The Winner of the raffle is Tomika Bryant of Philadelphia PA!
I wanted to thank EVERYONE who either purchases a raffle ticket or came out and supported my Guest Bartending event at Wabash Tap on Wednesday June 18th. I had a ball and it was great to see some old faces that I have not seen in a while. Your support is, AS ALWAYS, greatly appreciated! As a result of ticket sales and tips collected on the night of the event, a total of $376.27 was raised on behalf of the Sankofa Center. I see this as an accomplishment and blessing as it puts me one-step closer to achieving my goal of raising the total $3000.00 needed to make this opportunity a REALITY.
I apologize for the delay in my posts but graduate school took over as this was the toughest session I had to date. Look for more updates and pictures that will be posted soon!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
"Gassed" Up to Give Hope Charity Fundraiser and Raffle
Hello Everyone! I am excited to let everyone know about my first scheduled fundraising event!!! To All My "Chicagoans":
Yours Truly, will be a Guest Bartender at the Wabash Tap!!
Where: 1233 South Wabash, Chicago, IL
When: June 18th, 2008
Time of the Event: 7pm - 10pm
Cover: IT IS FREE!!!
But how would you like to walk out with a $100.00 Gas Card to fill your tank with?
Purchase your raffle ticket ONLINE and automatically be entered into the drawing!http://DancerWithPurpose.EventBrite.Com
The Winner will be announced at the Wabash Tap Guest Bartending Event and will also be posted on this blog on June 18th, 2008!! Winners Need Not Be Present to Receive Prize!!
Come to Network, Socialize, Enjoy Great Food and Drinks, and Have a Great Time Supporting a Wonderful Cause. Look for me behind the bar and let me know your favorite drink! :D
Needing Your Support!
Hello To Everyone In Internet Land
Hope you are doing well. Well I am nearing the end of May and have made progress but I still need your help and support.
Realizing that gas prices are high, we are in a recession, cost of milk, bread and meat going up, etc, you might be sitting here, reading this and thinking to yourself, "Jaeda I don't have anything to give or contribute right now" and as a single mother I can truly understand everyone's trial and tribulations but I also believe if it's in your heart then it can be possible. While I am only asking for people can give what you can - whether it's $50.00 or $5.00, I am hoping that everyone will at least contribute something. I believe that if enough people were willing to give at least $5.00, then $5.00 will soon become $10.00, and $10.00 will soon become $20.00 so on as so forth.....
As I have done so many times before, I am sure we all have unexpectedely gone through the drive through at McDonald's without hestiation to buy an extra value meal or a happy meal for the kids without the afterthought that we would miss those five singles. But think about what good that Extra Value Meal has done other than satisfied your hunger for a short period of time and caused an extra trip to the gym for another week. Why not spare your $5.00 to help save a life. Your contribution towards the Sankofa Center will work towards educating the youth about HIV/AIDS, dispelling the myths and encouraging people to get tested.
I will be hosting various fundraisers throughout the summer so I would love to meet some of you who stop by to my blog. I hope you all have a wonderful evening! Video footage will also be feature on my blog soon!
Hope you are doing well. Well I am nearing the end of May and have made progress but I still need your help and support.
Realizing that gas prices are high, we are in a recession, cost of milk, bread and meat going up, etc, you might be sitting here, reading this and thinking to yourself, "Jaeda I don't have anything to give or contribute right now" and as a single mother I can truly understand everyone's trial and tribulations but I also believe if it's in your heart then it can be possible. While I am only asking for people can give what you can - whether it's $50.00 or $5.00, I am hoping that everyone will at least contribute something. I believe that if enough people were willing to give at least $5.00, then $5.00 will soon become $10.00, and $10.00 will soon become $20.00 so on as so forth.....
As I have done so many times before, I am sure we all have unexpectedely gone through the drive through at McDonald's without hestiation to buy an extra value meal or a happy meal for the kids without the afterthought that we would miss those five singles. But think about what good that Extra Value Meal has done other than satisfied your hunger for a short period of time and caused an extra trip to the gym for another week. Why not spare your $5.00 to help save a life. Your contribution towards the Sankofa Center will work towards educating the youth about HIV/AIDS, dispelling the myths and encouraging people to get tested.
I will be hosting various fundraisers throughout the summer so I would love to meet some of you who stop by to my blog. I hope you all have a wonderful evening! Video footage will also be feature on my blog soon!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Reality!
This is an article that I found on Ghana Web.com. Unfortunately, this is the Reality, especially if we do nothing and just let things happen!
(Excerpt from Article - to read the entire article please go to:
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/artikel.php?ID=30981
Socio-economic effect of HIV/AIDS in Ghana
By: Boafo, Yaw Owusu Ansa, (2002-12-29)
Introduction: HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue. It is also a social, developmental and economical issue. The impact has a huge repercussion for development in Africa. According to Commonwealth Rights Initiative Report (2001), “The HIV epidemic adversely affect growth rate in complex ways not least by killing off the most productive in their prime.” Life expectancy has fallen in the worst affected countries especially in Southern Africa. For example, in South Africa a woman with life expectancy of 54 in 1999, would survive only until the age of 37 by 2010, and men could expect to live until they are 38. In Zambia, one fifth of adult population are HIV positive (2002). The pandemic is being declared by the United Nation programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be Africa’s worst killer.
Ghana: HIV/AIDS facts and figures When HIV/AIDS was first identified in Ghana in March 1986, the National rate of infection was 1.5%. Today, the prevalent rate is 3.6%. Since then, more than 52, 961 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in the health institutions in Ghana. This represents 30% of cases in the country as majority of the victims patronise the traditional health centres, prayer camps and others do not report their illnesses due to the fear of stigma and discrimination. Therefore, non-reported cases of HIV/AIDS are more than the reported cases in Ghana. This means the prevalent rate of 3.6% in the country is misleading because majority of carriers of HIV infections are difficult to be identified in the country. It has been reported that about 130 people in Ghana contract Aids daily and it is estimated that 125 people would die from the dreadful disease daily by the year 2009 if the rate of infection continues at 3.6% (Ghana Aids Commission).
Society: The impact of HIV/AIDS on households, families and the Nation is immense. The very fabric of Ghanaian society can tear apart because of intense burden of suffering among individual families. For example, in cases of prolonged illnesses, livelihood is lost and all family members have to bear the blunt of caring. Business and school suffer when the most productive sector of society (human resources) aged between (15-49) are lost to HIV/AIDS related illnesses.
Orphans: Already, 160,000 children in Ghana have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS (Ghana AIDS Commission). If care is not taken, more people would be infected and additional children would be orphaned in the next five years. Without the appropriate social and life skills, these children will not be equipped as adults to drive the economic engine of Ghana making the struggle for development and growth even tougher. The orphans might not have any education to become responsible members of society; this may lead them to become wayward citizens indulging in social vices like drug taking, crime, prostitution etc. The loss of young adults in their productive years would affect Ghana overall economic performance in agriculture, commerce and industry.
Women: As the majority of HIV/AIDS cases recorded in Ghana and the world are females, this has serious social and economic implications to the country as well.
We have to safeguard the future generation of Ghana from extinction. Therefore, it cannot be over-emphasised that it requires ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT of ALL Ghanaians both at home and DISAPORA to fight the killer disease (HIV/AIDS).
(Excerpt from Article - to read the entire article please go to:
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/features/artikel.php?ID=30981
Socio-economic effect of HIV/AIDS in Ghana
By: Boafo, Yaw Owusu Ansa, (2002-12-29)
Introduction: HIV/AIDS is not just a health issue. It is also a social, developmental and economical issue. The impact has a huge repercussion for development in Africa. According to Commonwealth Rights Initiative Report (2001), “The HIV epidemic adversely affect growth rate in complex ways not least by killing off the most productive in their prime.” Life expectancy has fallen in the worst affected countries especially in Southern Africa. For example, in South Africa a woman with life expectancy of 54 in 1999, would survive only until the age of 37 by 2010, and men could expect to live until they are 38. In Zambia, one fifth of adult population are HIV positive (2002). The pandemic is being declared by the United Nation programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to be Africa’s worst killer.
Ghana: HIV/AIDS facts and figures When HIV/AIDS was first identified in Ghana in March 1986, the National rate of infection was 1.5%. Today, the prevalent rate is 3.6%. Since then, more than 52, 961 HIV/AIDS cases have been reported in the health institutions in Ghana. This represents 30% of cases in the country as majority of the victims patronise the traditional health centres, prayer camps and others do not report their illnesses due to the fear of stigma and discrimination. Therefore, non-reported cases of HIV/AIDS are more than the reported cases in Ghana. This means the prevalent rate of 3.6% in the country is misleading because majority of carriers of HIV infections are difficult to be identified in the country. It has been reported that about 130 people in Ghana contract Aids daily and it is estimated that 125 people would die from the dreadful disease daily by the year 2009 if the rate of infection continues at 3.6% (Ghana Aids Commission).
Society: The impact of HIV/AIDS on households, families and the Nation is immense. The very fabric of Ghanaian society can tear apart because of intense burden of suffering among individual families. For example, in cases of prolonged illnesses, livelihood is lost and all family members have to bear the blunt of caring. Business and school suffer when the most productive sector of society (human resources) aged between (15-49) are lost to HIV/AIDS related illnesses.
Orphans: Already, 160,000 children in Ghana have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS (Ghana AIDS Commission). If care is not taken, more people would be infected and additional children would be orphaned in the next five years. Without the appropriate social and life skills, these children will not be equipped as adults to drive the economic engine of Ghana making the struggle for development and growth even tougher. The orphans might not have any education to become responsible members of society; this may lead them to become wayward citizens indulging in social vices like drug taking, crime, prostitution etc. The loss of young adults in their productive years would affect Ghana overall economic performance in agriculture, commerce and industry.
Women: As the majority of HIV/AIDS cases recorded in Ghana and the world are females, this has serious social and economic implications to the country as well.
We have to safeguard the future generation of Ghana from extinction. Therefore, it cannot be over-emphasised that it requires ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT of ALL Ghanaians both at home and DISAPORA to fight the killer disease (HIV/AIDS).
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Jaeda How Do I Submit a Donation on Sankofa's Website?
I have received a few emails regarding concerns about submitting a donation online to make sure that your contribution is applied to my program. So here are some instructions that I hope will help. Donations made online are through PayPal and you will receive a receipt via email once it has been submitted. Please feel free to contact me at jaeda1920@gmail.com if you have any questions! Thanks to all who have made contributions! Your generosity is greatly appreciated!!
1. Go to http://www.TheSankofaCenter.org/ and click on "Donate, Join or Shop Now" link towards the top of the page.
2. Either log onto Paypal or click on the link if using a credit card to make your donation.
3. Fill out the Paypal form with you information and click on the yellow button at the bottom of the form"Review Donation and Continue"
4. Under "Donate, Join or Shop Now", Click on the plus sign next to "Add Special Instructions for the Merchant" to enter "For Jaeda Raines Program" and submit your donation.
5. You will receive a receipt, which should have the information listed and your notes from the Special Instructions section.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
WHY I CREATED THIS BLOG
My Intro:
For those of you who may not know me, well let me tell ya - The ones who do know me, know that DANCE IS and HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY PASSION. I am a NJ native that has been dancing since I was 3yo and if I have it my way I will be dancing at 103!! (:D). Besides dance, I have other interests such as Martial Arts (Capoeira), Learning ASL(sign language) and giving back to my community. All my life I have been constantly active and probably known to some as, "The busiest person they know" but I find that when you are doing things that you enjoy, you do it with enthusiasm and joy because it doesn't feel like work all the time. Some of my affiliations include being a Temple University graduate (Bachelors in Information Science and Technology - Yup Proud Computer Geek), current student at Keller Graduate School of Management (working on my Masters Degree, Dec 2008), member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc, former United States Air Force Reservist, active member within the Tangeni Praise Dance Ministry at Trinity U.C.C in Chicago, IL and in love with ALL THINGS DANCE.
My Dream:
It has also been a dream of mine for some time to visit Africa and it was placed on my heart to make this dream happen before the end of 2009, despite the fact I had no idea how to make that happen. Yet through my love of dance and willingness to help others, I came across an organization called the Sankofa Center for African Dance and Culture (S.C.A.D.C). I applied to become a volunteer and was accepted which allows me to embark on a missions trip to visit Accra, Ghana and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS this NOVEMBER 2008.
My Cause:
Sankofa Center for African Dance and Culture Organization is a 501©3 US based charity organization that raises awareness for HIV/AIDS education and youth prevention in Ghana, West Africa. It uses traditional African dance and music to foster health and understanding of HIV/AIDS to the current generation to encourage prevention and provide resources to those communities, unlike the US, that may not have access to testing sites, medication or even a working radio or television. This is an important issue to me because it affected my family with the loss of my uncle, John Raines, back in the late 1980's when there was very little information or assistance available. Therefore, any contribution that I make towards the education and prevention of this epidemic from spreading is always in remembrance of him.
My Purpose:
The Sankofa Center is a non-profit 501c3 charity organization that works completely on volunteer driven efforts. There are no paid U.S. employees, and every person that goes is responsible for their own program fees, airfare and other costs. However, we are able to raise the funds and request donations from family, friends, organizations and businesses to aid in our efforts to make this trip possible. All donations made are tax deductible as well and you will receive a receipt for your contribution!!! I have already begun fundraising and have faith that I will raise the money needed by the September 1st deadline (the Power of Postive Thinking is in Full Effect) but know that I need everyone's help and support as well.
It is my goal not only to raise the $3000 dollars (which is used to cover programs fees, airfare, room and board) needed to sponsor this trip but also to raise an additional $2000 to go to Sankofa and their continuing efforts to provided invaluable resources to Ghana. I truly believe in the efforts of this organization and want them to continue doing work that continues to save lives. If you are able to do so, donations can be made online via www.TheSankofaCenter.org. Please make sure when submitting a donation online, that you write: "For Jaeda Raines Program", in the Special Instructions section of your Online donation (via Paypal).This will ensure that the funds are allocated appropriately.
If you would like to mail your donation, please contact me at jaeda1920@gmail.com so that I can send your the information on how to do so. Again, I hope that everyone that read this to will contribute something, whether is $100 or $1.00, because every dollar makes a difference. Remember that "It Takes A Village"!
For those of you who may not know me, well let me tell ya - The ones who do know me, know that DANCE IS and HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY PASSION. I am a NJ native that has been dancing since I was 3yo and if I have it my way I will be dancing at 103!! (:D). Besides dance, I have other interests such as Martial Arts (Capoeira), Learning ASL(sign language) and giving back to my community. All my life I have been constantly active and probably known to some as, "The busiest person they know" but I find that when you are doing things that you enjoy, you do it with enthusiasm and joy because it doesn't feel like work all the time. Some of my affiliations include being a Temple University graduate (Bachelors in Information Science and Technology - Yup Proud Computer Geek), current student at Keller Graduate School of Management (working on my Masters Degree, Dec 2008), member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc, former United States Air Force Reservist, active member within the Tangeni Praise Dance Ministry at Trinity U.C.C in Chicago, IL and in love with ALL THINGS DANCE.
My Dream:
It has also been a dream of mine for some time to visit Africa and it was placed on my heart to make this dream happen before the end of 2009, despite the fact I had no idea how to make that happen. Yet through my love of dance and willingness to help others, I came across an organization called the Sankofa Center for African Dance and Culture (S.C.A.D.C). I applied to become a volunteer and was accepted which allows me to embark on a missions trip to visit Accra, Ghana and raise awareness about HIV and AIDS this NOVEMBER 2008.
My Cause:
Sankofa Center for African Dance and Culture Organization is a 501©3 US based charity organization that raises awareness for HIV/AIDS education and youth prevention in Ghana, West Africa. It uses traditional African dance and music to foster health and understanding of HIV/AIDS to the current generation to encourage prevention and provide resources to those communities, unlike the US, that may not have access to testing sites, medication or even a working radio or television. This is an important issue to me because it affected my family with the loss of my uncle, John Raines, back in the late 1980's when there was very little information or assistance available. Therefore, any contribution that I make towards the education and prevention of this epidemic from spreading is always in remembrance of him.
My Purpose:
The Sankofa Center is a non-profit 501c3 charity organization that works completely on volunteer driven efforts. There are no paid U.S. employees, and every person that goes is responsible for their own program fees, airfare and other costs. However, we are able to raise the funds and request donations from family, friends, organizations and businesses to aid in our efforts to make this trip possible. All donations made are tax deductible as well and you will receive a receipt for your contribution!!! I have already begun fundraising and have faith that I will raise the money needed by the September 1st deadline (the Power of Postive Thinking is in Full Effect) but know that I need everyone's help and support as well.
It is my goal not only to raise the $3000 dollars (which is used to cover programs fees, airfare, room and board) needed to sponsor this trip but also to raise an additional $2000 to go to Sankofa and their continuing efforts to provided invaluable resources to Ghana. I truly believe in the efforts of this organization and want them to continue doing work that continues to save lives. If you are able to do so, donations can be made online via www.TheSankofaCenter.org. Please make sure when submitting a donation online, that you write: "For Jaeda Raines Program", in the Special Instructions section of your Online donation (via Paypal).This will ensure that the funds are allocated appropriately.
If you would like to mail your donation, please contact me at jaeda1920@gmail.com so that I can send your the information on how to do so. Again, I hope that everyone that read this to will contribute something, whether is $100 or $1.00, because every dollar makes a difference. Remember that "It Takes A Village"!
Click Here To View A Short Video Presentation On Sankofa Center:
http://www.bzeditor.com/sankofa.html
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