New Year New You

“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
Heating up coconut oil and a piece of red Crayola crayon on a stove top to make homemade lip gloss would appear to be either a botched craft project, or a woman in dire straits attempting to make herself some beauty products.
Despite appearances, this simple activity of creating something out of nothing has helped to empower residents of an undisclosed domestic violence shelter.
In February, the Myles Singleton Foundation, a (501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping low-income families by supporting social and educational projects, sponsored the featured program “A New Year New You,” along with the Partnership Against Domestic Violence and Mobile Makeover Matters.
During the event, the women were also taught how to make their own jewelry with wire and beads. They were given a makeover class, and makeover kit, along with gift bags filled with beauty products such as lotion, body wash, and body spray.
Nevertheless, it didn’t stop short there. The women were served “Mash Potato Martinis, which looked like a loaded baked potato inside of a martini glass.
The event was held to help feed the spirit and empower the women. This supports MSF’s mission to help build hope for a brighter tomorrow.
By: Toynett Singleton

Barrow County 2016 Back 2 School Bash

Barrow County Family Connections held its annual Back 2 School Bash on July 22nd. An astounding 1,500 book bags filled with school supplies were given away! MSF donated 100 book bags for the event. Our resident volunteer barber, Markus Wingfield (Mark & Company), cut hair for free for the 4th consecutive year. This time he had some help from salon owner, Heather Owens.

A No Bullying Campaign was also hosted by MSF. MSF Juniors Deyja Singleton and Ty James manned MSF’s table for the event. The foundation gave away a little over 200 pamphlets, certificates and no bullying bracelets. One pamphlet focused on the victim while the other was geared towards the bully and the bystander. “MSF’s focus is not only to bring an end to bullying by helping the victim, but also the bully. Often times, people bully because of a variety of reasons such as low self-esteem or they themselves are being bullied by someone else. If we can stop bullying at its source, we end bullying before it can start!” stated MSF president, Shannon Singleton. MSF would like to thank everyone who participated in the event.

Camille Eden Singleton Blanket Drive

On July 10th, MSF was privileged to present Northside Hospital with needed blankets for the NICU department. The blankets were made by our own MSF member, Linda Singleton. MSF’s donation is in memory of Camille Eden Singleton.

“We are truly blessed that the Myles Singleton Foundation came together to honor our little angel, Camille Eden Singleton, by donating these blankets to the families of newborn babies at Northside Hospital Atlanta. Our Camille was here for 12 days and we were blessed by the wonderful Drs. and Nurses who cared for her while she was here. We too received blanket donations during our time of need and wanted to return the favor and give back. Thank you to all of the (MSF) members that helped to put this together.” Kevin Singleton

Louisiana Back to School Events

MSF had the opportunity to host a variety of back to school initiatives in Louisiana on August 4th and 5th. The foundation was able to provide book sacs, schools supplies, care packages and blow pops with inspirational messages to 38 students in need in a community in Baton Rouge.

The organization’s next stop was Donaldsonville. Care packages were dropped off to Donaldsonville High and Lowery Middle Schools. At Lowery Elementary, 5th graders received care packages. School supplies and blow pops with inspirational messages were also given to LES.

In total, 200 care packages were given away. The packages included toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, feminine products for the girls and inspirational messages.

School supplies included: Binders, calculators, ink pens, glue sticks, scissors, loose leaf paper, crayons, color pencils, pencils and composition notebooks.

Children excited to receive their book sacs and school supplies!

Donaldsonville High School Staff and MSF Members

Anthony Brown: Lowery Elementary Staff member bringing in school supplies

LA Anti-Bullying Event

MSF had the honor of hosting an anti-bullying event at Lowery Elementary in Donaldsonville, LA on October 6, 2016. The organization spoke to 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders about bullying and its effects on the victim and the bully. The foundation gave away anti-bullying bracelets, butterfly pendants, and bookmarks to all students. The students also had chances to win MSF T-shirts for correctly answering anti-bullying trivia questions. MSF challenged the students to reduce bullying by the end of the school year. If they succeed, MSF promised the students a pizza party!