Reception and Updates

For those of you who made it last week to the Bravery Reception at Fresh Start, thank you! It was a very long day of hanging artwork, preparing food, setup, and nerves. Overall, a great success in my book with one exception: Due to running the event, I didn't get to spend much time with the visitors, especially the Bravery survivors. Now that I have experience behind the scenes at these events, the next time will certainly be easier and better.

The people who volunteered to help me were absolutely wonderful. The speakers, Faustine Chan and Lisa Kim, did great and Maria Elena Ochoa is a warm and very nice individual with an amazing track record for helping the underpriviledged groups of the community. I was so honored to have her there. She even presented Bravery with a proclamation signed by Governor Janet Napolitano, testifying that our elected officials do pay attention to our efforts to help others. It may not seem like it sometimes, but everything we do makes a difference and especially when we try to make work easier by taking action in the community.

If you didn't make it to the reception and want to see the artwork, 20 pieces will be on display until the 24th of October and 9 pieces are in the MCC Library lobby until the 31st of Oct.

Updates

We are slowly getting in some donations, but not much. We are less than 20% of our donation goal unfortunately, but the state of the economy is working against all fundraising efforts everywhere. A little something is better than nothing.

You may have noticed that the online auction items have dwindled off in part due to companies backing out of donations at this time and due to Ebay policies on gift certificates. Currently, one item is a portrait of yourself for a fraction of what it would normally cost. Next week will conclude the final listing, so take a look.

There are some very exciting projects coming down the pike that you are sure to enjoy, so please stay with me as I resume this blog and continue to think and work creatively.

Donations and Upcoming Events

Website
I am thrilled to say that Bravery Project just received it's first donation. We are on our way to helping others provide services to people and animals in need. It's a very good feeling to know that a year's worth of planning is coming together.

A few things have been added to the Bravery Project website that you should know about. There is a share button so that you can link the webpage inside your emails and send them to people. You will find them on the home page, the gallery opening page and the new guest book.

Now you can share your thoughts right on the website by signing and commenting in the guestbook. It's a nice interactive one. I think it even has a bleep feature that dots out curse words. I am a big on collaboration, so I welcome feedback and suggestions.

There will be more interactive features added as I continue to build the site when I have time.

Events

On the front page are events where the Bravery portraits and stories will be displayed. You may be familiar by now with the online gallery, which shows all portraits and stories, including an artists note. Keep checking because I am still adding new portraits to it as the stories are coming in.

Invitations will be going out for an Art Salon next month. This is a special for Bravery because this is the only scheduled event in which ALL the Bravery portraits and stories will be displayed in one place. Additionally, I am teaming up with two other professional artists to raise money for charity. This all takes place over three days in a multimillion dollar home with some live music, a live art painting performance, and lots of food. If I don't have your email and you don't get an invitation from me, please download the flyer on the website and visit the salon page.

The other event next month takes place at Cup O Karma and is very exciting because one of my beneficiaries has taken the opportunity to use the portraits for a mini show and benefit for them. It's a great way to help an organization with the portraits. Since this promotion takes place at a coffee shop, Bravery merchandise has been included in this month-long promotion to help promote Bravery and allow people to support the organization through a small purchase rather than a large pledge they can't afford. Again, if I have your email, I can send out invitations to you; otherwise, you can see the flyer for the event on the website.

If you come, please say hello!

Share Bravery and Volunteer

I've been in touch with a few of you the past couple of weeks, trying to hash out details and snafu's for Bravery. I want to say thank you for your patience with me as I run around in a frenzy trying to coordinate communication between all the many elements that will make Bravery successful. Those of you who are making calls for inkind donations for me and have volunteered your experienced skills have helped me feel like I am not alone in the efforts to bring Bravery together.

I have confirmed 8 items so far for the Ebay auction. Since the goal is to have 50 items or more for people to bid on, I will need more volunteers to contact companies for inkind donations. Keep in mind that there are people from all across the country who will be viewing Bravery and bidding on the auction, so request items from companies that can be redeemed anywhere in the US as well as items here in Arizona and in other states. In return for the donations, Bravery will market the company as a sponsor on the website, Ebay, and on some collateral materials where appropriate. Please contact me for more information.

The financial goal of Bravery is to collect $10,000.00 per beneficiary and there are 10, which means a total of $100,000.00 by the end of October. None of this is for Bravery Project, Inc.; it is all for the nonprofits who are doing such great work and service for others in need. This may be a high goal, but obtainable with your help. For example, if 10 businesses are willing to donate $1,000.00 each, then 10% of the goal has been made. Breaking it down into bite size chunks and working together produces amazing results. I believe we can do it! A donation request letter has been created that can be used to send to businesses. If you would like to go this route, please let me know.

One of the best ways to market something is through good old fashioned word-of-mouth. On the Bravery Project website, is a link to a page where you can share Bravery with others. My business card, a simple flyer about the online show and auction, Powerpoint presentation, and posters are available to be emailed, downloaded and printed along with a list of ideas on how you can help spread the word about Bravery. If you have any trouble with downloading any of the items, let me know as well. We have only two months before showtime!!

~ Together We Can Make A Difference ~