The Dinner Project

Fair Trade Shopping Event for SERRV

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 19:18:00 +0000

THE DINNER PROJECT’S NEXT EVENT

Fair Trade Shopping Event ~ Friday, August 26th for 7-9pm @ Le Peep’s Grill Flower Mound

1121 Flower Mound Rd. Suite 590 Flower Mound, TX 75028 ~ 281.300.2633

CASH OR CHECK ONLY!

THE CAUSE

The Dinner Project is partnering this Friday with SERRV to eradicate poverty through Fair Trade Shopping. SERRV is a nonprofit organization that provides opportunity and support to artisans and farmers worldwide. For more than 60 years, SERRV has worked through their direct connections with low-income artisans and farmers. This empowers those producers to develop their own business and to foster sustainable development. This event is a great way to do something wonderful for you, others, and the world we share. Here are two stories about women artisans, and please visit SERRV.org to find out more about the organization and the products and artisans we will be supporting.

Below are a selection of the items for sale

Floral Baking Dish

A lovely bake-and-serve dish that is oven and microwave safe. Hand wash. 9 1/4 in. dia. x 2 in. h

Shades of Gold Earrings
SERRV designed these statement makers for the woman who loves gold! Lightweight stacked capiz earrings on silver-plated hooks. 2 1/2 in. l x 1 in. w

Ocean Wave Scarf
Soft silk scarf is screen printed and hand painted in the brilliant color and rolling pattern of an ocean wave. Hand wash cold, line dry. 71 in. l x 12 in. w

Rainbow Remnants Gloves
Fingertip-less gloves convert to mittens with clever fold-over flap. Knit with soft 100% wool yarn remnants, so colors will vary. Fits M-L women's hands. Hand wash, dry flat. 9 1/2 in. l

Peruvian Nativity Set
Simple, rounded ceramic figures are hand painted by Manos Amigas, the "friendly hands" of artisans in Peru. tallest figure: 4 1/4 in. h

Santa Claus Candle Holder

Terracotta is carved and whitewashed by rural women artisans to create this holiday candle holder. Perforations allow welcoming glow of the candle to shine through; insert candle in back. Candle not included. 9 in. h x 6 1/2 in. w x 5 1/2 in. d

Developments in Literacy

Mon, 16 May 2011 13:52:00 +0000

Friday marked the night for our Developments in Literacy event. We had another fun filled evening and this time, the Dinner Project board members decided to give everyone a night off from cooking and just supply the food ourselves. We served wine and cheese, a few desserts, and some other goodies while talking about another important charity.

Developments in Literacy defines themselves as "a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit launched in 1997 by Pakistani-Americans with a desire to improve the dismal state of education in Pakistan's underdeveloped areas. DIL currently operates and manages 150 schools with an enrollment of nearly 15,000 students. Developments in Literacy (DIL) is dedicated to providing quality education to disadvantaged children, especially girls, by establishing and operating schools in the underdeveloped regions of Pakistan, with a strong focus on gender equality and community participation.

DIL establishes, adopts and manages primary and secondary schools for underprivileged children in partnership with non-governmental organizations in all four provinces of Pakistan. In addition, DIL directly operates community."

We found this charity after a little hiccup in the plans to read and discuss the charity written about in Three Cups of Tea. This was a great charity to sponsor and at the end of the night we raised almost $300 to send to DIL. Next month will benefit the CCA Food Bank of Lewisville.

Project Night Night

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:22:00 +0000

We had an great turnout for the Project Night Night event. The food started the night off deliciously with an assortment of tea foods that would have made the Queen jealous. Everything from strawberry shortcake, bruchetta, shrimp and even those little sausages on toothpicks. Not to mention that Stephanie was gracious enough not only to host but to make Sangria.

The event benefited a charity that supplies homeless children with something to call their own and it was the goal of The Dinner Project to complete 60 bags containing a book, a blanket and a stuffed animal. While some of our events are mainly focused on money, these in kind donations were a much more interactive affair. After dinner, all of the guests and board members met in the living room where a small scale assembly line was in place. Bags were filled with blankets while other stations matched age appropriate toys with books. We even had a little helper with us as Jessica brought her daughter to the event.

All in all we achieved the 60 bags and even had some extra books to take to the Denton County Friends and Family facility. With this donation we will have given 60 children a small bit of comfort during a stressful time. Being a father, I can't imagine what it would be like to have to take my child into that kind of situation, but I can imagine the level of relief I would have to see that bag sitting there ready for her.

In total we estimate that with the bags valued at $20 a piece as well as the donations and other in kind items, we raised over $1400 for the Project Night Night charity. What an amazing total for a single night.

Project Night Night

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 14:01:00 +0000

Thunderstorms rolled through North Texas last night. When I woke to feed my little guy I began to watch the show, saying a quick prayer that my nearly four year-old daughter wouldn’t wake up from the thunder. As I sat in the mostly dark nursery, illuminated from the lightening, I began to think how grateful I am that my biggest worry was she would not get ONE good night’s sleep due to the storm. How grateful I am that we have a roof over our heads to keep us warm and dry. How we aren’t one of the (estimated) nearly 600 homeless living right here in Denton County.

This month, The Dinner Project will help 60 local homeless children have sweeter dreams. We will be partnering with Project Night Night to fill 60 Night Night Packages. Night Night Packages are tote bags provided to children at shelters that contain an age-appropriate book, stuffed animal and blanket. For many of these homeless children, these are the only belongings they have to call their own. Every child who receives one of our Night Night Packages leaves the shelter owning a book which encourages reading and family bonding, a security blanket which can be cuddled, and a stuffed animal which can become a cherished friend.

All Night Night Packages will be donated to Denton County Friends of the Family. This local emergency shelter for survivors of relationship violence and sexual assault estimates they serve approximately 20 children every month. Twenty kids each month! Please join us to help make their dreams a bit sweeter and let them know their community cares about them. They are not just statistics - they are our neighbors and these children need to know they are important and not forgotten due to circumstances beyond their control.

A night with Water is Basic

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:44:00 +0000

We had a first on Friday night. A guest speaker from the charity Water is Basic joined our little group to discuss how the charity was formed and how they are helping people get clean water. I can honestly say that this was one of my favorite events. In a big push we doubled our attendance from last months event and donation came to $545 raised for the Water is Basic charity. That money will help provide clean drinking water to the Sudan.

We held our event at a lovely little space called the Main Social, right in the heart of downtown Lewisville. The owner was gracious enough to donate the space for our event so we want to send a big "Thank You" out to Amy Ferguson. The space itself really added to the overall tone of the night. Check out our Facebook page to see the pictures from the event.

Next month we are featuring Project Night Night. Their Mission Statement is below, as well as a video from their site.

To provide Night Night Packages, free of charge, to homeless children from birth to pre-teen who need our childhood essentials to feel secure, cozy, ready to learn, and significant. Each Night Night Package contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside of a new canvas tote bag. Project Night Night establishes a foundation for lasting change through the hands-on volunteer opportunities that we provide to tens of thousands of individuals each year.

The Dinner Project is planning on supplying the blankets and bags for the event and are setting the goal to provide this awesome charity with 60 bags containing the required blanket, book and stuffed animal. More to come on that but we hope you can join us on April 8th. Please put it in your calendar.

Water is Basic

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 04:51:00 +0000

Water…It's something most of us take for granted. How many times have you driven by someone's house and seen a sprinkler head spewing water in the street or have witnessed your children leave the water running while they brush their teeth? Water is a basic human need and when you have it in abundance it can easily be taken for granted. I know I rarely think about it.

But what if it took you hours each day to bring just the very minimal amount of water to your family? Every single day of the year. And what if the journey to get this basic resource took you through dangerous territory where you might be attacked, raped or robbed? Hard to imagine? It happens every day to people in Sudan. Where the struggle for basic human needs must seem insurmountable.

The good news….you can help make clean available water to Sudan a reality by joining us Friday, March 11 at the Water is Basic Dinner Project event. We will have a representative from Water is Basic to speak to us about this amazing charity and the work they are doing to provide water to the Sudanese people. Learn about what clean water means and how little it takes to make this a reality.

Did you know….through Water is Basic, it only takes $1.50 to change someone's life for the next 20 years.

How many people's lives are you going to change today, this month, this year? Bring your monetary donation and help The Dinner Project and Water is Basic provide clean water to many people, March 11, 7pm.

Clean water….it's basic.

Friday, March 11 at 07:00 PM

The Main Social (enter through Nest Floral Studio)

135 W. Main Street Lewisville, TX 75067

If you would like to join us, please rsvp to dananealdesigns@gmail.com

Dress For Success Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:47:00 +0000

We are about a week out from our last event benefiting Dress for Success and it was a big "Success" all it's own. Over the course of the night we raised about $150 in monetary donations and followed that up with an estimated $300 in clothing. The donations are being taken to the facility tomorrow and will go to help a great cause.

The fare for the Dress for Success was Mediterranean and brought quite a few interesting dishes. We have started to post the recipes from our events on the blog and you can now copy a dish to make at home.

Our next event will be held on March 11th and will benefit Water is Basic. Here is a little bit of info on the charity.

Water is Basic is a Sudanese run project that provides clean, fresh water in Sudan. Their goal is simple . . . as a Sudanese run project they will be the most relevant, lowest cost, fastest drilling organization anywhere in Sudan. This year they plan to purchase a rig for Darfur. With your help they will drill a new bore hole every day until dirty water no longer kills.

The organization was founded 5 years ago by Steve Roese. Today, Water is Basic remains the fastest, cheapest, freshest water-drilling project in Sudan. Water continues to be an urgent need and fresh water there is a catalyst for life and community transformation.
We want to really push attendance to help such a great charity so please spread the word and everybody strive to bring a friend. Water is Basic but it is also necessary so lets strive to get everyone we can involved.

Tabbouleh

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:55:00 +0000

Ingredients

2 cups vegetable stock (for vegetarian option), chicken stock or water
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups bulgur wheat
1/2 cup olive oil
Zest and juice from 2 lemons
5-6 Roma or plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 scallions, chopped, including the greens
2-3 cups parsley, chopped
1 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

Method

1 Place the bulgur in a medium sized bowl. Bring the stock or water and the teaspoon of salt to a boil, pour it over the bulgur. Let sit for 30 minutes to an hour.

2 In a large bowl, add the olive oil, lemon juice, bulgur and mix well. Add in all the other ingredients and mix to combine.

3 Taste the tabbouleh, and add more salt, olive oil or more lemon juice to taste. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Will keep chilled for several days.

Serves 6-8.

Recipe courtesy of simplyrecipes.com.

Mediterranean Chicken Toss

Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:07:00 +0000

4 Tbls. Olive oil
4 Tbls. White cooking wine
2 Tbls. Lemon juice
1 lb. diced chicken (I used frozen but raw chicken is fine)
4 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
½ cup red onion, chopped, (white is fine just changes the flavor slightly
1 box (10 oz.) grape tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise (regular tomatoes okay but tend to get soft)
1 jar of Kalamata olives, sliced in half lengthwise
1 can Artichoke bottoms (meaty)
1 can Artichoke hearts (leafy) some people prefer just the bottoms
¼ cup chopped fresh parsely
2 tsp. fresh oregano (or dry)
2 tsp. fresh basil (or dry)
2 tsp. fresh thyme (or dry)
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Saute chopped onion and garlic in first 2 Tbls. of lemon juice, olive oil and white wine for about 1-2 minutes, add diced chicken and cook through.
2. Add remaining seasonings and 2 more Tbls. of olive oil and white wine.
3. Add sliced tomatoes and olives and chopped artichoke heat through (about 2 minutes) or after chicken is cooked, add all ingredients to a warm crock pot.
4. Sprinkle feta cheese on top when serving.

(Can be served over rice or pasta or with garlic bread)

Almost any vegetable can be added – green beans, mushrooms, bamboo shoots. All ingredients are easily substituted with “almost” without compromising the recipe.

Sweet Potato Bruschetta

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:12:00 +0000

From Smitten Kitchen

2 pounds sweet potato, scrubbed, unpeeled, in 3/4- to 1-inch coins
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 cup toasted and cooled pecan halves
1 small shallot
2 stalks celery
2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
1 heaping tablespoon dried cranberries
2 ounces firmish goat cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet generously with olive oil, about 1 to 2 tablespoons. Lay sweet potatoes in one layer on the oiled sheet. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast, without disturbing, for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully flip each piece: the undersides should be blistery, dark and a bit puffy and should release from the pan with no effort. If they’re not, let it cook longer. Sprinkle them with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper and return the pan to the oven for another 10 minutes or so, until the undersides match the tops.

Meanwhile, prepare your salad. Chop your pecans well, mince your shallot, chop your celery and parsley, mince cranberries, crumble your goat cheese. If you, like me, got too soft of a goat cheese for mixing, set it aside and sprinkle it on top. In a small dish, whisk together 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon dijon. Pour half over salad.

When the sweet potatoes are done, place on a serving platter. Scoop a spoonful of the salsa over each round. Pour remaining salad dressing over top, to taste. Eat immediately.

For more on the event this dish was featured at, go to the Dinner Project Website.

Caramel Apple Goodness

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered about a specific recipe that was served at a Dinner Project Function? Well, one of the most asked about was Sonja's Caramel Apple dessert that was served at the Ronald McDonald House event. We will be putting up more recipes as we get them and hopefully not only can we help a worth charity, but we can also expand our recipe collections.

12 oz. or larger whipped cream cheese
16 oz. container of Caramel Dip (not topping, sauce, or syrup) this can be found in the produce section by the apples
6 - 8 green apples - do not peel
bag of Heath English Toffee Bits (found on the baking aisle by the chocolate chips)

Smear the cream cheese into the bottom of a serving dish to about 1/2 inch deep.
Pour the caramel dip over this and spread around to about 1/4 inch deep.
Sprinkle the Heath bits over the top of the caramel to cover nicely.
Cut the apples into 1/4 inch or smaller slices and serve aside the caramel dip.

Enjoy!

For more on the event this dish was featured at, go to the Dinner Project Website.

Ronald McDonald, Fashion, and Mediterranean Food

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 07:24:00 +0000

Ronald McDonald, Fashion and Mediterranean food--what do these three things have in common? Well, the Dinner Project of course!!

First, let me start with Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. What an amazing night of appetizers, donations and good friends to start 2011. We raised over $550 of cash, gift cards, and in-kind donations for this wonderful cause. Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is the ONLY location in the entire United States that serves 3 full meals to families who have loved ones going through medical emergencies and procedures. Like all of us that night, we all went home, squeezed our children a little tighter,gave extra good night kisses and felt truly blessed for all that we have in our lives.

Secondly, let's talk about fashion. I LOVE FASHION!! Ever since I was a little girl I would stage runway shows with my Barbie dolls, my friends, and even my cats!! So when I interviewed for my first "real" job after college I remember exactly what I wore: a black crepe bebe suit, nude hose and a pair of Nine West pumps. (think Ally McBeal in the late 90's) I felt confident and yes, I got the job. All of us have had interviews throughout our careers and agonized over what to wear--something conservative, yet distinctive to show us as unique individuals. So that brings us to TDP's charity of February, Dress for Success. Since 1997, this non-profit organization has helped to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Just thinking about my old bebe suit helping another woman to land her dream job instead of collecting dust in my closet makes me happy. So come on--clean out your closet of old suits (please dry clean them), work appropriate handbags/briefcases, and accessories and help women get a fresh start in life. Or...cash will do just fine!!

Last but not least, Mediterranean food. Yummmmm...okay so not only was the Bebe suit collecting dust but there is no way after 2 kids, and a whole lot of wonderful TDP event dinners that the suit was going to ever fit again (I mean--come on I did say the late 90s!!) February 11th's food theme is Mediterranean which includes Greek and Italian--my two favorites! Feta, olives, pasta, desserts...well suffice it to say it will be another fabulous meal at the Dinner Project! So please join us to eat, think and give!

Ronald McDonald House

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:44:00 +0000

Happy New Year everyone! Thanks to everyone who made the Dinner Project's inaugural year so wonderful in 2010. In just a few short months, we were able to raise $4,805 for 5 amazing organizations. Thank you!

This month, we will be supporting the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, which is a temporary home for families who live too far away to commute back and forth while they seek medical care for their children in a Dallas-area hospital. I first heard about the Ronald McDonald House when fellow Dinner Project members, Dana, Stephanie, Sonya and Ginger mentioned they volunteer once a month at the House to prepare lunch for the families. I made an appointment to tour the House and immediately signed up to be part of this amazing organization.

The new House opened its doors just last year and can host 52 families, including 6 special rooms for children receiving bone marrow and organ transplants. The have playrooms, libraries, outdoor play area, laundry facilities, chapel and respite rooms among other services at the House. If you get a chance to ever stop by and take a tour of the facility, you will be amazed! I was awestruck at how it truly felt like a home, the perfect place for families to find peace after a long, stressful day of medical appointments, procedures, meetings with doctors, and worrying about the health of their children.

From firsthand experience, having a sick child is one of the worst, if not the worst feelings a parent can experience. While we count our blessings our daughter, Carly, has been relatively healthy, our little boy, Noah has experienced his share of illness. From several bouts of pneumonia, recurrent asthmatic episodes, a broken leg and two trips to the emergency room due to his peanut allergy, my husband and I are quite familiar with stress during a child's illness. I admire the courage of both the parents and children everywhere who are experiencing higher levels of medical care, illness and treatment, and am so thankful a place like the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas is a local source of support, respite and peace for them.

Please take a moment to visit their website to learn more about them, what they do and how you can help. I warmly invite you, your family and friends to my home at 7 pm on January 14, 2011 to learn about the Dinner Project and support our designated January 2011, the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

A day to give Thanks

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 21:00:00 +0000

Friday marked the Dinner Project's Thanksgiving dinner. We asked our friends and family to come and eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal with us and show their support for the work that we are doing by donating directly to the Dinner Project. A non-profit organization is, sadly, not a cheap thing to start or continue, and while we don't have salaries or rent to pay, there are a few costs that are necessary.

Friday's event brought in roughly $300 which will be applied directly towards our costs in filing the necessary paperwork to classify our organization as non-profit and gain tax exempt status. Over the course of the last few months we have raised around $4500 that has been distributed to various charities with the generous donations of all the friends and family that have attended our different events. With the donations raised on Friday, we can continue our momentum and make the coming events even more successful.

Thanks to everyone that attended on Friday. If you didn't attend, you missed out on a raffle for some of Jessica's handmade jewelry, as well as a smorgasbord of traditional Thanksgiving fare. We held discussion on the future plans of the Dinner Project and our next event will be in January to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charity. We will be asking for in-kind donations, as well as monetary, so if you get something for Christmas you don't want, save it and donate it to charity.

An update on the Kiva Charity Donations

Mon, 08 Nov 2010 19:38:00 +0000

Here is a quick update on our first Dinner Project Charity. The micro-loans given through Kiva to help two woman start businesses have had some repayment.

The first loan of $150.00 has so far had a 21.15% repayment. The loan was given to Nive of Samoa. Nive is 61 and married with six children. She owns a business venture selling lava lavas (bottom-half wrap-around prints worn by both men and women).

The second loan of $50.00 has had a 23.10% repayment. This loan was given to a woman named Marcia from Ecuador. Marcia is 36 years old and she lives in Fortín de Guayaquil (a semi-urban area, with dirty paths, and deteriorating hills). She sells natural products like medicines for body pains and other kinds of symptoms. In order to build a better house, and provide better service to her customers, she wants to buy cement, stones, and sand with the loan.

Once these funds have been repaid, they can be loaned again and we can continue the cycle of giving. This is The Dinner Project in action.

Over $4,500 raised with just 4 events! - The Dinner Project's November Event

Sun, 07 Nov 2010 19:55:00 +0000

It's hard to believe that in just 4 events we've raised and distributed over $4,500 for some amazing causes. We've supported small business owners in Samoa and Ecuador with small micro loans. We hosted a BeadforLife party and sold handmade jewelry made by Ugandan women to help support them with education, job training, better schools and health services. We raised cash and paper goods for Jonathan's Place, a crisis shelter for children, and we had an amazing night of pink raising money to help support breast cancer research and awareness. 100% of our proceeds from each event were given directly to the charities. We have a full board of directors now with regular board meetings happening each month and a calendar planned through the end of 2011.

For our November event we are asking for your help to continue the momentum and help The Dinner Project with administrative costs. It costs money to run a non-profit organization, even one that has 100% volunteer labor and no office space or overhead. We are asking for donations to help defray the costs for things like party supplies, event space rental, printing costs and to apply for our 501(c)3 tax exempt status. Just filing the paperwork is $400.

We've had amazing response to the organization and the work we are doing. We are seeing new faces each month and many repeat guests who are quickly becoming Dinner Project regulars! People in other parts of the U.S. want to host dinner parties for us in their home towns. All this in just 6 short months.

Help us keep the momentum going by joining us November 12 for a Thanksgiving meal. Share a meal with us, share The Dinner Project with a friend by bringing someone along with you and share your abundant resources with people who need a little extra to make their lives better. I hope to see you all there - it's a great cause and it's happening right here in our community! How exciting to be a part of all this!

Dana Neal

www.dinnerproject.org

A Blog about our Breast Cancer Event

Sun, 17 Oct 2010 17:05:00 +0000

I just had a little girl and as I look at her I wonder, "Could she develop breast cancer?". It seems that more and more we hear about women contracting this horrible disease and as a man, it has been outside my radar, even though men are also at risk. That is why this month's Dinner Project charity was so dear to my heart.

Friday marked the Dinner Project's Breast Cancer Awareness event to benefit breast cancer research and it was a great success. The Boobie-Q brought out a lot of delicious food as well as a group of amazing women who donated their time and energy to such a worthy cause. I find myself to be the sole man at most of these events and I was privileged to be in such esteemed company.

We heard from Sonya on her upcoming return to the Susan G. Komen 3 day walk for cancer and many of our group helped her get on her way to her goal. There was also a survivors story that was told which is always humbling and inspiring to hear.

Thanks again Sonya for hosting such an amazing night.

Sonya's thoughts on our October event for Breast Cancer Awareness

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 11:41:00 +0000

Breast Cancer! Did you know that 30 years ago you couldn't say the word "breast" or "boobie" or any word that described that body part without getting a bad look aimed at you. And you definitely couldn't put it in print. Well obviously times have changed and the word "breast" is posted everywhere and said everywhere. However, the good majority of the times it's with that dreaded word behind it "cancer".

A friend told me yesterday or her 40 year old sister-in-law that is struggling with breast cancer that has now spread to her lungs and brain. 40 years old!! That's my age, well sort of. She has three kids ranging from the age of 7 - 12. I also had a friend that told me about her mother that has breast cancer that has spread to her bones. And there are so many more stories and so many more people that can unfortunately share them. I'm sure you have your own stories to tell.

And so I ask if it's ever going to stop, or at least get better. Did you know that over 207,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will occur among women in the United States in 2010. And an estimated 39,840 will die from breast cancer. Also, almost 2000 men will be diagnosed this year.

So as I prepare to host the Dinner Projects October Event to raise money for breast cancer awareness month, I'm blessed to say that none of my closest family and friends are struggling with breast cancer. But I know that will change, and I want to do my part in making sure they have the best options available to catch it early and to some day eliminate this disease forever. I pray that my efforts will make my daughters world, a better place. Hope you can make it on Friday the 15th at the Dinner Project.

Our host, Marla's thoughts on this Friday's Dinner Event

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 04:29:00 +0000

How often do we hear the morning headlines about another child that has fallen into the hands of abuse by someone they love and trust? I know personally when I hear these reports I may shed a tear or nod my head in disbelief, but unfortunately life takes over and you go about your busy day. This Friday we want to make up for those moments, and give these children a voice. This monthThe Dinner Project will be honoring Jonathan’s Place of Dallas. For 15 years Jonathan's place has been providing a 24 hour emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children, serving newborn to 17 years of age. They also provide a Foster and Adoptive Family Program, as well as a Residential Therapeutic care for young girls that require a higher level of attention.

To help provide the basic necessities for the children, Jonathan's Place accepts in-kind donations. They constantly have a need for personal hygiene and paper products such as paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, paper cups, etc. So this Friday we are asking our guest to bring personal hygiene and/or paper products to the dinner. Since Jonathan’s Place provides amazing care and comfort to children, we thought comfort food, would be an appropriate choice for the evening.

Bring your best dish and in-kind donation and we will see you at The Dinner Project!

Forgive me Followers...

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:34:00 +0000

Forgive me Dinner Project followers as it has been 44 days since my last blog. That is what it feels like for me to sit down and blog...like going to confession and admitting all my mistakes. While it is painful for me to get in and get it done; once I am done it is cathartic and I am at peace with the world again.

So the BeadforLife event raised close to $3000. The food was great, the people I met were awesome and I am gearing up for another fantastic night this Friday.

Comfort Food...now you are speaking my language!! Mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, chocolate cake...Boo--yah! Not only are we eating my favorite foods, but helping a charity that is helping kids--Jonathan's Place. I like how we are changing it up...I mean cash is always good for charities and if that is what you decide to do--great! But, I like the idea of in-kind donations because it gives me a sense of well being; as I know exactly where my money is going and how it is helping. From the jpkids.org website, they state they are in constant need of paper and personal hygiene products--makes sense--"cleaning supplies" and kids--just like peanut butter and jelly!

Recently, I went to lunch with some co-workers. We started talking about our September charity. I am not exactly known for my sensitive and what I call my touchy-feelie side. Just a warning...if you are coming to me for sympathy then you have really scraped the bottom of the pickle barrel, my friend. However, we started discussing Jonathan's Place. A place that takes in and cares for abused, abandoned, and neglected children. I recalled stories I saw on the news, read in magazines, or even my own fears for my children if something were to happen to me or my husband. Tears welled up in my eyes and I got a little choked up which really stunned my friends (who by the way later mentioned it to my husband who couldn't believe what a "weepy mess I have become in my old age!") Watching the Jonathan's Place video on our website gets me choked up. Thanking our board member, Marla, for picking and hosting such a wonderful, local charity gets me choked up. Carting toilet paper, shampoo, and a dish of red beans and rice to share with some good friends on Friday night....well, that puts a smile back on my face!

9 is the Loneliest number?

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:15:00 +0000

Okay...computers, SO not my thing! Blogging... again, not my thing. Trying to be a team-player and wanting the Dinner Project to be successful--so my thing!! So here I sit, typing on the computer, blogging on a Saturday while the hubby and kids nap.

The only thing I know about blogging is from the movie Julie/Julia. Amy Adams' character is so charming while she blogs and is ecstatic when she finally gets a comment from a "follower" and it turns out to be her mom asking why is she still wasting time with this "thing". Well, I have 9 followers...NINE!! Okay, so if you subtract the 4 founders, my poor husband, and two of my friends that I beat at arm-wrestling to join the blog...I have TWO people following along and zero comments. (also, when I asked one of the 2 people what she thought about the last blog post she answered, "Oh, I haven't gotten around to reading it yet."--lovely!) So why am I still "wasting" my time with this?

Because, I care and the 9 people following these posts care. And, each of the 9, know at least 9 more people that care and so on. Making a difference is what warms our souls. That is why those silly, sappy insurance commercials where the man picks up the stuffed animal for the kid in the stroller; whose mom in turns holds the door for someone trying to catch the elevator, and each kind act begets another kind act until it comes full circle tugs at our hearts and makes us smile. We care because we live in Texas and always comment how very kind and nice people in our great state are compared to somewhere else we have lived or visited. Every small act counts and comes full circle. So get the word out about the Dinner Project, let that be your kind act today--I guarantee a smile ahead!

the Ripple Effect

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:13:00 +0000

Everyone knows what the Ripple Effect is...." the ever expanding ripples across water when an a object is dropped into it." That is why we created the Dinner Project. Life is full of meetings, emails or new tasks we assign ourselves. In the end we are left feeling overwhelmed, underfunded, and thinking, "Is this going to work? I am just one person...can a little bit really make a difference?"

During naptime this week (procrastinating on the household chores) I watched an HBO documentary "A Small Act." It is about a holacaust survivor who was displaced to Sweden as a child, became a preschool teacher and joined a charity program and donated $15 a month to sponsor a Kenyan child in his/her secondary studies. She never knew what happened to that child. "Her" child excelled in his secondary school studies, received top grades and received a scholarship to the University of Nairobi, then another scholarship to Harvard. Today Chris Mburu is a Human Rights lawyer for the United Nations and founded the Harriet Back Education Fund in 2003, which sponsors scholarships to primary school graduates who have no possible way of going on with their studies due to the cost (roughly $40 a month). A few years later he decided to find Harriet and share with her what her gift of hope had created. Talk about a Ripple Effect!

So when our group feels we are but a drop of water in an ocean of duties, ideas, and responsibilites; I will remember what Chris says in the film, "You have to do something. I know I cannot provide relief, support and help to all the suffering that is around me. But I want to do one thing; I want to do one action that will work towards relieving that situation." So we are hoping your one action will be to join us in the Dinner Project.

shish kabobs, roasted corn and plantains...oh my!

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 03:11:00 +0000

Our first Dinner Project event is August 27th and the menu theme is African. Hmmm...never have eaten an African dish--check! Never have made an African dish--check! Scared out of my mind to know what's in an African dish--check! Is it too late to change our menu plans? Wait...step out of the box, where is the adventurous side of you, there's more to life then steak and potatoes, right?

Okay, google "African recipes"....and find:

http://www.african-recipes-secrets.com/appetizer-recipes.html

Shish kabobs? Roasted corn? Fried plantains? Okay...must retract my earlier statements of never eating, making, or trying African food. As I scroll through the recipe options I see carrot cake, cornbread, and garlic chicken. I have been eating African cuisine all my life and just didn't know it! Granted there is something called cassava that you can boil, fry and make into a bread, a suspicious recipe called togbogee and rice which is made with bitterballs and a refreshing beverage called pawpaw juice. But as long as there is skewered peppered beef and sweet potato fries, I realize once again I am wrong. Universal dining is all about steak and potatoes!

Have you heard about the one...

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:50:00 +0000

Have you heard the one about the ex-teacher, the ex-banker, the ex-social worker, and the present day web designer who walk into a bar and say "let's make a difference." How can we make a difference when there are only four of us? The ex-teacher said let's meet/make more friends, the ex-social worker said let's feed everyone with food and information, the ex-banker said let's make some money and give it to worthy charities and the web designer said, "I think we can integrate all three!" And here I am today, blogging about The Dinner Project. Our chance to make and meet new friends, eat a great meal, learn about different projects helping our world, and contribute to make a difference.