Yesterday I spoke with Kevin Dey and local commercial Realtor. He has a spot over in the business park he would like me to take a look at. I hope to see it tomorrow.
Today I spoke with Mr. Sells he works with Champion reality. He and his wife will also be helping KIDZ to find a new home. We will meet tomorrow. We are still keeping options open and not giving up on anything. However with time closing in fast we need to find a space that would need little no build out.
NBC will be here next week to do their interview for Pepsi.
There was something else too but now I can't remember.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Update
June 22nd: KIDZ got the official email that we would be receiving the grant money from Pepsi. But later that day we also received a call from Lennon, she is the project manager from Pepsi (Well GOOD http://www.good.is). Lennon will be working with us every step of the way to make sure our project is a success. She is amazing. We chat via email about every other day.
· June 23rd: we looked at a warehouse space on rt 18 in Chester. Very nice space and we are still talking with the owners. However without a signed lease we are still keeping our options open for other available space. KIDZ will need about 4,000+ sq ft with a ceiling height of at least 11 ft. Our budgeted rent is no more than $4,000 per month.
· June 24th: Meet with the KIDZ accountant and future KIDZ President. We went over the opening budget and the timeline in which KIDZ needs to be open. We will be compiling a list of things we will need, labor, supplies and talent.
· June 28th: KIDZ received an email from an NBC producer in NY who will be coming down here in the next two weeks to do an interview about our project. Date TBA
· June 30th: Spoke with QAC building inspector about Chester warehouse space and what kind of build out needs to be done to meet county codes. He will get back to us after the holiday weekend.
· July 1st: Spoke with Grub/Ellis commercial realtor about spaces on Kent Island and in the surrounding area. He is going to make calls on behalf of KIDZ. Meet with a PR friend of KIDZ. We worked on the update article for the local papers. And many other great ideas for KIDZ.
· July 2nd.: KIDZ meet with Father David of Christ Church Parish (www.christchurchkentisland.org). He is assisting KIDZ in finding a new home.
So this brings us to today!
July 3rd 2010: KIDZ received the first dispersment of the $25,000.00 Grant that YOU help to win!!! We are on our way. One day at a time. Each day brings a new challenge. But we take that challenge and use it to help us grow. Together we WILL make a better community, not that it could get much better. :o)
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do everyday to make this dream come true.
HAPPY 4th of JULY!!
· June 23rd: we looked at a warehouse space on rt 18 in Chester. Very nice space and we are still talking with the owners. However without a signed lease we are still keeping our options open for other available space. KIDZ will need about 4,000+ sq ft with a ceiling height of at least 11 ft. Our budgeted rent is no more than $4,000 per month.
· June 24th: Meet with the KIDZ accountant and future KIDZ President. We went over the opening budget and the timeline in which KIDZ needs to be open. We will be compiling a list of things we will need, labor, supplies and talent.
· June 28th: KIDZ received an email from an NBC producer in NY who will be coming down here in the next two weeks to do an interview about our project. Date TBA
· June 30th: Spoke with QAC building inspector about Chester warehouse space and what kind of build out needs to be done to meet county codes. He will get back to us after the holiday weekend.
· July 1st: Spoke with Grub/Ellis commercial realtor about spaces on Kent Island and in the surrounding area. He is going to make calls on behalf of KIDZ. Meet with a PR friend of KIDZ. We worked on the update article for the local papers. And many other great ideas for KIDZ.
· July 2nd.: KIDZ meet with Father David of Christ Church Parish (www.christchurchkentisland.org). He is assisting KIDZ in finding a new home.
So this brings us to today!
July 3rd 2010: KIDZ received the first dispersment of the $25,000.00 Grant that YOU help to win!!! We are on our way. One day at a time. Each day brings a new challenge. But we take that challenge and use it to help us grow. Together we WILL make a better community, not that it could get much better. :o)
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do everyday to make this dream come true.
HAPPY 4th of JULY!!
Friday, June 18, 2010
Friday, June 18th
I spoke with a couple realtors one didn't have anything that would fit KIDZ. Another one will be showing property on RT 18 in Chester next week. I can't wait to see it. And find out how much they want. I have left four or five messages for the Old Safeway people and now has called me back. Guess it wasn't ment to be.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thursday, June 17th
After such a great and packed day today is was very dull. I sent the ByLaws out and heard back from one office they will review them and get back to me. I received an article that went out in the Sunday Capital back in May. It was awesome!!
On my first visit to the Pepsi website, KIDZ had received enough votes to be eleventh among potential recipients of a $25,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh project. What a rush to find out Friday that KIDZ had risen to number four! When I called KIDZ Manager Kim Donnelly for more information, I learned that her Kent Island community and its Mothers Of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) group had generated enough enthusiasm to move her funding efforts seven steps forward.
You bet, I re-entered the site and cast a couple more votes. Individuals are allowed to vote up to ten times a day. So, Capital readers, go for it. Help put Kent Island kids on the map and in a new, undamaged facility. You can share the voting process with your friends on Facebook as well. I’m hoping that the few friends and former students who visit my Facebook page will get the idea and cast their votes as well.
Kim told me that her Kent Island Discovery Zone, known as KIDZ, suffered structural damage from that February snow and ice storm. While there was no inside damage, the awning in front of the building fell in, causing the entrance to be dangerous for the children and their parents who used the facility for social and educational activities.
Left without their gathering site, the Mothers of Pre-Schoolers invited one of it’s members‘ fathers -- a SCORE Counselor-- to speak about financing to the group. Then friends from the Good Knights of Kent Island brought in four other projects to form an alliance that will work to sustain the indoor play place and enrichment center. Votes from Capital readers between now and May 31 could push KIDZ over the mark and help them win $25,000 from the Pepsi Refresh project.
Pepsi is appealing to people, businesses and non-profits with ideas that will have a positive impact. Pepsi accepts 1,000 ideas every month. There are 1,341 ideas competing for funding in this current grant cycle which ends May 31.
“This was a total surprise to me. I didn’t think my entry made the cutoff,” recalls Kim KIDZ Manager. “I stayed up until midnight in order to be the first to file my application on April 1; but something went wrong with my computer and I could’t get the application through until 12.35. By that time more than 1,000 applications had been submitted and the competition was closed.
“But, last month, I received a notice from Pepsi that our application would be in the May competition.”
Now, KIDZ has a chance to win the grant that will help them pay rent and build out expenses on new space, cover operations, and provide working capital for the first year. Visit the link and help bring a new business into your area!
And, check into the KIDZ website:
Connie Sharpe has been a tax and marketing professional for 20 years, specializing in Small Business and Exempt Organization Development and Grant Administration. She received an MA in Public Affairs and Journalism in 2000 from American University and was appointed to the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel in January 2009 and has been a SCORE Business Counselor for three years.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 16th
When it rains it pours, with good news and happenings in this case.
The day started with the kids (Paige, Robert & Noelle) & I going to a business meeting with Bob A. from S.C.O.R.E. Very interesting have a meeting with children. They well behaved for the most part and Paige even put in her two cents every now and again. Bob knows a member of the S.C.O.R.E. group who has worked with non profits before. She & I will be getting together in the very near future to work on the 1023 for a 501(c)3 application. It's 30 pages long. I will meet with the KIDZ board President prior to meeting with Connie(I think that was her name I have written down my notebook) Carrie & I will do as much of the app as we can and then have Connie look it over for us.
Later today I meet with Beryl who will be heading up the marketing and advertising of KIDZ. She writes press releases and knows all the up to date ways to get your business noticed. This meeting was held at my house with my three kids and her three kids all about the same ages play all around us. It was a great day.
The bylaws for KIDZ have also been written and going to be review by the KIDZ lawyers for finial approval.
Then I received two emails from the GlobalGivings foundation:
#1:
The day started with the kids (Paige, Robert & Noelle) & I going to a business meeting with Bob A. from S.C.O.R.E. Very interesting have a meeting with children. They well behaved for the most part and Paige even put in her two cents every now and again. Bob knows a member of the S.C.O.R.E. group who has worked with non profits before. She & I will be getting together in the very near future to work on the 1023 for a 501(c)3 application. It's 30 pages long. I will meet with the KIDZ board President prior to meeting with Connie(I think that was her name I have written down my notebook) Carrie & I will do as much of the app as we can and then have Connie look it over for us.
Later today I meet with Beryl who will be heading up the marketing and advertising of KIDZ. She writes press releases and knows all the up to date ways to get your business noticed. This meeting was held at my house with my three kids and her three kids all about the same ages play all around us. It was a great day.
The bylaws for KIDZ have also been written and going to be review by the KIDZ lawyers for finial approval.
Then I received two emails from the GlobalGivings foundation:
#1:
HI Kim,
We have added your project to the list of recommended approvals for Pepsi. THey will review the list on Friday and let us know (Fri or Monday) which projects have been officially approved. At that time we will sign your agreement and send you a copy for your records. We will also introduce you to another project manager who can assist you with your project. Finally we will begin processing your first dirsbursement.
More details will be sent before Monday. Stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Linda
GlobalGiving Refresh Grant Team
#2:
Hi Kimberly,
Did your Pepsi Refresh application contain photographs or video? Pepsi's PR partners are looking for opportunities to highlight your project through various media avenues. Please reply to this email and attach any raw video or photographs from your application. Please note that only original files can be used; links to websites such as Youtube or photo sharing sights such as Flickr cannot be used. If you have a file that is too large to attach to an email we can find another way for you to send it.
As of now, there is no deadline, but the sooner you can send them the better.
Thanks,
The Pepsi Refresh Team
GlobalGiving Foundation
Cooper Breeden
Grants Associate || GlobalGiving Foundation || Pepsi Refresh Project
Did your Pepsi Refresh application contain photographs or video? Pepsi's PR partners are looking for opportunities to highlight your project through various media avenues. Please reply to this email and attach any raw video or photographs from your application. Please note that only original files can be used; links to websites such as Youtube or photo sharing sights such as Flickr cannot be used. If you have a file that is too large to attach to an email we can find another way for you to send it.
As of now, there is no deadline, but the sooner you can send them the better.
Thanks,
The Pepsi Refresh Team
GlobalGiving Foundation
Cooper Breeden
Grants Associate || GlobalGiving Foundation || Pepsi Refresh Project
This is all very exciting. I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring!!
Tuesday, June 15th 2010
Set up meeting for next week with the development co. at the biz park. I will be bringing my contractor friend to give an estimate on the HVAC system. Then I found out that a non profit does not have to get a license from the clerks office. So on to the next step of finding out what licensees a non profit does need. Tomorrow I will be meeting with the SCORE Group and with a friend who would like to work on the press release.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday, June 14th 2010
Pretty busy day. We got the board members a little more set. I started on the 30 page non profit app today. Set up a meeting with a friend who does marketing and advertising. and another lady who has great ideas on how to run an indoor playground. Can't wait to pick her brain. Also have a meeting set for Friday with a web techie.
I did some more research on opening a business in QAC. Who to call and what you need. Tomorrow in between play-dates and Girl Scout meetings I will be making a few phone calls to the clerk's office.
I did some more research on opening a business in QAC. Who to call and what you need. Tomorrow in between play-dates and Girl Scout meetings I will be making a few phone calls to the clerk's office.
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