@MarcieBarnes @AllThingsFadra @CharityJen at the Food Bank Mixer 2011

Since May we have co-sponsored with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (June) and held our FIRST ever Chapel Hill gathering (August). Next week, we are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Eye Care Center Raleigh for their FIRST EVER Tweetup -

“I Give a Tweet About My Eyes”

TUES, Oct 25th

7pm-9pm

a benefit for the Wake County Boys & Girls Club

Who wants one of these?

As a culminating event for the Center’s two-day work with the Boys & Girls Club, this is an opportunity to raise awareness and support for the organization through attendance and Tweeting about the cause.

For every tweet on October 25th between 6 – 10 p.m. (est) containing both @eyecare2see and @WakeBGC, eyecarecenter will donate $5 to the Boys & Girls Club in Raleigh (up to $500).

Attendees – Tweet Divas AND (also for the FIRST TIME EVER) Tweet “Dudes” – will mix and mingle with those they converse with online in a casual offline setting complete with an added bonus of prizes and giveaways!

Some prizes include:

But, it’s not about the prizes. It’s about giving back, right?

Please join us NEXT Tuesday night!  Light refreshments including a selection of red and white wines, beer, cheese & crackers, chips & dips, etc. will be served.  Register here: http://eyecarecenter.eventbrite.com/

Meet. Tweet. Give.

Those of us that are fortunate enough to be in loving homes where we are valued and loved as much as we value and love our families (especially our spouses) can do something to assist those that are struggling to make that fresh start. For our first evening gathering of 2011, we are going to get “intimate” to help those women less fortunate than we.

Join us for -

“An Intimate Affair”

Tuesday, April 19th from 7-9pm

at

Tir Na Nog

Downtown Raleigh

As we usually do, we will mix and mingle with the women we have built relationships online in a casual offline setting.  Also as usual, food and drink is on your own. But, for the first time since the inception of Tweet Divas we will collect NEW intimate apparel that will be donated amongst three charities in the Triangle -

Interact of Wake County

Harbor Inc. of Johnston County

Durham Crisis Response Center

Please bring NEW bras, underwear, or pajamas in ANY size, including for those in the larger set, a size that is often forgotten when donations for each of these organizations are received.

In the past, we have donated gently worn women’s professional dress for similar use.  The idea for a more “intimate affair” came to me after reading this blog post by Will, a senior web developer at Capstrat who spent one week this past holiday season living “Homeless for the Holidays”.  Ever since I read that particular post, I’ve been wanting the women of the Triangle to make an impact for other women in the Triangle by collecting women’s undergarments that are so desperately needed.

Please join us for “An Intimate Affair” on Tuesday, April 19th.  To REGISTER click this link – http://tweetdivasintimateaffair.eventbrite.com .  Registration is limited to 50 so be sure to register early!

We have the power to make a difference in our community.  You are more fortunate than you probably realize.  Please help others who are not.  Join us on April 19th.  Hope to see you then!

(Note: if you are unable to donate but wish to attend, you ARE more than welcome!  Times are tough.  We certainly recognize that.  Your attendance and support is greatly valued regardless if you are able to make a contribution.  Thank you!)

I trust everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season as you gathered with family and friends, ate LOTS of scrumptious foods, and I sure hope Santa was good to you too!

I’m really excited about this year as I have been making plans for our Divas and the charities we’ll support.  I have a rough sketch of the entire year ready to go and will be releasing the first six months of dates & charities very soon (I had hoped to release them last week but the schedule would not allow me to).

This year we’ll be branching out a little with evening gatherings scheduled for downtown Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Smithfield, and possibly Wake Forest/North Raleigh in February, April, & June, late August/early September, and November.  The charities we’re supporting run the gammut but will definitely include one of our favorites – The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. In this economy, the Food Bank has become a staple (pun intended) and rightfully so.  Too many families –some our next door neighbors–rely heavily on them.

Lisa's salad at The Pit, January 2010

Our FIRST gathering of the year is our New Year’s Luncheon and just like last year, will take place at the famed, The Pit authentic barbecue restaurant in downtown Raleigh:

The Pit

Wed – January 19th

11am-12:45pm

Chosen Charity: The Pretty In Pink Foundation

For details and registration information, please see the Tweet Divas New Year’s 2011 Luncheon registration page.  Hope to see you there!

In the meantime, hope you’ve gotten your new year off to a GREAT start both professionally AND personally.  Remember, our worth is far and above 140 characters.  Make it count!  Do something for someone else today.  It’ll make you feel good!  I promise.

See YOU on the 19th!

Tweet Divas 8

Last night, 15 Triangle Tweet Divas gathered at Raleigh’s Hi5 Restaurant for some great conversation, a little mixing and mingling, and pitched in to give back to two worthy charities – the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and Abbey Gail’s Re-Chic Boutique.

Though the numbers were smaller than usual (thanks to three additional events going on the same night), the intimate setting made for some lively conversation while allowing the ladies to connect (or reconnect) with those they already know online.

Ilina Ewen, Jennifer Newmeyer, & Heather O'Sullivan

Thanks to a suggestion by “charter” Diva, Ilina Ewen (@Ilinap), we spent a few moments introducing ourselves to the group.  New connections were made (including some possible collaborations), super interesting stories were told, and the laughter could be heard across the restaurant (OK…maybe I’m exaggerating that last part.).

This was probably one of our BEST Tweet Divas events to date…and I really can’t explain why.  To watch the ladies get to know each other a little better, realize they have common interests, to watch them collaborate on solutions to some of the problems plaguing our local society, to watch them laugh, all of it was truly special.

Ilina told us a heart-breaking story of a homeless mother & 4 children living in their car that she knows personally.  We all talked about solutions and Jennifer Newmeyer (@CharityJen & @FoodBankCENC) followed up with an email today with some local charities that might be able to assist them.

AlishaTV all smiles

Alisha Whiteway (@AlishaTV) shared her tale of having recently interviewed Stacy London from What Not to Wear during the Grand Opening of the New Tanger Outlets.  While the story in and of itself was interesting, later she and Kelly Duffort (@KellyDuffort) connected to talk collaboration for a project Alisha’s working on.

Danielle Baldwin (@LDBaldwin) shared how some pieces of her jewelry collection were recently sold.  Danielle works full-time for UNC-G, monitors 24 Twitter accounts (some for her day job and others for on-going clients/interests), recently took up Yoga, and somehow finds time to design jewelry.  More than that, Danielle has a HUGE heart and is often giving her time, talents, or resources for causes she believes in.

One of my favorite stories from the night was meeting Erica Strother (@ens0204) and discovering that her father, a Methodist Minister, is heading down to Haiti today to begin construction on an orphanage that was destroyed during the January Quake.  Turns out the orphanage is the very one our special guest Helen Little of Horne United Methodist Church in Clayton, North Carolina told us of back in February during our “Tweet Divas 4 Haiti” event.  That night we raised $400 for their orphanage.  It’s not only nice to hear about the progress but absolutely amazing to have met Erica, a connection to the very same cause.  Small world.

Donations for Abbey Gail's Re-Chic Boutique

These are just a few examples of some of the intimate conversations that took place last evening.  Add to that the 8 stuffed bags of clothes (remember, there were only 15 people in attendance!), several bags of canned goods or the Food Bank, it was truly a remarkable evening.

We have hosted 8 Tweet Divas gatherings (6 on our own and 2 co-sponsored) in the last year.  During that time we have raised close to $1500 (including last night’s donations) for worthy women’s causes in our community.  Each of our gatherings is always full of amazing, talented, wonderful women who have a heart for connecting, being connected, & giving back.

If you haven’t attended one of our events but have been meaning to, we hope you will join us in 2011.  Last night’s was our last “official” gathering of the year.  We’ll be working on a more solidified Calendar for 2011, including dates, new places to gather, and new charities to support.  Keep watching this site for more details.

Dawn Crawford, Fadra Nally, and organizer, Lisa Sullivan

In the meantime, whether you attended or missed last evening, here are some links to upcoming networking gatherings that include a charitable cause, each of which was mentioned:

The #Movember Gala, supporting our Triangle men who are fundraising for men’s Cancer research, awareness, and a cure will take place on November 30th at Crabtree Tavern.  Limited tickets available so hurry up & get yours!

Merry Mingle on December 2nd at Brier Creek CC, sponsored by 5 leading Triangle-area professional organizations and supporting the Interfaith Food Shuttle.  Tickets are also going fast for this so hurry!

“Be a Kid’s Santa for the Holidays” organized by the Raleigh Jaycees, supported by the Raleigh Events for a Cause Meetup group, needs 100 Chaperones for the afternoon of December 12th for gift-giving & merriment for needy children in our community.

And that’s all she wrote!

The Tweet Divas wish you & yours the happiest of holiday seasons.  May you experience the blessings and joy of what the Season means.  Please don’t forget about the less fortunate in your community too.  Give your time, talent, and/or resources to make someone else’s life a little merrier this holiday season.

See you 2011!

In February, after the devasting earthquake in Haiti, we Divas got together to raise funds for a charity with local ties to Haiti.  The Ryan Epps Home For Children, an orphanage founded & supported by Horne United Methodist Church right here in Clayton NC was our chosen charity.  Both Helen Little and Melody Brown from Horne were in attendance that evening to mix and mingle with the ladies & Helen herself told us stories of her first-hand account as she was right there when the quake happened.

That evening we raised nearly $400 for their cause.  Recently, I received a note from Melody with their many thanks.  Here is an excerpt from her:

We did get the monies and we are so appreciative. We really are so thankful to you and all the others from the Tweet Divas that have felt led to help with the Haiti ministry. Certainly, the circumstances would be different if people like you ladies had not responded.

To learn more and to see images and videos from their progress over the last several months, please see this link – http://tinyurl.com/ryanepps.

Divas Jen, Helen, and Lisa honoring the Helene Foundation at Tweet Divas 5

In May, as Mother’s Day had just passed, we wanted to support a charity that catered to the moms of our community.  We chose The Helene Foundation, an organization that supports mothers fighting cancer.  This was truly a worthy cause on so many levels and we raised nearly $100 for them as well.  Tracy Davidian, Founder and representative  sent the Divas a “thank you” note that read:

Thank you for your generous donation for the Helene Foundation. We are so very grateful that you have chosen to become part of our mission. It is because of people like you that we will be able to help bring Comfort to so many families struggling to find peace and stability during what could possibly be the most difficult time in their lives. Thank You!

What the Helene Foundation does for our community is so important to those families whose Matriarch’s must fight their battle with Cancer all the while still being mothers – homework helpers, carpoolers, laundry facilitators, grocery shoppers, etc.  The Foundation provides for those much needed services to families that have the need.

To both organizations I say – you are MOST welcome! It is our pleasure to give back to our local community in this way.

The Divas will not be meeting this summer but stay tuned to this site for more information on September, October, and December dates.  Plans are in the works!

If you have an organization that you feel would benefit from one of our Diva events, please contact Lisa Sullivan, Lead Organizer at Lisa(at)lisasullivanpr(dot)com.  Thank you!

We gather together every other month for a little mixin’ and minglin’ while always giving back to a local charitable organization that benefits women.  There isn’t a membership fee but we sometimes ask you to bring your checkbook or an in-kind donation to whatever the chosen cause may be.  Our motto is “Because our worth is far above 140 characters” after all!

Join us on June 3rd as we support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s Kid Summer Stock progam.  We are proud sponsors of the Social Media Mixer that evening from 6-8:30pm.  Cant’ get a babysitter?  No worries!  This is going to be an event chock full of fun for the whole family.

Register for the Social Media Mixer here: http://socialmediamixer.eventbrite.com.  If you’re a Tweet Diva, register you & your guest under our very special ticket!

Hope to see YOU on June 3rd! 

The cause chosen for this event was The Helene Foundation, an organization that supports mothers going through cancer treatments by providing such services as laundry, grocery shopping, child care, tutoring, among many other things moms are most known to take care of on a daily basis.  The burden placed on mothers can be so overwhelming during this time and the Helene Foundation serves to alleviate it as best they can with the means they have.

I am happy to report with 20 lovely ladies in attendance we were able to raise $200 for the Foundation.

@MarcieBarnes, @CharityJen, and @ldbaldwin

To this day, it still humbles me the generosity our Tweet Divas show every single time we get together.  We’ve given back to Abbey Gail’s Re-Chic Boutique, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, the Kramden Institute, the Ryan Epps Home for Children (in Haiti), and now this Foundation.  Thank you, Ladies!

@hesketh and @marynations

Our next event is in collaboration with the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina as we help them kick off their Kids Summer Stock program with a Social Media Mixer on June 3rd that welcomes all those that blog, Tweet, Facebook in the Triangle area to raise awareness for a very important cause.  Stay tuned to this blog for more details as the weeks continue.  In the meantime, check this link to register -

http://socialmediamixer.eventbrite.com

You don’t want to miss this event.  The Door Prizes are amazing (hint hint: @jkennedy93 *wink, wink*)!

@CharityJen, @HelenCroghan, & @MidTownRealtor

See you June 3rd!

Come join the Ladies of the Triangle as we gather together for a night of cocktails and conversation at our 5th Tweet Divas event:

Tuesday, May 11th

7-9pm

Hi5 on Glenwood in Downtown Raleigh

With May being Women’s Healthcare Month AND Mother’s Day being May 9th, our chosen charity this time around is The Helene Foundation, an organization that specializes in providing care for families with mothers undergoing Cancer treatments.  The Helene Foundation has two families they are currently working with, both in need of assistance with things like house cleaning, food, child care, tutoring services, etc – basically, anything a mom usually does but can’t as easily because of her treatments.  To get an idea of some of their specific needs, see this link: http://www.helenefoundation.com/apps/webstore/.

We will be taking monetary donations at the door. No amount is too small! Bring extra cash or your checkbooks (Checks made out to: The Helene Foundation).

To REGISTER follow this link – http://tweetdivas5.eventbrite.com.

See YOU there!

Mark your calendars!  We have two events with two very worthy causes that we will be partnering with during the months of May and June.

To celebrate Women’s Health Care Month, on May 11th we will be supporting Raleigh-based organization, The Helene Foundation.

Perhaps you have a mother, are a mother, or know a mother currently receiving or having received Cancer treatments.  You know as a woman, going through something like that is alreay difficult but as the Matriarch of the family, it’s even harder.

Women are the nurturers.  They tend to be the primary example of muli-tasking to the highest degree: career-driven, car pooling, grocery shopping, cooks, cleaners, laundry facilitators.  Women pretty much know when the toothpaste is running low and it’s time to get a new tube.  They know when they’ve seen holes in their children’s underwear (or their own), it’s time to get a new supply.  Women think like that all the time.  They are the care-givers of the family.  Now, imagine being so sick that you can’t help facilitate homework completion or cook that nutritious meal.  I may be overdoing it here but I think you get the point.

Our Tweet Divas will be giving back to the Helene Foundation on May 11th as we gather together for networking fun.  It’s a very worthy cause & I hope you will plan to join us.  More details will follow.  For now, mark those calendars!

Donations for the Food Bank at the Second TLWT Event, Nov 09

Then, in June and once again in conjunction with the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina we will help kick-off their Kids Summer Stock month as they gear up to stock up for the summer months.

Often times, we forget that a large percentage of our children population who are on free or reduced lunch during the school year don’t get 3 nutritious meals during the summer months because they are no longer in school and it’s more difficult for families to supply, especially in these tough economic times.

I met with Jennifer Newbauer of the Food Bank yesterday and as soon as they nail down a date, we will be one of their media sponsors for the event she is putting together.  Working title – “Kids Summer Stock Summer Social”.  It will be a LARGE event encompassing other area media sponsors & groups.  More details will follow soon as the date is confirmed.

May AND June.  Two great opportunities to give back to worthy causes all the while mixing and mingling with those you Tweet with.  Can’t get any better than that!

Stay tuned!

WOW, finally.  It’s here!

Beginning at 7pm and running until 9pm, “Tweet Divas For Haiti” will be an inspirational event complete with a raffle with amazing prizes donated by some wonderful local businesses & individuals.  In addition, Helen Little, from Horne UMC, will tell us all a little about what it was like to be in Haiti when the Quake hit as well as give us the short story behind the needs of the Orphanage (In other words, why we ARE making a difference!).

A few things to help you plan your night:

• The event officially runs from 7pm-9pm but feel free to stay longer if you so choose!
• As usual, appetizers & drinks are on your own ($5 menu items, $4 drink specials).
• You will receive 1 raffle ticket upon entrance.  After that, we’ll be selling tickets at the rate of $1 per ticket, $3 for 5 tickets, $5 for 10 tickets.  You MUST be present to win.
• If you reserved tickets to purchase at the door, please remember the ticket charge is $5 PLUS a small service fee of $1.11 (online purchases are an additional $1.26).  Please bring EXACT change to make it easier for us.  Thank you!
• Don’t forget your business cards either!

It’s going to be a FUN evening.  There’s still time to register.  Just click this link – http://tweetdivas4haiti.eventbrite.com.  Any Triangle-area lady is invited to attend even if they’re not on Twitter.  This cause is too important not to include all professional women of the Triangle!

Any questions? Please contact me directly at lisa@lisasullivanpr.com.

We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow evening!