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39 CommentsLet me begin by saying that I think y'all ROCK. I am beside myself flipping from one area of The Hive to another - what with the Blogs and the artwork, handiwork, crafts and more y'all produce....well I'm having a blast and am so happy to be a part of it all.
Some of you may have noticed by checking out my profile that I am probably not your typical member of The Hive. I am the founding chapter leader of Mothers & MORE Greater Raleigh Durham, Chapter 331, a local chapter of a national non-profit organization called Mothers & MORE. If you are unfamiliar with Mothers & MORE there is much to be said - some of which I'll go into here, but most of which national does well enough on their own and you can check the organization out at www.mothersandmore.org . 
The mission of Mothers & MORE is an important one to communicate. It is because the organization has truly lived their mission for over twenty years that I've been a member for all the years I have; and why I have now started a chapter for the women of the Greater Raleigh/Durham area, where I recently relocated.
Mothers & MORE is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers through support, education and advocacy. We addresss mothers' needs as individuals and members of society, and promote the value of all the work mothers do. (I might add that some dads, who believe in the Mission are joining chapters too)
Mothers and MORE has several core beliefs as well. I won't go into them for this post, but maybe I can share some of those beliefs in another Blog post. If y'all are interested. I hope you are and I hope you will convey your interest! We are very active in Advocacy and Community Outreach, with projects such as Power of a Purse and Women Build, just to mention a couple.
The reason for the title of "A Special Request" is because I really do have a special request for the members of The Hive. You see, our chapter is BRAND new. So new that hopefully tomorrow we will be finalizing the details of our meeting place and time. And here's where I hope y'all will come in. Once we have our meeting space firmly in place, the chapter will host an Open House for all the women in the Greater Raleigh/Durham area. I would like to offer give aways to those that attend the Open House - as the chapters' way of saying thank you for attending. I am requesting, of you, either donated gift certificates and/or gifts that can be given to each of the attendees. Of course I can provide an IRS donation form to anyone that requests it - and I imagine each of you that donates should!
What's in it for you?
Each person that donates will have a card placed at the open house stating the name of the person or company that made the donation; we will THANK YOU on our website just as soon as it is live; we will mention your donation on Big Tent; we will devote an entire advertising page of our e-newsletter to THE HIVE and those donations that came from the affiliation; we will Twitter our thanks for each donation and of course we will mention each and every one on our facebook fan page. That's a whole lotta' advertising. Additionally, there are Mothers & MORE member only loops of which will learn of The Hive AND the donations y'all provided - meaning of course, that potentially members in over 100 chapters of Mothers & More will be visiting your site, your blogs, your arts and possibly even joining as artisans themselves.
Mothers & MORE really does believe "Together, mothers are powerful". I really do believe this. I hope you too really do believe this and will support my request. Please feel free to ask me any questions you have about what I am asking for, or about Mothers & MORE.
Finally, THANK YOU to Melissa Marro for the brilliance in coming up with the idea of The Hive; the fortitude to see your dreams come to fruition and for your friendship and graciousness in allowing me to become a member and Blog about this request.
Jackie Peraza
Founding leader Mothers & MORE Greater Raleigh/Durham, Chapter 331
**Edited to reflect current number of active chapters
WOW...What type of a time line are you thinking of for your open house? I'm thinking about what I might be able to donate; should timing work out. I had quite a list (some have deadlines, some don't) of various charities I've committed to. I'm also wondering about the numbers you might be expecting to have...wondering and thinking.
This seems like a very worthy cause.
Sandy