Our Illustrator - Sergio Drumond.  The amazing talent behind hundreds of children's picture books. 

Sergio also illustrated my children's picture book, "Dancing With Tex:  The Remarkable Friendship To Save The Whooping Cranes."  You can learn more about him at: Sergio Drumond's Website.

Editor - Judith Gallagher

Spanish Editor - Zully Alvarado

Book Formatting - Ann Knipp

Marketing Support - Synervision Community

Website Consultant - Shannon Parish

Marketing Consultant - Joe Moore

Video Editing - Ernie Schubert

Who am I?

I'm Lynn Sanders, an award-winning writer/author, Founder/President of Difference Makers Media and a Story Empowerment Coach.  

How It All Happened

Writing has always been a part of my soul. 

Scribbling poems on paper napkins... Serving as the news and feature editor in our school newspaper... Writing trade shows, commercials, and lyrics through a commercial music house, creating WGN-TV's promo, "Chicago's Very Own, Channel 9..."  I love bringing stories to life.  In 1985, I started a freelance writing business -- serving corporate clients from ACCO USA to Underwriters Labs.  

Then the unexpected happened.  At the end of 2004, my world turned upside down.  Three major losses, including my beloved mom.  A few years later, I had a near brush with death myself.  I realized we only have so much time on earth.  What legacy did I want to leave?

I shifted my focus towards helping cause-focused leaders, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit organizations craft, tell, and share their stories.  I also captured family legacy stories.  Exciting results happened.  My company name became Difference Makers Media, reflecting an intention to make a bigger difference.

When Joel discovered Causes For Change International, our younger son Andrew and I immediately agreed to go.  We had never volunteered together before.  We rarely traveled internationally.  Yet, I felt it would be an experience of a lifetime.  And so it was!  It was so gratifying that we participated over three different summers.

Naturally, I did publicity and sought out donations.  My articles and photos were published.  As a result of the publicity, Zully Alvarado, the founder of Causes For Change International received an award from Chicago's Women's Organization and was featured in Women's Day Magazine.  She certainly deserved it.  

Our outreach increased donations for medical supplies, toothbrushes, and stuffed animals .  (The kids loved getting toys after their first-ever dental experiences.  We received 1800 toys and each one was given out!)

I knew this adventure deserved more than local publicity.

That's what motivated me to write this book.  I'd like to give every child the feeling of volunteering with us. 

Through Adventures In Ecuador, you'll be given a timeless story that will touch your heart.

I never could have predicted the impact of our volunteering experience.

We traveled to remote villages, with no modern conveniences.  We stayed in a simple hotel with no hot water.  We worked in makeshift classrooms or outdoors, with no electricity.  And it transformed our lives.

My husband, Joel, served as the volunteer dentist, tending to children who never saw a dental visit before.  His work saved lives. 

I worked as a musical entertainer in 90+ degree heat, distracting the children before their first-ever dental session.  What a gift of joy we shared... simply by playing together!

Andrew taught the kids how to brush their teeth.  They never had a toothbrush before.   

On our trip, hundreds of people stood in long lines for hours to be seen and treated. We worked from morning to dusk, with just a break to devour our lunches.  After the last child or family member was treated, we saw glorious sunsets across the sky.

We felt blessed to be there and make a difference.

Meet Zully Alvarado -- Our Amazing Leader!

We were led by a remarkable leader, Zully Alvarado, Founder/CEO of Causes for Change International.  Zully is a woman of great courage, wisdom, love and compassion.   You'll notice her beautiful smile.

After struggling with polio as a young child in Ecuador, Zully was pulled from her family and moved to the United States on her own, in order to receive life-saving healthcare.  It was a tough time.  Luckily, Zully survived and became highly educated. 

Zully knew that no one should have to leave one's family and country for quality healthcare.  That idea blossomed into her nonprofit, Causes For Change International.  Her leadership provides guidance to companies who want to make our world more inclusive for those with disabilities.   

Zully's motto is, "It Starts With One."   

Each person matters.   

And so do YOU!