Friday, December 23, 2011

THANK YOU!!!!

BWB Detroit Thanks everyone i can think of who has helped us over the last few years...thank you so much...i wish i could express how much your help means to me!

hands together head bowed.

~d

In no order...you are all equally important!


Atelier Gothique
Guilliom Family Foundation
Anthony Guilliom
Allison Guilliom
Max Guilliom
DAMNED
DVS
Joe Ferraro
Christopher Breedlove
Chicago BWB
Carmen Mauk
Lee Anna Mariglia
Jojo Smedo
MI point of View
Bacon- Josh Mac
Carol Kaltz
Jeremy Hocket
Faith Shinaver
Eric Miller
Ro Zielke and Rachael.
Nick Papcun
Jess Zerwas
Dondo
Skinny
Vicky McLellan
Ken Poirier
Barbarba White
Theatre Bizarre
Shawn Matthews
The Schankin family
Adam Layne
Sharon Layne
Madeline Frost
SATORI CIRCUS and the CIRQUETTES
Becca Emerson
Millicent Johnson - Sharable magazine
Liz Lola Teifer,
Anita LeBlanc
Amber Arellano
Paul Fontaine
Justins Natural Peanut Butter
Ian Perotta
Hamtramck Review
Sarah Mackey
Teal bruce
Glad bags
John Wiley
Chris and Kim Castell,
Tom Nardone and his wife
The Dirty Show
Jerry Vile
Love a Cunt
Alyssa bradish
Liz Teifer
Sarah Tacas
Jennifer Allen
Nicole Laney
Sarah Lachowski
Tabi Hojna
Jade Ashekerra
Haley Jane
Chrissie and Garrett,
Tuka and Jane
Mike Mogill
Jessca
Cynthia Cooky Jones
Donna a patron of the Saint Ladislaus Hamtramck Soup Kitchen
The ladies who cook weekly at Saint Ladislaus Hamtramck Soup Kitchen
My old landlord and his brother Chester and Fred Kasperzak for letting me take over the basement to house bins and bins of supplies
Soup at Spaulding for allowing me to come and present TWICE!
Pastor Matthew at Spirit Hope Church
Miss Jerry Andres from Spirit Hope Church for running the clothes pantry
Jimmy Santiago and his secret gifts
Angela newson and aya too
Lisa Forley
Cindy Bartkowiack
Amy Hajec
Susan Hajec
Yassar at ProDiscount Hamtramck
Rachal Timlin
Leslie Blackburn and her daughter Hanna
Kim Rhotan
Aylex Hakuai Araque
Pete Coe
Erin McClain
Craig McClain
Jennifer Gabrish
Detroit Soup.
Marc Beaugard.
CAID
Aaron Timlin
Melody Joy Shatto
Joshua JKanizzle Cunningham
George Barnett
Lisa Forzley
Lindsey Harnish
Studioklinicseven Kristine Diven
Jori Hayner
Charles McMoses
Meredith Nilsen
Molly Vikart
Heather Favrah Fincati
Andrea Brassert
Keisha Smith
Amy Ellias
Angela Pal
Dub Step Circus
Alyssa Martinez
Karen Shirey- sent to me by Peter Pan
Jay Bee- Frank Buck
Peter Pan, the mysterious
Mike Sudz
Amanda Zins
Jim Bates
GRABBERs
Frank Lawson
Michelle Oralee Lewis
Ann McGaffy
Zumbas Mexican Grill
DFG
Donors to BWB Theme Camp 2010 for all the socks and backpacks~
Tiffany Sinacola
Rita and Scott Sinacola
Diane Johansen
Chris Cornwell
Hamtramck Senior Center
Kim Rhotan
Ronnie Parrish
Stacy Parrish and kids
Shari and Bob Rehs and Nina
Dan Trevisan
Sola Obayan
Social Good Detroit
Kaye Marie Zbiciak
Jodi Rogers
Mari Vaydik
Alex Pratt
Melody Joy Shatto
Mabel Costello
Valerie Thompson
Steve Nilsen
Nate Klenk
Tommy Nugent
Carrie Bolton-Sawicki and HERO is the Homeless Empowerment Relationship Organization.
Tim CastaƱeda, & Zumba Mexican Grille
Pete Coe
Tondochan LaSylvet
Hannah Lewis
Jon Koller
Moose Jaw
A Mayonnaise Graveyard
John Easa
Greg Smith
Alison Kinning
Claire Broderick
Andrea Mattson
Fuzy Tek
Rodney curtis
Garrett Myles Goforth
Gretchen Martin
Brian Lewis


To all my Birthday Wish 2011donors
Bryan Rice
Diane Kobasic
Priya Sarin
Monica Storch
Peachy Von Detroit
Avanti Herczeg
Damian Polack
David Koren
Thomas Jankowski
Scott M Reilly
Paul M. Grinnell
Julia Raskin
Bohdi Bill Bader
Arthur Zukowski
Codrin Cionca
One Space
Sarah Elizabeth Whitman
Aaron Krynicki
Tom Nardone
Judith A Mauro
Nicolle Tsertos
Kyle Carey
Larz Gaydos
Abhik Shah
Brian Lewis
Cynthia Cooky Jones
Thaddeus McKracken
Lindsey Godlove Harnish
Legged OfFour
John Wiley
Paulette K. Michelz


and to each of the countless others who donated and helped that I do not know your names and i am so hoping it did not forget anyone if I did please forgive me!


So much gratitude and thanks and love and wonder for each of you for helping this project…by believing and supporting it..it cannot happen without YOU!!

Happy Holidays from Burners without Borders Detroit

Much love

~danielle

BwB Chicago Winter Ball

Thank you to EVERY single person involved in organizing the amazing Burners without Borders Winter Ball in Chicago hosted at Eco.

So much gratitude for them collecting items to be taken back to Detroit for the Homeless Backpack Project.

This image may not look like a lot of stuff..but it is...all the packs are full of socks and hats and gloves and my car was full.!!

thank you thank you thank you!!

Old post DIRTY SHOW 2011


i never posted up this image from a women i did a print for at the Dirty Show..her friend snapped a picture of us at the moment of printing...and send it to me.

They were both really excited and happy when they learned there donation went to help the homeless!

thanks ladies!

Seraphina Black ..thank you!

A big thank you to Seraphina Black for her continued efforts to Collect for BWB Detroit from her co-workers. who are very generous and give tons of items for the project!!

thank you thank you thank you!

~d

Smokey and Yassar in Hamtramck

December 22

I was in Hamtramck seeing Yassar at Prodiscount to check out the items i bought from him. he has been doing some bulk shopping for me for the project. been getting small stuff from him for years and he now wants to help..so i give him ideas on what i needs and when he shops he texts me deals and costs!

After Detroit Soup..i asked him to price out gloves..they are nice too i saw them and the thermal socks.. 250 of each..will pick up Dec 24 after i hit up the Spirit Hope Soup Kitchen.

On my way into his store i saw Smokey. his name is not Smokey but i have 'known' him since i moved to hamtramck in 1998. I often buy him fruit and stuff when i shop there. last night i asked if he wanted a back pack and told him what was in it.

I asked him name again..its Charles. He has a speak impediment so its always been hard to hear him. but i can always tell when he says God Bless you..to me!
I went in and grabbed a few more things and can opener as his backpack didnt have one when i checked it like i do all of them..so i am glad i checked..and glad cuz i found MY hat...i must have set it down during the backpacking event and bam it got packed...funny!

Glad i could help Charles out and i am thankful that Yassar is helping us out!

we are all interconnected

xo~d

December interactions on the streets

Dec 4, 2011 on way to see a movie with Mario. i spied a woman sitting under the bridge at 8 and Woodward..i pulled over hit the hazards and got out..the person was covered in a childs blanket..and i quietly walked up and said hello and asked if i could help with some handwarmers and 2 pair of socks.

A women peeked out..and said yes. I gave her what i had and she was very thankful. She pulled back the blanket and i saw she had no socks on at all. and her coat was thin..i ran to my car and had a red wool jacket and asked her if she wanted it..she did. she was very weak..and very thankful..i asked her name and told her mine..she is Mia

i got back in that car and tried to hold back the tears.. Mario was very understanding. that was his first time with me..doubt it will be the last.

Actually on the way to movie at 8 and 75 we saw a man in front of cars and begging and fronting..and i told Mario i would never stop for someone like that even with him in the car.

After the movie at the same spot was a guy named Jim..and later another woman, her name might have been kim i forget...who both lit up when they saw socks..they were very happy.


December 7

I meet Clif at shelby and fort walking caught his eye..he motioned 4 drink i offered socks his eyes lit up and he blessed me!


December 20

Meet John at 75 and 8 mile..

on the 21st..

i saw kevin by work, he is one of my favorites.though i had to ask him to tell me his name again..we wave to each other every morning he is on the off ramp at Howard...great big smile! ..this day his foot broken..someone ran it over at that corner..ironic.. nice..
i gave him a fuller bag that day with extra loot..yup!

Social Good Detroit event

I was contacted about a month ago to be involved in this event called Social Good Detroit..where there would be a panel of speakers talking about how to make Detroit Thrive.

It happened on Thursday December 15 at the Red Grape on Woodward.

There were 4 charities invited to talk about our projects and then a silent auction of sports items and chance for us to talk about our programs, sign up volunteers and accept donations....this all happened before or after the talks.


It was an interesting event..mingled networked...had dinner with Harry Reisig..or should i say he bought me dinner and gave me a space to eat with him..thank you!

FatHead supplied a sticky re-usable logo..see picture..that i took to the BWB Chicago Winter Ball! yea. Thank you!





Detroit Soup

I was invited to present at Detroit Soup on the evening of Sunday December 11.

I accepted as i was honored they liked my proposal. I knew it was going to be a busy day as we had the Homeless Backpacking event from 1 to 4pm.

I got there early with Christopher and Mario with me. On our way in a homeless lady was at the door,her name was Joy. I told Miss Joy what i was about to do and that when i was done i would come out and give her the backpack i had with me.

Heading up the stairs i totally tripped..going up!! and the door guy looked and i laughed and laughed..so did he.. doh! great entry!

The space was all decked out. I knew a handful of people and after checking in just started to mingle.

Met some people and talked to a guy from the Metro Detroit Center for Attitudinal Healing who asked good questions about how much it costs to make each pack..which to be honest i really dont know...Yet! but will hopefully figure out soon with help from someone else this evening i ran into.

We all mingled and talked, and listened to a poet then the presenters got up. I went third. i presented against 3 other groups..the others being Detroit Day from Ann Arbor, a time/work share project in Woodbridge and a project to help handicapped women start their own business.

I was really nervous once i had to stand up in front all the people..not sure why but i felt out of my element, over tired from the day and underfed..so i was me..only more nervous and silly.

I started off on a bad foot i think cuz a friend told me right before i went on that since i am established the crowd might now pick me so i had to make them get it..like get it...i know he was trying to help but i stepped off thought process immediately. I tried to cover what i could in the time i had while fumbling and not sure of what i had just said two sentences ago..it was a mess.

Lucky for me there was a 4 question session after..where i was able to really shine i think and bring home what it really was about instead of me just babbling. being asked direct questions about something i am so passionate about really relaxed me..i even had the crowd laughing at things..though i was still nervous and not exactly sure why they were laughing..but i get that when i get going..people often giggle at me..and with me too!

After all presenters went there was time to eat and mingle more..and i ran downstairs to give my backpack to Miss Joy who was now inside sorting her stuff and able to get inside a bit to warm. She was really thankful!

on my way back upstairs i tripped up again..it was too funny and the same guy saw me..hilarious, i laughed my butt off again!! People asked lots of questions and i talked to the other presenters to about their projects..which are all cool.

When the votes were tallied the main organizer and i feel horrible that i am spacing on her name right now.. got on the stage to talk about the food we all just ate..which was great and thanked everyone and talked about Soup...then the young boy with her read the name of the winner for the evening.

Burners with Borders Detroit was chosen and went on stage to thank him and take the wad of singles and dollars..it was a lot. $690.50 I thanked everyone and told them this was going to be so helpful and told them i would be back in March to talk about how it helped!


I am so thankful people what this project is about and support it so much.
so so so grateful

~d



Christopher Breedlove has video of the event..when ready i will post it here!

HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT- great success!

Wow..the HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT we held on Sunday December 11th, 2011 and it was a big day for us..I am just now getting caught up on thank yous.

My mother and i showed up at the Senior Center in Hamtracmk at noon to help set up...and much to my surprise 13 people showed up as well to help set it up.. i thought i would have 3 people show... it was insane so Detroit in the assembly line style of setting things up for people to be able to come in and fill packs...and boy did they..

over 50 people showed up and we packed over 200 most likely like 250 backpacks!
it was so amazing and inspiring and to be honest kind of overwhelming.. they were all packed in less than 2 hrs..it was just as fast as last year with double the amount of supplies. it was so wonderful to witness as i ran around directing people and answering questions and talking to the seniors who live in the center who were curious about what we were doing. Two residents even came and donated supplies!!

Friends from high school I had not seen in 20yrs showed up with families in tow to help.. people from all aspects of my life... and a handful of strangers too


here are pix to the event ; http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150430278588925.362412.549398924&type=3

That night i also presented at Detroit Soup more on that in the next blog!


Thank you to all the people who donated, collected, fundraised and showed up to help backpacks!!

HUGE BOW to each of you!

McDonald's

Plan to purchase gift certificate from a Detroit McDonalds where for the homeless Thank you Tom Nardone for this amazing idea to gift.. if your a paying customer you can come in from the cold!

Detroit Soup winnings

ohh so happy i thought the price i was quoted for gloves was just for 250pairs but it was also for 250 pairs of socks!! i went and looked at them last night...good stuff..thermal socks and big warm gloves!!

so we just got a double plus good bonus and our Detroit SOUP winnings just went twice as far and there is still $ left over to buy gift certs to McDonalds to help please be paying customers and get out of the cold!!

so grateful

Thursday, December 01, 2011

The BwB Winter Ball

Chicago- Friday- December 16- BWB Ball
Burners Without Borders Chicago & ECO present:
The BwB Winter Ball
December 16th | 10pm to Late Night
@ The ECO Collective 15$Donation

A formal evening and dashing affair to whisk you into wintertime. BwB-Chicago & ECO invite you to come out, dress up, and play with us as we all start to bunker down for the Chicago winter!
Featuring the musical talents of: Searchl1te, Jeekos, SpacewĆ¼lf, Magpie, JBizzle, Ruff Fingers, Marcin, Good Evening, and Ben X. Tea Lounge. Treats by Edible Alchemy. Egon's WunderBar. Poets Who Know It. Live Silk Screening and more being announced soon.

We will be collecting donations for the Burners Without Borders Detroit Backpack Project consisting of: socks, backpacks, winter gloves, & hats. Please- no sweaters or jackets.

If you would like to get involved artistically or as a volunteer please email: chicago@burnerswithoutborders.org

Here is the facebook invite to rsvp; https://www.facebook.com/events/184155771673615/

HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT- December 11th, 2011

DETROIT Sunday- December 11

HOMELESS BACKPACKING EVENT


Tis the season...and we need YOUR help to help others..

WHEN: Sunday December 11, from 1 to 4pm

WHERE: Hamtramck Senior Plaza (thank you Chris Cornwell for donating the space again this year)


We have about 200 backpacks (from a generous donation from the Guilliom Foundation) to fill with canned food, can openers (must have those!), hand warmers, peanut butter packs,ponchos, socks, gloves, hats, hygiene products and whatever else we get donated!

The packing will take place at the Senior Citizens Housing Complex and Henry Ford Health Center on Holbrook in Hamtramck. You will have to be buzzed in by security!

If you have items to donate please bring them..we can always use them
You are are welcome to take Back packs with them if they feel comfortable approaching homeless, if not i will get them all out on the streets.

CLICK HERE for the facebook event or follow the link http://www.facebook.com/events/113992862047430/

Monday, November 28, 2011

Chicago..socks socks and more socks

was in chicago the weekend before thanksgiving and did not have backpacks with me nor was i loaded with supplies..BUT i had been gifted 3 dozen pairs of socks by Vicky McLellan and those were heaven sent!

I ran into two homeless men driving around town was able to gift them socks and i was so thankful to have something.

Fullton was the first man i ran into, he was standing in a medium and i was able to grab some socks out with the help of Christopher and quickly stop at a green light and give them to him.

The next man was Roy, he was in the alley behind a collective called Ecco. He was rummaging in a garbage can and we chatted for a bit...i didnt have a bag to give them to him and his hands were dirty but he skillfully managed to grab them with his wrists and place them inside his shopping cart so they did not get dirty!

Both men were beautiful spirits and full of smiles!

Thank you Vicky!

Friday, November 18, 2011

PREACHERMAN Hometown Debut

PREACHERMAN


Award-winning one man comedy theater show of the Reverend Nuge's journey from pentecostal preacher to atheist street magician finding 'accidental enlightenment' over two trips to Burning Man.

Tix $15 (with 20% of proceeds donated to Occupy Detroit and Burners without Borders Detroit)

WHERE: 15 15 Broadway
1515 Broadway St, Detroit, MI 48226-211

WHEN: Wednesday, November 23, 2011

TIME: 8:00pm until 9:00pm

NOTE: through a quirk of the law, FOOD and WINE are able to be given away after a benefit performance, however you can not advertise the FREE FOOD and WINE. Therefore I will not advertise FREE FOOD AND WINE AFTER THE PERFORMANCE.



http://reverendnuge.blogspot.com/

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fZt_-WMwwk&feature=feedu

(thank you Tommy..we love box wine! )

Tax Deductible donation

Please consider making a year end donation to Burners without Borders Detroit.


As Burners Without Borders Fiscal Sponsor, BRAF is able to facilitate their tax-deductible donations. Please enter the dollar amount you wish to donate below.

The Black Rock Arts Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization and donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Federal Tax Exempt ID #91-2130056.

Please send an e-mail to donate@burnerswithoutborders.org if you want your money allocated to a specific project, and we will make sure it gets there

PLEASE CHOOSE THE DROP DOWN WINDOW FOR DETROIT!!

thank you!



http://blackrockarts.in-merch.com/catalog.php?act=view_prod&i&l&sid&id_categ=5486

Thank you ...MooseJaw!

Big thank you to Moosejaw for the donation of 100 hand warmers for our upcoming backpacking event Sunday December 11!

thanks Eli!!! xox

EVERYONE please DO THIS!!!!!!!!

help Burners without Borders Detroit help the homeless this would be great to win.. make a guess!!! please please please and thanks ..PS..dont forget to like there page!!!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150462245956147&set=a.486077666146.296735.61046571146&type=3&theater


Homeless Backpacking event

Hello everyone!!

Tis the season...and Burners without Borders Detroit needs YOUR help to help others..

WHAT: Homeless Backpacking event

WHEN: Sunday December 11, from 1 to 4pm

WHERE: Hamtramck Senior Plaza (thank you Chris Cornwell for donating the space again this year)

WHY: because without people like YOU the Homeless Backpack Project simply can not happen!

WHY2: Because WE are fortunate enough to be able to help others.

We have about 200 backpacks (from a generous donation from the Guilliom Foundation) to fill with canned food, can openers (must have those!), hand warmers, peanut butter packs,ponchos, socks, gloves, hats, hygiene products and whatever else we get donated!

Please note we have had amazing cash donations this year as noted above and from two artists from the DAMNED Exhibition; Atelier Gothique (http://www.facebook.com/gothique1) and MI view (http://www.facebook.com/pages/MI-point-of-View/115162725163871)

All of which have afforded BWB Detroit to have enough supplies for 200 backpacks..that is 2x as many as we did last year! 200 packs is ambitious but we think we can do it!

Thank you also to Justin's Nut Butter and MooseJaw for donations of peanut butter and hand warmers!...and to all the private donations of hats, gloves, socks, food, water and juice boxes to make all of this possible..

The packing will take place at the Senior Citizens Housing Complex and Henry Ford Health Center on Holbrook in Hamtramck. You will have to be buzzed in by security!

If you have items to donate please bring them..we can always use them

You are are welcome to take Back packs with them if they feel comfortable approaching homeless, if not i will get them all out on the streets.

I look forward to mingling with you as we create the backpacks and form new friendships!

If you are not able to make the event...please promote it and Burners without Borders Detroit or....

if you cant make it..please consider making a tax deductible donation to BWB Detroit at http://blackrockarts.in-merch.com/catalog.php?act=view_prod&i&l&sid&id_categ=5486 choose Detroit on the pull down tab!

Thank you ..

Danielle ~doxie Kaltz
Burners without Borders Detroit
detroit@burnerswithoutborders.org
http://littledsworld.blogspot.com/

Check out Burners without Borders Detroit on facebook...'like' us

Thank you again Soup at Spaulding!!!

Burners without Borders Detroit would again this year like to thank the great folks at Soup at Spaulding for inviting us to present again.

Our hosts the wonderful and lovely Anthony and Allison Guilliom set up a wonderful event. Though not many people turned out ...it matters not...if 2 people show up..you and another and you connect and have a good time..then to me its a success.

we had more than that and i was able to be the only presenter and share what BWB Detroit does and was honored to do so!

Thank you so much for the donations to purchase more items for the backpacks!

~d

Friday, November 11, 2011

Justins Nut Butters...thank you soo much!!

Burners without Borders Detroit would like to send out a big thank you to Justin's Nut Butter for their generous donation of 300 almond maple butter single serving packs to be added to this years backpacks for the homeless!!!

I wrote them a letter asking for help and i was stunning and pleased they wrote back in my in such a short time..like an hour..no joke and agreed to make the wonderful donation.




We are so happy that they will be in available for our next backpacking event on Sunday, December 11th in Hamtramck at the Henry Ford Senior Citizen Center on Holbrooke from 1 to 4pm..more details to follow!

~d

Friday, November 04, 2011

Another stop at Soup for Spaulding

Burners without Borders Detroit was asked to present at Soup at Spaulding next Thursday November 10 at 7pm for Burners without Borders Detroit. Please come out and share a meal and support which ever cause you choose! thank you for another opportunity.



here is the blog about our last and wonderful visit; http://littledsworld.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html

Hand warmer donations!!

Moose Jaw is donating a few boxes of hand warmers to BWB Detroit! thank you Nick Papcun for the intro!


Thank you MooseJaw!!

Thank you to ATELIER GOTHIQUE at the DAMNED exhibition.

BWB Detroit is so grateful to Charles and Amy Elias of Atelier Gothique who donated the stunning ring that was raffled off at the DAMNED this past weekend as a prize with the proceeds to benefit BWB Detroit.

Over $600 has been donated to Burners without Borders Detroit

Congratulations to the winner David Cagle...We hope you are as happy as we are.


Please know all the donations go toward direct action on the streets to help homeless.



Thank you to the Devil Girls who sold over 300 tickets to participants of the event;

your all angels..i mean..oh you get it!



Lushes Lamoan (http://www.facebook.com/lushes.lamoan),

Sarah Schropp- (http://www.facebook.com/it.burns.us) ,

Angie Smith (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=665375855) ,

Alison Haling (http://www.facebook.com/tasteslikea1) ,

Lyndsay Martin (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=515283476),

Jessica Grassa (http://www.facebook.com/jgrassa) and

Meridith Lorde(http://www.facebook.com/MeridithLorde) )

DAMNED donation

JoJo Smedo sold his entry at the Damned!!!!!! The money from the sale is going straight to Burners without Borders Detroit to help provide food and warmth the homeless in Detroit :)

you can view the image here; http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=307126915967450&set=a.274262952587180.85770.115162725163871&type=3&theater

we are very thankful to you for all you do!

MI point of view...

From Jojo Smedo- introducing a limited edition print 12" x 24"..(total of 10, signed and numbered); price is $200 with $100 from each print going to Burners without Borders Detroit to help feed and warm the homeless in Detroit- http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=308329445847197&set=a.274262952587180.85770.115162725163871&type=3&theater


Thank you JoJo for your thoughtfulness!!

random help from strangers

Thank you to Rachel Timlin and City of Farmington Hills - Special Services Dept (parks and rec) for collecting for the homeless!!

Rachel heard about the project and asked her co-workers to start collecting! Next week i meet with her to get the items which she says are plentiful.

Her co-workers also want to knwo when the next backpacking event will be so they can attend...it will be in early December..more details to come!

thank you!

new backpacks!!

5 cases of Backpacks were delivered this week to Detroit via a generous grant for Burners without Borders Detroit from Anthony Guilliom and family...thank you so much..your gift will help so many people this winter! small deep bow! xo~d

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Satori Circus, Naked girls and the homeless!

I am writing about a wacky ass fund raising project for BWB in Detroit.. a handful of local artists and performers got together and created a calendar for Satori Circus 2012 with proceeds to support BWB-Detroit’s backpack project.

These calendars are for purchase.

If you want to help support the cause let me know and we can do paypal or snail mail and I can get one out to you.

Please know that this winter is expected to be colder than last and its estimated more people are on the streets. So help in whatever form you can offer is greatly appreciated.

There will be a back packing event next month..stay tuned for details.

Thank you
Burners without Borders Detroit,

~d

Here is a snippet on the project;

http://www.encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=5088
and a full press release;
http://www.facebook.com/notes/satori-circus/for-immedaite-release-satori-circus-and-the-cirquettes-2012-calendar/10150326186944777

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Drink and Stitch

Thanks again to Teal and her sister (who i call Purple cuz she wears it so much)for knitting a ton of hats to be put in backpacks for the homeless!

People packing backpacks this weekend were impressed by your work and the mother of the bride was inspired to go back to her church in Arizona and introduce this idea to their knitting circle.

I told her i suspected they would not drink...she said oh not beer but they love their wine!! Perfect!

~d

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Bots Wedding and amazing gifts!

This past Sunday my friend Jo got married Ray in Hart Plaza at the base of the Gateway to Freedom statue. They did so to honor the memory of many slaves who found freedom at the international waters of Detroit..a city they met in and fell in love.

They came in from out of state a few days early and invited many guests..they made Detroit a destination wedding! And they did this in a variety of ways, but why do i bother to tell you that on this blog you may be wondering.

well keep reading..One of those ways was to give a bus tour from 9am to 4pm of the city they love..and this was not a popular location tour...no instead it was places they loved and enjoyed. They showed no ruin porn, but places with wonderful stories.

Two of those places were the Artist Village and the Motor City Java House were they had activities arranged for their guests to participate in if they so wished.

One of those activities was to pack backpacks for the homeless of Detroit. I arrived there with Rosey and we set up an assembly line of items to people to pack into the bags. Shawn showed up with awesome hygiene packs he made from items donated from hotels by the airport!!

Just over 30 packs were made and are ready for the streets and we are so grateful to each and every guest of Jo & Rays who took the time to help out.
We are humbled and amazed at both Jo & Ray for even thinking of making a part of their visit to Detroit and more so as a part of their ceremony. It shows so much about who they are and the couple they are going to be.

Thank you so much..small bows and deep love!

~d

Occupy Detroit and the homeless in Detroit

This is a really good blog about someones experience with the homeless while they were at Occupy Detroit.

It made me happy to hear it esp as i heard stories about assaults this weekend and no one could tell me if they were by homeless, on the homeless or otherwise. No one could tell me about a sexual assault either, just that they heard about it.

I wrote a response to this blog in the comments. My only wish is that the writer had not listed the locations of the homeless. I work to keep that information private esp. if they are tucked away.

But please take a moment to read this...

http://leavesintheforest.blogspot.com/2011/10/occupy-detroit-getting-schooled.html?m=1#comment-form

Monday, January 24, 2011

homeless is my address, not my name

Christopher Breedlove who helps run Chicago Burners Without Borders brought me article from Minnesota on his last visit there.

It's entitled "Homeless is my address, not my name- an oral history of homelessness in Minnesota" its a project including photographers and interviewers doing story collection throughout the state to bring a name and face to this very serious issue.

Read more about it here and how they did the project here

a quote for the projects page is very thought provoking; "First person narratives by people living in poverty are often undervalued, as is all too common with experiences of marginalized people."

This is why this project is so touching to me and why i have for long not wanted people to photograph what i do, but seeing this project makes me realize it can be done in a touching and caring way. Thank you CB for showing me this.