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.
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 attentionAn 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)
501c3 status for Support1000
WOW! Suport1000 hase been in existence since November 2008. I figured that, by now, I would have collected and donated 1000 bras, and would have moved on. Instead, I sit here this weekend with the IRS application for 501c3 status ... planning to keep Support1000 alive forever. How did this happen?
The need for a nice, well-fitting bra has turned out to be enormous. The volunteers and donors who've supported Support1000 have thereby supported hundreds of women in shelters, high school girls, women entering the workforce, and many others who otherwise couldn't afford a decent bra.
For many of the organizations we have donated to, this was the first time any form of underwear has been available. I thought:
"people move through and move on. There's turnover. New people will be in need of help? What happens if Support1000 doesn't exist?"
I'm committed to Support1000 being available to the organizations we donate to as they experience the turnover of the women they serve.
So, this weekend is about starting the process so that Support1000 has 501c3 status as a non-profit business, and is no longer a one-time project. Again, thanks to all of the volunteers, people who've donated, those we've donated to, and the countless people who've had inspiring comments.
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.comOr ship your donation to:
Oz du Soleil
Support1000
PO Box 412406
Chicago, IL 60641I 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!
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