Embracing Our Differences to Bring “Bucket Filler”
Reading Initiative to 3,000 Students on November 8
The “Bucket Filler” series of books, written by the nationally acclaimed author and Venice resident, Carol McCloud, teach children the value of kindness. More than 150 volunteers will read McCloud’s books in 150 kindergarten to third grade classes in Sarasota County.
Want to volunteer to read? Applications accepted through October 16.
Who officially qualifies as a “bucket filler?”
Sarah Wertheimer, EOD’s executive director, says they all possess distinct identifying traits. “A ‘bucket filler’ is somebody who spontaneously shares compliments and spreads positive vibes without being asked,” she says. “Carol McCloud invented the concept—and her ‘Bucket Fillers’ series of children’s books spells it out delightfully. Carol asks children to imagine that everyone possesses an invisible bucket they can fill up with kindness, support and love. It’s a beautiful idea for children—and I think it works for adults, too.”
Wertheimer adds that EOD is honored to work directly with Carol McCloud. “Carol will join us on November 8, reading from her books at various classrooms throughout the day. We’re touched by her generosity and desire to reach as many area students as possible.”
McCloud says she’s thrilled to participate in the initiative.
“I’m honored because, in a market of hundreds of excellent books that teach children the value and importance of kindness, our bucketfilling series of children’s books was selected by Embracing Our Differences. I’m excited because more than 3,000 children will concretely learn that what they say and do affects others. When they are kind, they fill someone’s bucket with happiness. When they are unkind, they dip into a bucket and remove some happiness. My hope is that children will be inspired to choose kindness more often and proactively look for ways to fill buckets and, in the process, discover they fill their own bucket, too.” For more information, visit bucketfillers101.com.
Since 2004, EOD’s international, juried exhibition celebrating the theme of “enriching lives through diversity and inclusion,” showcases the art and words of thousands of artists and writers from around the world, including hundreds of area-based students and educators. Also crucial to the organization’s mission are its ongoing education initiatives. Presented in partnership with the regional school districts and nationally recognized educators, these programs positively impact the lives of thousands of area teachers and students every year. These include annual workshops and retreats that provide arts and diversity curricula for area educators, bi-county reading initiatives, free bus transportation for students and teachers to visit area cultural venues, and student service clubs in high schools. With 950 teachers and 43,000 students participating in the organization’s exhibit and educational programs in 2019 alone, Embracing Our Differences continues to lead as one of the largest education programs in southwest Florida.
Embracing Our Differences’ annual juried international art exhibit returns to Sarasota’s Bayfront Park, January 18 through April 5. For more information about Embracing Our Differences, call 941-404-5710, or visit www.embracingourdifferences.org.
About Embracing Our Differences
Embracing Our Differences is a not-for-profit organization that uses the transformational power of art and education to celebrate and promote the diversity of the human family. It accomplishes this through an annual, large-scale outdoor juried art exhibition and a comprehensive series of educational initiatives, programs and resources designed for teachers and students. Visit www.embracingourdifferences.org.