Pamela Caffray

A is for Adam Braun, founder of Pencils of Promise, a cause that builds schools in developing countries.

B is for the little boy begging on the streets of India that when Adam asked what he wanted most, he answered - a pencil.

C is for the conviction Adam had when he set out to build his first school, starting with just $25.

 75 million children don’t know their ABC’s, but because of Adam Braun and the PoP movement, 39 schools have been built and many more on the way thanks to the generosity of those who attended the PoP Gala last week.

After speaking to Adam last summer I knew I wanted to do more than just write about PoP, so when they asked me to be on the host committee for the event I was honored. Procuring auction items, getting friends to buy tables, and setting up is as easy as 123 when you believe in the cause.

Testament to Adam and his extended PoP family, over 1 million dollars was raised at the event. The night was cold, the room was packed and the energy was palpable. When Adam got up and shared a page from his semester-at-sea journal when he first had the idea for Pencils of Promise, he awed the audience with his words that sparked the fire.

Adam’s brother Scooter (who happens to be Justin Bieber’s manager) jumped on the stage and sang the praises of his brother and his tireless work, bringing tears to everyone's eyes. Sophia Bush (sitting on my left and looking beautiful) said she is so taken by PoP she will be heading to Laos in 2 weeks to see the schools.

Of course everybody whooped and hollered when Justin started playing auctioneer, which culminated in four basketball games being sold with the dream team of Shaq, Justin, Usher, Adam and Scooter.

The night was magical and I walked away feeling that everything is possible if you Never Say Never!