A Diva State of Mind

If you are in the DC area, I’d like to invite you to join me at my table for the Safe Shores’ Cherishing Childhood Breakfast on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 from 8:00am to 9:30am.

This is a free breakfast for those who are compassionate about the welfare of their community and want to learn more about the organization. Safe Shores was the beneficiary of last month’s Brunch For A Cause. The organization works tirelessly to support children and families who are victims of abuse; the work they do is truly amazing.

Safe Shores is a direct service nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and working directly with child victims of sexual and physical abuse in the District of Columbia. Through its child-friendly facility and multidisciplinary team approach, Safe Shores coordinates the work of medical and mental health providers, social services professionals, victim advocates, law enforcement, and prosecution officials to reduce trauma and promote healing for child victims of abuse.

Although this is a free breakfast it is also a fundraiser; guests will be asked to consider making a contribution, however no minimum and maximum gift is required. We simple want people to attend and learn more about the incredible programs and valuable services Safe Shores provides in the community.

If you are available on Tuesday, April 22nd for breakfast, I would love for you to join me!! Please email me at [email protected]. If you have friends that are also interested in attending, please let me know and I will add them to the guest list as well.  The location of the breakfast will be provided once you RSVP. I hope you’re able to attend!

Learn more about Safe Shores by visit www.safeshores.org

This video has been circulating blogs and Facebook over the last couple days. After you watch it, you’ll understand why.

I love videos like this because it is a reminder that there are still nice and compassionate people in the world. Youtuber Rahat, known for his pranks, decided to pull a prank for a good cause. For a few weeks, he noticed a homeless man named Eric hanging outside a convenience store so he decided to help him out. Rahat presents Eric with a fake lottery ticket; Eric doesn’t know the ticket isn’t real. Watch what unfolds when he turns the ticket in to see how much he earned.

You may want to grab a tissue before watching!

Rahat is taking his act of kindness one step further. He is seeking the public’s help to raise $15,000 via fundly.com to help Eric get back on his feet.  Details HERE.

I came up with the idea in December to host a charity brunch and it finally happened this past Saturday, February 1st. Over 30 fabulous folks gathered on the second floor of Ulah Bistro to enjoy good food, great conversation and unlimited mimosas!

Upon arrival, attendees were checked in and received raffle tickets. I gave away a $50 gift certificate to The Tailored Man, a gift ceriticate to the VIP Mobile Day Spa and four OPI nail packages. At each seat, there was information about Safe Shores along with index cards. Everyone was asked to write the name of a charity they believed could benefit from Brunch For A Cause (if you know of DC area charities that would be a great beneficiary, please let me know). Ulah Bistro put together small tables, creating two long rows; what you’d expect if you were going to a large family dinner. It was cozy, the atmosphere was great and everyone who attended had great energy.  I’m sure it helped that our waitress made sure our glasses were always full!

 Since we didn’t have the entire upstairs space, it was a little noisy so unfortunately the Safe Shores Executive Director Michele Booth Cole couldn’t give a formal introduction. However, she did talk to everyone in smaller groups. I was also able to connect her to a friend that’s currently in grad school; she’ll need an internship this summer and Safe Shores does offer internship opportunities!

Through brunch attendance and generous donations, $500 was raised and donated to Safe Shores to help them continue their mission! What’s even better is that this event created exposure for Safe Shores. According to the Michele, while donations are great, gaining exposure, having people attend Coffee for Kids and gaining new volunteers is what really helps them thrive. I encourage everyone to visit www.safeshores.org and sign up to attend Coffee for Kids, a one hour in-depth introduction to Safe Shores and a tour of the facility.

Brunch on Saturday was a lot of fun! There wasn’t an official program (besides giving out raffle prizes) and I’ll probably keep it that way. We all love to brunch so I want this event to serve as a way to get together with friends like you normally would on the weekends, but expose attendees to different charities in the DC area and also give people the opportunity to network. You just never know who you’re going to meet!

I want to say THANK YOU to everyone that attended, made donations and spread the word about the first A Diva State of Mind Presents: Brunch For A Cause!  Since announcing the charity brunch, the response has been so positive and I really appreciate it. Saturday proved that we not only love sipping on mimosas but we also enjoy giving back too. Collectively we can make an impact in the community. You all have helped bring my vision to life!

I hope you’ll join me for the next brunch which will be mid-June, right when summer begins :)

In the meantime, please check out more pictures from brunch HERE. If you are a local business interested in providing raffle prizes for the next brunch, please contact me!

One of the benefits of having a blog is that I can share with all of you the events my chapter is hosting throughout the year!

The Montgomery County (MD) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites you to join us for a night of bowling!  The fundraiser will be on Friday, January 3, 2014. I know it seems so far away, but it’s less than a month away and we’re selling tickets now!

Proceeds from the event will benefit the chapter’s scholarships and community programs.

If you are interested in attending, please send me an email at [email protected] and we’ll coordinate getting your tickets!

I hope you’ll join us on January 3rd

It’s that time of year again! Check out details below for the “Project Impact”Toy Drive!

WHO: Kimesha Nicole, Kimberly Rene, The Fellaz Youth Foundation, and Mindstream Radio

WHAT: The team behind the community service initative program “Project Impact” is asking patrons to donate unwrapped toy for a child or an article of clothing this holiday season (2-17 age range). Donations will be given to children from the S.O.M.E (So Others Might Eat) Organization.  

So Others Might Eat is the only interfaith, community-based organization in the District of Columbia that offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to caring for the homeless and extremely poor citizens of the city.   

WHEN: Thursday, December 5th, 2013

DROP OFF LOCATION: Avery’s Bar & Lounge - 1370 H Street, NE Washington, DC 20002

DROP OFF TIME:5PM-9PM

Tuesday, December 3rd serves as #GivingTuesday, a national day of giving that celebrates and encourages charitable activities that support nonprofit organizations. In honor of that day, Dress for Success is hosting its annual #GivingShoesDay!

Dress for Success will be collecting professional, new or gently-worn shoes on Tuesday, December 3rd.  For those in the DC area, a collection box will be placed on the landing outside of the Arbor Offices at 101 Q Street NE, on the second floor. You can drop off donations between 8:30am and 5pm. Donation receipts will be available for all donors.

Please clean out your closet and make a donation if you can!

In July, I introduced you to #HashtagLunchBag, a movement that started in LA with the goal of feeding the homeless (click here to read about the movement.) After taking a hiatus in October, #HashtagLunchBag DC returns this Sunday, November 24th. At 11am, volunteers will gather at Lima (1401 K Street NW) to prepare lunches. At noon, volunteers will hit the streets of DC and distribute the lunches to the homeless. If you signed up before, you don’t need to sign up again. If you are interested in participating and haven’t signed up, please sign up here!

All volunteers are asked to bring $10 cash donation to cover the cost of food. Lunches will be distributed to homeless shelters and those on the streets.

I participated when #HashtagLunchBag DC launched in August. It was truly a blessing to come together with so many volunteers and make lunches for those in need. If you are seeking to give back to the DMV community and your time permits, I highly recommend participating!

As we approach the winter months, there  are a lot of people who will be in need of coats and outerwear accessories to stay warm.

To support those in need, The Fab Empire is hosting its annual ”Coats & Cocktails” event on Sunday, November 17th at Lima Lounge. All are encouraged to donate a new or gently used coat, gloves, scarves, socks and toiletries for men, women and children. All donations will benefit Martha’s Table.

DT Nation hosts brunch at LIMA on Sundays, so after dropping off your donation, stay for brunch and watch some football!

My chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc is hosting its Annual 3-N-1 Community Impact Drive. For 6 weeks, we are collecting baby items, toiletries and school supplies to benefit four organizations that serve Montgomery County residents: Crossway Community, Helping Hands Shelter, Family Services, Inc. and Neediest Kids Fund. Once the items are collected, my chapter will assemble the items in gift baskets and deliver them to each organization.

Last year, I participated in assembling and distributing the baskets. The directors of these organizations were so grateful and appreciative of the donations they received. We were able to distribute 200 baskets, but I know with your help we’ll be able to surpass that number!

If you work and live in DC, Maryland or Virginia, than the entire DMV is your community. It’s important that we do what we can to support the community in which we work and play.

Donations can be dropped off at the four locations listed on the flyer. If you want to make a donation but are unable to drop them off at any of the sites listed, please contact me directly at [email protected] and we’ll make arrangements to have your donations collected.

 Please share this with any family, friends, co-workers, etc that live in the DMV area!!!