World Youth Served (WYS) received a personal invitation to attend the Tony Gonzalez Jingle Bell 'Rock' Holiday Benefit, a charity fundraiser to benefit the Shadow Buddies Foundation (www.shadowbuddies.org), on behalf of NFL Atlanta Falcons Star and Future Hall of Famer Mr. Tony Gonzalez. The event was hosted by Mr. Gonzalez' wife, Mrs. October Gonzalez and Mrs. Gray Jernigan, CEO of La Belle Vie, Inc. World Youth Served was asked to present the organization, its various programs and the individuals who will be involved with it in 2014.
The WYS Executive Committee worked alone on preparing the organization to attend this event. This included updating the website for the event, preparing various media, sending invitations to all WYS guests, arranging transportation and/or lodging accommodations when needed. The event occurred on December 14, 2013 at Rock 'N Taco Restaurant (Buckhead, Atlanta GA). 14 individuals involved in all WYS facets and programs attended on the behalf of the organization. With this strong representation, this event was a great success for the organization on several levels. First and foremost, Mrs. Gonzalez verbally agreed to consider supporting the organization in 2014. However, the greatest success was in the number of individuals willing to serve in some capacity with World Youth Served in the future. While WYS Esteemed Guest and Liverpool Atlanta Fan Club President James Harrison agreed to chair the WYS Sports Development Committee, WYS Esteemed Guests Mr. Pete and Mrs. Britnee Webster agreed to serve on the WYS Executive Committee in 2014. Finally, event host Mrs. Gray Jernigan is also considering being involve with the organization at the Executive or Board level in 2014, as well as use her vast network to raise funds for the organization.
For the great success in networking and further building of WYS Committees, WYS dedicated 1/3 (33.3%) of its total 2013 operational time, all in a 20-day span starting right after Thanksgiving and ending a few days short of Christmas 2013. The Board of Directors expensed a total of $863.68, which included $213.68 in indirect expenses (for WYS Guests) and $650.00 in direct contributions to the Shadow Buddies Foundation.
Guests of World Youth Served
Mr. Jesse Boyd, President, World Youth Served, and Guest
Mr. Ray Rene, Vice-President, World Youth Served
Mr. James Harrison, President, Liverpool FC Atlanta Fan Club, and Guest
Mr. Pete and Mrs. Britnee Webster, Liverpool FC Atlanta Fan Club
Mr. James Farrell, Program Coordinator, Atlanta MathPlus, and Guest
Mrs. Paula Canant, Atlanta MathPlus
Mr. Brandon Smith, Atlanta MathPlus
Coach Connie Doll, USA Lady Vultures
Mr. Larry McDonald Jr., son of former US Congressman from GA Rep. Larry McDonald, and Guest
