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2010 Fund Raisers
The Magic Penny Garden Party, held on Saturday, July 17, 2010 was everything one could hope for. John and Lois Bourne’s lush garden provided the perfect space on this bright sunny afternoon. With mellow jazz, being played in the cool shade by Neil Ralph and Vernon McAuley, refreshing breezes, sparkling pool, along with chilled delicious refreshments, the generous supporters, hard working and loyal volunteers. Many new and old friends all gathered to enjoy themselves, raise additional funds, and receive an update on the school being constructed in the Sierra Leone village of Bompehtoke.
Lucy Sumner, founder and President of the Magic Penny, Inc., recently returned from West Africa and brought home photos and many personal stories about Bompehtoke. Lucy displayed a photo album that included smiling students in royal blue uniforms, plus great pictures of the new school with its cheerful bright red roof. She also told about meeting with the villagers, who wished her a very long life and blessed the work that is being made possible by the generous contributions from the Magic Penny supporters. Lucy also said that the villagers are now asking to add an additional grade, expanding the reach of the education to more children. She invited everyone to accompany her on a future trip to learn more about her home continent and her village, Bompehtoke.
Lucy also said that the new school is almost ready and the students are in need of books and supplies. Lucy is asking for donations of pencils, crayons, paper, notebooks and other school essentials to be donated and has made arrangements for them to be shipped by container in time for this coming school year. Please contact Lucy or any other Board member for more specific instructions.
Throughout the afternoon, chances were sold on baskets of goodies as well as a silent auction on 4 tickets to the New York Mets. At the end of the day, the prizes were awarded amid cheers and smiles for the happy winners. Lucy graciously acknowledged the great work done by so many people in bringing this party to reality and making it a success.
Everyone is hoping for another splendid party next year!
Remember...ALL donations to The Magic Penny, Inc. go directly toward the construction of a K-5 primary school and the support of six rural villages in Sierra Leone, West Africa
Send contributions to Lucy Sumner 24 Eldorado Dr. E. Northport, NY 11731
Magic Penny BROCHURE
Fund Raiser Archive
Letter From Lucy ~ October 2010
The Magic Penny Annual Fundraiser. All proceeds will go toward building a school for the children of Bompehtoke, Sierra Leone. For more information please call 631-486-3822 or eMail the Magic Penny.
2011 Fund Raisers
SECOND ANNUAL MAGIC PENNY FUNDRAISER HELD IN HUNTINGTON
The Second Annual Magic Penny Garden Party, held Saturday, July 16, 2011, proved to be a fruitful fundraising occasion for the organization dedicated to promoting education in rural Sierra Leone. Huntington residents Nina and Joe Doherty graciously offered to host the event. Their beautifully landscaped garden provided the perfect backdrop for a jazz ensemble that kindly offered to perform while generous supporters, hard working volunteers, as well as old and new friends gathered to enjoy themselves, raise additional funds, and celebrate the newly completed primary school in Bompehtoke, Sierra Leone.
Lucy Sumner, founder and President of The Magic Penny, Inc., recently returned from the dedication ceremonies for the first newly finished Magic Penny school; the four-classroom building will serve between 250 and 500 local children. Money to sew uniforms was donated by the Smithtown High School Symphonic Band, while generous donations to The Magic Penny allowed for the construction of sturdy wooden desks and chairs by Sierra Leone craftsmen. School materials have been donated privately, as well as from local businesses. The task ahead is to pave the area around the school, build playground facilities, and create a garden where the children can raise the crops that will be harvested for school lunches. As with all Magic Penny endeavors, the intention is to promote self-sustaining projects that stimulate local participation and ownership.
The Garden Party auctions and raffles that generated much-needed funds for new programs in Bompehtoke, included items offered by the New York Mets, Keurig Coffee and Whole Foods, among others. Ms. Sumner and the board of The Magic Penny continue their efforts to further education in the rural villages of Sierra Leone, West Africa. All inquiries and donations are welcomed, and further information is available at www.themagicpenny.org. or contact (631) 486-3822. Contributions can be sent directly to Lucy Sumner, 24 Eldorado Dr., East Northport, NY 11731.
Remember...ALL donations to The Magic Penny, Inc. go directly toward the construction of a K-5 primary school and the support of six rural villages in Sierra Leone, West Africa. For more information on 2011 fundraisers please click here!
Send contributions to Lucy Sumner 24 Eldorado Dr. E. Northport, NY 11731
Magic Penny BROCHURE
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2009 Fund Raiser
The Magic Penny held its 5th Annual Fundraiser on Thursday, December 3rd, 2009 at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 East Main Street, Northport, NY. featuring a performance of “Miracle on 34th Street”. What a wonderful night it turned out to be! The performance, by a Broadway cast, was superior. Great acting, wonderful voices, excellent dancing and a story that warms even the coldest of hearts. This holiday classic was one of the best in this year’s series.
Supporters of the Magic Penny arrived early to socialize, enjoy wine or other beverages, and a buffet supper. During this time, photos of the most recent work being done in Bompehtoke, Sierra Leone, were being shown on a screen in the theater lobby. These pictures were taken by Lucy Sumner, founder and director of the Magic Penny, on her recent trip to West Africa to visit her home village of Bompehtoke, Sierra Leone. Before the play began, Lucy gave a progress report of how the work is going in Bompehtoke.
An honored guest for the evening was Mamie Caulker, a friend of Lucy’s from Sierra Leone. Mamie and Lucy attended high school together at the Harford Secondary School for Girls in Sierra Leone. They then travelled together to the United States to attend college at Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania where they studied music. Later they both received their Masters in Music Education from Howard University in Washington, DC. Lucy said that Mamie eventually married her cousin, laughing as she denied having anything to do with it.
Pauline Washington, of Freeport, NY, won the Magic Penny Grand Prize Raffle of two season tickets for the Engeman Theater’s 2010-2011 season. Ms. Washington has been a staunch supporter of TMPI since Magic Penny’s first fundraiser in 2005.
Arnold Fishon was the lucky winner of the silent auction. Mr. Fishon outbid others for an African motif painting titled ‘HARVEST’, by Carla Bell. The painting depicts an African woman at harvest time.
Everyone is hoping that the fundraiser will be held at the Engeman Theater next year.
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- - 2008 Fund Raiser - -
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“Oliver” Raises Funds for Children in Sierra Leone
The Magic Penny ‘s 4th Annual Fundraiser, presenting the musical Oliver, was held the evening of Thursday, December 4, 2008 in the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport. The evening began in the Green Room with “Wine and Cheese” before the show. During this time, Lucy Sumner, founder and director of The Magic Penny, gave an update of plans and projects sponsored by TMPI in Sierra Leone. Lucy showed pictures of fresh water wells, sanitary facilities, and a community center that have been constructed. She also gave statistics reflecting improvements these changes have made for those living in six rural villages in Sierra Leone, West Africa. These success stories raised the spirit of hope in the hearts of the many loyal supporters of the Magic Penny who were in attendance that night.
The curtain went up at 8 PM and the production of Oliver was superb. Based on a Dickens story, the play tells of children suffering from poverty and deprivation. The obvious parallel with children of Sierra Leone was easy to see. All twenty of the professionals in the cast were outstanding and made Oliver a true Broadway caliber production.
Raffle tickets, the proceeds from which will be used to help build a school for the children of Sierra Leone, were sold before the show and during intermission. The grand prize was Two Season Tickets for next season, and two autographed copies of A Long Way Gone, by Ishmael Beah. Winners were announced after the show.
Supporters of The Magic Penny loved the show and are already looking forward to next year, hopefully same time, and same place. |
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Third Annual Fall Fundraiser
[ If you missed the 2007 fundraiser you can see pictures by going to the 'Fundraiser Page.' ]
2007 Fund Raiser: Recapturing The Hope Of Sierra Leone
Guest Speaker: Annie Bangura, TMPI Managing Director, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Bigger, better and more fun is the only way to describe the Magic Penny’s fundraiser held October 25, 2007!
As guests arrived, they were welcomed with background music by the Harborfields High School Chamber Ensemble, under the direction of Alan Walter. It is the third year this group has provided accompaniment to the cocktail/social time and those who have heard them before know the HHS Chamber Ensemble can always be depended on for beautiful music. Throughout the cocktail hour, guests were able to peruse beautiful baskets and other items available for the Raffles and Silent Auction.
The event this year was held at the Thatched Cottage and all agreed that the setting, service, and the ambiance lived up to their reputation for high quality. Also, because Thatched Cottage is known for its excellent cuisine, this buffet was no exception. The dishes were fresh, plentiful and of the highest quality.
After dinner, Lucy Sumner, founder and president of the Magic Penny gave a PowerPoint presentation showing the progress made this year in the village of Bompehtoke, Sierra Leone. Of particular interest to everyone, were the pictures of the school property and community center. It is very gratifying for all TMPI loyal supporters to see the results of their generosity.
The Keynote speaker for the evening was Annie Bangura. Mrs. Bangura, Lucy Sumner’s sister, is the Managing Director of the Magic Penny in Sierra Leone. Annie lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone her native land. She is able to directly oversee the project almost on a day-to-day basis. Annie showed herself to be an outstanding speaker, eloquently describing how much the support of The Magic Penny means to the people of Bompehtoke. Her perspective in giving and receiving let everyone at the fundraiser realize the importance of their part in this project.
Next, members of the Harambee Dance Company from New York City provided a spectacular show. Two women dancers and 2 men drummers changed the glow of the evening into an exciting show of clapping, singing, and moving feet. The lively sights and sounds made it impossible to sit still. It took very little coaxing for member of the audience to get up and dance. Even if you didn’t get up to dance, everyone joined in the fun and excitement.
The room was “jumping” by the time the show was over and people sat back as the names of lucky winners were called for auctions and raffles.
Everyone said they wanted to comeback again next year: to sing, to dance and to share in the dream of The Magic Penny.
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