3rd Annual

Program Timeline6:00 - 6:30 • Cocktails and review raffle and auction items

6:30 • Buffet dinner

7:00 • Welcome Karen Arlington

• It’s Today (Jerry Herman) performed by Karen Arlington accompanied by Gina Giachero

• Tawanda McCrae, Founder, Red Queen Foundation: The Mission

• On A Wonderful Day Like Today (Anthony Newley) Performed by Karen Arlington accompanied by Gina Ciachero

• Grady Griffin, Director of Emergency Services for City of Trenton: The Issue

• I Am What I Am (Jerry Herman) performed by Karen Arlington accompanied by Gina Giachero

• Dessert & Networking

• It’s A Marshmallow World (Peter De Rose) Performed by Karen Arlington accompanied by Gina Giachero

• Raffle and Silent Auction winners announced

9:30 • Close Karen Arlington

• Acknowledgements

RED QUEEN FOUNDATION PRESENTS 3rd Annual Holiday Fundraiser Gala To Support Organizations That Empower Disenfranchised WomenRed Queen Foundation hosts fundraiser on December 3rd, 2017 on behalf of Homefront and Womanspace shelters, and Trenton Rescue Mission.

ABOUT RED QUEEN FOUNDATIONFounded in 2015, Red Queen Foundation began by providing homeless women and girls with sanitary products, toiletries and undergarments, but in the last three years it has expanded to include many additional services including educational software training, resume writing skills and job coaching.

FUNDRASING GOALSIn an effort to raise funds to purchase laptops, software and sanitary products for homeless woman and girls in Mercer County area, Red Queen Foundation announces its 3rd annual fundraiser this time on behalf of Homefront family shelter, Womanspace domestic violence shelter and the Trenton Rescue Mission.

“I personally know the plight of battered homeless women due to family members who have been in harm’s way”, states Tawanda McCrae, founder of Red Queen Foundation. I was determined to find a way to provide tangible support in order to lift up disenfranchised women by training them on job skills. But I wanted to go even further so I have created job opportunities for the women once they are trained.”

MESSAGE FROM THE GUEST SPEAKER“I see the horror of domestic violence everyday as I answer 911 calls for help”, states Grady Griffin, Director of Emergency Services for the City of Trenton. “These women do not want to be in an abusive situation yet are often afraid to reach out for help until a major crisis occurs.” Director Griffin is passionate about spreading awareness. “If you see something, say something so that we can get assist this population enter safe spaces and receive career training and other services that Red Queen Foundation is helping to support”

About Tawanda MccraeTawanda McCrae is a New Jersey native and US Army veteran; she has traveled internationally and across the USA immersing herself in the culture and beliefs of many different people. As a Hun School graduate, Tawanda was very active in sports and as a freshman traveled with the women’s crew team (as an alternate coxswain) to row at the Henley on Thames regatta in London, England. Her love of travel began with that trip overseas. After high school she was awarded a crew scholarship to attend Temple University in Philadelphia, but instead decided she wanted to serve her country so at 19 years of age she joined the US Army. While serving as a National Guard solider she sought out every opportunity to move to a new state, deciding on Denver, Colorado to attend the Art Institute and Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design.Colorado had become her second home and embraced her as a native, but once the war started in 2003 Tawanda quit her job, left college and re-signed with the US Army to deploy as an active duty solider overseas. As a finance specialist with the US Army she was afforded the opportunity to live in Giessen, Germany and travelled extensively throughout Europe.

In addition to running RQF she currently has a very busy career as an Architectural Revit Designer in New Jersey, and teaches Autodesk drafting software at Bucks County Community College in PA. She still takes time out to tutor current and former students on the weekends, volunteer one evening a week and sometimes weekends at a local animal shelter and is a dedicated mother to four cat fur babies. She is an avid vegan and supporter of all things vegan and often donates time and money to animal rescue organizations. Tawanda is currently a full time student attending Thomas Edison State University in New Jersey pursuing a BA in science and applied technology with a minor in sustainable design.

Karen ArlingtonKaren has had a long and exciting career. She lived in Germany where sheappeared in She Loves Me (Ilona) Dark of the Moon (Fair Witch) On The Town (Hildy). She Moved to New York where she had the pleasure of working three yearswith King’s Players Children’s Rep at Town Hall and BAM. Peter Pan (Mrs. Darling)Rainbow Junction (Pompous Queen) Before relocating to her ancestral home of Philadelphia in 2016, Karen worked nine years as principal actor / singer with Philhallmonics Musical Revues at Lincoln Center, NYC. Reestablishing herself in Philly, Karen was cast in My Fair Lady (Mrs. Higgins) at BCC Bucks County and will be understudy in The Humans (Momo) at the Walnut Street Theatre 2018. Karen is also an international motivational speaker, a career coach, a much-in-demand emcee for fundraisers, on-camera spokesperson for Fortune 500 companies, and an award-winning best-selling author. Her work has been featured on NBC-TV The Today Show, WGN TV, PBS TV and the Discovery Channel.Karen is thrilled to be part of Red Queen Foundation 3 rd Annual Holiday Fundraiser Gala. Kudos to Tawanda McCrae for her passionate outreach to people in need.

732-567-2858 • sweetgourmetnj@gmail.com • sweetgourmet.biz

Sweet Gourmet is a bake to order bakery in Princeton, NJ. Founded in 2017, but planned since about 1985. It all started with an 8 year old begging for a cake decorating kit. Hundreds and hundreds of buttercream roses, cakes, cook-ies, culinary school and 30 years later, here is Sweet Gourmet. Our cakes are made in small batches using local ingredients whenever possible. I cannot promise no fat or reduced calories but I can promise you desserts that are fresh and delicious. — Karen

Life is sweet...we can make it sweeter

Karen Arlington (Donor/Volunteer/Public Relations/Technical Advisor)

Scott Warren (Donor/Volunteer/Technical Advisor)

Brianna Sheppard (Volunteer/Recruitment/Advertising)

Jackie Richards (Donor/Volunteer)

Darius Lewis (Volunteer/Photography)

Jabari Brown (Volunteer)

Mark (Donor) T&T Pet Supply Skillman, NJ

Brett Malak (Donor/Volunteer) Member of WILD Women in

Lighting Design

Kelly Roberts (Donor/Volunteer) Senior Associate of WILD Women in

Lighting Design

Michelle Newton (Donor/Volunteer) EASEL Animal Rescue League

Georgia Arvanitis (Donor/Advisor) Vice President EASEL Animal Rescue League

Elina Raksin (Donor/Volunteer) Marketing & Branding

TLD Top Ladies of Distinction Trenton, NJ (Donors)

Don and Debbie Ricard (Donor)

Roberta Snow (Donor)

Peter Thompson (Donor)

Tracy Warner (Donor)

Christine Patriaca (Donor)

Betty Dean (Donor)

Patricia Pettebone (Donor)

Betty & Melanie Severis (Donor)

Florence Snook (Donor)

The Red Queen Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 charity, 100% of every donation goes directly into supporting our mission. We deeply appreciate your support at all levels.

Thank you to all who make Red Queen Foundation possible: