NEWS

THE MAGIC PENNY GARDEN PARTY

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

Magic Penny Sponsors a Miracle on Main Street

The Magic Penny held its 5^th Annual Fundraiser on Thursday, December 3^rd, 2009 at the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 East Main Street, Northport, NY. featuring a performance of “Miracle on 34^th 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.

- - Magic Penny News - -

Descriptions and costs of the projects

Smithtown High School East Symphonic Band Assists The Magic Penny

On March 24th, officers of the Smithtown High School East Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Debra Kalabza-Balsamo, presented Ms. Lucy Sumner, President of The Magic Penny, Inc. with a check for $619.00 to go towards uniforms for children of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Children throughout Africa are not permitted to attend school unless they have a uniform and shoes. When the Symphonic Band students heard this, they decided to jump into action. With the help of the entire music department, the Symphonic Band students accepted donations from concert goers at all three winter concerts during the December 2008 Winter Concert Series held at Smithtown High School East.
Dr. Kalabza-Balsamo is on the executive board of The Magic Penny, Inc. which is a non profit organization created to develop and implement individualized self-sufficiency action plans that will empower rural communities in Sierra Leone, West Africa by fostering Education, Health and Educational growth.
The Magic Penny, Inc. has already built drinking water wells, a community center and ventilated sanitary facilities. The next project is to build a K-5 primary school that will serve a cluster of 6 villages. All management of projects and fiscal accountability are handled by the organization in New York which delegates responsibility to Magic Penny staff in Sierra Leone.
The organization’s vision is to duplicate the community model across Sierra Leone. The primary school building project is expected to break ground April 2009 and will cost $45,000.

Smithtown East Symphonic Band presentation

Mrs. Lucy Sumner [L] and Dr. Debra Kalabza-Balsamo


	- - Magic Penny News - - Descriptions and costs of the projects
		“Oliver” Raises Funds for Children in Sierra Leone The Magic Penny ‘s 4^th 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.

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]

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.


- - More Magic Penny News - -
		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.

	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.

“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.

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.

TMPI Annual Meeting

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.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE!
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