Support1000 has moved a a new website!

You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds. If not, visit
http://support1000.org
and update your bookmarks.

Note: We are transitioning from this blog to our own website.

For current information, check us out at:

www.Support1000.org






If you work with women who are in need of bras, contact Support1000:

info@support1000.org

We've collected thousands of bras and will donate bras to your organization and support YOU in making a difference for others.

Quick update

Support1000 NFP finds itself at a critical point: transitioning from the casual efforts of 1 person to the focused commitment of a team, living into a vision that gets clearer each day.

The vision has gone beyond bras. With each reply we get from the from the organizations that we donate to, and the comments from people who donate to Support1000, dignity is the clear theme. Thus, Support1000 is a dignity project more than a bra project.

One upcoming event is in collaboration with Enchanted Makeovers. Click the links and see what we're up to. It's exciting ... and about dignity!

Also, we're getting the hang of this social media. We have a new FaceBook page, Twitter account and Website. Follow us, be in touch, let's change the world together.

I almost forgot. The CBS interview that aired last week. Harry Porterfield created a wonderful story for his long-running series: Someone You Should Know. Thank you, Harry!


Finally, here are comments from an organization that Support1000 sent bras to. They provide interviewing clothes to their clients.

"I received the bras on Wednesday. They are beautiful! We had a difficult to fit client yesterday--she tried the 46 DD that I had literally just walked in. She had never had a correctly fitting bra. She was amazed! Thank you for your generosity . Your donation has already helped one client but will help, of course, many more."







Support1000 NFP is officially a 501(c)3 Organization

YAYYY! The letter arrived from the IRS last week: Support1000 NFP is now a recognized non-profit, tax-exempt organization. This will allow us to to do much more to provide bras to women who otherwise don't have the quality and dignity available to them.

Support1000 is also taking on many transitions. We've been quiet for a while; hence, this blog hasn't had many updates recently, but we haven't been inactive. We're building a website, reviewing and creating processes to increase efficiency, planning relocation to a bigger space, and building teams.


Finally, we get emails asking, "are you still accepting bras." The answer: heck yeah! Support1000 is going to be around forever!

Because we've gotten bigger than ever expected, financial donations are needed. Until recently, Support1000 was personally funded and limited to the Chicago area. With success and attention, we've satisfied needs far beyond Chicago. Postage costs, costs of supplies, etc. have exploded. We'll soon need to move out of my home and into a rented (or donated) workspace. Your financial donation would help cover the operating costs of generating the small miracles that are associated with quality well-fitting bras for the women and organizations who are in need.

Financial donations can be done through PayPal at:

Bras and financial donations made payable to Support1000 may be mailed to:

Oz du Soleil
Support1000
PO Box 412406
Chicago, IL 60641

Thank you all!

Oz du Soleil, Founder and Executive Director




The past 2 months have been CRAZAY!!

The last 2 months have been awesome!
More bras have been sent out, and more have come in. With each incoming donation we see just how generous and caring people can be for others.

Support1000 sent bras to St. Taylor's Wrap Around (San Diego, CA). One of the many great things they do is help women who've recently been released from prison. The women are released with nearly nothing, and theirs is a story I've heard so many times: underwear--especially bras--is difficult to find amidst the vast network of social services.

Through the donations of retailers and the general public, Support1000 was able to send 50 bras to Support St. Taylor's. This is just one example of the difference that has been made.

More media attention
An affiliate of MSNBC, www.thegrio.com, contacted Support1000 for an interview and a fantastic article was published. Journalist Bonnie Davis really captured the world of Support1000 and its inspiration.

Finally, check out this video interview hosted by Lee Owens and shot by videographer Nick Meriage.

Stay tuned for exciting announcements in 2010 and continue to be in touch if you need donations for your organization or would like to make a donation.

Love and Happy Holidays,

Oz

Organizations that have received Support1000 donations
Apna Ghar (Chicago)
Breakthrough Urban Mission (Chicago)
buildOn (an organization that sends supplies and necessities to Mali)
Atlanta Union Mission (Atlanta, GA)
PADS SW Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Poised for Success (Lombard, IL)
Cornerstone Outreach (Chicago)
Westside Assoc for Community Action (Chicago)
Arlington Life Shelter (Arlington, TX)
St. Taylor's Wrap-Around (San Diego, CA)
Friedman Place (residential facility for the blind and visually-impaired, Chicago)
Annapolis Lighthouse (Annapolis, MD)
Community Action Family Shelter (Hillsboro, OR)
Leanna's Closet (Greeley, CO)
Catholic Charities (Waukegan, IL)
Stand Up for Kids (Wilmette, IL)
Women's Shelter (Longmont, CO)
New Jerusalem Church (Springfield, IL)
PADS North Chicago (Homeless shelter in North Chicago, IL)
Pineridge Reservation (Sioux Reservation, SD)
IMAGINE Me Foundation (Chicago)
St. Mark Church (Chicago)
New Beginnings (Pittsburgh, PA)
St. Francis High School (Sioux Reservation, SD)

Saturday, October 10, 2009

501c3 Update

Big news this week: the Illinois Articles of Incorporation were submitted.
A first step toward acquiring non-profit status.

Attorney Patrick Richards of Richards Patent Law has offerred pro bono assistance in Support1000 being formed as an official non-profit organization.

Patrick is a good friend and an inspiration. His compassion and "just get it done" spirit are powerful and I'm glad to have him as a friend and as a Board member for Support1000.

2 comments:

Henry said...

I saw you feature on AOL news and have a woman who needs your help. Mary is a 43 year old woman living in Palmdale,Ca. She is currently on a low income budget and watching 3 infants to make ends meet. She is awaiting a court hearing for Social Security disability for a stroke she suffered in early April. Mary has undergone GASTRIC BYPASS surgery and has lost close to 200 lbs and still losing.

Mary's problem ,besides income, is she cant find bras. She is a 40DDD and cant afford new bras regularly and find slightly used ones in that size is almost impossible. I have sent her your link but I took it upon myself to write.

I had a similar problem with shoes in 2008. I lost my home to a tornado in Savannah, TN. and couldn't find 14EEE shoes. I found some blogs and sites that help me locate shoes for work and leisure, and this is what i want to do for Mary.

I will include a picture of Mary and her address. She hasn't a clue I'm doing this but I know she needs this help. If you need any other information you can reply to me and I can alert Mary that you are trying to contact her. She really needs this service.



Thank You and keep up the good work.



Henry Hunsinger

Savannah, Tn. 38372

bbcardhunter@aol.com





Mary Gent

38637 Sumac Ave.

Palmdale, Ca. 93550

yramiam@aol.com
Have a Nice day :-)

Anonymous said...

Your friend is a blessing and seems to embrace the "pay-it-forward" ideal that your mission is all about.

Congratulations to you!

Support1000 + Chicago Tribune

Friday, 2OCT09, an article about Support1000 was published in the Chicago Tribune. Journalist Dawn Reiss wrote a wonderful article that captures the start, success and impact Support1000 has made in this typically un-noticed area of need.

Lots of emails have poured in from generous people who want to make a difference. Please, if you would like to make a donation to Support1000, contact me at:


Support1000bras@gmail.com

Or ship your donation to:

Oz du Soleil
Support1000
PO Box 412406
Chicago, IL 60641


I can't express enough appreciation for the many people who've helped Support1000 make a difference for those organizations that serve women who are in need.
Thank you!

Letters of appreciation

To Support1000,

The students at Myra Bradwell are grateful to accept the donation from your organization. The items are being distributed to young ladies in addition to other clothing items. This recent donation has increased our capacity to get clothing to needy families at our school. We appreciate your support.

Sincerely Yours,
M. Cosey




Thank you very much for the donation of bras. I work with women that stay at homeless shelters because they have been struggling through domestic violence. The bras will be given to these women. When I saw your post on Craigslist I e-mailed you immediately. Affording a bra is a luxury when there is very little money.

Respectfully,

P. Gomez

Support1000 moves beyond its original goals!

3 weeks ago, 28MAR09, Support1000 donated the 1000th bra!!!

Again, many thanks to the people who've donated, helped inventory, packed & unpacked boxes, etc. You've helped improve the lives of HUNDREDS of women in Illinois, South Dakota and Colorado; in emergency shelters, high schools, churches, transitional housing, a foundation for at-risk girls, and a residential facility for the blind and visually-impaired.

You have helped fulfill a need that was much larger than ever was expected.

Now what?

Support1000 came into existence to collect and donate 1000 bras and make a difference for hundreds of women who were in need of a decent bra. We've collected 3000 bras, donated 1000 and that means Support1000 is complete. Done! No Mas.

We step into new territory now. We begin to explore permanence, a new name, a new mission, etc. What that looks like, we don't know yet. But we're looking to network and partner with other charitable and non-profit organizations.

You are invited to give feedback and advice or, ask questions of us. Thus, your help is still sought and valued.

And please, if you have bras to donate send them our way. If you need bras donated to your organization, please be in touch!