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Celebrating Women’s History Month…Linda Saar-rah Sumpter!

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

#Surprisethestruggling

 

Our celebration ofWomen’s History Month continues! #SurpriseTheStruggling’s seventh highlight this month is the selfless jewel, Linda Saar-rah Sumpter—#SurpriseTheStruggling’s Diamond Ambassador from Philadelphia, PA. Are there any words to describe this jewel? To be able to summarize what she stands for and means to #STSGLOBAL? We do not think so but we are going to try our best. From the beginning, Ms. Linda has been true to her word and an invaluable supporter and Ambassador to our organization. She has selflessly given of her time and love to support, promote, and represent #SupriseTheStruggling and our mission. She, herself and her organization, has been a surprise to #STS. Countless times, we have retrieved the mail, and there was a package filled with beautiful purses and toiletries to aid us in our mission.

Ms. Linda has filled our hearts with courage, inspiration, and strength. She has been a mentor, a friend, a sister, a mother, a go-to for information. She is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that cannot be obtained through books but only through life experiences, and she shares this with us every day. It is truly beyond our words to express the esteem in which we hold Ms. Linda. We are not only grateful for the day that our paths crossed, but honored and blessed to be in the presence of such greatness—a woman who is leaving an indelible mark on this world; creating a legacy worthy of generations to come. She is the epitome of strength and fortitude, earning her place as a woman in history that is raising the bar for all other women. Simply put—We LOVE Ms. Linda. Because of her, we are better human beings.

Linda Saar-rah Sumpter, Sister Prison Wives & Best Friends and Families

Linda Saar-rah Sumpter—mother, wife, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend, humanitarian, life-changer and so much more—is Founder of Sister Prison Wives Best Friends & Family (SPW-BFF), a 501c3 Nonprofit organization for children and families of loved ones where incarceration is in their lives. SPW-BFF are comprised of families across the country supporting and helping people connect and deal with loved ones who have been incarcerated, are presently in jail, or who are re-entering society from prison. Sister Prison Wives – Best Friends & Family was formed for the purposes of being a Charitable and Educational organization. Their aim is to conduct activities that will promote knowledge and awareness that there is someone missing in their homes. SPW-BFF is there to be a support system to those who have loved ones that are incarcerated, in jail, and in prison.

SPW-BFF is compassionate and is asks for assistance in helping wives, husbands, sisters, brother, best friends and family members during this challenging period of their lives. This affects us all! There is someone missing and SPW-BFF would like to be a vessel of encouragement to people who are in need; encouraging all to look at our family and friends with compassion, get inside of their skin, and see what the world looks like through their eyes.

Please visit their webpage for more information. Find out how you can assist them and donate to their mission. http://www.spw-bff.org

We implore you to get to know this jewel of a woman who is creating an astounding legacy for generations to come. We salute you, Linda Saar-rah Sumpter! We are blessed to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
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Celebrating Women’s History Month…Lisa Sumpter

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

#Surprisethestruggling

 

Continuing our celebration of  Women’s History Month, #SurpriseTheStruggling’s second highlight this month is the audacious and awe-inspiring, Lisa Sumpter—#STSGlobal Ambassador for Philadelphia, PA. Our dear sister has been a shining example of sisterhood and bringing a great service and dedication to #SupriseTheStruggling in so many different ways. We do not believe that there are enough words to adequately express just how honored we are to have Lisa be a part of #STS. Whenever called on to assist or to be a part of an event—if available, she is there, and if she cannot physically be present, she is sending support in various other ways. Because of her love, dedication, drive, and willingness to go above and beyond, we recognize Lisa Sumpter this Women’s History Month, as a woman who is making a change in her community, her city, her state, globally, and most importantly, in the lives of her family and friends, and women and ten girls she may never lay eyes on.

Lisa Sumpter, Sister Prison Wives Best Friends & Families

Lisa wears many hats; host, humanitarian, a people connector, and in public relations—just to name a few. Working alongside her sister, Lisa is the co-founder of Sister Prison Wives, Best Friends & Families (SPWBFF), a 501(c) 3 Non-Profit Community Organization Supporting Children & Families of the Incarcerated. www.spw-bff.org. SPWBFF’s mission is to provide and promote education and awareness of the impact of incarceration on children and families. SPWBFF is a movement to identify and support the needs of affected children and families and assist returning citizens with re-entry into society. In addition to the wonderful work that Lisa does with SPWBFF, Lisa has a degree in Communications and a Masters in Education. She is also a PA Mobile Notary Public, PA Licensed Real Estate Agent and part a family travel agency—Robinson’s Travel.

We encourage you to get to know the dynamic woman who is making history every day through her work, service, support, and family. We salute you, Lisa Sumpter! We are honored to have you be a part of the #SurpriseTheStruggling Family!
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STS Gears Up For Its Inaugural Anniversary Celebration

Local Human Services Organization #SurpriseTheStruggling Inc. Celebrates Its 1st Anniversary
Surprise The Struggling to Celebrate Its First Year With a Gala Featuring Keynote Speaker Iesha Sekou and Celebrity Guest Speaker, Actress, and Humanitarian, Hayley Gripp.

STATEN ISLAND, NY—January 30, 2017—JRUEPRLIAISON— The first Annual Celebration for #SurpriseTheStruggling, Inc. being held on Saturday, February 4th located in Staten Island, NY at the American Legion on McClean Avenue, is a gala event to celebrate and highlight the success, diligence, and hard work of the human services organization’s staff, ambassadors, and volunteers this past year. A catered dinner, specialty drinks, and honors with special guests will highlight the evening’s affair.

Surprise The Struggling, Inc. has made a huge impact in the area of human services this past year. STS, 501c3 nonprofit organization major consumers are homeless women and teen girls. Throughout the year, under the guidance of its founder and Executive Director, Dr. Jacquelyn Wilson—staff, ambassadors, and volunteers have managed to secure and donate over 5,000+ bags and purses filled with toiletries. The items donated and given to various homeless women and teen girls, in addition to hosting surprise baby showers, birthday parties, back to school parties, and off to college parties for those in shelters and in need.

The special program part of the evening will be hosted by CEO and motivational speaker, Keisha Christie, founder of Level Up Connections www.levelupconnections.com. Special guest speaker for the evening will be American actress, humanitarian, author, and activist, Hayley Gripp www.imdb.com/name/nm5872047/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

For its inaugural gala, STS is honored to have, Iesha Sekou, as their Keynote Speaker. An educator and senior activist, Ms. Sekou is CEO and founder of Street Corner Resources. She is the host of WHCR 90.3 FM “The Voice of Harlem” Monday morning radio show, Street Corner Resources Live www.scrnyc.org

The night’s overall event—that is expecting 80 guests, and some very special VIP’s, who will be honored during the night’s celebration—is being hosted by POYED by Velvette, Pinking of YOU Events & Design, LLC. http://www.poyedbyvelvette.wixsite.com/boutique-events Special thanks to, Velvette Mattison-Batson, I.E.W.P of POYED by Velvette for also donating event planning and coordination services for the STS One Year Anniversary Celebration.

STS gives special thanks and acknowledges all of their Sponsors that made the upcoming gala a possibility. Without the generosity and support—not just for this Saturday’s coming event but also throughout the year—Surprise The Struggling would not have been able to help so many. Gratitude is extended to those who donated in person and online at the website, both monetarily and materially.

Continuing their thanks: to Mitchell BG Harper, for the event space to hold the gala; to Lisa Sumpter and Linda Sumpter of Sister Prison Wives BFF, www.spw-bff.org, for Auction Baskets to raise funds for the upcoming STS calendar year. To local caterer, Leonard Bishop of, A Family Affair Party Planners & Catering, bit.ly/AFAMILYAFFAIRCATERING for providing and creating an unforgettable and dynamic dining experience for the guests to enjoy. Thanks to videographer and photographer, Gregory Thomas, for providing special photography for the gala. Thanks to, Edna Lugo of, Cocktail Vixens, www.cocktailvixens.com, for creating a signature cocktail for the evening and providing mobile bartending services. For table design and centerpieces, thanks to Chanae Duncan of Eye Imagine Everything. Thank you, Balloons Décor, B For all Occasion of Brooklyn, for providing decorations and backdrops. Thank you, Wanda Edwards, of A Walk in Her Shoes, bit.ly/AWALKINHERSHOES, for the provision of special material, Ruthe McDonald of Johnrue Publishing www.ruthemcdonald.com for copywriting and PR services. Gratitude is extended to, DJ Ron C of Exodus Entertainment bit.ly/ExodusDJRonC, for providing the evening’s music and Minnie G’s Cupcakery for providing dessert. To local business, Roc A Natural www.rocanatural.com and from California, Sumbody Skincare, www.sumbody.com for providing toiletries and body products for gift baskets to be given away. Special thanks to, Lucinda Cross, at www.lucindacross.com and Nichole Bailey of www.bitsoffaith.net for sponsoring attendees. Also, thanks to, Eloquent Essentials www.eloquentessentials.com for their invaluable contributions. Very special thanks to the volunteers for that day, whose dedication and diligence are applauded. Also, to the following proprietors of the local community for their generosity: Stop N Shop groceries, Columbia Meat Market, Kohl’s, BJ’s Wholesale, Staples, Target, and Shoprite.

The continued support and generosity of partners, sponsors, donors, ambassadors, and volunteers has helped make Surprise The Struggling’s first year of service a phenomenal year of unbelievable achievements and success. STS—through their Ambassador program—were able to achieve their #STSGLOBAL campaign goal by reaching Canada, Haiti, Africa, and Jamaica. They are looking forward to an even greater year ahead and years to come.

There are a few tickets still available to the public. Please check the website for information.

http://www.surprisethestruggling.org

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