“A Salute To Sylvia Hubbard” Fundraiser

Feb. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Detroiter Sylvia Hubbard and her three children lost everything they owned in a house fire on January 10, 2013. Because she is starting from ground zero, a fundraiser is being held Saturday, March 2 at the Carr Center in Detroit.

Hubbard is an author, speaker, social media whiz and founder of the Motown Writers’ Network and Michigan Literary Network.

Hubbard was recently laid off from her job with the City of Detroit, and because she lost everything in the fire, she needs everything necessary to make her family comfortable, including furniture, household items, appliances, clothes, toiletries and school supplies for her children, a teen girl, teen boy and pre-teen girl.

Immediately after the devastating fire, donations began pouring in, starting at the first monthly Meet Up of the year for the Motown Writers’ Network at Barnes and Noble Bookstore on Wayne State University’s campus.  Gail Perry- Mason, author, philanthropist and founder/director of Pearls of Wisdom and Grace LLC, who had previously been scheduled to be guest speaker, took the opportunity to donate clothing to Hubbard at the event.

“I was scheduled to go to President Obama’s Inauguration (the following weekend). But because I knew that Sylvia was without, I cancelled my trip so I could focus on helping her,” said Gail Perry-Mason.

Because Hubbard’s passion is for the literary community, the fundraiser will include readings by authors, poets, and presentations from motivational speakers, and literary vendors.

“Sylvia is so dedicated to the literary community, and she is such a literacy advocate, we wanted to make the fundraiser centered around what she loves,” said Kalyn Risker, executive director of Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE), and part of The Friends of Sylvia Hubbard, the group helping to organize the event. “We really want to help raise funds to get Sylvia and her three children back on their feet.” The organizers hope to raise a minimum of $5,000.

Vickie Thomas, City Beat Reporter with WWJ/CBS Radio and president of the Detroit Chapter-National Association of Black Journalists, and other community leaders will make remarks during the event.

Hubbard regularly holds book drives for the non-profit organization, Detroit Impact where she, also volunteers working with youth on literary projects. She unselfishly shares her time and knowledge of all things literary and literacy-related, and works tirelessly to promote others doing positive work in Detroit and throughout Michigan.

Before the fire, Hubbard was collecting books and DVDs to donate to Detroit Impact, and storing them in her home. These items were destroyed in the fire, so Hubbard has requested that books and DVDs, also be donated during the fundraiser for Detroit Impact to help promote literacy for youth and adults who utilize the facility.

"Sylvia is one of the most generous and sweetest women I know," said Venus Mason Theus, president of the American Christian Writers Detroit chapter.

“A Salute to Sylvia Hubbard” Fundraiser is Saturday, March 2, 2013 from 3-5:30 p.m. at the Carr Center, 311 E. Grand River in downtown Detroit. Suggested donation/admission $20.

For general information, call (313) 437-3702 or visit http://www.Facebook.com/sylviahubbard, or http://www.motownwriters.com. For vendor/sponsorship opportunities, please contact Cassy Jones-Mcbryde at (313) 687-4497 or email to forsylviahubbard@gmail.com.