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Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label charity. Show all posts

9/1/11

Drinking for Joplin

When you already love drinking great beer, it makes the experience even more enjoyable when you can benefit a charitable cause while doing so. Kansas City's hometown brewery, Boulevard Brewing Company, recently announced that for every barrel of Boulevard beer sold in Missouri during the month of September, they will donate $1 toward the Joplin, Missouri relief efforts. As a reminder to those that may be out of the loop, Joplin was hit by a deadly EF5 tornado in late May that destroyed most of the city.

Full press release from Boulevard:

Boulevard Brewing Company is proud to announce a new effort to assist victims of the devastating tornado that hit Joplin on May 22. For every barrel of Boulevard beer sold in Missouri during the month of September, the company will contribute $1.00 to the American Red Cross to aid in its ongoing Joplin relief efforts. Irrespective of the Boulevard brand or package—a six-pack, a Smokestack bottle, or a pint at any Missouri bar or restaurant—money will be contributed to the humanitarian organization.

“We haven’t forgotten,” said John McDonald, Boulevard founder and president. “And with 40% of our sales taking place in the state, we hope to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the long road of restoration that lies ahead, helping our fellow Missourians rebuild their homes, their neighborhoods, and their lives.”

The EF5 multiple-vortex tornado that destroyed one-third of Joplin was one of the worst natural disasters in Missouri history. Meteorologists indicate that the 190-mph twister was the single deadliest tornado to strike the country in more than 60 years, claiming 134 lives and damaging or destroying more than 2,000 buildings, including Joplin High School and St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Analysts estimate the total cost of the disaster could top $3 billion.

“It’s no secret that Boulevard beer is one of Kansas City’s treasures,” said Matt Meyer, chief executive officer for the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross, “and the Red Cross is incredibly grateful that such an esteemed company has decided to demonstrate its commitment to its local communities throughout Missouri by assisting us in the Joplin relief effort.”

It's great to hear about this effort from Boulevard, and it makes me even more inclined to drink their beer during the month of September. So if you live in Missouri, or will even be stopping through at any point during the month of September, pick up some Boulevard beer and help Joplin get restored. Maybe now is the perfect time to try their new release, Nommo Dubbel. And especially now that FEMA funds are being redirected from Joplin to Hurricane Irene victims, it's as important as ever to contribute in any way we can to get this city back on its feet.

Learn more about Boulevard Brewing Company on their website, Facebook or Twitter pages.



6/14/11

Review: Joey the Bunny Gets Lost

Move over Berenstain Bears, Cat in the Hat, Arthur and Amelia Bedelia; Joey the Bunny is hopping his way into the world of children's literature, and he is on a mission to simultaneously entertain and give back to those in need.

Joey the Bunny is a product of Big Bunny Workshop, which, in turn, is the brainchild of Jeff Maciejewski, Associate Professor of Advertising in Creighton University's School of Journalism. Jeff's motivations for creating Big Bunny Workshop were simple: to raise money and provide education to children in need. As an educator and father, Jeff believes education is vital for improving children's lives and ultimately eliminating poverty.

Big Bunny Workshop currently has one published book, Joey the Bunny Gets Lost, and a second on the way, Joey the Bunny Gives Back. 100% of the profits from these books go straight to charity. Yes, 100%. Every penny. And Joey the Bunny Gets Lost is conveniently available in paperback, Kindle and Nook versions. So for those of you with technologically advanced little ones, you can read this to them digitally as well!

Sales of the books support causes like Jardin de Amor (Garden of Love), which is an education project in the poverty-stricken village of Santa Maria de Jesus in Guatemala. project enrolls more than 100 children from 6-16 years of age, teaching them math, writing and science as well as allowing them to participate in play that is nearly impossible when not in school.

A parent teacher and a volunteer from England give a math lesson.

However, Jardin de Amor has reached capacity, and must turn away students unless it raises money to purchase extra land and build more space. That's where Joey the Bunny and Big Bunny Workshop come in.

I was under Jeff's tutelage at Creighton University, and know how much of a kind-hearted, dedicated person he is. When I first read about his new venture, I was in awe. It's a selfless endeavor, and I can't help but respect the fact that he's putting in so much work for the sole purpose of helping others.

Naturally, I jumped on the opportunity to purchase a book and contribute to this great cause. Plus, my daughter is absolutely nuts about having stories read to her, so as far as I'm concerned, there can never be enough new books in the house.

When I sat down with Ava to read Joey the Bunny Gets Lost for the first time, she immediately presented Joey with a kiss. As you know from my previous post, this her seal of approval, so I instantly knew we had a winner.

Ava showing concern for Joey's well being.

The story revolves around Joey getting lost, and his family trying to find him. I won't give away any spoilers, but we'll just say the book DOES have a happy ending. It was actually a very cute story, and has a nice lesson for preschool/Kindergarten age children. Ava is still too young to understand book concepts, but the artwork in the book did a great job of keeping her attention throughout.

We made it about halfway through before she decided to get up and momentarily pursue another activity. Now don't consider that a knock against the book; this is the girl that took 3 months to sit all the way through Goodnight Moon, so listening to half of a book in one sitting is actually excellent for her.

When she finally returned and we finished the story, Ava presented the entire bunny family with a second kiss, and proceeded to get up from my lap and move on with her life. For an 18-month-old, that's a pretty glowing review!

So Ava and I both give Joey the Bunny Gives Back a big thumbs (paws?) up. But really, with the incredible cause associated with the book, how can you not?

If you are interested in learning more about Big Bunny Workshop or purchasing Joey the Bunny Gets Lost, visit the Big Bunny Workshop blog. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

6/7/11

Music 4 Jeremy's Cherubs JFrye Funfest

The 3rd Annual JFrye Funfest, hosted by Music 4 Jeremy's Cherubs, will take place on Saturday, June 18 from 11-3 PM at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church (click for map) in Overland Park.

Entry is free (auction and food tickets can be purchased) and you can expect to find live music (of course), a silent auction/raffle, games for all ages and great food.

In case you are wondering why you should go to this event and support M4JC and their cause, here's a little background:

Music 4 Jeremy's Cherubs is an organization that will always hold a special place in my heart. The Overland Park, Kansas based charity continues the work started by Jeremy Frye, a talented musician and educator who lost his life to a brain tumor in 2008. M4JC works to bring music into the lives of children and youth everywhere, regardless of their (or their family's) socioeconomic status. By providing scholarships and donations of money and instruments, they ensure that young people everywhere experience the joy of music in their lives.

For those of you readers that don't know, my sister Jill (who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2000) passed away suddenly last August. After her passing, my family wanted to find a local organization with a cause that would have resonated with Jill in her life. When we discovered Music 4 Jeremy's Cherubs, we knew it would be the perfect organization to have memorial contributions made to in Jill's name. Jill was a talented and passionate pianist, and always showed a true love for music. I can remember riding with her as a kid, listening to everything from The Violent Femmes to Beethoven and hearing her explain why she liked it all.

So, this post is not only one promoting what is sure to be a fun family event for those in the Kansas City area, but also to raise awareness for a group that has a very special goal and will always be dear to me. Check out the flyer below and help Music 4 Jeremy's Cherubs fulfill their goal to "put music in the hands of children and a lifetime of love in their hearts."

Learn more about Music 4 Jeremy's Cherubs on their website or Facebook page.

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