Blog Aid for Haiti

Blog Aid for Haiti

Julie Van Rosendaal is a miracle worker. In what must be the fastest turn-around in cookbook publishing history, she conceived, organized and helped deliver Blog Aid: Recipes for Haiti.  In less than three weeks she got 27 food bloggers to donate 72 recipes complete with photos, one very tired designer (Cathryn Ironwood) to give the book a cohesive look, and two corporate sponsors (West Canadian Graphics in Calgary and Blurb in San Fransisco) to match proceeds. The results? The book’s been on sale all of 24 hours and we’ve raised more than $20,000.

Proceeds of book sales will go toward Haitian relief via the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders. And the proceeds are potentially big.

Here’s how Julie explained it to me in a recent email [emphasis mine]:

The arrangement we made is that each company would match the proceeds raised (up to $10,000.00), which means the proceeds on a $25 softcover book ($5.05) would = $15.15. And even better, on a $50 hardcover book ($18.05) would = $54.15, more than the value of the book! Of course doubled by the Canadian Government, that translates to $30.30 for a softcover and $108.30 for a hardcover!

Wish I’d known that before I ordered the soft cover versions.

While the math on the donations to Haiti is impressive, the book is no slapped together slouch either. Julie lined up some big guns for the contents. Despite vying for the title of Iron Chef and executive-cheffing (if it’s not a word, it should be) all over the athlete’s village at the 2010 Olympics, Chef Michael Smith was one of the first contributors on board with this project.

I’m still waiting for my copies to arrive, but according to the table of contents, I’m nestled comfortably between the recipes of Chef Michael Smith and Dana McCauley. I’d like to say such pride of place came as a result of my charm and grace, but I think blind luck and alphabetical order get the credit. Guess Christie’s Corner isn’t such a bad blog name after all.

Who else has contributed?

Want to help Haiti AND get a cookbook? Place your order here.

No Comments
  • Cheryl Arkison
    Posted at 10:31h, 05 February

    I teased Julie that I was apparently the AAA of the book! So excited to be a part of this with you.
    .-= Cheryl Arkison´s last blog ..Tuesday Quiz =-.

  • Lisa MacColl
    Posted at 11:14h, 05 February

    Well, I was feeling quite sorry for myself because my birthday last week was pre-empted by my child getting sick. Sick kid trumps mom birthday 100% of the time.

    Now I can buy myself a birthday present, acquire a new cookbook of wonderful recipes from people I admire and help Haiti at the same time.

    Feeling much better about missing my birthday now…
    Lisa

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:02h, 05 February

    I’m very excited to be part of this, too. What blows me away is that Julie managed to get so much sponsorship the proceeds are MORE THAN THE PRICE OF THE BOOK!! She is a miracle worker.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:03h, 05 February

    Sounds like a win-win-win to me! Happy belated birthday and enjoy your book!

  • Cheryl@5secondrule
    Posted at 13:07h, 05 February

    Wow, how fantastic! What a wonderful way to make a meaningful contribution to a worthy cause and produce something long-lasting and useful at the same time.

    Bravo to you all!
    .-= Cheryl@5secondrule´s last blog ..Sriracha =-.

  • Robin Smart
    Posted at 22:59h, 05 February

    Wow. I’m so impressed with and proud of this effort!! I trust the results will be brilliant as I know the recipes will be.
    I’ll do my best to promote this great idea far and wide.
    Love,
    Robin

  • Dana McCauley
    Posted at 09:25h, 06 February

    Christie’s Corner is a fine blog name and I’m very pleased to be rubbing shoulders with you! In fact, I hope to do so in person this afternoon (see you at the party – I’ll be the one in the moo moo that cleverly disguises my ample bottom).

    I’m very much looking forward to getting my copies of the book as well. I had no idea when I sent Julie my recipes that she would create such a wonderful product so quickly. I almost feel guilty about feeling proud to be in the book since I did so very little.
    .-= Dana McCauley´s last blog ..This blog has moved =-.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 10:00h, 06 February

    My sentiments exactly!

    The real credit goes to Julie and Cathryn. I just sent a few emails.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 10:02h, 06 February

    Thanks, Robin. I appreciate your undying support. Just so you know, I’ve purchased a copy for Mom as a surprise. Shhh. Don’t tell her.

    And since she has no idea how to turn on a computer, this secret is safely hidden in cyberspace.

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 10:07h, 06 February

    I, too, feel a tad guilty about my pride in this book. Pride by association more than elbow grease. I’m stunned at how Julie managed to pull off such gorgeous results in so little time.

    Looking forward to seeing you this afternoon. But I should warn you. If you wear that moo moo, I shall be forced to wear my clown nose. I can’t have you hogging all the attention.