<!-- wp:group {"layout":{"type":"constrained"}} -->
<div class="wp-block-group"><!-- wp:quote -->
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:
EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><a href="https://marketmentors.com/team-member/michelle-abdow/"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:
Calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin">Michelle Abdow</span></b></a></span><b><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">, President / CEO,<br>Market Mentors, LLC</span></b></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite><strong>“To learn to read is to light a fire; every syllable that is spelled out is a spark.”</strong><br><em>Victor Hugo, Les Misérables</em></cite></blockquote>
<!-- /wp:quote -->
<!-- wp:spacer {"height":"42px"} -->
<div style="height:42px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":12797,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wp.marketmentors.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/MMABartending-1024x800.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12797"/></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:spacer {"height":"64px"} -->
<div style="height:64px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>You know, there’s just nothing better than a good fundraiser. Add in some adult bevvies and friendly competition, and I am ALL OVER IT! </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>That’s why I was so excited to take part in <a href="https://www.linktolibraries.org/">Link to Libraries’</a> recent Celebrity Bartender event at the Student Prince Café in Springfield. Not only would I be helping raise money in tips for Link to Libraries’ great mission, but the bartender raising the most would receive 200 books to donate to the school of their choice! Let me assure you that when I showed up for the event on April 4, I came prepared to WIN.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Link to Libraries: Dedicated to Childhood Literacy in Our Communities</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Link to Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to distribute new books to school and home libraries of children in need. By increasing a child's access to books, Link to Libraries strives to enhance the language and literacy skills of children of all cultural backgrounds.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Link to Libraries and Market Mentors have made a great team over the years. Market Mentors is a sponsor of the program, and Senior Content Marketing Specialist Sue Spiry visits students at Hiram L. Dorman Elementary monthly to read aloud and donate books on the nonprofit’s behalf. Every month, each child gets to choose a book of their own to keep. We understand the value of books, and know reading increases a child’s chances for a successful, fulfilling future, which is why we are proud to support Link to Libraries’ invaluable work.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:spacer {"height":"64px"} -->
<div style="height:64px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->
<!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Sign Up to Help, Show Up to WIN</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:image {"id":12798,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://wp.marketmentors.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FatHeads-1024x703.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-12798"/></figure>
<!-- /wp:image -->
<!-- wp:spacer {"height":"64px"} -->
<div style="height:64px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>In the weeks leading up to the event, we pulled every publicity lever we could to get the word out and make sure I would have the best shot at raising the most money. I even had three “big head” signs made so that when the evening finally came, I would own that space.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>I was part of the first group of bartenders for the evening, and the turnout at the Student Prince was epic. Big thanks to the <a href="https://marketmentors.com/team/">Market Mentors Team</a>, who showed up in full force, and all the friends and colleagues who joined them to pack the joint. When the drinks were all poured and dust had settled, yours truly had done it. Of over $16,000 raised in total by the event, I’d contributed $2,676—the highest amount of the evening by a whopping $676! I will be donating the winning prize of 200 books to good old Hiram L. Dorman Elementary, the very school Sue visits every month. I can’t wait to see their faces.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:spacer {"height":"64px"} -->
<div style="height:64px" aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-spacer"></div>
<!-- /wp:spacer -->
<!-- wp:columns -->
<div class="wp-block-columns"><!-- wp:column {"width":"66.66%"} -->
<div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:66.66%"><!-- wp:heading -->
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">You Can Help, Too!</h2>
<!-- /wp:heading -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>You don’t have to wait for next year’s Celebrity Bartending Event to help Link to Libraries—you can <a href="https://www.linktolibraries.org/">visit their website</a> any time to make a donation or volunteer your time to help power their mission. It takes the whole community to lift our kids up, so let’s all do our parts.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph --></div>
<!-- /wp:column -->
<!-- wp:column {"width":"33.33%"} -->
<div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:33.33%"><!-- wp:image {"id":12809,"width":"300px","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"} -->
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://wp.marketmentors.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/link-to-libraries_logo-med.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12809" style="width:300px"/></figure>
<!-- /wp:image --></div>
<!-- /wp:column --></div>
<!-- /wp:columns --></div>
<!-- /wp:group -->
