[caption id="attachment_339" align="aligncenter" width="200" caption="Photo from www.operationsockmonkey.com."] [/caption]

Hi friends,

When I got back to the office on Wednesday it was to find my cubicle festooned with pins and business cards from Operation Sock Monkey. (I work with a bunch of practical jokers, can you tell?) It's been three days now and I'm *still* seeing new pins every time I look up...and business cards seem to shower out of my dictionary at every opportunity. The constant barrage of sock monkeys achieved critical mass this morning, and finally the penny dropped. "Hey!" I thought, "I should blog about that!" (Just call me "master of the obvious.")

From their website: Operation Sock Monkey is an initiative in support of Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA) providing laughter, hope and healing to communities affected by HIV/AIDS. Handmade Sock Monkeys can be purchased for you or someone you love or sponsored to be sent to children in need of a smile. All proceeds donated to CWBSA. [caption id="attachment_340" align="aligncenter" width="240" caption="Photo from www.operationsockmonkey.com."][/caption] There are many ways to get involved: you can sponsor a sock monkey (in which case the monkey will be sent to someone in need), buy a sock monkey (you can keep it for yourself or give it as a gift), or you can make a sock monkey (or more than one!) to donate. Operation Sock Monkey also hosts sock monkey–making workshops, parties and Sock-Monk-athons. What a great idea for a girls' night in, unusual bridal shower, or even a special event for your Girl Guide or Pathfinders group. I hope you'll check it out. Have a good weekend, friends, and tune in on Monday for a special book review and giveaway!