Fun Find Friday – The Shine Project

June 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

As I was browsing through Facebook this week I came across a post about a brand new social impact company called THREADS.  They employ at-risk youth in Phoenix to make these amazing bracelets so they can pay their way through college.

“Threads is a cause driven business that changes the future of at risk youth. They come from various backgrounds, but all have one thing in common, they want to break the cycle. By employing them, we instill values of self reliance and hard work. They are paid fair wages for the bracelets they make, and in turn are able to pay their way through school. Many of Threads employees are first generation college students. They dream of becoming nurses, broadcasters, writers and engineers.”

After doing lots research and spending some time on The Shine Project‘s website, I can tell you I have honestly fallen in love with this organization and its mission of spreading hope, positivity and inspiration into the community.  Other than these stunning bracelets, one of my favorite things they offer are Pass It Forward cards.  For $2.50 you get a pack of ten Pass It Forward cards and each card comes with a personalized ID number.  The idea is to do a random act of kindness and add the Pass It Forward card with the act.  The person who receives the card will go to www.spreadtheshine.com and enter the ID # to describe the expereince.  That person is then supposed to “pass it forward” with another random act of kindness.  The new recipient can get on the website and add their story.  I can only imagine where these cards will end up and what stories will be connected to each one.  What an amazing idea!  I don’t know about you, but I’m heading over to The Shine Project to order a bracelet and a packet of cards right now.  We are in no way affiliated with The Shine Project, we just think it is doing amazing things for our community and world and we want you all to know about them.

Filed Under: Charity, Community, Fun Finds, Youth Programs Tagged With: , , ,

Alice Cooper’s The Rock at 32nd Street

April 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Living in the Valley of the Sun definitely has its perks.  Lucky for us, we share this city with a number of celebrities who love to give back to the community.  Alice Cooper is one of my favorite local celebrities because of his love for this city and the children who grow up here.  As a former teacher in the Paradise Valley Unified School District, Alice Cooper holds a special place in my heart.  He recently donated a large sum of money to the PVUSD Arts Program.  Not only did he donate funds to continue the program that is always on the chopping block with public education budget cuts, he personally attended a board meeting, giving parents, students, educators and administrators the chance to meet him face-to-face.  Alice Cooper and his wife Sheryl are opening a local children’s and teen center on 32nd Street this spring called The Rock.   This new center will be located near 32nd Street and Thunderbird — my old stomping grounds.  Way to go Alice Cooper!

Go to www.alicecoopersolidrock.com for more information or read below to see what this facility will offer.

Opening Spring 2012, The Rock at 32nd Street Teen Center has been the dream and passion for Alice and Sheryl Cooper and the entire Solid Rock team for the past 12 years. The time has finally come to make that dream a reality. A collaboration of Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock and Genesis Church, The Rock will minister to teens through the music, dance, art, vocational training in sound, lighting, and staging, and fellowship in a new, safe facility. With so many public schools forced to cut vital programs like music and dance due to lack of school funding, The Rock will cultivate a love of the arts to inspire and challenge teens to choose artistic excellence instead of drugs, guns, or gangs. Who knows what amazing performers, choreographers and producers might come from The Rock?
 
PHASE ONE
Music Instruction – teens learn to play guitar, bass, drums, form a band or practice with their existing band
Dance Expression – teens will express themselves through dance, and learn various forms of dance
Open Mic – an opportunity for teens to showcase their singing and musical talent and other forms of creative expression
Coffee House – a small coffee/snack shop for gathering and fellowship
After School Programs – mentorship with homework, projects, activities
Vocational Training/Education – hands on training for sound, lighting, staging, and production
Game Room – provides a place for fun and fellowship featuring video and other interactive games
 
PHASE TWO
Recording and Sound Room – teens will learn how to mix and record music and rehearse
Computer Lab – access the Internet (monitored), complete homework projects, enhance computer skills and learn
Filed Under: Charity, Community, Uncategorized, Youth Programs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Baby and Kid Sale

February 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Spring is right around the corner and you know what that means…SPRING CLEANING!  Yeah, it’s not all that exciting, but if you need a little incentive to clean out those closets, here it is.   The MOMS Club of Phoenix – Happy Valley is hosting a fundraising sale benefiting “The Real Gift Foundation,” which helps Arizona’s homeless children.  If you are looking to make a little bit of cash, help a charity or just find some great deals, check it out!

Calling All Moms!

Bargain Shop at Our Baby and Kid Sale!

The MOMS Club of Phoenix-Happy Valley is excited to announce the dates for our Spring Baby and Kid Sale!

When: Friday, March 9th     6pm-9pm
Saturday, March 10th     7am-Noon

Where: Foothills Christian Church – 3951 West Happy Valley Road, Glendale
Our moms look forward to this time of year. They get to clean out the closets and make a little cash, but also give to a wonderful charity. For this sale, proceeds benefit “The Real Gift Foundation” which helps Arizona’s homeless children.

Many families participate in our sale, so you’ll find thousands of gently used children’s items at bargain prices… everything from clothes to shoes, baby furniture and décor, and toys, both large and small.

Now, if you have closets full of clothes your children have outgrown or a garage full of unused toys, consider selling them at our sale. We’d love to have you! Check out www.hvmomskidsale.blogspot.com for more information. We’re also on Facebook. See you at the Baby and Kid Sale!

Filed Under: Charity, Community, family Tagged With: , , ,

Sweethearts for Crisis Nursery Fundraising Gala

January 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment

MOMs Club of Norterra-Phoenix would like to invite you to a Special Event

Picture On Saturday, February 11, 2012, the MOMS Club of Norterra will hold a Fundraising Gala “Sweethearts for Crisis Nursery” at Dave and Buster’s Private Showroom at Desert Ridge from 6pm until 10pm. The event will feature a dynamic program including dinner, music and LIVE DOLLAR AUCTION.  The Auction will be hosted by the Valley’s own, Dave Pratt, long-time radio personality and the host of the morning show on 103.9, Dave Pratt Live!

The mission is to raise funds through the Gala, of which, 100% of proceeds will be donated to Crisis Nursery of Phoenix! As a local MOMS Club Chapter, their members are dedicated to fundraising opportunities that support local charities and community outreach programs.

Ticket prices are $30 which includes an Italian Feast, dessert, coffee, soda & water.  A cash bar will also be available. What a wonderful way to enjoy a beautiful evening with your sweetheart, spend whatever funds that you would normally spend on Valentines Day dinner and at the same time support a GREAT cause!

Dollar Auction: So you want to know what a dollar auction is all about?  Well the name can in fact be misleading because there is not much bidding involved.  It is more like a bingo game with a twist.  Donated items will be presented by the auctioneer.  Depending on the cost of the item.  It will cost you between $1-5 to “bid” on the item.  Once you place your “bid” in the collection area in the center of your table, you will hold your paddle in the air.  The auctioneer will begin pulling numbers out of the lottery bin.  The only numbers that can win are the ones with paddles in the air.  The auctioneer will continue to call numbers until there is a winner.  Just imagine your excitement when you win an amazing gift basket for $1, a $150 drill set for $3, or a photography package with a $400 value for $5!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS. 

Sweethearts for Crisis Nursery Flyer

Filed Under: Charity, Community, Date Night, Things To Do Tagged With: , , , ,

It’s January 1st, you know what that means…

January 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

…no, no, no I’m not talking about the gym.  It’s time to turn those hangers around!  “Huh?” you say?  Yes, every January 1st (minus last year, since I was very much pregnant and not wearing any of my non-maternity clothing) I burst into my closet with a sense of urgency and flip all of my hangers to hang backwards.  I’m not sure why this excites me so much, but I think it has something to do with the fact that I can prove to my husband that I really do need all of the clothes in my closet.  Here’s the rundown, January 1st: turn those hangers around and when you wear an item of clothing, wash it and hang it up the correct way.  Next January 1st you will be able to see which items haven’t been worn in an entire year and those can be donated.  You will be shocked at how many are still backwards a year later, I promise.  Now, GO!

Filed Under: Charity, home, organization Tagged With: , , ,