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The Magic Penny invites you to
LORD & TAYLOR’S GARDEN CITY BENEFIT BASH
TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2008 – 9:00 AM TO 10:00 PM
Shop all day while supporting your community!
Click here for a brochure or call 631-486-3822 for details
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Media
Coverage
The Times of Northport & East Northport [November 15, 2007, pages 1 and 12] featured an article on Ismael Beah. Beah is a former 'boy soldier' from Sierra Leone who wrote a best selling book A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier. Beah's presentation at Northport High School was attended by Magic Penny members Lucy Sumner and Joan Nickels.
Newsday story by Rhoda Amon on The Magic Penny [ October 29, 2006]
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Third Annual Fall Fundraiser
[ If you missed the fundraiser you can see pictures by going to the 'Fundraiser Page.' ]
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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- - More Magic Penny News - -
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Starting a Cottage Industry
Iye Fatu Sesay
These dolls are made by Iye Fatu Sesay, a single mother of three who lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Iye Fatu was taught doll-making by Kestin, a Danish lady, during a training program in tailoring.
She makes the dolls through the use of a hand-sewing machine and by hand, using rudimentary materials such as empty tins of tomato paste, cane wood, cotton fabric, tie dye, wire and sewing thread.
As a single mother, making these dolls for sale is her main source of income.
When the community center is completed Iye Fatu will teach women in the village how to make these dolls so they can start their own cottage industry.
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Dolls That Make A Difference
Sierra Leonean dolls
The dolls, approximately 12” high, are for sale at a cost of $20.00 each, plus $6.00 for shipping and handling.
Contact Lucy
at
631-486-3822 or
info@themagicpenny.org.
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“Recapturing the Hope of Sierra Leone”
Guest Speakers: Judy Figi and Lucy Sumner
Friday, October 27th, 2006
Old friends and new friends gathered on Friday, October 27th to attend the 2nd Annual Magic Penny Fundraiser. What a special evening it was! Once again, the warm glow of friendship blended with fine food and entertainment to make this evening memorable. The generosity of all who attended the event, purchased raffle tickets for the baskets, authentic dolls, 50/50 drawing, and bid for the African Artifacts in the silent auctions will not be easy to match. On hand to help with the success of these endeavors were: Luke Collin, Rebecca Feeney, and Kirsten Makela, all members of the Harborfields High School Honor Society.
During the cocktail hour from 7-8pm, guests were treated to background music by the Harborfields High School Chamber Ensemble under the direction of Mr. Alan Walter. Members of the ensemble were: Violins – Jacqueline Avallone and Minal Kadam: Violas – Spencer Thomas and Laurence Girard: Cellos – Greg Modelewski, Arielle Pasquier, and Katherine McAuley. During dinner, guests were treated to authentic African music played on a Kora, performed by Mr. Muhamadou Suso.
Mrs. Judy Figi was the event’s guest speaker and entertained everyone with her stories of life in Sierra Leone as a Peace Corps volunteer during the days before the civil war that so devastated the country and her recent involvement in Operation Classroom in Makeni, Sierra Leone. Judy reassured everyone, however, that there is much hope, and that on recent visits she sees life beginning to return to what it had been. Judy shared pictures she had taken and spoke of the warm welcome that she received everywhere that she went.
Mrs. Lucy Sumner, founder of TMPI, brought everyone up-to-date on how much progress has been done in the year since our last fundraiser. She showed pictures of what is happening in Bompehtoke: the community center, the drinking water wells, the sanitary facilities and drawings of the plans which she hopes will become a reality this coming year.
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Many thanks were given to the committees and volunteers who worked so hard for TMPI this past year. Special recognition and plaques were given to [L-R] Paula Dodge, Dave Figi [Judy Figi pictured accepting for Dave Figi], Dr. Veronica Henry [Lucy Sumner accepting for Dr Veronica Henry], Keni Kallon [Dr. James Allen accepting for Keni Kallon], and Gary Schulze.
As the evening drew to a close, old friends and new friends left with the knowledge that their support will help fulfill the Hope for Sierra Leone in years to come. |
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Our Annual Meeting will be Saturday, January 20, 2007 from 1-2 pm at the Centerport United Methodist Church, 97 Little Neck Road Centerport, N.Y. 11721 Phone 631 261-5222
Besides the president's report, and treasurer's report we will have a short PowerPoint presentation with pictures from the fundraiser and Lucy Sumner’s recent trip to Sierra Leone.
Refreshments will be served.
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L-R: Building the community center. Students in prayer. School children singing.
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L-R: School children. School room.
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L-R: The new ventilated sanitary facilities..
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