November, 2010

KING5 and Public Select Mona Foundation as 2010 - 2011 Best of Western Washington Local Charities One of Seattle's top television stations, KING5, has announced that the Mona Foundation has been chosen by online voting as the #1 Best Local Charity in Western Washington!  More than 120 worthy charities were nominated by the public and online voting was carried on for many weeks.  With the support of YOU Mona Foundation achieved the top spot.  Thank you to all who voted!  You can watch Rainn Wilson surprise Mahnaz with the award on KING5 Evening Magazine here.     **Follow us on  **   A Day and Night to Remember: Rainn Wilson and Friends Come Out to Support Mona Foundation   October 23rd will be a day and night to cherish in Mona Foundation's history - from start to finish celebrities and the Seattle public and local organizations showed their support for Mona through a series of amazing events that not only raised money for the projects we partner with but also put the Foundation's name "on the map" in the Pacific Northwest.   The day started with the opening of the new Kiehl's skin care store in an upscale Bellevue, WA mall.  Rainn Wilson helped opened the new store, autographed pictures, and presented a $15,000 donation check from Kiehl's to Mahnaz Javid.  Thank you Kiehl's!   Next on the day's agenda was a free public event at the Paramount Theatre.  Rainn talked about the importance of service and what it means to him and how he incorporates service into his life.  Most of the audience consisted of college students.  Rainn also signed copies of his new book 'Soulpancake' for the students.     An early evening "VIP" cocktail reception drew key supporters at the lovely Steelhead Diner in downtown Seattle, followed by the main fundraising event.  Held at the prestigous and historic Paramount Theatre, more than 2,500 people enjoyed an amazing evening of humor and music presented by Rainn and more than 15 other actors and musicians including Craig Robinson (also from "The Office"), Presidents of the United States of America, Andy Grammer, Sean Nelson, The Long Winters, and Blitzen Trapper.  The lively evening culminated in a song that Rainn had the lyrics written specifically for the Mona Foundation.  An after party concluded the evening with approx. 100 lucky folks that got to mingle with Rainn and the cast of the evening.    We could not have asked for a better day and night, or a better group of very talented individuals to celebrate Mona Foundation, raise some money and help create and spread awareness in the Pacific Northwest for the work that Mona is involved with around the world!   Haiti Needs Us More Than Ever    The needs of the people - and especially the needs of the children of Haiti - are growing and Mona is taking up the challenge to help meet those needs.  The four schools that Mona Foundation supports - Anis Zunuzi and the Zunuzi Annex for street children, George Marcellus, and New Horizon were among the few schools still standing after the devestating earthquake earlier this year - and with clean running water supplied through infrared water purification, children can now drink clean water.   The schools' 2010 goals are to double the capacity of students (to 500 children at Zunuzi, 100 at Zunuzi Annex, 200 at George Marcellus and 200 at New Horizon).  Tuition has become an even greater hardship for the parents of these students.  At just $30/student per month it is still beyond the means of most families in Haiti.  There is also a desperate need to build dining room facilities to properly feed students at Zunuzi.  Will you help us keep our 1000 children in school in Haiti?   For more information on our schools in Haiti and how you can help visit our website   Please forward this email to family and friends who may be interested in these stories and in learning more about Mona Foundation and ask them to Email Us to sign up to receive announcements and news by email.     Mona Foundation, 218 Main Street, Suite 404, Kirkland, WA  98033.  425.743.4550   monafoundation@monafoundation.org, www.monafoundation.org

 

Mona Foundation, 218 Main St., Suite 404, Kirkland, WA 98033