There are just a couple more days left to ‘The Big Giveaway’ and I’ve received some very moving nominations.  Some of you have written to me asking how I decide on the winner.  After reviewing all the nominations I select 5 of the most moving stories and I forward them to a panel of 3 people asking them to choose the top 2 nominations.  The panel receives the stories with names removed.  The story that has the most votes is the winner.

I don’t advertise the winner of ‘The Big Giveaway’ for obvious reasons, but I want to share the introduction to last years essay (the details are private).  The winner was nominated by 2 friends that admire her in every way.

We are writing to nominate our friend Y to be the recipient of The Big Giveaway.

The reasons we thought of her are obvious in some ways but yet so subtle in others. She “qualifies” on paper because she has a special needs child.  But in our hearts she qualifies because of her amazing spirit, friendship, determination and ability to embrace what Hashem (G-d) has given her.

So far, for this years GIVEAWAY, I’ve received nominations from cousins, neighbors, mothers and friends.  Each story is heartfelt and I truly wish I could do something for all of them.  I look forward to making the call on January, 15, 2010 to the winner.

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Here are some recent studio sessions.  Do they cuter?