Doing the Write Thing Isn’t Always Easy

Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of attending the 2007 Do the Write Thing Challenge dinner and ceremony.  I had never heard of Do the Write Thing, until I received the invitation in the mail.  The event was produced by the Founding Directors for the Kuwait-America Foundation and held at the National Press Club.  They were honoring around 50 students from around the country who had entered an essay contest and won.  The students were in middle school for the most part.  They were asked to write about violence in their lives and how they have experienced it, watched it, been a part of it and how it affected their lives.  The program is really about how putting feelings down on paper is such a more powerful and positive way to deal with frustration and aggression, versus physical violence.  We all received a copy of their essays bound together which was produced by the National Campaign to Stop Violence.  

(Pictured: Music entertainment Bridging the Gap delights dinner guests)

The kids were really sweet and participated in an interactive presentation for us.  After, the tables had 2 students sit with them during dinner so the guests could interact and chat with them.  I got to sit next to Jaime who was from Las Vegas.  When I read his essay, I was blown away and got tears in my eyes.  His raw emotion was drawn out on paper and delivered with incredible skill, especially for such a young person. 

As someone who loves writing and reading, I was excited to be surrounded by adults and kids alike who appreciate the written word.   Barbara Harrison (NBC 4 Anchor) was the MC, Jeannette Walls was the Special Guest speaker, Rima Al-Sabah who, along with Ashley Taylor and Dede McClure, was part of the planning and support committee, said a few words, and the best part of the night was the outstanding hilarious performance by Bridging the Gap (violin and bass duo).  These two mega-talented musicians have delighted dignitaries and US Presidents for years.  This was a truly special night and a great introduction to another worthy cause.