During The Pandemic
As an author, Greg has books and workbooks for different reading levels. The Milkshake Man is geared to Kindergarten through 4th Grade. The First Thirty is geared to 5th through 12th grade. The Silhouette Man is geared to adults. 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.
Greg normally travels to different places to do readings or teach or speak at schools, events & conferences. In early March 2020, he had an event for kids in the Midwest. Shortly after that, due to the pandemic, the remainder of his Spring 2020 events were postponed & he began isolating at home. Since he is single, that meant isolating completely on his own. In the weeks that have followed, above & beyond the efforts of his foundation (which has given out pandemic-related grants in places like Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Delaware & West Virginia), he has looked for ways he could make a positive impact while having to stay home alone - & - to see how his books & workbooks could be put to good use during this challenging time. Scroll down to see examples of both - 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.
Greg normally travels to different places to do readings or teach or speak at schools, events & conferences. In early March 2020, he had an event for kids in the Midwest. Shortly after that, due to the pandemic, the remainder of his Spring 2020 events were postponed & he began isolating at home. Since he is single, that meant isolating completely on his own. In the weeks that have followed, above & beyond the efforts of his foundation (which has given out pandemic-related grants in places like Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Delaware & West Virginia), he has looked for ways he could make a positive impact while having to stay home alone - & - to see how his books & workbooks could be put to good use during this challenging time. Scroll down to see examples of both - 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.
NOTE: In addition to the ideas below, there are other ideas on the list that are not yet underway. If you'd like to get an email with a list of those ways you can participate (above & beyond the ways listed below), send us a message here.
(1) CLASS OF 2020 GRADUATES
As told in The First Thirty and The Silhouette Man), Greg's last semester of high school gets turned upside down by an unexpected roadblock and his seemingly set future becomes uncertain. He overcomes the obstacle, makes it to college & gets back on track -- but college does not end as he envisioned, either: After earning his degree, he does not 'cross the stage' at an in-person college graduation. 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 are graduating from middle school, high school, college or graduate school in 2020 can relate to Greg's story in a way few others can. Families have tried to come up with alternative ways to make their kids smile on their special day. As a way to add to that, when people get the books for someone graduating from a school during the pandemic, Greg began adding personal letters to each graduate to go with their books. The letters are inserted into the books. For more information, click here. If you want to get the books for a 2020 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), Greg's last semester of high school gets turned upside down by an unexpected roadblock and his seemingly set future becomes uncertain. He overcomes the obstacle, makes it to college & gets back on track -- but college does not end as he envisioned, either: After earning his degree, he does not 'cross the stage' at an in-person college graduation. 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 are graduating from middle school, high school, college or graduate school in 2020 can relate to Greg's story in a way few others can. Families have tried to come up with alternative ways to make their kids smile on their special day. As a way to add to that, when people get the books for someone graduating from a school during the pandemic, Greg began adding personal letters to each graduate to go with their books. The letters are inserted into the books. For more information, click here. If you want to get the books for a 2020 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
(2) GIFTS FOR GRADUATES
Greg is teaming up with an inspiring baker in a small town in Minnesota for a fun and meaningful project during the pandemic. As a way to boost their morale, the baker made cakes for high school graduates in his community who are unable to attend a graduation ceremony due to the pandemic. In turn, he began making cakes for graduates in surrounding communities. When Greg learned of the initiative, he collaborated with the baker on an idea to expand the effort. 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 will be giving those copies and a handwritten letter from Greg along with the cakes to selected graduates. Want to order additional copies of the books so the baker can give them with the cakes to more graduates? Email us here asap (this project is time sensitive)
Greg is teaming up with an inspiring baker in a small town in Minnesota for a fun and meaningful project during the pandemic. As a way to boost their morale, the baker made cakes for high school graduates in his community who are unable to attend a graduation ceremony due to the pandemic. In turn, he began making cakes for graduates in surrounding communities. When Greg learned of the initiative, he collaborated with the baker on an idea to expand the effort. 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 will be giving those copies and a handwritten letter from Greg along with the cakes to selected graduates. Want to order additional copies of the books so the baker can give them with the cakes to more graduates? Email us here asap (this project is time sensitive)
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(3) SENIOR COMMUNITIES
To help address the isolation seniors are experiencing during the pandemic, Greg is teaming up with senior communities in places such as Minnesota, Utah, Oregon, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia & Florida on a two part project. Part one: the senior community orders copies of The Silhouette Man (which was honored as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors) &/or the picture book version (The Milkshake Man) through the Shop on this website for a During-The-Pandemic Resident Book Club. This gives the residents a safe activity (reading) they can do while isolating in their rooms. It also gives them a chance to take part in a 'group' activity without having to gather as a group. The senior community typically orders between 5 and 15 copies of the books. Part two: A staff member collects questions from the residents who read the books & emails the questions to us. Then, Greg volunteers time to make a video where he answers the questions & emails it to the staff member. Then, the staff member plays the video for each participating resident (on the staff member's phone or tablet, for instance) -- making it possible for the book's author to "virtually visit" the residents in their rooms (while still actually maintaining 'social distance'). For more on this program, click here. Want to do this at your senior community? Email us here
To help address the isolation seniors are experiencing during the pandemic, Greg is teaming up with senior communities in places such as Minnesota, Utah, Oregon, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, West Virginia & Florida on a two part project. Part one: the senior community orders copies of The Silhouette Man (which was honored as a book that celebrates the wisdom of seniors) &/or the picture book version (The Milkshake Man) through the Shop on this website for a During-The-Pandemic Resident Book Club. This gives the residents a safe activity (reading) they can do while isolating in their rooms. It also gives them a chance to take part in a 'group' activity without having to gather as a group. The senior community typically orders between 5 and 15 copies of the books. Part two: A staff member collects questions from the residents who read the books & emails the questions to us. Then, Greg volunteers time to make a video where he answers the questions & emails it to the staff member. Then, the staff member plays the video for each participating resident (on the staff member's phone or tablet, for instance) -- making it possible for the book's author to "virtually visit" the residents in their rooms (while still actually maintaining 'social distance'). For more on this program, click here. Want to do this at your senior community? Email us here
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(4) SUPPORTING SENIORS
In addition to many senior communities ordering copies of Greg's books for their own residents and staff, individual people and families in places like Maryland & California have ordered extra copies of the books and companion workbooks -- and then left it to us to identify seniors (& those who serve seniors) who receive them as a surprise gift of support during this difficult time when so many seniors are isolated away from the rest of their families. The recipients have included seniors (& those who serve seniors) in places like Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah. Want to order additional copies of the books or workbooks as a gift for seniors &/or those who care for them? Email us here
In addition to many senior communities ordering copies of Greg's books for their own residents and staff, individual people and families in places like Maryland & California have ordered extra copies of the books and companion workbooks -- and then left it to us to identify seniors (& those who serve seniors) who receive them as a surprise gift of support during this difficult time when so many seniors are isolated away from the rest of their families. The recipients have included seniors (& those who serve seniors) in places like Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah. Want to order additional copies of the books or workbooks as a gift for seniors &/or those who care for them? Email us here
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(5) HOME SCHOOLING / OFFLINE LEARNING
Once schools were closed, parents began searching for productive ways for the kids to occupy all of that time at home. Since many parents had to devote some of that same time to a job &/or simply needed an occasional break, they wanted to find activities that their kids could safely do on their own. They also wanted to find activities that do not require the kids spending even more time on a phone or computer. In places such as Nevada, Minnesota, Ohio & Maryland, parents have filled part of that void by ordering The Milkshake Man and companion workbook, One Lunch (for K-4th grade kids) or The First Thirty and companion workbook, A Place To Sit (for 5th-12th grade kids). The workbooks in particular provide hundreds of questions and activities that are safe to do, cost nothing to do, can be done at home & can be done almost entirely offline (without a computer or phone). To order copies of the books & companion workbooks for your own kids, click here.
Once schools were closed, parents began searching for productive ways for the kids to occupy all of that time at home. Since many parents had to devote some of that same time to a job &/or simply needed an occasional break, they wanted to find activities that their kids could safely do on their own. They also wanted to find activities that do not require the kids spending even more time on a phone or computer. In places such as Nevada, Minnesota, Ohio & Maryland, parents have filled part of that void by ordering The Milkshake Man and companion workbook, One Lunch (for K-4th grade kids) or The First Thirty and companion workbook, A Place To Sit (for 5th-12th grade kids). The workbooks in particular provide hundreds of questions and activities that are safe to do, cost nothing to do, can be done at home & can be done almost entirely offline (without a computer or phone). 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
(6) FAMILY ACTIVITY
Many parents have used their time sheltering at home as an opportunity to take part in additional 'family activities'. Given that this book series shares the story in different forms for different reading levels, families in places such as Illinois and Missouri have been able to use the books & workbooks as one of those activities. Specifically: 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.
Many parents have used their time sheltering at home as an opportunity to take part in additional 'family activities'. Given that this book series shares the story in different forms for different reading levels, families in places such as Illinois and Missouri have been able to use the books & workbooks as one of those activities. Specifically: 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
(7) DURING-THE-PANDEMIC BOOK CLUBS
While many schools have closed for the year, teachers & administrators have still been looking for ways to help the students continue to feel 'connected'. A number of schools (i.e. an elementary school in Kansas) have selected Greg's books as the basis for one of those group activities. They announce the launch of a During-The-Pandemic School Book Club & select this book series as their selection. They send a note to the families & staff encouraging them to come on this site & order the books & workbooks. In their announcements, they also encourage the kids' older siblings and parents to participate -- given that there are books for older reading levels in the series. Adult groups have done similar things involving The Silhouette Man -- including a group of young professionals in North Carolina and a family in Massachusetts. To discuss this idea for your school or group of friends or organization, email us here.
While many schools have closed for the year, teachers & administrators have still been looking for ways to help the students continue to feel 'connected'. A number of schools (i.e. an elementary school in Kansas) have selected Greg's books as the basis for one of those group activities. They announce the launch of a During-The-Pandemic School Book Club & select this book series as their selection. They send a note to the families & staff encouraging them to come on this site & order the books & workbooks. In their announcements, they also encourage the kids' older siblings and parents to participate -- given that there are books for older reading levels in the series. Adult groups have done similar things involving The Silhouette Man -- including a group of young professionals in North Carolina and a family in Massachusetts. To discuss this idea for your school or group of friends or organization, email us here.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
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(8) ONLINE AUTHOR Q&A
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To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(9) HOSPITALS & HEALTH CARE
As Greg knows from personal experience (7 operations from head to toe!), a stay in the hospital can be a challenging experience. That is especially true if family and friends cannot visit. This sparked an idea to do something to support patients in the hospital. During the pandemic, Greg teamed up with a hospital in the following way — the hospital ordered copies of Greg’s books and 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! The pandemic is also a very challenging time for essential workers in hospitals & the health care industry. This sparked a separate idea. Thanks to some anonymous individuals, we were able to donate copies of Greg's books and workbooks for students (The Milkshake Man, One Lunch, The First Thirty and A Place to Sit) in places such as Illinois & Pennsylvania -- for the children of health care workers & folks who work with seniors. Want to order additional 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
As Greg knows from personal experience (7 operations from head to toe!), a stay in the hospital can be a challenging experience. That is especially true if family and friends cannot visit. This sparked an idea to do something to support patients in the hospital. During the pandemic, Greg teamed up with a hospital in the following way — the hospital ordered copies of Greg’s books and 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! The pandemic is also a very challenging time for essential workers in hospitals & the health care industry. This sparked a separate idea. Thanks to some anonymous individuals, we were able to donate copies of Greg's books and workbooks for students (The Milkshake Man, One Lunch, The First Thirty and A Place to Sit) in places such as Illinois & Pennsylvania -- for the children of health care workers & folks who work with seniors. Want to order additional 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) PARTIAL PROCEEDS TO GREAT CAUSES
For many nonprofit organizations, the pandemic will make it harder to raise funds. This led to an idea: During the health crisis, we have teamed up with meaningful causes (&/or one of their individual supporters). We provide them the opportunity to recommend the books & workbooks to their friends & other supporters of that organization. When their friends & peers order the books & workbooks through our website, we donate 10% of the proceeds of those particular sales to that organization. To date, we have teamed up on this project to support nonprofit organizations in places such as Arkansas, New York, Texas & North Carolina -- including a STEM organization, an animal shelter, a mental health organization, a program that helps families impacted by autism, and a youth mentoring organization. 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 (and/or the school's PTO). Want to get involved &/or nominate an organization for this opportunity? Email us.
For many nonprofit organizations, the pandemic will make it harder to raise funds. This led to an idea: During the health crisis, we have teamed up with meaningful causes (&/or one of their individual supporters). We provide them the opportunity to recommend the books & workbooks to their friends & other supporters of that organization. When their friends & peers order the books & workbooks through our website, we donate 10% of the proceeds of those particular sales to that organization. To date, we have teamed up on this project to support nonprofit organizations in places such as Arkansas, New York, Texas & North Carolina -- including a STEM organization, an animal shelter, a mental health organization, a program that helps families impacted by autism, and a youth mentoring organization. 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 (and/or the school's PTO). Want to get involved &/or nominate an organization for this opportunity? Email us.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(11) CONNECTING DOTS Greg began looking for additional ways to connect people with resources, information, opportunities and/or other people. Some examples include: connecting: a woman in Michigan - with - a future classmate, 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, someone in Nebraska providing support to restaurants during the pandemic - with - someone who knows people in the restaurant industry, a man searching for a lawyer - with - a lawyer who specializes in employment law, a hair stylist - with - a fund providing pandemic-timed aid to people who work in salons, a new mom looking for parental advice - with - a more experienced mom, 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 for them. Feel free to friend Greg on social media as well.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(12) INTERNSHIPS Each semester, Greg typically has 1 or 2 off-site interns from high schools or colleges around the country. Recent interns have come from places like Iowa, Arkansas and North Carolina. Knowing that many students are cooped up at home and looking for productive ways to spend their time, this gave him an idea -- offer some additional, limited hour, off-site internships to students during the pandemic summer. The first one he arranged was for a college student from Washington D.C. To read more about his 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
(13) WRITING The 'down time' caused by the pandemic provides a chance to write & create. Greg has used part of the isolation period to complete the Updated Edition of his workbook (A Place To Sit) and to 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. He also interviewed an inspiring person for an upcoming magazine article.. To see a sample of his magazine articles, click here... You don't need to be an author to write something. You can use the pandemic period to write thigs 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
(14) CHECKING IN As a single person isolating at home for over six weeks (& counting), Greg got a sense of how isolating the experience can be & how easily a friend who is isolating solo can 'fall through the cracks'. This led to another idea -- devoting time each day to send brief 'checking in' messages to friends. He has now sent them to hundreds of people. Initially, he placed a particular emphasis on sending them to friends who are isolating solo (single friends, friends who are senior citizens, and his friends' parents who are widows). It soon expanded to 'checking in' with friends who work in hospitals or health care, and friends who work in other front-line positions (such as friends who drive trucks & friends who work at groceries & in the post office. Pick some people you know who are in similar positions (friends isolating solo, friends' parents who are widows, friends who work in hospitals / health care, friends on the front lines (such as truck drivers, postal workers, grocery store staff) and send them check-in notes.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(15) RESPONDING Separate from checking in with people during the Pandemic, Greg realized one additional small but meaningful thing he can easily do from the safe confines of his home is to Respond promptly when people write him. At any time, it is nice to get back to people who contact us. That is especially true during the Pandemic when people are required to 'socially distance' and spend a great deal of time confined &/or isolated. Even if someone is writing you about a seemingly insignificant issue (such as a a recommendation of a movie or a request for a recipe), it's possible it is their way to 'reach out' to someone while they're struggling with some of the side effects (i.e. depression) of the isolation caused by the pandemic. For those who individuals, a prompt response can mean a great deal (and the absence of one can exacerbate their sense of loneliness). If someone writes you during the pandemic, write them back -- even if it seems like they wrote you about something seemingly insignificant. It might provide a real morale boost to someone going through a difficult time. It (literally) might even save someone's life.
To order your own copies of the books or workbooks, visit the Shop
(16) BIRTHDAY BOOKS
Greg's book (The Silhouette Man) and the condensed version for 5th to 12th grade (The First Thirty) involve a big celebration on the main character's 30th birthday. As a result of the pandemic, people aren't able to have those group celebrations right now. It has been especially challenging for kids whose birthdays take place during this period. Families have tried to come up with alternative ways to make their kids smile on their special day. As one small way to add to that, when people get the books for someone celebrating their birthday during the pandemic, Greg began adding personal birthday notes to go with those books. 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 similar note to them.
Greg's book (The Silhouette Man) and the condensed version for 5th to 12th grade (The First Thirty) involve a big celebration on the main character's 30th birthday. As a result of the pandemic, people aren't able to have those group celebrations right now. It has been especially challenging for kids whose birthdays take place during this period. Families have tried to come up with alternative ways to make their kids smile on their special day. As one small way to add to that, when people get the books for someone celebrating their birthday during the pandemic, Greg began adding personal birthday notes to go with those books. 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 similar note to them.
(17) RECOGNIZING BOARD MEMBERS
It is nice when anyone takes time to serve on the Board of a nonprofit organization or community foundation. That support is especially meaningful when times are tough. This led to another idea that gives organizations a way to thank and stay engaged with Board Members without all being in the same location. Greg has teamed up with a foundation in Arkansas to recognize their Board members. First, the foundation ordered copies of The Silhouette Man for each Board member. Now, Greg will be setting aside time to take part in a Zoom Q&A just for those Board members. Want to order copies of the books / set up a Zoom Q&A for your Board members? Email us here
It is nice when anyone takes time to serve on the Board of a nonprofit organization or community foundation. That support is especially meaningful when times are tough. This led to another idea that gives organizations a way to thank and stay engaged with Board Members without all being in the same location. Greg has teamed up with a foundation in Arkansas to recognize their Board members. First, the foundation ordered copies of The Silhouette Man for each Board member. Now, Greg will be setting aside time to take part in a Zoom Q&A just for those Board members. Want to order copies of the books / set up a Zoom Q&A for your Board members? Email us here
(18) THE ELEVATOR PROJECT
Through The Elevator Project, organizations order copies of Greg's books (usually, 10 copies) 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, 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 of Greg's books (usually, 10 copies) 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, 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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