Tickets to the 6th Annual Magic & Miracles are on sale now at: http://rwwdc.eventbrite.com/.
In the six years since we started Ready, Willing & Working, we’ve helped dozens of men become productive, taxpaying citizens, and fathers to their children through paid work opportunities. Most will never sleep in a shelter or be incarcerated again.
Experience the Magic of Opportunity and the Miracle of the Human Spirit at the
6th Annual “Magic & Miracles,” an Evening Benefiting Ready, Willing & Working
The Atlas Performing Arts Center
1333 H Street, NE
Washington, DC
6:00-9:00pm
With Washington Wizards Television Announcer
Steve Buckhantz as Master of Ceremonies
Honoring
Phil Truluck and The Heritage Foundation
Walk the Red Carpet!
Open Beer and Wine Bar
Music by Synchronicity
Food Selections by Belga Café, Cava Mezze, Zest Bistro and MK Catering
Featuring “Ex-Con Chili” – a special recipe by Patty Brosmer and favored by the “men in blue”
Local singing sensation 15 year-old Adalia Jimenez
Silent Auction including Washington Capitals and Wizards tickets, jewelry, sports memorabilia and more!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:
National Capital Bank, Nancy Squires and The Squires Group, Capitol Hill BID and Capitol Hill Exxon
Media Sponsor
Honorary Host Committee (confirmed to date)
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, United States Congress
The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, United States Congress
The Honorable John Conyers Junior, United States Congress
The Honorable Vincent Gray, Mayor, District of Columbia
The Honorable Marion Barry, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Muriel Bowser, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable David Catania, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Jack Evans, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Jim Graham, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Phil Mendelson, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Vincent Orange, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Tommy Wells, District of Columbia Council
George McDonald, Founder and President of The Doe Fund
Harriet McDonald, Executive Vice President of The Doe Fund
We’ve received several calls over the last few weeks regarding a homeless individual in Downtown Washington, DC who has been asking people for money to enter our Ready, Willing & Working (RWW) program. The young man is claiming he had spent some time in local federal prisons and was now trying to get into the RWW program. He said it required him to raise around $185.00 and is asking people for the money to help him out. According to witnesses, he was well spoken, polite and a good communicator.
RWW does not require homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals to pay money to get into our program. If you come across this individual, please do not give him any money and contact RWW President Patty Brosmer at 202-842-3333 ext. 11 or pbrosmer@rwwdc.org.
Ready, Willing & Working is excited to announce Washington Wizards television announcer Steve Buckhantz as our Master of Ceremonies for The 6th Annual Magic & Miracles benefit on Thursday, December 5th from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, NE.
With 40 years of broadcasting experience, including over a quarter-century in the Nation’s Capital, Steve Buckhantz is one of the longest tenured sportscasters in the Metropolitan area. A four-time Emmy award winner, including the honor for Wizards play-by-play in 2008, Buckhantz is in his 17th season as the television voice of the Wizards on Comcast SportsNet.
Buckhantz’ dramatic game calls have crept into DC’s sports lexicon. “Dagger,” “Backbreaker,” “Not Possible,” all are heard regularly on sports highlight shows around the country.
Buckhantz is a native of Washington, DC, born in the District and raised in nearby Arlington, VA. He attended Washington-Lee High School and his education continued at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Arts. In 1995 Buckhantz was honored with JMU’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Following four years broadcasting JMU basketball games on radio, Buckhantz made the transition into television at ABC affiliate WHSV-TV in Harrisonburg, where he anchored the 11pm sports and weather. His TV career then took him to WRCB in Chattanooga, TN, WTVF in Nashville, TN and WSB in Atlanta, GA, before returning in 1984 to his hometown and Fox owned WTTG-TV, where he was the Sports Director and lead sports anchor for nearly 14 years. Buckhantz’ play-by-play work also includes the “NFL on Fox” and in 1994 was part of that networks’ inaugural season televising professional football. From 1991-’97 Buckhantz was the radio play-by-play voice of the US Naval Academy Football Team. In 2011, Buckhantz was inducted into The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences National Capital Chapter Silver Circle, honoring those who have made significant contributions to the broadcast industry over the span of 25 years or more in the National Capital region.
Buckhantz is involved in numerous charitable events in the Washington area, and for the past 18 years has been the spokesman for the Steve Buckhantz/St. Jude Celebrity Golf Tournament, which to date has raised over three million dollars to benefit research at the children’s hospital in Memphis, TN.
Magic & Miracles benefits the “men in blue” that can be seen everyday in the business areas of Capitol Hill, Barracks Row Main Street, and Adams Morgan. All are all formerly homeless, formerly incarcerated individuals; many of whom have struggled with substance abuse. Ready, Willing & Working empowers these individuals to break their destructive cycles by offering a paid-work experience and supportive services that put them on the road to self-sufficiency. With your support, you are helping these men continue their journey to becoming productive, contributing members of society.
The event will feature cocktails, heavy hor d’oeuvres, a silent auction and special presentation. We will be honoring Phil Truluck and The Heritage Foundation for their support of the program and dedication to its mission. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at rwwdc.eventbrite.com.
Did you know that 70% of participants from Ready, Willing & Working remain employed, independently housed and drug-free after 3 years of entering the program? Check out more information about our program here, in Ready, Willing & Working At A Glance.
Ready, Willing & Working is pleased to announce that Phil Truluck and The Heritage Foundation will be honored at our 6th Annual Magic & Miracles benefit on Thursday, December 5, 2013 at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, NE. Phil and The Heritage Foundation will be honored for their support of the program and our “men in blue” since 2008. More event details to follow. To purchase tickets, visit rwwdc.eventbrite.com.
Whip out a pen or your smartphone and mark your calendars! RWW’s 6th annual Magic & Miracles benefit will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2013. Come experience “the magic of opportunity and the miracle of the human spirit” at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on H St NE!
The 5th Annual Magic & Miracles benefit for Ready, Willing & Working was held Thursday, November 29th at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, NE.
The event began at 6:00pm with cocktails, a silent auc
tion, raffle drawing and plenty of delicious food provided by Cava Mezze, Matchbox Capitol Hill, The Sweet Lobby and MK Catering. TopChef Contestant Bart Vandaele of Belga Cafe (right)entertained guests as he prepared one of his signature dishes: Celery Waffle with Duck Confit and Orange Cotton Candy.
Guests were invited into the Sprenger Theater at about 7:15pm, where they were greeted by our “men in blue,” who passed out programs as they entered. Paul Pascal, Vice President of Ready, Willing & Working, introduced
Master of Ceremonies Paul Berry (left: Paul Pascal, Paul Berry and Brenda Pascal).
Local 14 year-old singing sensation Adalia Jimenez began the program with the singing of our National Anthem.
Councilmembers Tommy Wells and Vincent Orange each spoke during the presentation, offering their praises and support of the program.
The highlight of the evening was when National Capital Bank was honored for their generous support of the Ready, Willing & Working program since its inception. “Honor Guard,” a video produced by Matthew McClain, featured Team Member Willie Taylor, along with National Capital Bank President Jimmy Didden and his brother, CEO Richard Didden. Kathy Didden, the widow of the late George Didden, shared her story of how George wanted to employ formerly homeless and incarcerated individuals to clean the streets of Capitol Hill, which eventually led to the formation of Ready, Willing & Working. Click here to watch the video tribute, or see the link below.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4hc_2xH8xc]
Ready, Willing & Working would like to thank everyone who came out to support the “men in blue” at The 5th Annual Magic & Miracles.
Above, from left: Jimmy Didden, Kathy Didden, Richard Didden and RWW President Patty Brosmer
Tickets are $75 and are available for purchase at rww.eventbrite.com
Featuring the talented Josh Norris for magic and entertainment, 14 year-oldlocal singing sensation Adalia Jimenez, a silent auction, heavy hor d’oeuvres, and several notable guest speakers.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Nancy Squires of The Squires Group
National Capital Bank
Capitol Hill Business Improvement District
Capitol Hill Exxon
Phil Truluck, The Heritage Foundation
Media Sponsor:
K Street Magazine
Food Selections Provided By:
Cava Mezze
Matchbox Capitol Hill
The Sweet Lobby – Winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars
Featuring a Signature Dish from TopChef’s Bart Vandaele of Belga Cafe
Honorary Host Committee:
The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, United States Congress
The Honorable Barbara Lee, United States Congress
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, United States Congress
The Honorable Vincent Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Marion Barry, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Muriel Bowser, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable David Catania, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Jack Evans, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Kenyan McDuffie, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Vincent Orange, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Tommy Wells, District of Columbia Council
George McDonald, Founder and President of The Doe Fund
Harriet McDonald, Executive Vice President of The Doe Fund
Ready, Willing & Working is gearing up for The 5th Annual Magic & Miracles benefit on Thursday, November 29 at The Atlas Performing Arts Center on H Street, NE. (Buy your tickets here!) Dozens of local businesses have generously donated items for the event’s silent auction. It is certainly going to be one of the highlights of the evening so don’t miss out!
A special thanks to our Silent Auction Chair, Linda Brekke who has also contributed many pieces of gorgeous jewelry to the event, that she handmade herself.
Please show your gratitude by patronizing these businesses for their support of Magic & Miracles:
Art and Soul Boutique
Bike and Roll DC
Bouvier International Salon
Bundle of Cookies
Dawn Price Baby
Edible Arrangements, Capitol Hill
Folger Theater
Forecast Fine Clothing and Home Accents
Frager’s Hardware
Georgetown Cupcake
Ginkgo Gardens
Hill’s Kitchen
Homebody – Outfitters for Contemporary Living
Labyrinth Games and Puzzles
Lavagna Ristorante Italiano
Michael Anthony Salon
Montemartre Restaurant
Newman Gallery and Custom Frames
Pesce Seafood Bistro
Playseum
Schooner Heron Charters
Tracy & Company Salon
Vidalia Restaurant
Washington Redskins
Washington Nationals
Woven History
and much more to come!
If your business would like to donate an item to the silent auction, please contact Kelly Maslar at kmaslar@capitolhillbid.org or 202-842-3333 ext. 10. All donations are tax-deductible.
Tickets are $75 and are available for purchase at rww.eventbrite.com
Featuring the talented Josh Norris for magic and entertainment, a silent auction, heavy hor d’oeuvres, and several notable guest speakers, including George and Harriet McDonald of The Doe Fund in New York City.
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Nancy Squires of The Squires Group
National Capital Bank
Capitol Hill Business Improvement District
Capitol Hill Exxon
Phil Truluck, The Heritage Foundation
Media Sponsor:
K Street Magazine
Food Selections Provided By:
Cava Mezze
Matchbox Capitol Hill
Featuring a Signature Dish from TopChef’s Bart Vandaele of Belga Cafe
Honorary Host Committee:
The Honorable Saxby Chambliss, United States Congress
The Honorable Barbara Lee, United States Congress
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, United States Congress
The Honorable Vincent Gray, Mayor of the District of Columbia
The Honorable Marion Barry, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Muriel Bowser, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable David Catania, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Jack Evans, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Kenyan McDuffie, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Vincent Orange, District of Columbia Council
The Honorable Tommy Wells, District of Columbia Council
George McDonald, Founder and President of The Doe Fund
Harriet McDonald, Executive Vice President of The Doe Fund
