A Story of Joy

OVER A YEAR!  I have been so busy writing and being a publicist (and photographer) again that I have negelected my own blog in favor of others for work.

Bad Amanda.

So I decided to get back in the groove by sharing my blog post from my company blog.  Its a back story of an incredible makeover Designing Spaces just completed. 

A Story of Joy

It’s a sad story with a happy ending in the making, for Joy Stewart and her grandchildren.  One day in December, Broward County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Edward Ragauskas went to Detective Lisa Sokol for help.  He had found Joy Stewart living in a home with no heat, running water, electricity or food with her four grandchildren.  Grandchildren who had health issues due to being born to a crack addicted mother who had abandoned them in New York.

Detective Sokol and Deputy Ragauskas put out a call for help to their fellow Broward County Sherriff’s Deputies and the word quickly spread.  Food, clothes and toys were donated; money was collected to turn utilities back on.  Huge name national stores such as Wal-Mart, Brand Smart and Home Depot donated things like a water heater, refrigerator, food, clothes and toys. A very Merry Christmas for sure; however the state of the home the family was living in was not fit for habitation and as the holiday spirit of charity started to dwindle, the good deputies of the BSO were at a loss what to do next.

At that time the local branch of the national non-for-profit Rebuilding Together® stepped in and with them they brought the producers of the locally produced national hit home improvement show Designing Spaces™, airing on Lifetime.  After taking one look at the state of Stewart’s family dwelling, the Dream Team at Designing Spaces decided to tackle the single largest makeover they have to date.  With the help of Rebuilding Together, the Broward County Sherriff’s Office and the local emergency shelter Kids In Distress, where Joy’s grandchildren had been housed until she was able to bring them home, Designing Spaces is redoing and furnishing the entire house room by room.

It’s a story that is not over yet; but one that shows the magic that can happen when a community comes together and helps create Joy.

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While I can't take any credit for the photo - which is fine - I can take credit for the press that attended and covered it!!

Check out the following link to see the heartwarming reveal coverage live.
And I promise to start posting more of my work, thoughts and photos once more - for those of you who are interested!

CBS 4 Miami Piece
Sun-Sentinel Florida

Oh yeah I am now a tweeter so TWEET with ME!


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Valentines Charity Event

Well I won't lie - Valentine's Day is one of my LEAST favorite holidays of the year. I mean what single girl likes a day that is basically the equivalent of a cosmic bitch slap. "Hey remember when you were young and awkward and the boys didn't like you? Well guess what sister - nothing much has changed" (yes ok I lifted all of that directly from the movie Valentines Day - but doesn't make it any less true does it?)

Well all of a sudden I have a reason to feel GOOD about Valentines Day and guess what - now YOU do to!! Because, now I have something exciting to think about other then myself, and THAT I have learned is ALWAYS a good thing!


A Global Friendship is having a party! A cocktail fund raiser event at Betel Restaurant in NYC! Now when was the last time cocktails weren't fun? Add that to the fact that you will be directly helping out an organization committed to making the world a more beautiful place - oh yeah and did I mention canapes, music and awesome jewelry? I mean come on! Drinks, music, people fun and helping your fellow man? It's a win all around people!

YOU ARE INVITED. . .

Valentine Cocktail Event

A fundraiser to benefit A Global Friendship

Monday, February 7th, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Betel Restaurant, 51 Grove Street, New York, NY, 212.352.0460
A special evening with your special someone!

Click HERE to buy Tickets
purchase tickets by Feb 6th, 11PM

Tickets priced at $125 each, include a variety of red wine, white wine, and beer with canapés served throughout the evening.

Entertainment: Karen Zimmer, Vocals and Guitar

Sweet Surprise: Bracelets sold at wholesale cost during event!

First 35 people will receive a gift bag valued at $50

Singles welcome!

For updates and news, join our blog followers or visit our facebook page:

A Global Friendship

AGF The BLOG