For Immediate Releasemedia Contacts
P.O. Box 7346, Ann Arbor, MI 48107
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
For Immediate ReleaseMedia Contacts:
October 1, 2015Chanel DeGuzman, 313-410-9909
Donica Thomas Varner, 313-585-7672
The Ann Arbor (MI) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Supports Local Early Childhood Literacy Program
Ann Arbor, Michigan - The Ann Arbor (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated hosted another evening to remember! Over 300 guests attended the organization’s signaturebiennial An Elegant Summer Eveningevent on Sunday, August 23, 2015 at the Polo Fields Ann Arbor. International performer, recording artist, and 2015 Legendary Lady of Jazz Awardee Kimmie Horneengaged the crowd with her dynamic performance. Over $20,000.00 was raised from generous sponsors, donors, and guests. Proceeds will benefit the Washtenaw County Imagination Library, as well as other community service programs. The Washtenaw County Imagination Library is a Washtenaw Success by 6 Great Start Collaborative that provides free books monthly to children from birth to age five living in the 48197and 48198 zip codes to develop necessary language and literacy skills in the children before they start kindergarten. Over 1,000 children are currently being served through this program.
President Linda H. King began the program by remarking “on behalf of the 36 members and our many alumna members, we welcome you to An Evening of Jazzy Summer Elegance”. Ms. King shared the histories of the The Links, Incorporated and the Ann Abor (MI) chapter before recognizing the generous event sponsors. Sponsors included Emerald Sponsor - Key Bank. Additional sponsors included: Morgan Stanley; Wonderful, Inc. dba McDonald’s; Butzel Long; The Bouma Group Realtors; Dickinson Wright, PLLC; Bank of Ann Arbor; The Lee Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry; Isaac Lockhart; Nacht Law, S. J. Harris Consulting, LLC; University of Michigan Credit Union; Cueter Chrysler Jeep Dodge Dealership; Integrated Care Alliance, LLC; The Ride, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority; and Monart, Inc. dba McDonald’s.
Margy Long from Washtenaw Success by 6 Great Start Collaborative thanked the Ann Arbor (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated for its commitment to the Washtenaw County Imagination Library and discussed the transformative power of the reading program on the children and families who participate.
The Ann Arbor (MI) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated has been serving Washtenaw County for 36 years by providing programming in the areas of Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. An Elegant Summer Evening serves as the Chapter’s primary fundraising and networking event. More information about the organization is available at
The Links, Incorporated celebrates more than 68 years as a women’s volunteer service organization committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry. This premier international service organization has more than 12,000 members in 276 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. With more than 2 million service hours recorded in the past three years, members regularly contribute more than 500,000 documented service hours in their respective communities annually.
Photos by Smiles Digital Photography are attached.
###
Left to Right: Sonya Jacobs; Catherine Maki, Vice President Key Bank, event Emerald Sponsor,
and husband Mr. Maki; President Linda H. King; and Carolyn Cole-Brown.
President Linda H. King (2nd from left) and Sonya Jacob (far right) greet
guests Sharman Speiser and Margy Long fromWashtenaw Success by 6
Great Start Collaborative.
Kimmie Horne performs with her band.