For Immediate Release:January9, 2006
From Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC)
and Cyberwize
Martina Navratilova Benefit for the Children of Mother of Peace Orphanage Zimbabwe
Sarasota, Florida--Martina Navratilova will host a series of charitable events January 26-27, 2007, in Sarasota, Florida to benefit the children of Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe under the auspices of the HIV/AIDS Social Transformation Fund of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). More than 200 children whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS live on the orphanage's self-sustaining farm near Harare in Zimbabwe, Africa. An entrepreneurial retiree named Mother Jean created the safe space for the children and helped develop the plan for its long term sustainability. Aided by an American-based physician, Dr. Robert Scott, she has also created a medical support facility for surrounding villages with counseling for HIV/AIDS prevention, proper management of medications and nutrition.
A team from Metropolitan Community Churches is directly supporting the orphanage's strategic plan to provide on-going support for the direct care of the children and the capital improvements to the farm to secure clean drinking water, irrigation, and bakery and medical facilities.
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, the Executive Director of Metropolitan Community Churches worldwide says, "Recent deterioration in the political situation in Zimbabwe has forced more and more people into desperate conditions. CNN recentlyfeatured the area immediately surrounding the orphanage where displaced adults have been forced to capture rats to eat. Mother Jean has created a safe and self-sufficient system to protect and care for the children and we feel that there is no more important work than we can do to help her secure the future of her work. We have the immediate project to raise $100,000 (USD) for the direct care of the children in residence each year and a long term plan to create a recurring revenue stream through our affiliate programs with Cyberwize and sales of Tunguska Blast.
"Americans are generous people and, at the same time, they like to know that their money is well invested and that they will not be asked repeatedly to support the same cause. We have found that people are more than willing to use products and services that benefit the orphanage if these are quality products and services that are part of an everyday purchasing pattern. Research indicates that Americans regularly take vitamins and supplements. Tunguska Blast is an effective alternative and Cyberwize along with Mark Skovron and Jeff Peltin will donate $10 of the price of each bottle purchased to the Mother of Peace project. In addition, we are working with Cyberwize to find a way to supply a transportable nutritional supplement for the villagers in Zimbabwe that can be taken without drinking water or food. This is a win-win for everyone.
"We have a similar strategy in our alliance with Navratilova, Inc. Martina serves as the honorary chair of MetropolitanCommunityChurch conferences and events worldwide and helps facilitate public awareness of our projects in Africa and in Eastern Europe. We've named the Mother of Peace project "Do the Thing.org!" from the quote by Emerson. He said, "Do the thing! You'll have the power." When I hear someone say, "What can I do that will actually make a difference in what appears to be a hopeless situation in Zimbabwe, now I can say, "Do the thing. Take your Tunguska Blast or buy a latte with the Rainbow Card. We'll do the rest. It's that simple to have the power to make a difference in a child's life."
The kick-off for the benefit weekend is at Church of the TrinityMCC in Sarasota, Florida from 4:30 to 5:15 P.M. on January 26, 2007. A minimum donation of $25 is required for entry to the "meet and greet" with Martina. A drawing for two tickets to events on Saturday will be held.
A reception follows from 6 to 7 PM. at Longboat Key Club & Resort hosted by Gilead and Boehringer Ingelheim ($125 minimum donation). Martina will appear at this reception along with Dr. Dorece G. Morris. Dinner and a screening of the documentary "We Who Are One Body: A Spiritual Walk with AIDS" will take placefrom 7:00-9:30 PM with a dance following ($275 minimum donation).
On Saturday, January 27, 2007, Martina will lead a tennis clinic for 22 donors at Longboat Key Club and she will give two private lessons to the highest bidders in a silent auction ($10,000 minimum each). Two-hundred and fifty observers will be permitted for the clinic and lessons. Observer tickets include brunch following the clinic. A trip to the benefit weekend is also part of the silent auction including air fare, accommodations at Longboat Key and tickets to the events ($3000 minimum bid). Cyberwize, Ann Vassilaros and Fran Solitro, Mark Skovron and Jeff Peltin are underwriters supporters of these events.
Donations for tickets can be placed at
Silent auction bids can be placed with Connie Meadows at .
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For Additional Information, Contact:
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love
Executive Director
Metropolitan Community Churches
P.O. Box 1374
Abilene, Texas79604
(972) 358-5907 (CELL)
(EMAIL)
MCC: Tearing down walls. Building up hope.
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Metropolitan Community Churches
P. O. Box 1374 . AbileneTexas79604
E-Mail: