The Jolly Holiday Network Honors Bronx Leaders and Raises Toys for Kids

BRONX, N.Y. - Dec. 7, 2013 - PRLog -- More than 100 guests, many of them bearing gifts, attended The Jolly Holiday Network and Toy Drive, Wednesday, December 4, 2013, presented by the Bronx Entrepreneurs, Business Network, Foxy Family, Amapola Events Planning and Thirty3 Sixty3 Steakhouse.

The 160 toys collected at the Jolly event at Thirty3 Sixty3 Steakhouse in Throggs Neck were donated to the Foxy Family, a Bronx-based nonprofit organization that provides primary services to women, men and children who are exposed to and experiencing domestic violence.

A highlight of the evening was the award presentation to business and community leaders in the Bronx. Clarisel Media, a Bronx-based online media and consulting business, presented 10 entrepreneurs, business and community leaders with its 2013 Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network Award. The award is named after the Bronx Entrepreneurs and Business Network (BEBN), a media source and networking hub for, by and about Bronx entrepreneurs and small businesses, which is a Clarisel Media project.

The 2013 BEBN Award winners are: George Acevedo, Bronx Women's Business Resource Center; Jacqueline Acevedo-Villanueva, MAS, Inc.; Nina Cochran, CodeNYC; Ed Garcia Conde, Welcome to the Bronx; Mariposa Maria Teresa Fernandez, Poetry for Entrepreneurs; Alexandra Maruri, MCNY Tours; Maribel Mercado, Amapola Events Planning; Nicole Perrino, BronxMama; Cheryl Sanchez, The NetWorks Organization; and Evelyn Torres, Foxy Family.

The recipients are examples of leaders living up to Clarisel Media's business and social mission of informing, empowering and building community in their personal and/or professional lives.

Coach Stevan Lynn “MyDad IsLove” served as the event’s emcee, making sure audience members had a jolly time. He kicked off the night with a Christmas carol challenge where guests were divided into groups and sang holiday songs in English and Spanish for a chance to win a prize from one of the event sponsors. The winning teams were treated to cupcakes baked by teenager Jasmin Rodriguez, one of BEBN’s youngest members who runs Peace of Love and Cupcakes. As a special treat, Coach Lynn also performed a monologue from one of his shows.

Award winning poet and author Mariposa delighted the crowd with her poetry readings. Her poetry has been featured on the critically acclaimed HBO Latino series, "Habla Ya!" and the HBO documentary "Americanos: Latino Life in the US." Mariposa has also appeared on BET, Lifetime and PBS. She has performed for diverse audiences throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and abroad. With Poetry for Entrepreneurs, she coaches entrepreneurs to hone their speaking skills.

Another highlight was our raffle giveaways from our sponsors. Artist James Sexer Rodriguez donated a painting titled A Taste of Passion in support of the BEBN. This marks the second year that Rodriguez has donated a piece of his art to help raise funds to help support this independent entrepreneurial movement in the Bronx. Rodriguez’s ability to combine life experiences through realistic rendition and graffiti allows for his maximum expression in his art.

Other event sponsors included Mas, Inc.; the National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce; the NetWorks Organization; Poetry for Entrepreneurs; Sylvia Santiago, independent Partylite consultant; Karlene Roberts, independent Avon sales representative; Kathie Delgado, independent Mary Kay consultant; and Miriam Quin’s photography services. Our sponsors and talent at the Jolly are all members of the BEBN members, friends and/or supporters.

The Foxy Family will distribute the toys collected at The Jolly Holiday Network and Toy Drive to Bronx kids at a Dec. 21 jolly holiday community gathering at Side Street.