Rebecca Beach's Fundraiser:

Sophia Bush wrote -

I'm turning 30 July 8th. I'm stoked. I'm ready. And I want it to mean something. Something big. 

My Impossible challenge: raising $30,000 for my 30th birthday so that children in the developing world have access to education.

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Okay. Update. Many of you have read the above, about my Impossible. And many of you have read what I wrote below, about why PoP and these kids mean so much to me. And you have all stepped up to help us reach our goal. You have decided to pay if forward. You've given up much needed cups of coffee, done chores for your parents, you've hustled at school, at work, and in your neighborhoods. Each of you has been a shining example of the good in the world. And we've built a SCHOOL! 

I spent yesterday in awe of people. Inspired by the generosity of the human spirit. So often we only hear about the bad, sad, or atrocious things happening on this planet. Well not today. I woke up this morning newly invigorated. Incredibly proud. And beyond inspired. Many of you have asked me what's next? We hit our goal -- five days early no less! -- so what now? Well, here goes...

On the impact trip to Guadalupana, what struck me immediately was just how high need the community is. And that's where my Impossible came from. Could I raise the money to build a school? As you've heard by now, one three-room structure costs $30,000. And I thought, okay, that's a lot of money. But I believe we can do it. But would that take care of the issue? The PoP team explained that in order to get every kid in Guadalupana into a classroom, we would actually need to build a second school, for a total of six classrooms. So phase one would be three rooms. Phase two would be 4, 5, and 6. And then every child in that village would be able to go to school. I volunteered to give my 30th birthday to PoP to raise the cash for the first school. 30 for 30. And we all figured that maybe we could raise the money for the second structure during Back To School campaigns. Well. I have a new Impossible y'all. 

We met our goal. We've done it. We've given love, faith, and support to each other, and to strangers half way around the world. So I am satisfied. But not finished. My birthday has been made. My heart is so big and full today. The mission, however, is not over. I say we finish it. I say we build that second school. I say we tell the kids in Guadalupana that they matter. That they deserve a future. That they are worth it. I say we show the world that our generation is made of givers. Of global citizens. Of humanitarians, who value human life and love above all else. 

The deadline was made. So there's no pressure. I don't care how long it takes us. A week. A month. Six months. No worries. But I know that we can do this. I have so much faith in this family we have created here on Crowdrise. We may not all know each other, but we know something of one another's hearts. So. Get involved however you can. Give up a $4 latte. Tell your parents you'll do all the laundry for a week. Throw a bake sale. A lemonade stand. A car wash. Spread the word in your community. Your voice is the most powerful tool in the world. So shout it from the rooftops team! Share your inspiration, and inspire the world. We are spreading love in the most beautiful way. Let's keep it up.

If this is your first time to this page, and you haven't read what's below, go for it, and thanks for joining this badass mission. Givers rule. #SB30for30pt2 is a go!

All Love. xo

SB

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We all have "Impossible" challenges in our lives - fears to overcome, big milestones to reach, challenges we've been putting off. Tell me about your "Impossible" and how you've overcome it or plan to. How can connecting your personal challenge to something bigger, like education, transform your "Impossible"?

Donate $30 to my 30 for 30 campaign and submit a 250 word essay about overcoming your 'Impossible' to impossible@pencilsofpromise.org and you could win a trip to join me and visit the school we build together in Guatemala. (Click here to see the contest rules)

As many of you know, I have been a loyal supporter of (some might say obsessed with) Pencils of Promise for some time. My 30for30 fundraiser is part of a Pencils of Promise campaign called The Impossible Ones that will launch officially on August 1st. Everyone has an "Impossible": a challenge or milestone they're facing. PoP's Impossible is 100 schools in 2012. They're asking you to pledge your own Impossible to collectively reach that goal. My Impossible is 30k for my 30th birthday. What's yours? Pledge your Impossible. 

PoP rocks my world because they believe every child should have access to quality education. They create schools, programs, and global communities around the common goal of education for all.

By forming long-lasting, collaborative relationships with communities, they increase access to quality education and positively impact students and parents in high-need communities throughout Laos, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. I've been lucky enough to travel to Laos and Guatemala with PoP over the past year.

I've also been incredibly fortunate in life these past 30 years, but the thing that has shaped my life the most is certainly my education. I've had access to schools and teachers that have broadened my horizons and changed my life. I am who I am, as a woman and a global citizen because of education. And I want that for every girl, every child, in the world. On a recent impact trip with Pencils of Promise, I met a group of young children in Guadalupana, Guatemala. I asked them what they wanted most in the world, and in unison they screamed "a school!!' I knew I had found the village for this campaign. It will cost $30,000 to build the school and I know we can make that happen! 

Pencils of Promise designs their involvement to be 100% sustainable. From day one, they ensure that the village views the school as theirs and takes ownership of its ongoing maintenance and support. Beyond building a school, they also offer the following education programs to our communities.

PoP provides its local staff with professional development training to empower staff members (many of whom are females and minorities) to grow as professionals and take on leadership and mentorship roles. 

So here's what I'm asking. Help me get to $30,000 for the big 3-0!! Instead of a gift, give $30 -- or $300, whatever you can -- for my 30th birthday. DONATE above to give or click JOIN THE TEAM to help fundraise with me! Share the page with all of your friends and family. It's so easy to spread the word about a good cause.

Thank you!

xo,

Sophia

Contest Rules - Win a Signed John Tucker Must Die DVD