Space to Grow, is partnering with the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Orlando for this Year’s “National Build Week” (May 7-12, 2012).  Last year 375 Central Florida women volunteered over 2,500 hours and raised over $100,000 to fully fund this year they are expecting even more.

We formed a Space to Grow Women’s Build team to show our commitment to doing our part to take action against poverty-level housing conditions. The Mother’s Day timeframe was selected for its significance to many volunteers, as families with children make up a staggering number of those in need of adequate housing. More than 12 million children-one in six-live in poverty housing in the United States alone. To date, Women Build crews have built more than 1,800 Habitat homes nationwide. In honor of all of our MOMS, we commit to being a part of the solution!

Please join us as we help raise the money needed to build homes for deserving families here in Central Florida. How can you help: 1) Sign up for the STG team and raise $500 for the supplies needed to buy a home and then come build one with us (volunteer shift is only four hours)!!!!!, or 2) donate to the STG team to help us raise money to fully fund a new home for a family in need!!

Click on the link to find the Space to Grow team to make your donation. https://habitatforhumanityorlando.myetap.org/fundraiser/2012womenbuild/team.do?participationRef=2497.0.416895054

For more information on Women’s Build week, click here.. http://www.habitat-orlando.org/Women-Build

Email info@spacetogrow.org if you have any questions regarding the Space to Grow Women’s Build Team.

Thanks to our loyal supporters and corporate sponsors, this year’s February 11th Baskets of Love event to support the women and children at WRCC (a transitional housing facility for The Coalition for the Homeless), was a total success.  This year, we were able to raise over $4,000 in cash for WRCC to allow them to purchase essential items for the facility and the residents; things that are not covered by their operational budget.

We were so excited to deliver the 75 baskets filled to the brim with personal items and toiletries for the female adult residents and children over the age of 10.  Over 50 donors spent their time and money making beautiful baskets that were personalized to the individual or family receiving it.  Each adult also received laundry detergent, dryer sheets, and a roll of quarters to help subsidize their expenses (families received $20 in quarters.).   STG volunteers were on hand to show the residents that we care - they helped residents take their presents to their rooms, and treated them to wonderful snacks and finger foods. Visit the Baskets of Love tab to learn how you can help us next year.

In addition, this year’s  1st Annual Bow Ties & High Heels marquee fundraiser to support Baskets of Love took place on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at the Tavern on the Lake in Metrowest. Over 100 guests joined us to listen to one of our new favorite jazz artists, Davye Stewart, mix and mingle with other supporters, win fabulous raffle prizes and have a great time. Special thanks to our corporate sponsors: BLUEPRINT, City of Orlando; Atlantic Justice Law group, RYSE Magazine, and EventGrabber.  Thank you to the local promoters who helped us to spread the word about our event and to the organizations that donated raffle prizes.   Links to all of our sponsors can be found on our Sponsor Appreciation page.

Click here to see photos - BT&HH photos

The Board of Space to Grow would like to thank everyone who supported our Domestic Violence Awareness Month Fundraiser for WRCC. We raised $1,164 for next month’s domestic violence survivor programs. The Space to Grow team is grateful for the  support that we continue receive for our community outreach efforts. Thank you to our sponsors who donated raffle prizes - Legacy Vacation Club Resorts (http://legacyvacationresorts.com/), Napa Restaurant (http://www.peabodyorlando.com/dining/), and J. Alexander’s Restaurant (http://www.jalexanders.com/locations.php).  Please click on the following link to see photos from our event. https://picasaweb.google.com/gigimoor/SpaceToGrowBoardMembers?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNq5ma_ugdq1qQE&feat=embedwebsite

Special Thanks to Jonah Travick for donating his professional services to support our fundraiser.   http://limelightonline.com/about/staff/jonah-travick. We also appreciate all of the assistance we received from the J. Alexander’s Orlando staff.

Thank you for helping to make the 6^th Annual Baskets of Love event our best and most successful one to date. Our Space to Grow (STG) “family” surpassed our wildest dreams with their generosity and desire to help us serve the residents of the Women’s Residential & Counseling Center (WRCC).  This year, we welcomed new partnerships and were grateful to those who renewed their commitment to Baskets of Love. With your help, we donated 68 baskets over flowing with essential toiletry items and special gifts for the women and children.  WRCC residents also received laundry detergent, dryer sheets, either a $10 roll of quarters (single women) or $20 in quarters (families), and free travel size dental products and laundry detergent. The residents were so grateful for the outpouring of love that they received. For a couple of the families, the supplies came at the right time – they were moving in to their new apartments!!!! J

As a result of some fun and creative fundraisers, WRCC received a cash donation of $3,500.  In addition, monies raised by Space to Grow were also used to provide the residents with $560 in quarters for laundry and $300 in laundry supplies. In its first year supporting Baskets of Love, Lynx generously donated 50 monthly bus passes for WRCC residents, valued at $2,500. Special thanks to the 25 volunteers who were on hand to help share some in person love with the residents on Sunday, February 13th. Thanks to the “STG Family”, WRCC received a total donation of over $7,000.00 from the 6^th Annual Baskets of Love (representing cash and in-kind value).

We continue to be inspired by the community support that we receive and the new partnerships that we grow each year.  Thank you for being a part of the “STG Family” who help by sharing their time and talents, serving people in need and supporting the organizations that are helping people to regain control of their lives.  Please look for information soon on more opportunities for SPACE TO GROW…as individuals, as families and as members of our community. 

Highlights of our creating fundraising include:

·         Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV) “Sweethearts Getaway” – team members raised $1,050 (OR 1010?) and one lucky winner won a 2 night Orlando stay-cation at an HGV resort, with a $100 American Express gift card.   Special thanks to Mark Wang, Elena Norman, Melanie King and Yumi Ayers for joining us year after year and for rallying the HGV team.

·         3^rd Annual Space to Grow Baskets of Love Raffle – in person sales events this year allowed us to not only sell raffle tickets but also gave us a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a great night out with members of the “STG Family”:

o   Circle of Friends 6^th Anniversary celebration raised $550.00. Thanks to Paul Stevens for his consistent support of BOL.

o   Space to Grow “Share Some Love Happy Hour” at the Rocks lounge at the Orlando Peabody Hotel raised $800, and the winning tickets were drawn that evening.  Special thanks to our corporate partners: Hilton Grand Vacations, Orlando Magic, J. Alexanders, and Carrabbas, The Schwartz family and the management team at Rocks.  Special thanks to Melissa Lopes and Juliette Leesman for selling tickets with a smile.  

·         Corporate teams included staff from Hilton Grand Vacations Finances department, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, RCI, Dr. Phillips Hospital ICU team, Baptiste Orthodontist and the Unitarian Alliance. 

·         Arts & Education: Nap Ford Elementary teacher Ashley Foster and 4th and 5th students from assembled bags of Valentine’s Day candy as a special treat for the WRCC residents.  The Greater Orlando Actors Theatre (GOAT) donated $87 as part of the proceeds from performances of “Aida”. 

·         Food and Beverages that were enjoyed by the residents at the event were donated by Greg/Kelloggs; Mike Schiappa/HGV Facilities, Vicki Kirkland and Cindy Bermudez.  

Photosfrom this year’s fundraising efforts are available by clicking this link: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=ZahideCarcamo&target=ALBUM&id=5576980130051280705&authkey=Gv1sRgCPCo4Pfi6IeuggE&invite=CKbj7MQN&feat=email   

Congratulations to the 6th Annual Baskets of Love Prize Winners (Drawing 2/11/11):

Terence Farmer (J Alexanders $50 gift certificate - door prize)

Antoine Alex (Carrabbas gourmet gift basket and $45 gift certificate - door prize)

Tai Burleson (Amazon.com Kindle with 2 year warranty)

Rodney Carter (team autographed Orlando Magic basketball)

Ray Brown (4-day, 3 night Hilton Grand Vacations resort stay in Las Vegas)

(Peabody spa - $50 gift card)