Children's Books for Environmental Causes

COMMUNITY NEWS

Growing up on a small farm in Western New York State was my first education in the importance of the land and environment that we all share. I have always loved the land and been very connected to it. When I moved to New York City to pursue a career in the fashion industry, I lost that connection for many years. There was a large void until my husband, Ricky Feuerman, and I moved to Brewster, New York, and a reconnection began.

I saw what was happening to the environment and wondered what I could do to make a difference. I have been gifted with a great career in the garment industry and felt that there must be some way of giving back. This was the inspiration for the conception of Chuckie Goodnight, a spokesman for the environment, and his crew of loyal friends. Each character was inspired by the relationship I have had with their living counterpart. The book, Chuckie Goodnight, A Bedtime Story, tells the story of how the friends support each other and how Chuckie got his name. Chuckie’s motto is, “It’s your Earth and my Earth too! Let’s make every day Earth Day! Please be kind to Earth!”

The Chuckie Goodnight Foundation for the Environment was incorporated on February 16, 2001. The most important goals of the Foundation are to preserve open space and to create learning centers to teach children about Earth Stewardship. The Foundation supports other environmental groups in the Hudson Valley (New York City watershed) such as FrOGS (Friends of the Great Swamp), Riverkeeper, Tilly Foster Farm and the Putnam County Land Trust. We are the proud recipient of the 2007 Blue Heron Award given annually by the Putnam County Land Trust.

We have participated in fundraising events and visited classrooms offering environmental education lessons and activities for children. For the past several years the Chuckie Goodnight Foundation for the Environment has offered a scholarship to a graduating senior who is continuing his or her education in environmental science at the college level.

We strive to make learning about taking care of the Earth a fun and exciting experience with the help of Chuckie Goodnight and his crew. The kids are our future; it is important to leave them a legacy.

To help support the foundation my husband and I incorporated My Earth Too!, our own licensing/manufacturing company that produces a range of organic products. A contribution from the licensing of these products is made to the Chuckie Goodnight Foundation for the Environment. Because of this connection, My Earth Too! is “a brand with a Heartbeat.” We are very excited about My Earth Too! and the Chuckie Goodnight Foundation for the Environment partnership.

To learn more about our commitment to the Earth, please visit us at chuckiegoodnightfoundation.org and myearthtoo.com.

-Cherie Ingraham

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