Write this down!

Hey everyone, just a few reminders:

THIS THURSDAY is the Project 4063 Canned Food Drive to benefit the William Byrd Community House. Please help out by donating between 10am - 4pm in the hallway between Temple and Oliver Hall.

Also, don't forget the 1st Annual Shockoe Slip Open House Block Party is coming up this December 10th and 11th - have fun AND donate to local charities!

Lastly, I know it's early for this, but registration for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k starts TOMORROW DEC. 1st. Join the Anthem Massey Fundraising Challenge to help raise funds for the 10k's official non-profit partner, the VCU Massey Cancer Center.

-Sophia

THIS IS THE WEEK!!!!!!

Hope everyone out there had a happy and belt-busting Turkey Day! I know I probably gained a few pounds from the continuous 4 days of feasting. We had so much food left over that it could probably feed us till Christmas! Then I thought about Project 4063 and how we really need this week's Food Drive to be a success!!! Families a part of the Williamn Byrd House may not have had enough to eat this past Thanksgiving, so please come out this Thursday, Dec.4 from 10am-4pm and donate any type of non-perishable food you can! See you all there!

Happy Holidays!
Rachel

Wishing you warm Holidays!

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday has passed, we all need to make an effort to come out and support our local community by donating a non-parishable food item that will benefit the William Byrd Community House.   We all know you have leftovers....so be kind and give back to those in need!

Projects 4063 is hosting our food drive On December 3rd. from 10-4 p.m. in the hallway between Temple and Oliver Hall!

Thank you all so much! Can't wait to see you there.
-Sara

I found something cool!

Ever noticed how it is always when you're not intentionally looking for something that you find stuff? Maybe that's just me and indeed that did happen to me just now. While surfing the net, I happened upon a website that I had never heard of before - it's called "Oregon Hill.net"!

You may or may not know that Oregon Hill is a historic neighborhood in Richmond, Virginia, USA, but Oregon Hill.net is an online publication devoted to showcasing interesting events and happenings going on in the neighborhood itself, and larger events, too, that are impacting the community (namely, the greater Richmond area).

I think it's cool to have the residents of a community come together; it can build pride, unity, and it provides an outlet and opportunity for people to get involved with something meaningful and rewarding. Local involvement activities to me are something that can be personal to you and more within your reach and means, because it is literally right within your very own living community! You also get to share and commune together with your family, friends, and neighborhbors in an experience.

Sorry, I know I have spent a lot of time writing about Oregon Hill.net; my interest was stirred by this finding, but it does relate to Project 4063. When I was searching for something about Project 4063 on Google, I found a blog post about us. Again, because Oregon Hill.net covers local events in Oregon Hill and sometimes the larger community, one of our events was up on there. The one about the New Media Mixer was simultaneously blogged about and advertised by the guy who started the website. Although the post had some slightly incorrect details, it was still neat to see how wide Project 4063 has been placed across the internet, how many eyes have seen us, as well as how many of our acquaintances have been made aware of the project and have participated with us. Check out the blog on the Oregon Hill Website yourself!

Thanks and peace out!

- Stephanie

A Little Extra

Three days ago what was supposed to be just a few friends getting together for a neighborhood potluck dinner turned into a fairly decent canned food drive! It was advertised through outside parties on facebook briefly but really had a good turn out. I would just like to say thanks to those who dropped by and thanks for the donations. A total of 17 cans and 3 dry food donations.

This is proof that people are willing to donate even though money is tight. I will be adding these donations to the project 4063 canned food drive on December 3rd and I look forward to the success of the project at the end of the semester! Come see us at the Project 4063 canned food drive for the William Byrd Community House! We will be at the walkway in between Temple and Oliver Hall from 10 am to 4 pm on December 3rd.

-sean

Looking Ahead

We're not going to let the hurricane weather or turn out stop us from making a difference! To re-cap: Hashbrown networking had some donations and we just wanted to say thanks to all those who drove in the crazy stormy weather to come out and eat some waffles and donate to the William Byrd House! The mixer at Blackfun Wednesday night produced a good a mount of yummy donations. Speaking of yummy food, the apetizers and finger foods at Blackfin were delicious! The turn out was a good amount, and Project 4063 tried to represent ourselves to the best of our abilities, but most of us had class during that time.

Please continue to support Project 4063, especially as the holidays are coming up. We will be having our main event: Proj 4063 Canned Food Drive on Dec. 3 from 10am-4pm on the VCU campus at the crosswalk of Main St. in between the Temple and Oliver Halls. We'll be posted up with a table and brown bags for you all to drop off the food. After the drive, we will be delivering the donations to the William Byrd House. Just think, if we all donated at least 1 thing how much of a difference it will make to those in need's Christmas dinner.

We are promoting this event not only on here, but through Twitter and Facebook as well so please RSVP to the Facebook event to show your support for our drive!

-Rachel

Food Drive...December 3!!! Because Helping out feels good!

December 3rd...

Project 4063 is hosting a food drive to donate to the William Byrd Community House! 

Location:  Between Oliver Hall and the T. Edward Temple Building on VCU's Monroe Park        Campus. 

Time:     10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Can't wait to see you there!

Tis the Season

Thanksgiving always serves as the kick off for the holiday season and naturally puts people in good spirits. The end of the year brings with it time to reflect upon everything we've experienced, be they good or bad, and what we have to be thankful: things we've learned, acquired, accomplished etc. I'm feel very blessed to be in a position where I have all of my necessities. However, I can not be totally content knowing that many people, children particularly, may be going without. This is why I really hope the class canned food drive on December 3 will be a success! Unfortunately, I could not attend the other food drives the class held because I am very busy putting together a cabaret show for next month.

This class will end in a few short weeks, but hopefully people's drive to give back will continue. The show I have produced and created with my dance group Lipstick, will be held December 11th at Rendezvous and will hopefully be a great benefit for Safe Harbour, a women's domestic violence shelter. I encourage those who enjoy the arts to come out for a night of entertainment. Richmond.com description

If you could care less about this event, something I did last year that was very fulfilling, was volunteering with HandsOn Greater Richmond. One of MANY events they are hosting this season is a Float-On Food Bank( RSVP to this event!)on December 5th. No matter what you choose, I hope everyone finds a way to give back this holiday season!

Lois

Watch what you blog

I read an interesting article recently that everyone who uses social networking sites should read.  Can The Law Keep Up With Technology is about recent law suits filed over comments made on social networking sites such as Twitter, Blogger, and Myspace.  Social networking sites are relatively new, and 5 years ago it would be difficult to imagine posting a blurb such as "Who said sleeping in a moldy apartment was bad for you? Horizon Realty thinks it's okay" would get you slapped with a $50,000 law suit by your landlord.  Its not that I think our blog would ever have something posted like this that would get us into trouble, but i just think its interesting how the medium itself, blogging, tweeting, posting, has created a situation where the law is struggling to catch up with the times and navigating a divide between free speech and malicious intent to defame.  Something to keep in mind in our online lives.

- Tommy

Society must band together to help children achieve

A column published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Nov., 16th spoke out about what many organizations are trying to do to help the youth of today make a better tomorrow.  Guest columnist B.H.B. Hubbard III spoke of how some children in today's society are not receiving the attention, education and care that they need to become well-rounded adults.
He says that "as a community, we cannot sit back and wait for others to fix theproblem. We all have to be proactive."


This is a view that is shared by the William Byrd Community House. They provide the right stuff to help them be self sufficient members of society. "William Byrd Community House strives to be a catalyst for transforming the lives of people, particularly children and youth, by helping them move from dependency toward self-sufficiency as quickly as possible."


It is our job to help these children and help these organizations who have a goal of making society better. The WBCH is a way that we can help this effort locally! 

Looking forward to upcoming events and the new media mixer

As the semester is winding down, I am really starting to look forward to the canned food drive we are doing.  Although all the details are not finalized, the event will definitely be on Dec. 3rd.  I think we might just be able to pull off a successful canned food and give the William Byrd Community House some much needed food.  I am excited to see how the turnout will be for the event.  In addition, I am really looking forward to the new media mixer tonight.  I hope lots of people bring cans or are willing to give a monetary donation.  Hopefully my teacher will let me out of class early enough to attend the mixer for a little while.

- Caitlin

The semester's end is coming up around the corner!

It looks like we're coming to the end of our project. We have two more events we are participating in: There will be a social event called the "New Media Mixer" and the other event is our own canned food collection day.

The "New Media Mixer" will be held at a local Black Finn Restaurant right here in Richmond, Virginia and our professor has asked us to come out to it.

Our canned food drive will be the last day of classes for us students, but the issue with it is that it isn't definite where we are going to collect our goods.

We are thinking of having it at the student union on our university campus, but you've got to request for the space and then get approved in order to reserve it. It is a process, and I'm not sure if we're going to have time to get it before the day of our event. Who knows!

But I think that we're doing great with our project so far and in the end it'll only be all for the better for the nonprofit organization we're helping - the William Byrd Community House.

-Stephanie

Block Party!

This year Shockoe Slip is celebrating the holiday season with their 1st Annual Shockoe Slip Open House Block Party. The event, held December 10th and 11th, will feature shopping deals, drink and dinner specials, and multiple opportunities to raise funds and donations for charities, such as Toys for Tots.

More information can be found on their facebook event page.

-Sophia

Thanksgiving leftovers

The need for canned food doesn't end on Thanksgiving. Many people seem to have the idea that holidays are the only time people need food. Thats why on December 3rd, Project 4063 will be accepting any donations to the William Byrd Community House. We plan on helping to support the families associated with the WBCH even after Thanksgiving and hopefully into the Christmas season with our donations. 


-Sean

Ya Know What I Noticed...

You know what I noticed....

So i have been to various grocery stores in different areas of Richmond this week and I see that all those places are collecting non-perishable food donations as well. It makes me really sad when I see some boxes barely filled and then they have signs that make you feel even worse: "1 box feeds a family of 4 for 1 day" I never realized how much food these organizations need and how hungry some families are. The economy is not in good shape, but I really take for granted the fact that I don't have to think twice how much a meal is or wanting to eat out at a nice restaurant or not. Then it got me to thinking about the William Byrd House. It're really important to donate anything: time, money, canned goods because anything helps. You make not like those can of green beens in your pantry or not think about buying those 68 cent cans of beans --> but to those that really need food, they'd love to have it.

On a lighter note! I'm really excited for Blackfunn this wednesday. :) Is it true? Free drinks on Dave? hehehehe

<3 Rachel N.

Donate more than just food!

Did you know you can donate more goods to the William Byrd Community House than just canned food?
They also accept a variety of important everyday goods at we forget about! Think about donating pack of toilet-paper or diapers along with your cans of peas and boxes of macaroni.
Here are more items that the WBCH gladly accepts...
Toilet paper, paper towels, dish detergent, sanitary products for women, laundry powder, diapers (medium and large sizes) and deodorant.


Don't forget about that it's time to help those in need!
Everything is appreciated!

Hashbrown Networking Kind of a Success

A few of us were able to meet at the Waffle House on Broad street for the hashbrown networking event this past Thursday. We collected a modest amount of food, thanks to everyone who donated. There was a small amount of people, that showed up. I heard that recently hash-brown networking was packed because of a similar event... By the way, I forgot how much I like a $2 waffle. Unfortunately, Mr. Dave Saunders, our social media luminary, was not able to make it due to another "commitment". The showing at Black Finn should probably have a bigger turn out. Thanks again to all of you who read our blog & have donated to our cause!

-Yvonne

New Media Mixer.......

As you all know we hosted a food drive in conjunction with Hashbrown Networking last night at the Waffle House on broad street! It was great to see people contributing to such a great cause, eventhough the weather was so gross! Troopers guys...great job!  It is always nice to meet new people and engage in interesting conversations as well.
I met several interesting people and look forward to meeting many more.

If you were unable to attend Hashbrown Networking....don't fret, you are given a second chance.
Project 4063 is hosting a

                      ...........NEW MEDIA MIXER..........

Do you like Dancing? Drinking? Networking? Donating? FUN?......if so, this is the place for you!

locationt:  Richmond's Blackfinn 1001 Haxall Point, Suit 100.
                 Richmond va 23219
Date:        Wednesday November 18th
Time:        5-7 p.m

Please Donate(non parishable food item or $) admission is free with a can!
This is the time of year to give back so....
Come on out and meet and greet your community!

All proceeds go to the WBCH.
Thank You!!! See you there!
Sara.

Coats for Kids

Hey everyone,
Check out Coats for Kids. Puritan Cleaners and the Salvation Army have teamed up again this year to help gather coats and donations for families in the Richmond Community.
Drop-offs can be made at any Puritan Cleaners between November 1st - 30th. For more information, or to volunteer, you can contact the Salvation Army at (804) 225-7470.
Also, check out their website for information on the Ballpark Warming Party, and to watch their video blog.

Please donate!
Thanks,
Sophia

The canned food drive!

I am very excited about the canned food drive coming up on December 3rd at the VCU Student Commons. I love being involved with projects trying to raise food or help out nonprofit organizations. As the semester has progressed and is soon coming to an end, I have really enjoyed working on this project and learning about social media. It is really neat learning about how to market events like this through social networking and media sites. Although there are only a few weeks left in this semester, I'm eagerly waiting the turnout for our upcoming events and where the rest of the semester will take us.




- Caitlin

We're going can crazy!

I am excited to see what's going to happen this Thursday at the Hashbrown Networking event, the New Media Mixer, and (drum roll) our very own BIG canned food drive. I think William Byrd Community House (www.wbch.org) is going to love us for our efforts, and I am interested in seeing what results we're going to have (in how many cans we collect, that is).

Something I'm concerned with is the challenge of getting folks to donate. I noticed on campus that a fraternity and another VCU student organization are both hosting their own canned food drives around this time, so I hope we don't wear people out by asking them for cans too!

Someone told me an interesting fact: The individuals who donate the most to the local food bank are those who have personally experienced having a lack of food themselves at one point in their lives. Also, since it tends to be difficult to get folks to donate, it is even more so nowadays with the economy they way it is, according to someone who spoke to me.

Anyway, like I said, I can't wait to see what our fruits will be in this class. Even if it's just one can, the WBCH will only be more better off!

-Stephanie

The Week In Review & then some

I'm really excited that this project is coming together! I hope all the events we have lined up go really well. I can't wait to meet new people, drink some booze, eat some hashbrowns, & stock up the William Byrd's food supply. Money is tight for everyone right now, but i just think about how worse someone's situation is than mine & I'm so thankful that I am able to help out & donate to them. I can't wait for Thursday's Hasbrown networking event & I'm even more excited about the event @ Blackfinn where you can come in for free if you bring a non-perishable food item! Cool-drinking during class! I think that's a first! Which means Dave Saunder's is the best professor EVER for letting us drink while doing school work! :)Is that even really allowed? hahaha. Anyway, everyone out there! Start collecting your cans & see you this Thurs night @ 8pm (waffle house. broad & glenside..yumm!)

:) Rachel N.

Project 4063 Flickr Update!

(by: melissa calabro)

Hello again, Richmond! Project 4063 had the opportunity to visit the William Byrd Community House a couple of weeks ago, and we wanted to share our experience with you! Check out our Flickr for some new photos of the group!

And don't forget to bring some canned goods for William Byrd Community House to Hashbrown Networking on 11/12 at the Waffle House at Glenside and Broad! See you there!

Melissa

Time Flies

The Project 4063 food drive and the end of the semester are both quickly approaching. I will also see what i can do about an additional food drive in the form of an Thanksgiving Leftovers Potluck in Oregon Hill but this is still in the planning stage and may or may not happen. I feel we've all learned quite a bit throughout this class (I, for one, have already started my own blog to serve as an online portfolio) and I can definitely see us reaching our goals during the food drive on December 3rd. I believe we will be able to give a sizable donation to the WBCH .

Please check out other Project 4063 pages!

Project 4063 is on Facebook and Twitter so please don't forget to check us out there! We love new friends =) Our Flickr account is growing every day. Come back soon to see some pics from the upcoming event at Black Finn, Hashbrown networking and our canned food drive on Dec. 3rd. More details to come!

-Yvonne

Food Drive...

Hellooooo world,
VCU's Project 4063 is hosting a food drive to donate to those in need at the William Byrd Community House.

This event will take place in the VCU Student Commons from 11-3 p.m. on December 3rd.

We will be accepting non parishable food items such as canned vegetables, peanut butter and boxed mixes.

Please donate generously to a community that caters to those in need.
Thank you!
-Sara

Tips on Donating Food

With the holidays approaching people often find it in their hearts to donate to those in need. One of the best ways to help out is by donating food to food pantries (which the William Byrd Community House has!)
A lot of people think that donating food means cleaning out your own food pantry... think again! Here are some tips that can help make your donations even more appreciated.

- Check the expiration date on canned goods. That can of Spam that you had to blow dust off of may have already expired.
-Remember that although you love lima beans doesn't mean everyone does. Don't get us wrong, food pantries and the people they serve are grateful for anything they can get, but try to vary the food you donate.
- Ask an organization what their needs are. Sometimes they need more than just food.
- Most pantries will accept all sorts of goods such as...

 meals in a can, such as stews and ravioli

 canned soups

 canned tuna or other canned meat

 peanut butter

 pasta sauce

 canned fruit

 macaroni and cheese mix

 disposable diapers and baby formula

- Many organizations will gladly accept monetary donations as well. Sometimes they are even preferred because they can use that to buy specific goods that people need!

Do your part to help those who are in need! Whether it is donating food, time, or money.

Lynna