Thanks to the support of the Front Page Arlington, we have been able to put this awesome prize together - Lunch with Caps players Nicklas Backstrom and Marcus Johansson! Raffle ticket sales will be held Friday, February 10 - February 25. All proceeds benefit the MSgt Eden Pearl Build A House Project.

On Saturday, February 25, a final fundraising happy hour will be held at the Front Page in Arlington (includes a Capitals viewing party) at which time the winner will be announced ! A special thank you to Jorge Fernandez of the Front Page Arlington and Nicklas Backstrom of the Washington Capitals!

Details

Raffle tickets are 1 for $10, 3 for $25
Winner receives lunch for themselves plus 3 guests
To purchase tickets, please call/email Jackie at: 703-823-2696 or jacalyn.albright@pscharities.org

Shooting for Eden is the third event hosted by PS Charities in support of the Build A House Project. A special thanks to Sir Walter Gun Club for donating all the proceeds from the shooting match entry fees towards the cause and allowing us to use their establishment to share Eden’s story and continue to raise additional funds. At the event people had different options to contribute towards the event:

Registering for the match $20
Purchasing a Shooting for Eden t-shirt-$16
Purchasing a Shooting for Eden Velcro patch -$10
Purchasing raffle tickets for $20- to enter the drawing of having a chance to win an Orange County Chopper

There were about 96 shooters, if not more, who participated in the match. It was a great gathering of friends, comrades, brothers and sisters in arms as well as people who simply wanted to help a wounded veteran and his family. In addition to the funds made from sales of raffle tickets and admission, the crowd was very generous and made additional donations. It was a huge success and nearly $3,000 was raised.

Just like Eden contributed to our freedom and safety; PSC will continue to support this cause to help the Pearl family build a custom house that meets Eden’s disability needs.

Thanks again to all those that came out to support the events help by PS Charities.  Let me finish by saying this event would not have been possible without the great effort by our PS charities volunteers, Willie Parent, Lindsey Orabona, Michelle Rademacher and Leidy Ortiz. 

“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”

Let me start by mentioning that this event would not have been possible without the enormous effort from our PS Charities volunteers. Cheers for Eden is the second event hosted by PS Charities in support of the Build A House Project. PS Charities is committed to hosting many more events where we can continue the journey of raising enough funds to build a special home that would meet Eden’s disability needs. Thanks to Napper Tandy’s Irish Pub in Raleigh, NC for their support in helping us to have a successful event. At the event people had different options to contribute towards the event:

Admission tickets were sold for $10 that included the free appetizers  , $2 Domestic bottles and $3 Bernheim Whiskey shots (provided by  Napper Tandy’s)

PSC offered raffle prizes that were used to create a great incentive for people to buy raffle tickets.

The crowd was not many but the difference made by those who attended was great.  We were grateful that many people from many miles away came to support the event. It was a great gathering of friends, comrades, brothers and sisters in arms as well as people who simply wanted to help a wounded veteran and his family. In addition to the funds made from sales of raffle tickets and admission, the crowd was very generous and made additional donations. It was an unprecedented success and nearly $ 1,500 was raised.

 I truly believe that many who attended this event can say they feel as though they were proud to be a part of this event.  It gave them an opportunity to reflect on how thankful we are and should be to have American’s like Eden Pearl and all of our veterans who have made so many sacrifices for our country.

In addition to helping military families, PS Charities supports individuals fighting cancer. 100% of the money we raise go directly to the cause. But at times we like to get involved with the big guys raising money for research - the quest to erradicate and prohibit cancer from ever occuring.

Last year PS Charities raised money in support of the Race for Hope - DC. Money from the race benefits the community working to stop brain cancer in its tracks. Our team captains have loved someone who lost the fight again brain cancer so this race is important to them. Here's a video from a happy hour event raising money for Team Steve and Team Ellen's Friends. We're looking forward to this years race on May 6th!

As one year ends and another begins we feel fortunate to belong to so many people who give to the community. We're more than one group - we're a family, a community, and friends. Thanks to everyone for your support. Here's an article about our recent event to raise money for MSGT Eden Pearl and his family to build their house.

Read it here

On December 20th, 2011 PS Charities was featured on Washington DC NBC 4 as part of their 12 Days of Giving.  Our Founder LuAnn Dean and Executive Director Michael Chandler represented the organization by providing information about current, past and future projects.  It was a great spot and hopefully the first of many for the organization.  

PS Charities is more than just one charity. We are hundreds of people joined together by a passion to serve our community. We are relentless in the effort to creating a better life for the ones we care for. We bring hope into the lives of those affected by cancer. We support the men and women who protect our country. We are more than just one charity; we are a family, we are a community, and we are passionate about our cause.

Many of our members at PS Charities, including staff, volunteers board members, contributors, and sponsors, have a personal connection with our cause. Whether survivors of cancer, family to military, or simply believe in helping others, the people of PS Charities are united by the passion to support people who truly need a helping hand.

Check out our YouTube video promoting the PS Charities "Building a House" project for MSGT Eden Pearl.

"Build a House" events benefit MSGT Eden Pearl, who suffered a traumatic brain injury and 3rd degree burns on over 90% of his body after his vehicle was struck by an IED in Afghanistan. Funds are raised to provide the Pearl family with a custom home that meets Eden's disability needs.

You can do more to help! Win a 2010 OCC Custom Chopper and help us "Build a House"

Let me start by mentioning that this event would not have been possible without enormous effort from our lead volunteer Michelle Rademacher and all of the other PS Charities volunteers. Two hours before the event started, the volunteers gathered at the Harbor Site in Sneads Ferry, NC to finish setting up everything for the event.  The owner of the location was gracious enough to not only allow us to use his establishment but also contributed to the selling of numerous raffle tickets and much more.  It was great to know that before the event had even started many people that could not attend had already purchases tickets, become home builders and made donations online.  Donations for raffle items such as two guns, hotel and restaurant certificates, and many other raffle prizes that were used to create a great incentive for people to buy raffle tickets. At the event people also had other options to contribute to the event like:

• Purchasing a filled glass with the 2^nd MSOB logo and the Build a House event logo.

• Participating in the auction of a certificates that people won during the raffle and donated back to the cause.

• Purchasing a brick, window panes, doors, chimney, Flag or shingles- these donations ranged from $5-$500--- Of course these aren't real materials - you buy space on a 4' x 8' banner to write Master Sgt Eden Pearl a personal message. The banner looked like a house and the message went on the material purchased.

• Admission tickets were sold that included the buffet and a drink ticket.

The event included two live bands, all the food you can eat and of course beverages at discounted prices. Special guests included Alicia Pearl, MSgt Pearl’s wife, the President of PS Charities and Phil from Brothers in Arm Foundation.  One of the biggest take away from their speech was how thankful they were for the gratitude people were showing for this cause. The event had more than 150 people who attended many of whom were in tears following Alicia’s speech. It was a great gathering of friends, comrades, brothers and sisters in arms as well as people who simply wanted to help a wounded veteran and his family.  It was an unprecedented success and on a gorgeous December Sunday afternoon. Nearly $45,000 was raised.

I truly believe that many who attended this event can say they feel as though they were proud to be part of this event.  It gave them an opportunity to reflect on how thankful we are and should be to have American’s like Eden Pearl and all of our veterans who have made so many sacrifices for our country.

Just like Eden contributed to our freedom and safety; PSC will continue to support this cause along with the Brothers in Arms Foundation to help the Pearl family build a custom house that meets Eden’s disability needs.

“You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give.”
-- Winston Churchill

Each year PS Charities hosts a Silent Auction to raise money for the GWU MFA Breast Care Center Patient Assistance Fund. The fund provides support to patients meeting basic living needs -- like parking, childcare, and transportation. This year PS Charities contributed $100,000 to the fund. Founder LuAnn Dean with Executive Director Michael Chandler and Lead Volunteer Sam Penico for the Auction presented the check at the Annual Survivor Luncheon.

The keynote speaker at the luncheon was Tracy Grant. At 39 years-old in 2003 she had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Tracy's key message was you have the power to respond to the challenges of life. In a room full of survivor's everyone understood.

She maintained a video journal to cope with and document her experiences. The diary is the foundation for her documentary, "I Remain". You can check out the trailer here.

If you're interested in getting involved in next year's event please contact us. While industry and academia focuses on the cure, PS Charities focuses on providing unmet financial needs for people battling cancer. Every dollar we raise we give to the community - all of it.

Great news! The ease of giving to our beneficiares just got easier. PS Charities is Combined Federal Campaign approved to receive bi-weekly or monthly contributions through federal payroll deduction. Just complete the forms and start giving with ease.

Remember, we support America's military and separately, people battling cancer. 100% of the money PSC receives is given to beneficiaries - we keep nothing. Not for marketing, salaries, private jets or caviar. We prefer pate. Kidding! Your money goes to THIER needs - not ours.

Our CFC Code number is 28000. Sign up here to get started at Employee Express. This video will walk you through the short process to start your CFC giving to PS Charities.

On Sunday we ran in the 3rd Annual Col. John Ripley Memorial Race in Annapolis, MD. Our PS Charities team of 5 showed up ready to run (and walk!) before the 9am start time. It was a brisk fall morning not cold enough to keep us, or the 1,000 other runners, at home.

L to R: Michael Dean, Michael Chandler, Michelle Ellia, Autumn Brown, Beth Moss

The purpose of the event is to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, an NPO that provides financial support for injured and critically ill members of the United States Armed Forces and their families. From sponsorships and registration fees the event raised $87,000. That's up from approximately $11K last year!

Five men from Team Semper Fi participated in the race. All inured in Iraq or Afghanistan, one young man in particular, Justin Gaertner, was impressive. He was wounded in combat on Thanksgiving day last year. He lost both legs. Less than a year after the experience he walked the entire course with prosthetic legs. A walking inspiration, literally.

One Thousand people came to celebrate the courage and dedication of Col. John Ripley for his years of service, particularly in Vietnam. We celebrate not by "giving back" but by participating. Getting involved. For the rest of us that's how we serve our country and respect the men and woman of the Armed Forces. Service comes in many forms. So do heroes.

We have more events upcoming. If you would like to join the PS Charities running team please let us know!

A group of us ran last weekend in the GTSI Run/Walk 5K...we weren't out to win in but we had a great time. In the end the event raised just over $40,000 benefiting the Wounded Warriors Project. Here's our Executive Director, Michael Chandler, catching his breath just after crossing the finish line. We're running again in Novemenber...it's fun, heathy, and for a good cause - come join us!

Join us for our next 5K on Nov. 6th - Sign up here!

For the third year in a row, PS Charities has been able to join together with the UNC Lineberger Cancer Treatment Center helping to provide financial assistance to patients and their families battle leukemia lymphoma memory of Sean Williams. Leading up to the tournament itself, PS Charities hosted a handful of charity nights at local bars in Sneads Ferry, Wilmington, and the Jacksonville area. Each event was able to bring in a substantial amount of contributions and, of course, a fun time! The golf tournament brought out almost 90 golfers, involved 20 sets of helping hand from loyal volunteers, provided participants with over 100 exciting raffle prizes, and raised a grand total of $50,000.00, 100% of which was donated directly to those families in need 

The tournament proved to be a huge success all thanks to the support and contributions from a considerable number of advocates, corporate sponsors, friends, and families. Knowing that PS Charities and all of our supporters have made a difference in the lives of those who truly are deserving of the foundation is the greatest reward of all. In addition, however, UNC Cancer Care Center published a beautiful article about our event as well as including words from patients who have benefited from the success of the tournament.

Again, PS Charities cannot express the gratitude for all those who participated and helped at the event to make our 3^rd Annual NC Charity Golf Tournament possible. With out the constant love and support we have received from all our contributors, we would not be able to provide this amazing help to others. 

This past weekend PS Charities hosted the Caribbean Casino Night and Silent Auction benefitting the GWU Breast Care Center Patient’s Assistance Funds at the Carlye Club in Alexandria, VA. Through out the course of fun and festive evening, PSC was able to raise a grand total of $100,000.00, all of which is to be given directly to the Breast Care Center. The hundred or so guests were able to bid on an extensive range of exciting items including trips to Napa Valley wine country, fabulous art work, Macbook Pro laptops, countless wine baskets, countless restaurant gift certificates, just to name a few! Guests were also able to try their luck at the casino tables were they were able to join in a game of Black Jack, Texas Hold ‘Em, Three Card Poker and other casino inspired games. The Casino Night proved to be a huge success all thanks to our supporters, countless volunteers, corporate sponsors, and numerous contributors!

Dr. Christine Teal, Chief of Surgery, and Director of the Breast Care Center at George Washington Hospital, was featured on Good Morning America in early June of 2011. In the interview, Dr. Teal reveals her motivation behind undergoing a double mastectomy, even though she had no trace of cancer in her breasts. After her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time, and learning that her great-aunt had died of the destructive cancer, Teal took matters into her own hands. In January of 2011, Teal went through with her scheduled double mastectomy. This procedure led her to the same path that many of her patients must face. In doing so, Teal describes that in her journey she gained a newfound respect for all that her patients must undergo. 

Last month's issue of The Washingtonian also featured Dr. Teal. The article not only covered her amazing journey of the double mastectomy but also tapped into her life as a mother, a surgeon, and an extremely influential advocate for breast cancer awareness. Teal’s intimate details of her endeavor were highlighted; from the start of her career as a medical student all the way to the turning point in the crucial decision to follow through with the double mastectomy.

Dr. Teal has been the surgeon and the patient, the supporter and the supported, but most importantly she has been a philanthropist. In collaboration with the GW Breast Care Center, Teal supports PS Charities at our Silent Auction and Casino Night to raise money for the women and the families affected by breast cancer. Teal’s outreach for breast cancer awareness has been monumental in not only the D.C. community but also growing nation wide. It is our hope that with Teal’s well deserved recognition, and PS Charities alliance with the GW Breast Care Center, we too can grow to become a nation wide effort in supporting those affected by breast cancer. 

On June 25, 2011, Matt McKeon, director of ProSol's MO&A division, participated in the Total 200 Bike Ride to raise money for the George Washington University's Breast Care Center Patient Assistance Fund. This was the second year that Matt rode in the event . He covered 202.3 miles in 13 hours 42 minutes. Your generous contributions helped him raise over $7,000 this year for the Patient Assistance Fund. Thank you Matt and everyone at ProSol and PS Charities who contributed to this cause. Because of you, we are able to make a difference in the lives of those fighting cancer.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. We honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to America. Putting your political stance aside Memorial Day is a day to honor those families of the fallen, those who are still sacrificing today, and what a great nation we are that so many give so much for her defense. These are exceptional men and women and they deserve more than we can ever repay them with.

As the son of a retired Marine Veteran this day has always been extremely important to me and my family so I apologize for the late post. I spent most of this day thinking about a certain individual, a ProSol Associates employee who was hit by a rocket attack in Afghanistan on the Morning of Memorial Day. As I relayed information to his family I couldn’t help to only focus on his condition, his family’s situation and the rest of this team that is currently deployed or set to deploy sometime this year. My thoughts are with everyone who elects to support the deployable positions. The PSA employee has been evacuated and is in stable condition. I will leave out the details as it is not my story to share except to share that he will be back with his wife by this weekend.

Every event that occurs in life changes you whether drastically or only slightly. This event has certainly opened my eyes wider and makes me even more proud that I am part of this country and a supporter of causes like PS Charities. A Memorial Day will never go by that I don’t take time to remember our fallen heroes from the past and present. My hat goes off to all of you.

If you have time please watch this music video. Its certainly makes you think about what Memorial Day is all about.