News

What a wonderful Summer Children’s Event (one of our favorite things we do!). Children from disadvantaged families were our guests at Nottingham Ballroom for a day of fun and went home with a backpack full of school supplies, sneakers, clothing, pajamas and a blanket to start the school year off right. Each family received a backpack full of hygiene, food kits and other items. We can’t thank everyone enough for volunteering your time and services!

. Kristy and Linda from the Basement Salon gave the children free haircuts and nail art.

. Antonia from K’s Event Decorations & Rentals donated colorful balloon centerpieces that the children just loved!

. Lala and Mimi’s Pajama Party donated a pair of pajamas and Project Linus handmade blankets for each child.

. Academic Advancements Tutoring gave out free books and shared how they are helping break down barriers to education.

. First Presbyterian Church Hamilton Square donated school supplies and then offered their church so we could assemble the backpacks. Not only did they have volunteers help with the backpacks but also manning craft tables at the event!

. Last but never least, Doe’rain Deane Photography who took complementary family portraits (just gorgeous).

All the wonderful smiles – children and volunteers alike!

Getting ready for the Summer Children’s Event by stuffing bags and backpacks with school supplies, shoes, clothing and a child’s “want” present. Our favorite event!

Shine and Inspire recently donated ~$1000 in new backpacks to the TBOE for their school district. Sure to put smiles on the faces of the children!

Celebrating Carol Feldman’s birthday at Lucca Ristorante and Piano Lounge. If purple were a person, that person would be Carol! And true to her generous nature, she made it a Shine and Inspire fundraiser. Look at all this glorious purple – and everyone looked so summer chic. Special thanks to Tony Martin (A.W. Martin Construction) for his generous donation to help make this fundraiser an outstanding success. Helping to raise money for our Summer children’s event in July where we help children from struggling families start the school year right with a backpack, school supplies, shoes and clothing!

Shine and Inspire gave out books and snacks at the Parent Connect Summit at Trenton Central High School on May 13th. Thank you Sheri from Booksmiles.com for the amazing book donation!

What a fantastic night – the room, fashion, music, fun and food (yes, it was even served on TV tray dishes) brought us back to a groovier time. Everyone looked fabulous — and how fun it was to channel our inner 60’s vibe.

Our most beautiful bundt contest (and winner Debbie Swanhart Doolan) paid homage to the desserts of the time. The hula hoop contest was so much fun – it is harder than it looks! And we chose several winners (it was too hard to choose just one) for our best outfit contest. All contest winners received a lava lamp!

We were so excited to have award-winning Marvel/DC/Star Wars illustrator (and more) John Stanisci sell his original drawings and prints.

And special thanks to our honorees for all the support that they give to Shine and Inspire and the community.

All of these beautiful photographs, by DoeRain Deane, captured the magic of the evening. We can’t thank her enough for all the support she continues to give Shine and inspire!

We thank and love all of you. Make a difference in someone’s life and it will make a difference in yours! Peace out …

Shine and Inspire partnered with Blend Bar & Bistro to deliver hot meals to homeless / displaced families in the community. The families also received an Instant Pot and spices from Knox Grove Financial and blankets from Project Linus. And an Easter basket treat for every child!

We had so much fun giving out books and making ornaments with the children at the TBOE Holiday Party. One of the major banks gave out bicycles! Denise and Brenda did a fabulous job as always!!

The children’s Winter Event was amazing! 135 children were our guests for a day of fun — music/dancing/games (by Dancemaur) caricatures/show (by Mr. David C. Perry), and awesome balloon figures (by Naomi), crafts, free haircuts (given by Carlee Mooney from G&D Salon in Robbinsville), free holiday portrait (photography donated by DoeRain Deane who always captures these joyous moments in pictures) and special guests Lt. Danny Mohr of the West Windsor Police Department, and seeing eye dog in training, Rebecca. Each child went home with winter clothing (shopping and wrapping by Amy, Tanya & Alyssa), pajamas (donated by Lala & Mimi’s Pajama Project), athletic wear (donated by Snipes), a blanket (donated by Project Linus), books (donated by BookSmiles) and a holiday present. The children were wonderful and so appreciative (talk about big smiles) – our hearts are full! Our thanks to AW Martin (one of our most supportive sponsors), and to all who sponsored a child or donated to our cause. And of course, this wouldn’t be possible without our volunteers who worked so hard to make this day so special!