Vanessa James - Senior Project

Okay so this week has been really fast for me, last Friday was amazing. I had so much fun, I have to say it took a lot of work and I am happy it is over. I learned so much the last couple months, and when I look back on the way things turned out last week I wouldn't have changed anything about it for the world because everyone enjoyed it. And I can definitely say that people left knowing or learning something they came to my event with no knowledge of, and that was my intention. I want to thank a couple people individually My Mom, My Dad, Sheryl, Marion, Sacks, Devon, Akelia, and Yannique, I don't know what I would have done with you guys at my side through out it all. Thanks so much. I love you all. 

Also Today is my birthday!!! I am 18 FINALLY, I think today was the best bday ever, it wasn't how I saw it, but it was amazing, Ross has the best support ever!!! I love all the seniors, Alaya and Tiff <3 Thank you all for making my bday so special. I love you all. Hope everyone has a blessed Holiday. See you next year.

I want to thank these people individually for being there for me and supporting me, and making my night a big success. Thank you all, for everything. Also thank you East hampton Press!

Marti Murray Toni Haber Alex Weil Dilan Siritunga Marie Christine Kresse Marc Borodisky Kimberley Slayton Cindy Golden Tricia Williams Marci Klein Mike Boro Carrie Tintle Rachel Gardy Denise Lipani Constance Kassouf Marie Rubin Emily Peterson Bonnie Mushin Susan Spungen Jane Rivkin Leigh Brown Catherine Arnold Ginger thoerner Jennifer Chamberlain Will Metzger Lisa Sherman Kristine Kennedy Howard Margolis Elizabeth Krimendahl Laura O’Reilly Sheri Kominsky Lauri Weitz Barry & Cherly Berman Mark McIntire   Carrie ***Marion Abby

Courtney Sale Ross Aimee’s Closet Akelia Lawerence Yannique Coleman Carrie London Devon Parkes Chelsea Werle Kimberley Lue Lim Nikki Geula Mary Jaffe Norahs Liz Dobbs
***Sheryl Hastalis
Kenneth Sacks Jane Lappin Winston Irie Mike Gugliamo Mark Anthony’s Rugs Gone Local Spa 27 Golden Krust ***East Hampton Flowers Plaza surf & sport Cha Cha’s Book Thongs Hannah Levy D’ashley Wilson Connie Gaud Angella Brown Joanne Brown Forrest Grey Bill Matejovich Alaya Brown
Suna Garcia Alayah Hewie
Rachael Zofkin Faith Humbles Patricia Hines Lyndsey Fridie Kayla Jerido James Earl Mrs. Ritz Miles Kozatch Autumn Rose Williams Jessica Federico Harley Braun
Alexa Barret Gregg Drossel Mark Frankel Alyson Rogoski Allegra Crespi Pietro Martini Wil Weiss Peggy Weaver Parents Association  

The big day

Okay so these last couple weeks have been crazy for me, the charity ride was an amazing success. I would like to thank Marion Roaman for making it possible and everyone who got to come and and donated. I hope tonight turns out how I saw it in my head, I know it will be great because I have great support. Thanks to all my volenteers. I Will send out a blog tomorrow. Thank you everyone. Please come out TONIGHT and support me and this organization, it will be at the Ross school, in the cafe from 6-8:30pm. Help jampact be the change.

This week has been extremely challenging for me, I went shopping for food and some amazing Jamaican jewelry and key chains for the fundraiser over Thanksgiving Break, and it was amazing. It was hard but, I have to say it went well. It is almost a week to the big day. Super exited, I honestly can't wait for next Friday, I am so scared but I feel that it will go well. and for those who been asking me about Urban Word (Peace Poets), they are back on for the event. They will be there. Count on it. There was also a spread in the paper about the three fundraisers this week. Thanks to Carrie London wouldn't be possible without her. Big thanks to the Independent and Kitty Merrill.

 

Also let me give a big thanks to Jane Lappin she is sponsoring the Band for the event, many many many thanks. Norahs in southampton is also contributing to th silent auction/raffle for the night of the event yayyy. and also a big reminder December 6th, 2009 Charity Ride at ridethezone, ride (not spinning) studio in East Hampton at 9:30- 10:15am, for more information visit www.ridethezone.com suggested price is $30 per person. please come out and support.

ALSO Remember the Benefit is next Friday December 11th, 2009 at the Ross School Cafe 6-8:30pm... please come out and support that also, it will be amazing. I promise. I am looking for voleenteers so anyone interested email me vjames10@ros.org or for more information on jampact, please visit www.jampact.org and please please friendly reminder the tickets will be $5 extra the day of the event, so please purchase pre-sale tickets.

YESSS! JAMPACT ;)

This year, our shipment more than doubled the number of donations that we did in the past.  Although slightly below our initial goal of 1000 back-packs, we shipped over 500 bag-packs, several gross of pens and pencils, note books, rulers, paint sets, crayons, and more than 400 reading and storybooks.

This success was due in part by the partnership of ZYNC-TV and Irie Jam Media Group, in getting the word out to the community;  our online partner, Jamaicans.com for hosting a wish list for us on Amazon.com and sending out viral notices; to the hosts of our drop-off locations throughout the boroughs: Katashe's Vegetarian Foods, Bronx; D's Choice Restaurant, Brooklyn; Garnet Wilson Agency, Long Island; Laten's Restaurant & Café;  and the Door Restaurant, both in Queens.  And of course, to the many donors, corporate and individuals, who supported the drive.  Many, Many thanks!!  We consider you all friends of JAMPACT.

Next steps, our Christmas Treat and distribution of the supplies to our four adopted basic schools in Jamaica on December 16.  We invite you to join us in Jamaica on the 16th to help spread some cheers and good wishes to all the children and their dedicated teachers!

This is what pushes me to do what I am doing. I love this organization.

Okay about the fundraiser.   

On Friday, December 11, 2009 from 6-8:30pm a fundraising event organized by Ross 12^th grader Vanessa James this will take place at Ross Center for Well Being Café at Ross School. This event is Vanessa James’ Senior Project. The evening will feature a dinner with Jamaican specialties, music by DJ Biggie, Urban Word Poets and much more. It will consist of raffles and silent auctions, displaying a ipod nano, gift certificates from Spa 27, Ridethezone, East Hampton Cinema, Natropathica, LuluLemon, James Perse, J.Crew, and Ricky’s. It will also consist of jewelry from Nikki Geula, as well as paintings from Chelsea Werle and much more.

Presale tickets to attend the event are $10 for students/faculty and $15 for Adults. To reserve tickets, or for more information call (631) 965-9778.  Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $15 for students and faculty and $20 for Adults.

Oh there will also be killer jamaican food :) come out and support

I hope this is it

So I know I said the last flyer, was the last one but I have been looking at the flyer and it just didn't look clear enough and their was typo's in the last one, I am hoping this is the last draft of the flyer. I've been so stressed out about the performances for my event an donations for the raffle/ silent auction. The date is coming soon, so everyone be sure to buy your tickets ahead of time, because it will be 5 dollars less than you would be paying at the door also, the charity event is coming soon December 5th... LET'S GO! I can't wait, charity ride at ridethezone in East Hampton 65 Montauk Highway, derectly next to the bowling alley. mhm that's all for now. I will keep everyone posted.

IT'S DONE!

okay the flyer is done, now. What do you think? be honest!

Progress...

So this weekend I called up one of the performers I called in the past to perform at my event, wasn't really expecting him to say yes. When he said "sure I am free that night, I would love to perform at your event" I was in ugh, so wasn't expecting that response, but I was happy to hear it. Words can't describe how those words made me feel.  

- THAT'S WINSTON IRIE, YOU MIGHT KNOW HIM FROM THE TALKHOUSE, HE PERFORMS THERE FROM TIME TO TIME.

I also been communicating with Mike Gugliamo I local professional drummer, who also will be performing at my event. and Last but not least I will be having Urban Word performers, if your not familiar with who they are, and what they do here is something that might help

lalalalala So All you guys probably know by now that I work at a spining studio in East Hampton, the name is Ridethezone it use to be to be called Zonehampton. And if you guys are interested it]s 65 montauk highway East Hampton it is located right next to the bowling alley. Killer work out, awesome experience. check this link out (www.ridethezone.com) And the best part is the 1st class, if you had never spun  before at our location is FREE! awesome right. Okay so I have been working there for about 4 years now (i think) and its been great my Boss Marion Weil is one of bestest Boss' in the whole world, I couldn't ask for better. She will be hosting a charity ride on December 5th which all proceeds will go JAMPACT, I think that's amazing. So If you guys wanna try it for the 1st time please come out an support me and this cause, and enjoy an awesome workout. You won't regret it. I PROMISE!

OH! and last but not least D'ashley made the flyer for my event, and it looks beautiful I don't know what I would have done without her. I tell you it pays to have friends that know photoshop inside out lol. Thanks again D. <3

... The flyer will be coming to you soon.

SAVE THE DATES

DECEMBER 5TH, 2009- CHARITY SPIN @ RIDETHEZONE

DECEMBER 11TH,2009- BENEFIT PERFORMANCE @ ROSS

So this weekend I called up one of the performers I called in the past to perform at my event, wasn't really expecting him to say yes. When he said "sure I am free that night, I would love to perform at your event" I was in ugh, so wasn't expecting that response, but I was happy to hear it. Words can't describe how those words made me feel.  

- THAT'S WINSTON IRIE, YOU MIGHT KNOW HIM FROM THE TALKHOUSE, HE PERFORMS THERE FROM TIME TO TIME.

I also been communicating with Mike Gugliamo I local professional drummer, who also will be performing at my event. and Last but not least I will be having Urban Word performers, if your not familiar with who they are, and what they do here is something that might help

lalalalala So All you guys probably know by now that I work at a spining studio in East Hampton, the name is Ridethezone it use to be to be called Zonehampton. And if you guys are interested it]s 65 montauk highway East Hampton it is located right next to the bowling alley. Killer work out, awesome experience. check this link out (www.ridethezone.com) And the best part is the 1st class, if you had never spun  before at our location is FREE! awesome right. Okay so I have been working there for about 4 years now (i think) and its been great my Boss Marion Weil is one of bestest Boss' in the whole world, I couldn't ask for better. She will be hosting a charity ride on December 5th which all proceeds will go JAMPACT, I think that's amazing. So If you guys wanna try it for the 1st time please come out an support me and this cause, and enjoy an awesome workout. You won't regret it. I PROMISE!

OH! and last but not least D'ashley made the flyer for my event, and it looks beautiful I don't know what I would have done without her. I tell you it pays to have friends that know photoshop inside out lol. Thanks again D. <3

... The flyer will be coming to you soon.

SAVE THE DATES

DECEMBER 5TH, 2009- CHARITY SPIN @ RIDETHEZONE

DECEMBER 11TH,2009- BENEFIT PERFORMANCE @ ROSS

wi likkle but wi talawah' = small cause but can accomplish great things! 

Akelia Lawerence (president of JAMPACT) said this on her facebook page, and it got me thinking. Yes the cause is a small cause, but isn't that how we resolve problems we start small and eventually work our way up. JAMPACT has been around since 1998, and ever since they started they haven't slowed down. They continue to raise thousands of U.S. dollars helping the 4 Basic Schools they adopted our the years. And all the money they recieve goes into improving the conditions of the schools, as well as assuring that the children have what ever it is that they need to have a successful learning experience. Which means buying supplies for the kids, providing uniforms, giving the children free food and a place to confide in, that will get them off the streets and into the class rooms. I am so happy that I have the opportunity to be apart of this organization, every time I see a picture of these kids, it pushes me to try, and do as much as I can for them. I think the reason why I appreciate what they do so much is because I was born in Kingston Jamaica, at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, my parents werent rich, we lived in this really poor area in Kingston (Canary Ave.) and it wasn't the worse place in the world but I saw, how hard my parents had to work to get where they are now, and if it wasn't for someone believing in them, we probably wouldn't be here right now. I remember having to walk miles to school when I was in 4th grade, and now I ride the bus, I no longer live in the ghetto and I go to one of the best schools ever. And I wouldn't change who I was, because if it wasn't for that, I probably wouldn't be who I am now.

I just hope to God, I get a good turn out on December 11th, 2009. That would just make my life so much more meaningful lol :) , okay so moving forward I am in the process of making a flyer for my event, with D'ashley ( much love to her) I don't know what I would have done without her. It should be done before November 2nd. I can't wait. Also I am going to have a charity spin at ridethezone (not sure about the date yet), it's a spinning studio in East Hampton, I been working their for 4 years now, and it's awsome, if you would like to spin sometime the website is ridethezone.com and your 1st time is FREE! yes FREE! I know hard to believe. And for anyone that's reading if you have anything I could raffle off at my event example a painting, a dinner for 2, babysitting, gift certificate etc. what ever it is just let me know. I'm sure its all good. I need all the help I can get. oh and if you have connections to someone who can please let me know. I am begging nicely ;) don't forget to support all my friends too.

Alaya's Event- November 18th, 2009
Harley's Event- November 14th, 2009 
JFed's Event- December 3rd, 2009
Hannah's Event- December 5th, 2009

and of course MINE DECEMBER 11TH, 2009!!!

                                                                                            WELL THAT'S ALL FOR NOW....

                           

working hard

Sooooo, this week I am working on the menu for my event, if anyone has any ideas suggestions could you please email it to my email it is vjames10@ross.org. Also I am in the process of making a flyer for my event, with D'ashley I promise it will be around the school soon. Moving forward I finally started the traditional dance for my event yesterday it is looking good, got the 1st 3, 8 counts down, so it's looking good also if any one has any supplies they are not using please drop them off at my desk. It would mean the world to me. Hope everyone has a great weekend xoxo

December 11th- My Benefit performance for JAMPACT at Ross in the Cafe at 6 to 8:30 please come out an support the cause.

 

This week's update

So this week I went around town asking business' if they could possibly give a donation to the silent auction that I will be having at my event, most of them said sure they just wanted to see a flier for my event, or some written proof that I am actually doing a fundraiser for JAMPACT, which is cool with me, so I will be working on that asap, also I talked to Mr. Frankel about possibly having a supplies drive at Ross in a few weeks for JAMPACT. That is also work in progress. Earlier this week I spoke to one of the performers that I wanted to perform at my event an he wasn't too sure if he could make it for my event so I am still searching I have 2 other back up performers so I will be looking into them also. Another thing I will be having a performance by Chelsea, Alexa, Alaya Brown, Alayah Hewie, Aijah, D'ashley, Hannah and I. That is also work in progress and I am still waiting on Abe from Urban Word to give me a call back besides all that, everything is looking pretty good. Also Jampact is hosting a fashion show on the 30th of October for more info check the website Jampact.org