Fundraising campaigns for the National Inclusion Project are in progress through a variety of forms -- charity giveaways, Wrapping for Inclusion, Deck the Halls, and a Clay Aiken calendar for the new year.

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Graphic by Fountaindawg

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During the Oct. 30-31 Trick or Treat Halloween Challenge, a total of 316 donations raised approximately $4,630 and boosted the National Inclusion Project from 13th to 10th place in America's Giving Campaign.

With six days remaining, the National Inclusion Project has earned a total of $14,670 in donations and placement awards. A Final Push Party is planned for the last 24 hours from 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, to 2:59 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.

Unique donations (one a day) of $10 or more count towards daily and overall contest totals, for which there will be monetary awards for the top charities. (More info below.)

Fans Raise Funds for Inclusion

2010 Clay Aiken Calendar

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Besides current charity giveaway campaigns, this holiday season Clay Aiken fans will also participate in the annual Wrapping for Inclusion and Deck the Halls fundraising projects.

Many will order the 2010 calendar of photos by toni7babe assembled each year by Rosa Shurtz. All proceeds after costs go to the National Inclusion Project.

The lead photo above is the calendar cover, and below are thumbnail samples for January and October. Double clickables for four months are posted in the Carolina blog.

Cost of the calendar is $21 through Paypal or $20 by personal check. Interested persons should email Rosa -- rosash@comcast.net -- for further details. Use the email address for Paypal orders.

Order and print deadline is Nov. 15. Calendars will be shipped before Christmas.

At calendar time, I will always remember Susan Guinn (xxx4clay), who was in the hospital undergoing treatments in October last year, finally losing her battle with cancer in July.

Susan had inquired about a 2009 calendar before entering the hospital. I thought a Clay Aiken calendar would benefit my friend and help her through some rough times, so I asked Rosa to send mine to West Virginia instead.

She did. A few days later a calendar arrived in my mailbox also. Help Rosa with her annual fundraising project for inclusion. She is very special ... and your wall will handsomely improve!

Wrapping for Inclusion raises funds as well as awareness for the work of the National Inclusion Project. As in past years, shoppers in malls and at various stores will have their gifts wrapped and learn about the work of the foundation.

If you are new to WFI and would like to volunteer, see Wrapping for Inclusion at the NIP website.

Mark Your Calendar

Set your clock and calendar for Thursday-Friday (Nov. 5-6) 3 p.m. - 2:59 p.m., for the Final Push Party to rase National Inclusion Project funds through America's Giving Challenge on Facebook. Minimum for a unique (countable) donation is $10.

Recruit others to support inclusion in this way. As of 3 p.m. Halloween Day, donations for the National Inclusion Project totaled $14,670. Each $10,000 raised funds one "Let's All Play" summer camp.

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Graphic by LovesClaysVoice

Through the Deck the Halls project, supporters raises money for inclusion and dectorate homes and offices with beautiful, handmade Rockdale wreaths. Order deadline is Nov. 16.

For more details about the Giving Challenge and Deck the Halls, including wreath samples, see the Carolina's Trick or Treat with the Clay Nation entry.

This blog is also posted at Carolina On My Mind with clickable images. Thank you for your comments in the OFC and Internet Clay blogs.

Have a great week, Clay Nation!

• Caro