As it has been said several times, in many ways, everyone who's participated in Project Blogger is "a winner". We've all learned a ton, made friends here, and grown as people and as bloggers. My Live in Los Gatos Blog is vastly improved over where it was on April 1st of this year. It's been tough for us and also for the people who have been running it. In another week, it really will be over because then the official by-the-books winner will be announced at Blogger's Connect in San Francisco.

Frances Flynn Thorsen and I have been in the lead to date, but there are way too many outstanding factors to assume that we will be in a postition, next Wednesday, to give thanks and to see that the prize money gets assigned to CARE. At least two, maybe three other contestants could be declared the winner at Blogger's Connect. "Photo finish" someone said in a blog comment.

I would not say it is an easy choice, if you've followed the contest, to pick a team for your vote. It has occurred to me that I could do a post on what I've learned from each of the other teams - and I may well do that sometime soon. I could argue the merit of each one, but especially those other 6 who are still blogging even after the bell has been rung. We are all tired, but more, we all have pretty good blogs. They've been "whipped into bloggy shape" to use Fran's phrase.

So what to do if you like all of them? How should you vote?  Toss a coin?

I'm going to suggest something different. Look at their charities and see if that helps you to decide (for a tie breaker). Cheryl Johnson very kindly put up a grid and asked each participant to let her know which charity would be his or her choice if he or she wins. So not only are there links to each blog for each team member, but a few of the good causes for which they are blogging are listed too. (Thanks, Cheryl!)

If Fran and I win, the recipient for the prize money will be CARE, a fabulous organization that fights poverty and hunger around the world. It's a cause that Jim and I were donating to before I ever knew Fran (or knew who she was). Fran is very involved with CARE through the Web Women Giving Circle. Recently she and Joeann Fossland made a trip to Peru together with others from the WWGC and they detail their trip in a moving series of blog posts that you can read from the comfort of your computer.

All of the participants in this contest have great charities earmarked. But I want to ask you to consider ours. Please take a moment and get to know the Web Women Giving Circle, or look at the CARE website and check out the variety of amazing things they do to make the world a better place.

If you are looking for a tie-breaker, or help in deciding how to vote when you do, consider the good work this organization does. A vote for Frances Flynn Thorsen and Mary Pope-Handy is a vote for CARE.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyone may vote (once!).  To vote, choose your team and send an email to vote@activerain.com. You must include your first name, last name, and a phone number where you can be reached for your vote to count. Votes must be received by midnight (Pacific Time) Friday July 27th, 2007.

Your thoughtful consideration is much appreciated.