Rising Stars: Meet Sandy Ciaramitaro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Ciaramitaro. 

Hi Sandy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello! My name is Sandy Ciaramitaro, and my story begins with my childhood imagination. I loved to create characters and write stories, and I knew that I wanted to write a children’s book once I got older. Well, as the saying goes, “life got in the way,” but I finally managed to write my first children’s book, The Good Eggs, and published it in 2013. The book is about a little group of friends (who are Eggs) and it highlights 12 virtues, one per month. They go back to school in September and learn throughout the school year about how to be a “good egg.” I loved the characters and situations deeply and felt I wasn’t done with them. So – I began to write a second book, The Good Eggs Travel the World, that teaches about diversity. The Eggs take a trip around the world and learn about various customs, cultures, landmarks, etc., from various countries. This was great fun to write! However, I STILL wasn’t finished with them. I wrote a third book, The Good Eggs in the Community, which brings them back to their hometown to learn the importance of community service. Finally, the trilogy was complete! However, as this project has proven to me, I still had a nudge to do more. SO – I wanted to put the books into action so I opened a nonprofit, The Good Eggs Foundation, in October of 2019, which helps underserved children in Detroit and the surrounding area with basic needs. Each month I “egg” an organization or family that may be in need of help. For example, I have provided bedding for kids, tutoring materials, baby monitors, hygiene kits, lending libraries, care bags for kids (well, you get the picture). I started the “eggings” in October 2019 and have done one every month since. It has been the great joy of my life. So, you probably know where this is going – yep, not done yet! I managed to create a video series (12 episodes) of book 1, which was just picked up by the Michigan Learning Channel (an affiliate of PBS). I am very excited about that! I also have accompanying lesson plans for book 1. On my website, you can sign up for my parent blog, kid podcast, and monthly newsletter. This project keeps morphing into more and more, and I am excited to share my vision for the future of The Good Eggs! 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. As you can imagine, funding for the nonprofit is always an issue. Most times we are operating on a shoestring, but we manage to get the “eggings” done. Covid proved to be a big challenge. A lot of our funding comes from book sales, but book shows were not happening for two years. We have gotten back into the book show circuit just this year, so that is picking up. We also have had generous donors who have either held fundraisers for us or donated a sizable amount to keep us going. 

We also went through a re-branding this year. We revised the book covers and artwork and pumped up our marketing efforts. It is paying off, but we have to keep pushing forward. As you know, social media can be a wonderful tool, however, it is difficult to break through all the material that floods it, so trying to keep things creative and fresh in order to get noticed is always a challenge. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have been a high school teacher for most of my career. I have loved it and am proud of the work and creative lesson planning I have developed. I truly enjoy helping young people learn and understand our world, which is why I feel my next step in life has naturally developed out of my teaching career. 

Simultaneously with teaching, I have been moving into the area of author and entrepreneur, which is what I am most proud of. I believe the whole package of The Good Eggs I have developed sets me apart. The children’s book series, the nonprofit, and all of the other areas I have developed all fit together to bring positivity and goodness to our world. Although I have taught teens, I wanted to focus this project on younger children. The hope is that if the important concepts of virtues, diversity, and service are introduced at a young age, it will naturally become part of who they are, thus growing into compassionate and empathic adults, ready to naturally help others. 

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Well, my future vision for The Good Eggs is HUGE! I would love to see the videos for book 1 that will be aired in December, create a demand for videos for books 2 & 3. Or – feature films for kids! I would also love to see theater shows – The Good Eggs Live!, performed for kids. With the funds generated from this, including merchandise, book signings, etc., imagine the “eggings” I could do! I would love to build playgrounds for underserved schools, provide scholarships, and anything else that would ease the hearts and minds of any child who may be struggling. I am determined to bring joy and happiness to kids, as that is what they deserve. 

I also have a vision of branching out into other cities; perhaps opening chapters of The Good Eggs Foundation around the nation (or world)! 

And – ways to help would be by donating and/or purchasing books! That always helps us to get ahead. All the info is on our website, www.thegoodeggs.org. Thank you! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thegoodeggs.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoodeggsfoundation/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGoodEggsFoundation
• Other: https://cloztalk.com/collections/good-eggs-foundation