SOME’s eNewsletter February 2008

In this issue:

1. SOME’s Zagami House Opens
2. Join us for Empty Bowls!
3. A Junior Gala Thank You!
4. Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival
5. Did You Know?

1.  SOME’s Zagami House Opens

SOME’s new Affordable Family Housing, Zagami House, opened its doors to 12 formerly homeless and very poor families in January.  SOME began construction on this 13-apartment property in March 2007. The building contains community space for tutoring and after-school programming, offices for case management staff, and laundry facilities for the residents.  Zagami House uses the new Rent Supplement Program for operating subsidies. Welcome Zagami residents!

2.   Join us for Empty Bowls!

In partnership with the Clay Connection, SOME’s annual Empty Bowls supper is held to raise awareness of hunger.  The Empty Bowls events will take place in two locations this year! Please join us from 6:00-9:00pm on Thursday, March 6th at St. Charles Church in Virginia or on Monday, March 10th at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington, DC for an evening of food, family and friends.  For a $20 contribution you can choose a handmade bowl created by a local artist, have a delicious soup supper, and take your bowl home with you!  All contributions will benefit SOME’s meal programs. If you know businesses that might like to donate desserts or pottery to the events or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Susanne Tortola at stortola@some.org or 202-797-8806 x.1010.

3.  A Junior Gala Thank You!

Thank you to the 700+ young professionals who made the 5th Annual SOME Junior Gala on February 8th a sold out and fun event. The Junior Gala raised funds to support SOME's affordable housing programs for formerly homeless families. This year’s proceeds will support the construction of a brand new playground for the children at Zagami House. SOME would like to recognize Junior Gala Chairs Molly McNamara, Hugh Boyle and Patrick Judge, the Jr. Gala Board, the Senior and Junior Committees, as well as Susan O’Neill & Associates for the wonderful job they did to ensure a great event.  We would also like to thank our generous Executive Sponsor, Labels for Love District Sample Sale and Corporate Chairs Clark Construction, FBR Capital Markets and The JBG Companies.

4. Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival

The 9th Annual Washington D.C. International Wine & Food Festival is generously donating a portion of the proceeds from its Grand Cru Wine Lounge Opening Night Party to SOME.  The Grand Cru event will be held on Friday, February 29 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the Pavilion Room in the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and will feature extraordinary vintages paired with delicious foods from the area’s top chefs.  The Festival will run through March 2 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and will feature more than 200 international wineries along with food vendors and manufacturers of related lifestyle products and services.  SOME will hold a raffle at the event on Saturday and Sunday featuring a number of exciting prizes.  We hope to see you there!  For more information visit http://www.dcwinefestival.com/ or call 800-343-1174.

5.  Did You Know…

when the actual or forecasted temperature, including the wind chill factor, falls below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the District makes “hypothermia shelter” available to individuals or families who are homeless and cannot access other shelter?  If you see someone on the streets in freezing temperatures, you can help by calling for a van to take these homeless persons to shelters, or to get blankets, water, and other services at 1-800-535-7252.