<!-- Alternate content for non-supporting browsers --> <div id="pic-container" name="pic-container" style="float:right; width:310;height:225; text-align:right;background-color: white;"><img id="pic-rotate" name="pic-rotate" src="/news/newsletter/images/issue12/12-0.jpg" border="1" width="300" height="200" alt="A City of Villages" title="A City of Villages" /> <div id="pic-title" name="pic-title" style="float:right; margin: 0; padding: 0;"><font size="-2">A City of Villages </font></div></div><script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">var pic_sel= new Array(); pic_sel[0] = new Image(); pic_sel[0].src='/news/newsletter/images/issue12/12-0.jpg'; pic_sel[0].alt='A City of Villages'; var picnumb= 1; </script><font face='verdana,helvetica'> <i><b>A City of Villages : A Personal Letter from OFC's Director and Founder</b> <br />Jason A. Harvey<b> <p>Join OFC's Movement TODAY!!!!</b></i> <p>Greetings, my friends! </p> <br /> <p> Happy New Year! I hope this message finds you safe, warm and in good health. Many of you know me as the director of Oakland Food Connection, a loyal friend and as a passionate advocate of food justice. You can also find me having a good time with OFC fundraisers, manifesting food parties and brining my soul to the dance floor at local venues in Oakland such as Luka’s or Oasis. I truly believe in celebrating the beauty that OFC continues to accomplish in Oakland. </p> <p> Coming together to share a meal, laugh, network, and build community, freely discussing the issues that affect the health and wellness of our communities is in itself an act of pure liberation. By doing so, we deepen our own understanding of where our food comes from, and how it is treated from seed to table. Certainly, this continues to be the story of OFC. </p> <p> In 2008, it is my sincerest hope that you will join me in spreading the word about OFC’s amazing food projects. Community fundraisers, food parties and local foundations fund a portion of each of our projects. Moreover, I have set a huge personal goal to raise $15, 000 over the next year. Over the past three years, each of you has supported my vision of OFC with your time, personal donations, and by word of mouth. Again, I am counting on you for your generous support. Without you, we cannot continue our work. Over 100 youth per day depend on our programs and services </p> <p> In December of last year, Oakland’s own Crystal Weston stepped up to help us raise $1300 for our programs. After this unbelievable event and contribution, Crystal was able to decide how OFC should spend the funds raised, based on our highest priorities. Check out the interview following this letter to learn about how you can help us make a difference in Oakland by adding to OFC’s community food movement to ensure more people in Oakland are touched and nourished well. </p> <p> For February 2008. I am searching for a crew of supporters who want to help OFC design and implement its first fundraiser of 2008. Please email me directly, if you would like to be a part of OFC’s fundraising committee: jharvey@foodcommunityculture.org </p> <br /> <br /> <p> I look forward to working with you in 2008 and beyond, </p> <br /> <p> Peas and cornbread, </p> <p> Jason A. Harvey <br /> Founder & Director <br /> Oakland Food Connection </p> <p> P.S. Tax-deductible donations are always welcome: www.foodcommunityculture.org </p> <br /> <p> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> A personal interview with Crystal Weston, a local resident who supports Oakland Food Connection. <br /> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br /> <br /> 1. What was your inspiration behind supporting OFC with a fundraiser in your home? </p> <p> I've known Jason for a few years and have admired his community-based work around organic gardening, food cultivation, and teaching young people about food origins and why it matters. I wanted to support his efforts and my assets were space and a reputation for giving good parties, so I tapped into those. I'd never held a fundraiser before, but I'd given plenty of parties, so I stepped out on faith. <br /> <br /> 2. What did the evening's activities for the fundraiser consist of? </p> <p> We billed it as a "fundraiser with music." Jason provided the food and we both provided drinks. Several folk donated their time or talents by bartending, making CDs, and giving in countless other ways. We played house music, R&B, and old school and allowed folk to mingle, dance, or just chill in the dance room, lounges, and kitchen. We also provided literature and other informational OFC material. It was a wet night, and I believe that impacted the attendance, nevertheless, it was still well-supported. I received a few checks after the event from those who could not attend, but who still wanted to give. God bless them. <br /> <br /> 3. Did you have any personal goals for how much money you wanted to help OFC raise? If so, <br /> were you successful in meeting your goals? </p> <p> I wanted to raise $2,000. I wanted 100 donors in attendance at $20 each. We did not meet that goal, in terms of attendance or donors, but I am happy with the $1,305 we did raise. A significant portion of that amount came from a single donor. I believe in reaching high, so even if we don't make the goal, the result will still be impressive and, in this case, it is. <br /> <br /> 4. In your own words, how would you describe OFC's work and mission in supporting Oakland? </p> <p> OFC's work is compelling. Over the last few decades, the revolutionary work of the Black and Brown urban working class has been social change by trying to get employers, neighborhoods, and institutions to provide opportunities and to be fair. That is still important and necessary work. Today, the task is to optimally take care of ourselves, so that we will literally be around to fight the good fight and to simply be happy. I just read about Nate Dogg, the singer/rapper who had a stroke -- at 39-years-old? Or Foxy Brown who is deaf in one ear because she did not go to the doctor during the early stages of an earache. Taking care of ourselves is THE task of this generation, otherwise disease, mental illness, and addiction will continue to take us out painfully and prematurely. What better place to start then with what we put in our bodies? OFC is on the right track and I am honored to have helped. <br /> <br /> 5. Were there any challenges in organizing this event? </p> <p> As popular as my parties are, it was difficult getting folk excited about the fundraiser. Most people love a free party, where they can flirt, eat, and drink for free. Most are far less interested, if they have to pay something or volunteer their time. To overcome this, I tried to focus on the reasons folk might be inspired to participate: 1. they care about Jason; 2. they care about me; 2. they like house music; 3. they care about an organic lifestyle; 4 they need an end-of-year tax write-off; 5. they've always enjoyed themselves at my parties. All of these are legitimate reasons to participate and to donate and we were happy to meet the need. </p> <p> --------------------------------------------------END----------------------------------------------- <br /> <p> </p></font>
