Today is my birthday. Last year you, my friends, helped me donate almost $4000 to both the Brooklyn Free School and Room To Read. It was amazing. I've never been so proud of everyone.

This year I turn 30. The gravity of this event has yet to dawn on me. However, more importantly I know what I want for my birthday.

DonorsChoose.org is a charity site that gives to teachers. The teachers express a need for equipment, DonorsChoose gets them a good price and presents a quote kickstarter style and we help buy it. Not only is DonorsChose a place to find teachers in need but they provide a great service by getting bulk discounts, and other savings. They vet the teachers and projects, and make it really easy to donate. I love it.

"Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

For my birthday I'd like you to donate to a school in Queens. (My new home borough)

Here are some projects I like in no particular order.

• School Incentive Store - Mr. Totten's supplies project at MS53
• Tech for the Future - Mr. Laar's technology project at Martin Van Buren High School
• Copies, Copies Everywhere! - Mrs. Cirella's technology project at PS 152
• Bring History Alive - Mr. Sosa's technology project at World Journalism Prep School
• Art Without Paper? - Mrs. Brown's supplies project at PS 199 I like this one a lot - She's having 3rd graders teach kindergardeners

These are teachers who are already teaching, they have the schools, the students, and the will. They just need some help.

And if you can't donate for whatever reason, I just ask that you tweet, share, email, this post to someone who might be able to. I'd like people to know this is an option for their neighborhoods too.

Thank you.

-Francis