Twenty years. Where does the time go…and, why so fast?
I’ve had the immense pleasure of helping launch Attitudes & Attire as part of its initial board of directors 20 years ago** and one of the early annual luncheon chairs and fundraising chairs. And for the past 15 years while MPD has been around, we’ve been a luncheon sponsor, and someone from our team has been involved on the board or committee or provided pro bono services.
For those of you unfamiliar with the work of Attitudes & Attire, allow me to provide a quick snapshot:
A&A is a non-profit agency dedicated to promoting personal growth for women seeking self-sufficiency. The program provides the tools that raise self-esteem, promote ethics and build the confidence necessary to develop successful life skills.
Clients are referred to A&A via a number of partner agencies supporting returning veterans, domestic abuse victims, parolees, homeless shelter clients and other non-profits.
At its core, Attitudes & Attire runs a workshop-format program. At the conclusion, the participants venture into the boutique to select a workplace-appropriate outfit. Additionally via partnerships, clients may be able to secure donated dental services, new shoes and personal care items.
I invite you to learn more about this charity and how to help– volunteer your time, donate business clothes or contribute funds. We’ve found in each of these ways that we receive well more than we give. Volunteering to speak at a workshop or help staff the boutique really brings the mission home for most folks.
We’re off today at lunch to celebrate with Attitudes & Attire at the 20th Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show. Fingers crossed that our table is full of raffle winners 🙂 The event is always lovely, and there is never a dry eye in the house….those darn testimonials really do pull at heart strings.
A special thanks to our MPD team members. I appreciate your support with both our agency pro bono work and for your personal time and talents. While our entire team has helped in many ways over the years, a few special team members and partners deserve a shout out:
Maureen Paulsen has served as a long-time volunteer and board member; she most recently completed service at the end of 2015 at the Board President. Today’s luncheon will be her swan song as she has hit the term limit.
Talana Morris has provided on-the-spot troubleshooting and support to train A&A staff on email marketing, website updates, social media efforts and the like.
Liz Greene has just joined the board in 2016 and will be adding her communication and PR skills to share the message with local media and influencers.
Karla Fisher has fallen in the love with the mission as well and has donated her time to help with technical website quick hits. She’ll soon be giving A&A a new web presence as well….a makeover for the 20th year.
Julian Noel has graciously donated his photography skills to capture today’s luncheon and celebration. (We rely on Julian quite often for great executive headshots.) Thanks so much, Julian!
Congratulations to Lyn, the staff and board, and the wonderful clients and partners.
Here’s to a fabulous event and another amazing 20 year!
**Truthfully…I’ve known the fabulous founder Lyn Berman for about 22 years. We met when I attended her etiquette class during a job fair as a very green, eager graduating college senior. Thank goodness for my proclivity for handwritten thank you notes (thanks, Mom) and the small world nature of this PR business that she landed on the steps of the PR firm where I started working (thanks, Merrie) and we reconnected. We’ve been dear friends and supporters ever since.
Forewarning if you’ve never met Lyn: she is magnetic with a gift of getting people involved and engaged without even asking, so you may well be wooed into the A&A fold.
