When I started my website, way back when Fat Kid Rules the World was first published, I had several priorities. Number one was to make the site a fun place for young readers to visit. Some people gear their web sites to teachers or librarians, but I wanted mine to appeal to teens. The second priority followed closely after the first. I wanted to offer kids (and adults who happened to visit) opportunities to do good.

Why? Well, mostly because I know how incredibly rewarding it can be to do something for someone else. It can help you grow as a person and heck, it just makes you feel good. Adding altruism to our self definition inspires confidence and helps us find our place in a world where meaning can be slippery and elusive.

For those reasons, I added the Give It Away Now page (title comes from the Red Hot Chili Peppers song) and the Very Cool Person of the Month page. On the Give It Away Now page I highlight different charities that I think kids would find interesting. I don’t change these too often because I want the highlighted charity to get lots of exposure. (To check them out visit www.klgoing.com/giveitaway.htm) The Very Cool Person of the Month page I change monthly, of course. (Hack, hack, cough, eh hem.) Okay, I seldom actually change it month-to-month, but I try to change it as often as I have a good nomination!

The idea behind the Very Cool Person of the Month is that there are people everywhere doing truly awesome things with little or no recognition. I’ll admit, being highlighted on the KL Going web site isn’t exactly up there with winning the Nobel Peace Prize, but it’s something. It’s a pat on the back and a chance for that person to be a role model for lots of other people who might be inspired by their activities. I have loved reading the nominations, and having the chance to highlight some amazing people. Some of the past very cool people have been organ donors, teachers who care, awesome best friends, a fifth grade class who took the time to send me photos and drawings and letters about their experiences reading The Liberation of Gabriel King, twins — one with Down’s Syndrome and one without — who tirelessly support each other, an epilepsy activist, a great mom . . .

Very Cool People are everywhere and I want to shine a light on them. Surely you know someone who fits the bill? All I need for a nomination is a paragraph about what makes this person(s) special, a photo that you can send me digitally, and your name. That’s it. Easy as pie. If you don’t have a photo you can send me the person’s e-mail address and I’ll contact them directly and ask for one.

This month’s Very Cool Person is Stacey O’Brien, a woman who works to rehabilitate injured animals. She’s written a book about her experiences called Wesley the Owl. To see her Very Cool Person of the Month page go to: http://www.klgoing.com/vcpotm.htm and then once you check out the awesome owl photos and Lorraine’s stellar nomination, visit her website and buy her book. I am told it’s amazing, and why not support someone who is doing great things?

Thanks Lori, for the nomination, and thank you Stacey for being oh-so-very cool!