MEDIA RELEASE - For Immediate Release

Contact: Dianne Stewart, BSA Public Relations & Marketing

704 .844 .1064 / 704 .777 .4842; di@bsapr.biz

 March, 2008

 MOTHERING ACROSS CONTINENTS^SM:

Care and Compassion for AIDS Orphans in South Africa

Charlotte-launched Initiative Reports 2007 Results, Expanded Plans for 2008

 
CHARLOTTE, NC – The co-Founders of “MOTHERING ACROSS CONTINENTS”, an initiative launched in Charlotte, NC, have announced program and financial results for Year One activities.  According to Dr. Lyndall Hare and Patricia Shafer, revenues collected from contributions, sponsorships and event ticket sales totaled $44,000 in 2007.  A first distribution of $25,000 has already been directed to three projects in South Africa supported by the non-profits South Africa Development Fund and Save the Children.

Each project was chosen for its direct impact on the daily life experiences of people affected by HIV/AIDS in a particular community in South Africa. 

Funds provided to a Caring Schools project in Thabo Mofutsanyana, Free State, are being used in a pilot effort to provide daily meals in three high schools that together serve over 1,000 children, many of whom are orphans. Funds for the Woza Moya community care project are helping equip a Play Therapy Center and after-school programs in KwaZulu-Natal.  Money made available for Thembalethu (HOPE), a project in Schoemansdal, is funding meals for children whose families do not have access to relevant social grants, as well as distribution of seeds to home and community gardeners.     “We’re truly pleased with accomplishments since the launch of Mothering Across Continents,” said Hare. “We achieved the 2007 mission of conducting a series of awareness, education and fundraising events. And we’re pursuing the vision of being a catalyst for people who want to make a difference in the lives of AIDS orphans and vulnerable children, globally.”

Early support from Founding Sponsor Wachovia Corp. and a core group of “Founding Mothers” (individuals each contributing at least $500) created early momentum for Mothering Across Continents.  Other first-year activities included the appearance of journalist and author Cokie Roberts as keynote speaker at a reception for women business and community leaders held at Levine Museum of the New South.     

Plans for 2008 are even more ambitious, said Shafer. “There are an estimated one million orphans due to HIV/AIDS in South Africa, alone. Our 2008 goal is to raise more than $100,000 by deepening a sense of connection between Charlotte and tangible projects that demonstrate care and compassion for orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa. We’ll hold a gathering for Founding Mothers in late February, a second annual Mothers Day fundraiser, and several education events during the year.”

About MOTHERING ACROSS CONTINENTS^SM:

Mothering Across Continents is an initiative co-founded by Dr. Lyndall Hare, former executive director of the Lifetime Learning Institute of Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) and Patricia Shafer, president of leadership consulting and research firm Compel Ltd.  “Mothering Across Continents: Care and Compassion for AIDS Orphans in South Africa” reflects the 2007 focus of a five-member Charlotte organizing committee: Hare, Shafer, Cindy Quinlan of Thangami International Marketing, Catherine Anderson of the Catherine Anderson Studio, and Dianne Stewart of BSA PR & Marketing.                                                                                           

For More Information:

Visit www.motheringacrosscontinents.org