ERFSC STAGE MEMORABLE AND SUCCESSFUL 15TH ANNIVERSARY GALA!
On Thursday, December 8, East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Inc. (ERFSC) staged their 15th Anniversary Awards Gala entitled ‘Crystallizing Our Commitment to Ward 7.’ The elegant affair was held at the beautiful Washington Navy Yard Catering & Conference Center and attracted close to 200 patrons. A very happy Gala Chair, Justina Wilkins stated “The affair was both memorable and well received by our patrons. It was our major fundraising event for the year, and with the help of our donors and sponsors, we raised funds to continue to serve our residents.”
Entertainment was provided by DC's own LET IT FLOW THE BAND and they kept patrons rocking and dancing for most of the night. The Silent Auction which provided over 20 items was well supported and many left the Gala beaming because they had outbid others. Apart from the beautiful ambiance, delicious food, delightful decorations, and the positive energy of those in attendance, other highlights of the night included the appearance of DC's Mayor, Vincent Gray who also came to party. He provided remarks by praising the Collaborative Network for the great work they have been doing over the years, and opened the dance floor with Ms. Senior DC 2011, Emma P. Ward. Ward 7's councilmember, Yvette Alexander also attended the event and gave remarks and she was visibly happy when it was announced that she was the highest bidder for a Silent Auction item. Councilmember Kwame Brown came bearing gifts and donated tickets to the highly publicized HBO boxing match which took place on Saturday, December 10. He also gave remarks and commended ERFSC for the work they are doing in Ward 7.
The main highlight of the night was the award presentations which were made to some of the original founding members of ERFSC, The Corporation (Claudette Allen, Evelyn Brown, Robert Brown, Charles Perry, Karen Settles, Elizabeth Whitlow, Jean Wilks and Darlene Williams). Mae Best, executive director of ERFSC presented the awards to those in attendance, and stated that “ERFSC is truly a community effort and we were founded by many community members; some of whom are not here tonight to accept their award.” She also remarked that she was very pleased with the event and the hard work of the Gala Planning Committee. In the spirit of how ERFSC is operated, three community members were chosen to receive Spirit Awards: Julia Irving of Metropolitan Police Department, Sixth District (Officer Jason Medina accepted on her behalf), Eduardo Romero of The Nonprofit Network, and Irasema Salcido of DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative.
Throughout the evening, patrons were heard giving praises to ERFSC's staff on the stellar 15th Anniversary Gala and many left the event feeling the joy of the holiday season.
On August 25, the Ward 7 Job Fair attracted over 600 residents who came with high expectations of finding a job despite economic reports of very high unemployment rates and little hope for an economic recovery. Residents from various Wards in Washington DC and Maryland (99) came in droves to St. Luke's Center; many coming as early as 9:00am despite an advertised 10:00am start time. One Ward 7 resident who was standing in line for close to an hour was patient and hopeful and remarked “This is my second time attending the Ward 7 Job Fair and even though I did not get a job the last time, I think I will be lucky this time.” She, like many attendees, had been unemployed for over a year, hoping that “today” would be their lucky day to find a job.
CLICK TO SEE THE 15TH ANNIVERSARY GALA PHOTOS
Many thanks to our our Gala Sponsors:
Capital Community News, 4Imprint,FS Taylor & Associates,The Nonprofit Roundtable, Julius Ware, Skyland Development Team, IDEA Public Charter School, DC Promise Neighborhood Initiative (Irasema Salcido), and Borger Management, Inc.
Special thanks to our Gala Donors:
A. Wash & Associates, Yvette Alexander, Minnie Allen, Ange Anglade, Bernadette Barnett, Yvonne Barrett, Michael & Inez Bellamy, Leighton Bent, Mae Best, Robert Brown, Lisa Bryant, Rochelle Burell, Janice Burgess, Angela Carole, Damon Catchings, Kevin B. Chavous, Layla Doman, Coach Umar, Eric Cobbs, William Commodore, Paulett Costley, Ethlyn Cowan-Grant, Tony Dugger, Otis Dupree, Edgewood Brookland Family Support Collaborative, Tiffany Edwards, Greta Ford, Jessica Franklin, Kelly Friedman, Taliah Givens, Gwendolyn Hailes, HFTC Collaborative Council, Al Hill, Ivy Hylton, Gloria Keith, Cassandra Levine, Robinette Livingston, Lorenita Lucas, Marshall Heights Community Development Organization, Dayna Minor, Lawrence Montgomery, Daron Newburn, Elise Nicholls, Rosie Parke, Malcolm Peabody, Charles Perry, Morris Redd, Angela Reeves, Angel Reynolds, Annette Richards, Solomon (Irwin) Royster, Irasema Salcido, Sankofa International LLC, Rita Smith-Stewart, Charles Spencer, Moye Stephenson, John Syphax, Juliette Tahar, Re-Elect Yvette Alexander, Emma Ward, Richita Webb, Charles Wesley, Patricia Whalen, Justina Wilkins, Monica Wilkins, Jean Wilks, Vaughn Williams, and Zina Williams.
Special Thanks to our Silent Auction Donors:
Councilmember Kwame Brown, Vera Trappio, Herrington on the Harbor, Anna Arnold, Ivy Hylton, Trips 4 Fundraising, Earlestine Shepherd, The Lynn Collection, Sankofa International LLC, Cassandra Levine, Justina Wilkins, Juliette Tahar, and Elise Nicholls.
Thanks to our Gala Planning Committee & Volunteers:
Justina Wilkins, Rosie Parke, George Adusei, Minnie Allen, Bernadette Barnett, Rochelle Burrell, Tony Dugger, Jessica Franklin, Robin Gantt, Cassandra Levine, Robinette Livingston, Ramona Millard, Daron Newburn, Elise Nicholls, Morris Redd, Charles Perry, Mae Best, Jacqueline Scott, Deborah Smith, Rita Smith-Stewart, Antwinette Thorne, Diane Weldon, Artherelle West, Judy Belton, Tavoris Vaughn, Tina Whitlow and Khani Smith.
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