Dodie Milardo "I passionately believe that this project has huge potential to help lots of people. My first goal is to raise one million dollars for charity."

story & photo
by Maren Schober

How many first time authors do you know who give most of their book profits to charity? Not many!  Here is one.  Her name is Dodie Milardo, a woman on a mission; a woman filled with zeal to help those less fortunate than herself.  To listen to her is to begin to understand how much good one person can do who follows her dream on a steady path. 

“My first book is a romance novel entitled Penelope’s Cruise,”  Dodie shares with me.  “When I came back from vacation and told my friends what happened on my vacation, they kept saying, ‘You have to write a book!’ Their words stayed with me and I decided to give it a try.”

Dodie’s readers tell her that Penelope’s Cruise is fun to read and a page turner. “While writing, I decided to spend more time volunteering,” Dodie continues.  “I am so blessed and have everything I need: a wonderful husband, a great family, a nice home, clothes, food, heat in the winter.  It occurred to me that I could use the book to raise money to help those who don’t have what they need.  I also decided to start a company called To Give Is Divine, Ltd. It’s first fundraising is Penelope’s Cruise.”

An Oprah Show in February 2009 confirmed Dodie’s desire to help others. “The story was about tent cities cropping up all over the country because people have lost jobs and are losing their homes.  I couldn’t stop crying.  How on earth can people raise kids and send them to school when they live in a tent with no running water?”

Dodie strongly believes that God is guiding her in her mission to help those in need. “I passionately believe that this project has huge potential to help lots of people.  My first goal is to raise one million dollars for charity.”

Recently, Dodie did a book signing  to benefit High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Program, Old Lyme. “High Hopes gives horsemanship lessons to children and adults with disabilities.  It was an amazing and humbling experience.  These special needs kids are the happiest kids!  I had the privilege of presenting winner ribbons to four riders.  The feeling I got when I was able to donate 90% of the proceeds from the sale of Penelope’s Cruise during the book signing was priceless.”

Dodie is doing another book signing at an event June 22.  “It is a Wine Tasting/Book Signing to benefit the Children’s Community Programs of CT.  They provide a variety of services for children with special needs.  The event is being held at the Gouveia Vineyards, Wallingford.  For tickets you can all Linda Fecteau at 203.786.6403 x127.”

To order Penelope’s Cruise or to contact Dodie, go to her website www.togiveisdivine.com.

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