette Man for selected people (i.e. for each Board member or for specific donors). Then, Greg does a Zoom Q&A exclusively for those people who received the books. He is doing this project with hospital / health care-related foundations in places like Texas & Kentucky. Want to do this for your Board members, staff, volunteers or donors? Email us here
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(11) INTERNSHIPS Each semester, Greg typically has 1 or 2 off-site interns from high schools or colleges around the country. Recent pre-pandemic interns have come from places like Arkansas, Iowa & North Carolina. Knowing many students are cooped up at home & looking for productive ways to spend their time, this gave him an idea -- offer some additional off-site student internships. The pandemic-period internships have included some great students from Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin & Washington D.C.
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To read more about previous interns, click here. If you are a rising junior or senior in high school, or a college student and interested in a possible off-site internship during the pandemic, message us here.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(12) FAMILY ACTIVITY
The book series shares the story in different forms for different reading levels. So, families in places such as Illinois, Michigan Pennsylvania & Missouri have been able to use the books (& workbooks) as an full-family activity while sheltering at home: the kids (depending on their age) read The Milkshake Man or The First Thirty while the parents read The Silhouette Man. And then, the parents & kids can do the workbooks together & discuss the story's lessons together. . To order copies of the books and companion workbooks for your family, click here.
The book series shares the story in different forms for different reading levels. So, families in places such as Illinois, Michigan Pennsylvania & Missouri have been able to use the books (& workbooks) as an full-family activity while sheltering at home: the kids (depending on their age) read The Milkshake Man or The First Thirty while the parents read The Silhouette Man. And then, the parents & kids can do the workbooks together & discuss the story's lessons together. . To order copies of the books and companion workbooks for your family, click here.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(13) PARTIAL PROCEEDS TO GREAT CAUSES
For many nonprofits, the pandemic will make it harder to raise funds. This led to an idea: During the health crisis, we have provided selected individuals the chance to recommend the books & workbooks to their friends -- and we will donate 10% of the proceeds of those particular sales to a cause they select. To date, we have done this with people / for groups in places such as Missouri, Texas & North Carolina. In some cases, such as a family in Massachusetts, the people leading the project have selected to do it as a fundraiser for their child's school (&/or the school's PTO). Want to take part in this idea? Email us.
For many nonprofits, the pandemic will make it harder to raise funds. This led to an idea: During the health crisis, we have provided selected individuals the chance to recommend the books & workbooks to their friends -- and we will donate 10% of the proceeds of those particular sales to a cause they select. To date, we have done this with people / for groups in places such as Missouri, Texas & North Carolina. In some cases, such as a family in Massachusetts, the people leading the project have selected to do it as a fundraiser for their child's school (&/or the school's PTO). Want to take part in this idea? Email us.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(14) GIFTS FOR GRADUATES
Greg teamed up with a baker in Minnesota. The baker made free cakes for high school graduates in his community (& surrounding communities) who were unable to attend a graduation ceremony due to the pandemic. Thanks to kind people in places like California, Illinois & Minnesota who purchased the copies, Greg was able to have a box of copies of The First Thirty sent to the baker. The baker gave the books -- and a handwritten letter from Greg -- to selected graduates who also received cakes. Want to order books for middle school / high school / college graduates you know? Email us here
Greg teamed up with a baker in Minnesota. The baker made free cakes for high school graduates in his community (& surrounding communities) who were unable to attend a graduation ceremony due to the pandemic. Thanks to kind people in places like California, Illinois & Minnesota who purchased the copies, Greg was able to have a box of copies of The First Thirty sent to the baker. The baker gave the books -- and a handwritten letter from Greg -- to selected graduates who also received cakes. Want to order books for middle school / high school / college graduates you know? Email us here
(15) CONNECTING DOTS Greg began looking for more ways to connect people with resources, information, opportunities &/or other people. Examples include connecting: a doctor - with - information about a process being used at a hospital in Maine to assist patients during the pandemic; a farmer in Wisconsin - with - information on a program for farmers impacted financially by the pandemic, an author in Texas - with - a professional proofreader, a man in Illinois - with - a man in Colorado who hired him for a project, someone in Nebraska providing support to restaurants during the pandemic - with - someone who knows people in the restaurant industry, a hair stylist - with - a fund providing pandemic-timed aid to people who work in salons, and arranging for people in places like Vermont, California, New Mexico, Germany, Norway, Israel, Ireland & South Africa to serve as judges in a kids' essay contest. Think about people you know who are impacted by the pandemic & connect them with a person, resource or article that might be helpful. Feel free to friend Greg on social media as well.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(16) DEALING WITH GRIEF, LOSS & ISOLATION
As a single person sheltering alone at home during the pandemic, Greg got a sense of how pandemic isolation can take a toll on people. This concern became deeply personal in June 2020 when a man tragically took his own life a few feet from where Greg happened to be sitting. To address his own isolation, Greg has volunteered time to dogsit and foster dogs during the pandemic (which he also did prior to the pandemic). To help other people deal with grief, loss & isolation, he began sending brief 'check in' messages to single friends, senior citizens, his friends' parents who are widows, friends who work in hospitals or health care, & friends who work in other front-line positions like grocery stores. He also made a point to continue to respond promptly when people write him -- knowing it's possible their note, no matter the topic, is a way to 'reach out' to someone while they're struggling with isolation or depression. Pick some people you know who are isolating solo, who are widows, who work in hospitals / health care, or who work elsewhere on the front lines (such as truck drivers, postal workers, grocery store staff) and send them check-in notes. If someone writes you during the pandemic, write them back promptly -- even if it seems like they wrote you about something insignificant.
As a single person sheltering alone at home during the pandemic, Greg got a sense of how pandemic isolation can take a toll on people. This concern became deeply personal in June 2020 when a man tragically took his own life a few feet from where Greg happened to be sitting. To address his own isolation, Greg has volunteered time to dogsit and foster dogs during the pandemic (which he also did prior to the pandemic). To help other people deal with grief, loss & isolation, he began sending brief 'check in' messages to single friends, senior citizens, his friends' parents who are widows, friends who work in hospitals or health care, & friends who work in other front-line positions like grocery stores. He also made a point to continue to respond promptly when people write him -- knowing it's possible their note, no matter the topic, is a way to 'reach out' to someone while they're struggling with isolation or depression. Pick some people you know who are isolating solo, who are widows, who work in hospitals / health care, or who work elsewhere on the front lines (such as truck drivers, postal workers, grocery store staff) and send them check-in notes. If someone writes you during the pandemic, write them back promptly -- even if it seems like they wrote you about something insignificant.
(17) WRITING BOOKS
The 'down time' caused by the pandemic provides a chance to write & create. Greg has used the time to complete the 15th Anniversary edition of his book, The First Thirty as well as the Updated Edition of his workbook (A Place To Sit) & continue work on his next book. To see the front / back covers & page 1 reviews of his existing books & the updated edition of the workbook, click here. To be notified when his next book comes out down the road, send a message here. You don't need to be an author to write something. You can use the pandemic period to write things as well. Pick up a pad of paper and start writing -- a letter to a relative, a letter to the seniors isolated in a nursing home in your neighborhood, a thank you note to first responders or hospital staff or grocery store staff or other people making an impact during this crisis. You also can keep a Pandemic Diary.
The 'down time' caused by the pandemic provides a chance to write & create. Greg has used the time to complete the 15th Anniversary edition of his book, The First Thirty as well as the Updated Edition of his workbook (A Place To Sit) & continue work on his next book. To see the front / back covers & page 1 reviews of his existing books & the updated edition of the workbook, click here. To be notified when his next book comes out down the road, send a message here. You don't need to be an author to write something. You can use the pandemic period to write things as well. Pick up a pad of paper and start writing -- a letter to a relative, a letter to the seniors isolated in a nursing home in your neighborhood, a thank you note to first responders or hospital staff or grocery store staff or other people making an impact during this crisis. You also can keep a Pandemic Diary.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(18) WRITING ARTICLES
Greg also has used the pandemic period to write articles for various magazines. The pandemic-timed pieces have primarily been related to people helping other people deal with obstacles & challenges. He interviewed a chef in North Carolina (who uses food to bring a community together) for a magazine in Louisiana. For a magazine in Oregon, he interviewed an expert on dealing with grief and loss. For a magazine in Michigan, he interviewed the head of a bridal salon that raises money for a nonprofit that helps families affected by cancer. For another magazine in Michigan, he interviewed a veterinarian who has continued to help animals during the pandemic. To see a sample of his magazine articles, click here.
Greg also has used the pandemic period to write articles for various magazines. The pandemic-timed pieces have primarily been related to people helping other people deal with obstacles & challenges. He interviewed a chef in North Carolina (who uses food to bring a community together) for a magazine in Louisiana. For a magazine in Oregon, he interviewed an expert on dealing with grief and loss. For a magazine in Michigan, he interviewed the head of a bridal salon that raises money for a nonprofit that helps families affected by cancer. For another magazine in Michigan, he interviewed a veterinarian who has continued to help animals during the pandemic. To see a sample of his magazine articles, click here.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(19) BIRTHDAY BOOKS
Greg's books (The Silhouette Man, The First Thirty, The Milkshake Man) involve a big celebration on the main character's birthday. During the pandemic, people aren't able to have those group celebrations. So, families have tried to come up with alternative ways to make their kids smile on their special day. As a way to help with that, when people in places like Oregon, Michigan & Illinois have gotten the books for someone celebrating their birthday during the pandemic, Greg began adding personal birthday notes to go with those books. In addition, beginning with a person in Massachusetts, people celebrating their own birthdays have 'paid it forward' by ordering copies for kids celebrating birthdays during the pandemic. If you want to get the books for someone's birthday, send a message here so the order can be flagged & Greg can write a note to them.
Greg's books (The Silhouette Man, The First Thirty, The Milkshake Man) involve a big celebration on the main character's birthday. During the pandemic, people aren't able to have those group celebrations. So, families have tried to come up with alternative ways to make their kids smile on their special day. As a way to help with that, when people in places like Oregon, Michigan & Illinois have gotten the books for someone celebrating their birthday during the pandemic, Greg began adding personal birthday notes to go with those books. In addition, beginning with a person in Massachusetts, people celebrating their own birthdays have 'paid it forward' by ordering copies for kids celebrating birthdays during the pandemic. If you want to get the books for someone's birthday, send a message here so the order can be flagged & Greg can write a note to them.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(20) THE ELEVATOR PROJECT
Through The Elevator Project, organizations order copies (usually, 10 copies) of Greg's books to be given to people in their community who are spotted being kind and hospitable. The Project is now in its 14th year. During the pandemic, this project continues to be carried out in different communities in states like Missouri, Wisconsin, Virginia, Illinois & Oregon. Do you, your family, your organization or company want to sponsor The Elevator Project in your community? Email us here
Through The Elevator Project, organizations order copies (usually, 10 copies) of Greg's books to be given to people in their community who are spotted being kind and hospitable. The Project is now in its 14th year. During the pandemic, this project continues to be carried out in different communities in states like Missouri, Wisconsin, Virginia, Illinois & Oregon. Do you, your family, your organization or company want to sponsor The Elevator Project in your community? Email us here
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
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To read additional reviews on The Milkshake Man (and Greg's other books), click here
* To see the Readers Gallery, click here * To order any of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop 
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