Biggest Thank you From all of us!

First, I want to thank NIALANEWS, Oasis Living Al Ain, Buzz, Abu Dhabi Zoom, 7days news, Gulf News on behalf of myself and the event and all the other people you have connected in Al Ain and UAE residents. Thank you for the things that you make happen just by offering this service to us free of charge. Since it's conception, it has connected people and made all of this happen. I would like to thank all the other people responsible for the daily upkeep, I believe I can say with certainty that all of us who have taken advantage of this service and your time and efforts, do appreciate it. So many good things have come to pass because of your work. So, on Behalf of Al Ain, I say a big THANK YOU! 

An incredible big Thanks to Artist Laurel Moore and all she did to spread the word within the art community which resulted in amazing items being donated that eventually had to be part of the raffle, since the auction was not allowed to go on.

I will keep these memories and all the notes in my tattered notebook with me forever. However, the memory of the beautiful works of art that were donated will forever stay in my mind. Thank you all so much. I am looking forward to having an interview and posting pics of the event thanking each one of you personally/publicly. 

I also want to take a moment and hug everyone that participated in volunteering, in sponsoring and attending the event. There were some road blocks that tried to keep it from happening, however, it was a train on a mission and nothing was going to keep it from happening. Yes, the auction got cancelled as well as raising funds with sales, but, that did not stop the AWARENESS part of this message. Please, keep in mind at all times, that the person next to you might be the one that needs the information you learned through attending. Take a minute and look into their eyes. You can see it. Do something. Just strike up a conversation and listen. 

If you would rather, help in a different way, you can always donate to the Phillipino Embassy or EWAA' or contact me and I will help you arrange a way to give those things we take for granted, to someone who will think it's their birthday. If you are leaving the country and can't sell everything, please don't leave it behind for the landlord. I will arrange to help you load it up and take it to the shelters. 

We will do this again, this was the first of it's kind here and we had to learn all the different rules/laws regarding this issue.  However, we will know more about the rules/regulations and be prepared for entertainment snafus, the time issues, etc. The food was great and it seemed everyone was enjoying themselves. I am deeply grateful for what the whole experience has done in me. I look forward to seeing what He has planned for me in the future and I truly hope that you will also be a part of that. I can't thank everyone enough for their time, efforts, and strength in making this come to pass. You are truly angels. 

It was amazing sitting on that staircase overlooking everyone and reflecting on the events that created this and the uphill battle that it took to get this spoken about. I just wished that the shelter ladies could have been a part as originally planned, however, I do believe enough ppl heard the message and will pass it along. The April Flower seed has been planted, it is up to you to nurture it and make it grow. 

Thank you so much everyone. 

Love from the bottom of my heart!
Michelle Mellinger

The Media Sponsor pulled out because of disbelief (my reply)

This was in response to the email I got telling me why the media pulled out at the final hour.

Yes, I don't have an (official) agreement with them (EWAA) on a legal way. I was just one person trying to make a difference and wanted to help the ladies in the shelters there. I truly did not know what I was getting myself into and honestly didn't care nor think about the repercussions. 

I would love for you to see the conversation between me and EWAA' or have sat in on the meeting we had at the shelter. In the beginning it was, "Absolutely, lets join together and do this". But we need a meeting with BOD. Well, I said, "Go ahead, however, this is going to happen with or without your support." They wanted a proposal. I said, "My proposal is to have a big party, raise awareness, get donations to the shelters and money for the other needs" She said the BOD wouldn't accept this as a proposal and it needed to be professionally written. I asked her to explain to me exactly what they needed it to say as I have no clue. If they could help me help them? She said, and I quote, "It is not my job to teach you how to do a proposal". That floored me. In my retort, I asked her "Isn't it your job to help the shelters run smoothly?" "And, how long would it take you to explain to me exactly what words you need me to put into print?". I also asked her why was it so hard to help them? And, my question is now, "Why should I be chasing a charity to help them when they should be chasing me?" It's like everyone just shows up for their jobs and just does only, exactly what they need to do for the day and not go above and beyond to really make a difference.

I took the responsibility after finding an abandoned baby and didn't sit on my ass. Yes, I learned what the rules where along the way. I got the backing that I needed in the end. In fact, at 5pm the day before. Only because I have believed every step of the way that this was going to happen in spite of all of the obstacles. God has been in control of this a long time before I even found the baby.

What's sad is that everyone I pleaded with that abandoned me in the final hours really missed out on an incredible scene. I had a Harley Davidson Parade through town. Disney characters, magic show, raffle, incredible food, games and activities for the kids as well as, face painting, falcon show, raffle (even though the auction with items worth over 1.567million dhs was cancelled). 

If you would like to do the aftermath story and show that no matter how hard it is, no matter what obstacles you face, and dead ends you may find, God will definitely help you find a way over them, around them or just plain through them. And, look at what happened because I didn't give up on it. Nor did the ppl who believed in the cause. Look at how many ppl showed up and didn't care whether there was a specific license. Even if we couldn't have the auction or raise funds, we did the Awareness Event that I was after from the beginning. It wasn't perfect. And there were some things that were happening behind the scene that no one was aware of. It will be better next year. Or in 6months. Im not sure. I now have the attention of many ppl and I don't anticipate losing it. You can choose to be a part of this incredible opportunity to make a difference, or you can turn your back. I'm not chasing anyone. It will grow into an amazing change in this country on the backs of those who chose/choose to carry the message. 

Thank you for the wonderful article Nabila and Oasis did. Really, it was so well written. That's why I agreed to say that Oasis Living Al Ain magazine was the media sponsor in this........

I did manage to find a professional photographer to take the pictures. That's because God stepped in at the final hour.

I do hope you reconsider your stand on reporting this story. You can choose a different angle. I'm going to meet with the Phillipino Ambassador. I promise you, they will be happy to have the things that were actually donated. 

I do look forward to your response.

Yours Truly,

Michelle Mellinger

Exciting Update

It looks like an incredible event will actually come to life on Friday Nov 18th! I am impressed with the list of sponsors that have taken on this responsibility to help this important cause.
Al Noor Hospital providing clowns, balloons, magicians, Disney character, free diabetes medical checks, banners, tshirts
Pfizer Pharmaceutical co providing breast feeding awareness information as well as giving free toys and games to the children.
Al Ghadeer water providing all the water needs
Lacnor providing 240 boxed juices and cooler
Black Eagles Motorcycle Club leading the parade from Danat Hotel to the Palm Resort Golf Club at 3pm
Elite Vvip offering the incredible packages listed in earlier blog
Carl van Rosenveldt auctioning the sports memorabilia
Desert Grooves providing music
Oasis Living Al Ain magazine for being the media
Ahmed Saidawi for his beautiful work on the logo and flyers
Artists: Laurel Moore, Jalal of Ghaf Gallery, Antonella Antonioni, Laura Talhoui for donating wonderful works of art.
And many private donations of gently used items
This is an amazing event that is finally taking place here. There are many volunteers that I haven't listed as the list is long. I will post those in a future blog. Thank you everyone for helping me and April get this show on the road!

SPORTS MEMORABILIA AND VIP EVENTS TICKETS OFFERED AT AUCTION

These are some of the sports items up for sale at the event:
Manchester United Jersey 2010/2011
Real Madrid signed Jersey
Wayne Rooney signed photo
Rory Mcilroy signed photo
Lance Armstrong signed photo

as well as the following VIP event tickets:

Formula One

Available for Abu Dhabi, Singapore and India.
Indicative £10,000 per package
One package per team at each race!

FULL VIP TEAM PACKAGES.

FERRARI, McCLAREN, RED BULL AND FORCE INDIA.

BAFTA AWARDS UK V.I.P PACKAGES

TABLE OF TEN

OR

PAIRS OF TICKETS

THE OSCARS WITH A LIST STAR

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL MUNICH 

Tag in facebook

If you are coming to the event, please tag (FB) Aprils Flowers Jameela (add as friend), in one of your facebook pics so I can get a head count. If you haven't gotten your tickets, the time is coming up quickly. It may be that we will be able to sell tickets the day of the event as well. I'll find out in the next few days. Keep you posted. M

This is the menu at the event!! Sounds great!

Palm Sports Resort

                    Buffet Menu

Presented on mirror

Assorted Cold Cut

  Salads

Waldorf salad with cranberries and pecan

Greek Salad,

German Potato and bacon Salad

Rocca Parmesan,

Chicken and Pasta Salad,

Hummus, Moutable

Assorted vegetable

Side Sauces

Main Course

Mushroom Rice

Herbed Tenderloin Beef, in Garlic and Theme Gravy

Grilled Hamour Fillet with Lemon Butter Sauce

Mash potato

Corn on the Cop

Sautted Vegetable

Penne Arabiatta

Desserts

Fresh Fruit Basket,

Fruit salad,

Apple pie, Fruit Cake

Chocolate cake, New York Cheese Cake,

Cream Brule, Chocolate Mouse

Assorted Bread

Corn Bread roll & Dinner roll and loafs 

This is the menu at the event!! Sounds great!

Palm Sports Resort

                    Buffet Menu

Presented on mirror

Assorted Cold Cut

  Salads

Waldorf salad with cranberries and pecan

Greek Salad,

German Potato and bacon Salad

Rocca Parmesan,

Chicken and Pasta Salad,

Hummus, Moutable

Assorted vegetable

Side Sauces

Main Course

Mushroom Rice

Herbed Tenderloin Beef, in Garlic and Theme Gravy

Grilled Hamour Fillet with Lemon Butter Sauce

Mash potato

Corn on the Cop

Sautted Vegetable

Penne Arabiatta

Desserts

Fresh Fruit Basket,

Fruit salad,

Apple pie, Fruit Cake

Chocolate cake, New York Cheese Cake,

Cream Brule, Chocolate Mouse

Assorted Bread

Corn Bread roll & Dinner roll and loafs 

AMAZING NEWS!!!

Al Noor Hospital has agreed to sponsor the event. They are bringing clowns, balloons, decorations, face painting, magicians, disney characters, medical check ups, etc. Pfizer will be there as well promoting breast feeding awareness. Tshirts, etc. Now? I just have to get the Harley clubs to verify.......work is not complete.......But, today with the event in Oasis Living Al Ain magazine and Time Out Abu Dahbi? Well, heck, I'm doing ok today.

Promote your business while helping the cause!

Please join us on Nov 18th at the Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club 4-11pm for BBQ, Bikes, Bands, Cash Bar, Auction, Raffle to raise awareness about the shelters available for abused, exploited women and children here as well as several other charities that need your help. If you would like to volunteer, buy tickets (before Nov 13th) or sponsor a table to not only promote your own business/charity, it will be a wonderful donation.

Each table is 500dh which will include one dinner buffet. You are welcome to hand out flyers, coupons, examples of your product.

Please see the attached flyer for more info and also go to http://Aprilsflowerscharity.blogspot.com to see some of the wonderful works of art being donated by our local artists for the auction as well as Exclusive VIP tickets to major events here, USA, Europe. You can also search my name in Gulf News and this months Oasis Living al Ain magazine.

If you could print the attached flyer and pass it out/post it with your coworkers, friends, family that would be an enormous gift as well. Thank you in advance.

If you have any questions, or would like to participate in any capacity, please text me at 050 175 3853 or email us at Aprils.flowers@yahoo.com 

Sincerely,

Michelle Mellinger

Another wonderful art donation! Laura Talhouai

Need sponsors

Please know that we are asking businesses to sponsor a table at the event. You are welcome to pass out flyers and promote your business while doing something great at the same time. The cost is 500dhs each table, which will include one person buffet, charities of course are welcome to promote with out this cost but with entry fee. Please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you. M 05017503853