I have lived in Syracuse pretty much my whole life. I remember when there was industry and manufacturing, jobs and money. Downtown was thriving. Syracuse was thriving. I remember also when Syracuse began to decline and business started to move out, manufacturing dwindled, the beautiful houses on James Street were torn down and downtown was gutted. It is important to remember that Syracuse was a blue collar town, supported by factories and it struggled for decades to wrap its head around the fact that the factory era was over and was not coming back. All that seemed left for Syracuse was having the most polluted lake in the United States and a rustbelt legacy. Then, about 10 years ago, I was downtown and actually felt something was changing. There were new businesses and restaurants and activity. I could actually sense an energy in the city for the first time in decades. Something was happening! I had met John DeSantis through other endeavors and he invited me to a Believe in Syracuse meeting. Through this group I have met a group of people who are a generation removed from the rustbelt, polluted lake past and not defined by it. These are the people who are molding this new future for Syracuse and see a different future for our city. We are moving forward. Syracuse is growing and changing. There is so much to experience and do and be part of. I am learning more about my city all the time. It is an exciting time and we have a choice. Syracuse is so much more than the lake and the mall and that is why I believe in Syracuse. Kathy Speed Interim Secretary Board of Directors Believe in Syracuse |
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Intro by John DeSantis:
Over the past year, we have built Believe in Syracuse and our website into a great place for Central New Yorkers and Syracuse supporters to come for information on the positive things happening in our area and the positive aspects of our community. One big part of the progress that is happening here in Syracuse is Economic Development. On that subject, our friend Mike Short will be contributing regularly to our blog. His blog posts will be describing some of the progress Syracuse is making through economic development. Below is an introductory article about Mike and his important work in the community. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Written By Nina Housman with contributions from W. Michael Short These are exciting times for social entrepreneurs in Syracuse, New York. That’s the message I got from a conversation I had with W. Michael Short, founder and principal of Short Enterprises, who just won the Best of Syracuse Award for his work as a social entrepreneur in helping to revitalize our city. Through our conversations and a series of email exchanges, I got a picture of a city open to innovative public/private partnerships and welcoming of those who want to lead socially beneficial development efforts and community initiatives. Opportunities for social change through innovative partnerships exist here in ways that they may not in some larger cities. We may even be able to serve as a model for accomplishing positive change for other smaller cities struggling with similar challenges such as unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, and declining population. As someone committed to a vision of urban revitalization that preserves and strengthens existing neighborhoods, I find that prospect exciting. Michael and I first met when he was a Syracuse University Graduate Fellow and Deputy Director of the nonprofit Near Westside Initiative (NWSI). His commitment to transforming Syracuse through positive change was evident then, when he spearheaded efforts to launch a revolving micro-loan program for community entrepreneurs in partnership with the Southside Innovation Center (SSIC), Cooperative Federal Credit Union, and the Central New York Community Foundation. He also created and chaired the Near Westside Business Association and developed a neighborhood-based small business development program with partners at SSIC and the New York State Small Business Development Center at Onondaga Community College. These efforts were all part of the overall mission of the NWSI to move what was once the 9th poorest neighborhood in the United States in a more positive direction. His efforts to assist small community businesses, Michael explains, allowed him to work with people like Bob Herz, whose leadership at the SSIC resulted in it being named the National Business Incubator of the year in 2012, and who has now gone on to serve as Director of the New York State Senate Select Committee on Science, Technology, Incubation, & Entrepreneurship. “People like Bob really showed me how to get things done and showed me how an entrepreneur could do good in the community,” Michael added. But what’s a social entrepreneur? There are different definitions but common threads involve those who develop and pursue partnerships between the private sector, nonprofits, and government entities to solve communal and social challenges such as low literacy rates, poverty, urban revitalization, low employment, or developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems. In Michael’s case this has involved spearheading public/private partnerships to help turn a vicious cycle of community challenges into a virtuous one in Central New York by focusing on diverse projects involving community development, low literacy rates in children, green infrastructure, storm-water management, and the redevelopment of derelict, abandoned, and tax delinquent properties. As Michael described it to me, in addition to bringing partners together and helping facilitate the process of developing a vision for change, his role has included being a kind of translator, helping partners communicate better to define challenges and achieve common goals more effectively and efficiently. Michael credits his educational background with providing him the skills necessary to serve in this capacity. Specifically, he notes his experiences at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, widely regarded as the most prestigious communications school in the United States. According to Michael, “transparent, strategic, and reciprocal communications management is a crucial ingredient in any successful public/private partnership.” After learning under the trusted-hand of SU’s Vice President for Community Engagement and Economic Development, Marilyn Higgins, who he considers a mentor and inspiration, Michael launched his own social enterprise in 2011 to pursue the social goals he cared about. “As a Graduate Fellow at SU, I was able to be involved in large-scale efforts to transform the community through projects like the Near Westside Initiative and Connective Corridor,” Michael explained. “I was also able to learn from and work with community leaders such as Marilyn Higgins, Paul NoJaim, Anne Messenger, Carole Horan, the Gifford Foundation, the Community Foundation, the list goes on and on, and these relationships have changed my life and inspired me to start my own social enterprise.” One of his early projects after launching Short Enterprises involved a partnership with the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County (LCOC) and the Central New York Community Foundation in authoring the City of Syracuse’s Literacy Action Plan. That plan recognized the centrality of literacy to overcoming the social and economic challenges associated with poverty and unemployment. As stated in the City’s Literacy Action Plan, “considerable steps have been taken to facilitate access to comprehensive literacy and community services for individuals and families as they cycle in and out of poverty.” Michael continues to be involved with these noteworthy efforts, which were recognized in 2013 by the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Michael credits the persistence and determination of Virginia Carmody, LCOC Executive Director, with moving these noteworthy efforts forward. "Working closely with community partners, I am convinced our targeted and measurable community impact strategy will improve the educational outcomes for disadvantaged children in our community," said Carmody. Two of the other more publicized areas of focus for Michael have involved innovative green infrastructure installations associated with the “Save the Rain” program of Onondaga County and the redevelopment of derelict, abandoned, contaminated, and tax delinquent properties on the City’s Near Westside. Both of these efforts have been associated with expansion efforts at the Onondaga Commons health and human services campus, which involves a number of innovative private/public partnerships designed to benefit the entire community. Michael explained that the plan for the 5.5-acre Onondaga Commons has several phases but will ultimately be determined by the property owner as the efforts move forward. “We typically assist property owners in identifying opportunities and help them develop a strategy to achieve goals that are in line with the broader community,” Michael explained. “In the case of Onondaga Commons, one of the more visible projects we have assisted with, we were able to develop and put in motion plans to address a number of vacant neglected properties and incorporate what will be the largest green infrastructure project privately pursued in Onondaga County once complete.” These green infrastructure projects will manage up to 10 million gallons of rainwater runoff and storm water annually and prevent the overload of the local sewer system, which in turn will stop raw sewage from overflowing into Onondaga Lake. Working with Kyle Thomas of Natural Systems Engineering, who he cited as a key partner, Michael was able to develop the framework for the green infrastructure projects and secured over a millions dollars of County funding to support its implementation. Michael was quick to credit Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney for her vision in spearheading the “Save the Rain” program, which among other efforts have resulted in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency naming Onondaga County and Syracuse one of the country’s top 10 leaders in green infrastructure. The interconnection of the deterioration and abandonment of derelict buildings with an overall decline in the social state of a neighborhood, a reduction in tax base, declining services, low literacy, high unemployment and chronic drug use seem intuitive. It is also supported by evidence, such as that provided by a report that Michael referred me to by the National Vacant Properties Campaign and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (http://www.smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/true-costs.pdf) This report shows why it’s vital to reclaim vacant buildings in neighborhoods facing social and economic challenges. Understanding this, Michael worked with Onondaga Commons to expand its footprint to include a number of adjacent vacant properties. Michael spearheaded these efforts in partnership with the property owner and with assistance from the City and Onondaga County. Restoring these properties will be another way to contribute to the well-being and economic revitalization of this challenged Near Westside community. In particular, he commended the City of Syracuse, and Ben Walsh in particular, the City’s Deputy Commissioner for Neighborhood & Business Development, for his continued support and assistance throughout the process of acquiring these properties and for serving as a resource on this and other projects that he is working on. When asked how other young people with similar interests could get involved in efforts to better the community, Michael explained that volunteering your time is key. “Get involved… you have to be willing to give your time and devote yourself to a cause greater than yourself without the expectation of any individual reward,” he explained. “By doing this you can start to build a reputation as a ‘go to’ person with good ideas who gets things done.” In Michael’s case, he has served on the board of directors of the Huntington Family Centers since 2010, a local nonprofit settlement house focused on providing year round programming designed to strengthen families and individuals in need through an array of youth, family, and adult services. “When you get involved in these types of efforts you meet other good intentioned people with similar interests and goals for a better community,” explained Michael who now serves as chair of the board’s marketing and communications committee. Michael also serves on the Neighborhood Advisory Council for the Westside community center run by P.E.A.C.E., Inc. – also known as the “little white house of hope,” as Michael refers to it. He explains that the work of the center’s director, Mary Alice Smothers, is a particular inspiration to him. “She works every single day and night to make sure the youth in the struggling Near Westside community have access to opportunities for growth, learning, and enrichment,” said Michael, who considers Smothers a close friend and mentor. “Mary Alice has devoted her life to making sure these kids know that they can do or be any thing that they set their minds to… she is an inspiration to me on a daily basis and I would do anything to support her.” And what’s next for Michael Short? He continues to work with a diverse array of clients and says that he has a number of exciting projects in the works. One in particular involves “an exciting opportunity” to partner with the Clinton Global Initiative, which he hopes will bring attention to and further leverage the impressive work being done in Central New York. “More on that to come soon,” he said with a smile. He also says he is exploring opportunities for his own development company in order to fully realize his vision of transforming communities in Syracuse and beyond in a positive direction through public/private partnerships. If you’re interested in doing something similar, I think he might find the time to give you some advice and encouragement. For more information about Short Enterprises, visit them online at http://shortenterprises.biz/ Since this video was put out just a few days ago, it has had incredible response. Local Film Producer James Domroe released it on Monday and in 48 hours it has had over 5,200 views on YouTube. It has gotten rave reviews. Watch it for yourself below: The video inspired David C. Ashley to compose this list of Syracuse's 10 Unique Assets. If it were a list of 20, what others would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syracuse New York’s 10 Unique Assets 1. The Safest City- in the United States from natural disasters- per study in 2013. 2. The Emerald City-Sustainability- SUNY ESF and the Syracuse Center of Excellence hold nationally ranked green conferences yearly, DestinyUSA is the largest LEED rated commercial complex in USA and home of Rick Fedrizzi- founding director of U. S. Green Building Council and home of Carrier Corporation and Willis Carrier, inventor of air conditioning. There is abundant water supply and Global Warming will be a positive factor here in climate and growth, not a negative factor. 3. DestinyUSA- The largest single shopping, dining and entertainment complex in the Northeast. 4. Center of the Northeast – 3/4 of the population of North America is within 500 miles, one days vehicle travel, sea port access is 30 minutes away at Oswego. We are at the bull eye of roads and rail lines going north, south, east and west plus having an International airport. 5. Progressive diversity – International flavor of diverse well-educated population, progressive politically with business supportive climate. Auto history: Home of the famous innovative Franklin Automobile Company and typewriter history: home of Smith Corona; air-conditioning history: home of Willis Carrier and the Carrier Corporation. 6. The BIG small city- Surrounded by colleges and universities and having its own symphony, opera and professional theater, it has diverse dining and entertainment including the famous Dinosaur Barbecue and SU always nationally ranked in BB and there is a AAA baseball team, The Chiefs and pro hockey, The Crunch. Low cost of living 7. Four seasons recreational opportunities – We have 48 golf courses, boating and swimming on many local lakes, Erie Canal and Lake Ontario, five 30-minute-away ski centers, Adirondacks and Vermont skiing 3 to 6 hour drive away, abundant cross county skiing. 8. Onondaga Lake recreation mecca – 13 mile trail around the urban lake (soon to be completed) with beautiful views of the lake for major running marathons, biking and including a six mile section of the most beautiful in-line skating trail in the country. 9. Syracuse University is # 1 NCAA basketball team in the country and usually in the top ten. 10. International Museum of Writing*- Future home of IMoW: a vast complex of 14 writing museums from play-writing to religious writing that could make Central New York The Cultural Mecca of the World. Tomorrow at Chadwick's Sports Bar and Grill on James Street, Believe in Syracuse is hosting an Eastwood neighborhood night. There will be folks coming from all across Central New York to meet folks from the Eastwood Neighborhood Association, the Eastwood Chamber of Commerce, and people who believe in Syracuse. This is a great chance to get out of your bubble, join us somewhere you might not normally go, and network with some great people. Can you join us? Click Here for more info and then RSVP. What: Believe in Syracuse Neighborhood Night When: Thursday 2/20 from 5-7:30 Where: Chadwick's Sports Bar and Grill 2529 James St (one block from the Palace Theater) We had a wildly successful first year of promoting the positive aspects of Syracuse. We utilized traditional media to get our message our that Syracuse is on the rise. We were regularly in the post standard, on TV and on the radio. On social media, we became the most engaging social media brand of all the civic organizations in Syracuse. We organized events that made a difference. We helped small businesses in need. We connected our members to each other, creating a better sense of community and support structure. We volunteered in our neighborhoods, giving back, cleaning up parks and serving breakfast to the homeless and hungry.
After a tremendous birthday party with over 140 supporters in attendance, we look to keep our momentum going with this neighborhood night. Our board is in the process of developing and restructuring our programs and this neighborhood night is the start of that. It's the kickoff to year two of our organization and many exciting things to come in the future. You won't want to have missed this event. You can learn more and RSVP on Facebook or on our website BelieveInSyracuse.org. Together we will make Syracuse a more positive place and get involved in our neighborhoods, making them better. Learn more at either of the URL's below. www.believeinsyracuse.org/eastwood-neighborhood-night-believe-in-syracuse https://www.facebook.com/events/422964391167953/ Thanks, John DeSantis Believe in Syracuse [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/BelieveInSyracuse https://twitter.com/BelieveInSyr Visit Our Website Contribute 10 days ago, Believe in Syracuse turned one year old. Our exact birthday was January 31st. 11 days ago, we celebrated the occasion with a birthday party that turned out over 140 people. That sent a message loud and clear that Syracuse is a city that we believe in. 10 days from now, Believe in Syracuse is holding its 3rd neighborhood night. Our first was at Beer Belly Deli on Westcott Street. We helped them through a hard time and over 60 people showed up for support. Our second was at Nibsy's on Tipperary Hill and again we had another great turnout. We hope you'll join us for the Eastwood edition on February 20th. This event is the perfect way to get re-introduced to Eastwood if you haven't been to the neighborhood in a while. It's a great way to network with like minded people here in Syracuse. It's an awesome way to show your support, keeping our positive momentum going. Can you make it? Click Here and then RSVP. What: Eastwood Neighborhood Night Where: Chadwick's Sports Bar and Grill 2529 James St, Syracuse, NY 13206 When: Thursday February 20th at 5:30PM Every day that we talk about the positive aspects of Syracuse is a good day. Every day we think about how we can make Syracuse better is a good day. By that measure, our Birthday Party on January 30th was a huge success. We celebrated all the great things that we have in Syracuse. I had many conversations with folks about how we can get involved in making it better. Besides all of that, we helped advance the cause of building community here in Syracuse. By bringing 140 like minded people together on a winter evening, we built and are continuing to build a sense of community.
That's just what we plan to do on February 20th at Chadwick's. Join us in celebrating the positive qualities of Syracuse and especially the positives in Eastwood. Join us and we'll talk about how we can make our community better. Join us because this is a great opportunity to network. For more information, Click Here. Join us 10 days from now and make a statement that you are in. Let us know you're supporting our fight for Syracuse. Sign up at either or both of the URL's below and together we will keep Syracuse moving forward. www.believeinsyracuse.org/eastwood-neighborhood-night-believe-in-syracuse www.facebook.com/events/422964391167953/ Thanks John DeSantis Believe in Syracuse 315-657-7478 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/BelieveInSyracuse https://twitter.com/BelieveInSyr Visit Our Website Contribute Last night's Birthday Party was a huge success. Over 140 of you showed up, had cake with us, enjoyed live music and wished Believe in Syracuse a happy birthday. Our success was made possible by our sponsors, our hard working board members, and every one of you who showed up or spread the word about the event, making a statement that you believe in Syracuse. Thank you so much for your support! From day one of this campaign 12 months ago when we launched it until today, it has been more successful than I could have imagined because you supported it. You got involved. You interacted with us on social media. You showed up to our events, you chipped in $10 or $25 at a time. You made this idea a reality. We promise now that the event has passed we will take a short break from emailing you every day, but I wanted to let you know there are only 12 hours left in our birthday fundraising campaign. If we can raise just another $195 we will reach our goal and get a refund in the online processing fees charged by our online donation site. Click here, learn more and chip in $10 or whatever you can to help us power our campaign forward. Entering our second year, we have a lot still to accomplish. We plan to register as a non-profit which has costs associated with it. We plan to bring our message of hope for the future to more and more people across Central New York. We will get more people civically engaged, volunteering in their neighborhoods and caring about Syracuse. Last night I spoke briefly about some of the cynicism that is out there in our community. Personally, I understand where that comes from. When I think of what my parents generation has seen happen in Syracuse, I realize they saw Syracuse on the decline. When I was growing up, my grandfather owned a grocery store called the Burnett Market in Eastwood. Despite my family's best efforts to keep it going, in the 1990's it shut down. People lost their jobs who worked there and people lost their jobs they held at manufacturers that moved away like Carrier and Syracuse China. Crime became more and more of a problem and city schools deteriorated. Onondaga Lake became one of the most polluted bodies of water in the world. Why would my parents believe in Syracuse? Today these trends have reversed themselves and I have seen this first hand. I lived Downtown for two years and saw that neighborhood rise from the dead. Economic development is spreading across our city due to organizations like the Connective Corridor, Northside UP and the Near West Side Initiative. Say Yes to Education is increasing the graduation rate in our city schools. Onondaga County and the Save the Rain program are cleaning up our lake and it's tributaries. Our role in all of this progress is to let more people know about the fact that Syracuse is on the rise. That will help get more people involved in these efforts and retain and attract great people to Syracuse. Help us keep Syracuse's positive momentum going. Click here, learn more and chip in $25 or whatever you can. Last night was a huge success. Thank you so much Gannon Pest Control, Pizza Promos, Liberty Tax Service in Eastwood, BC Restaurant, KinaneCo Printing, the Syracuse Silver Knights, all our board members, and the 140+ of you who showed up and made it a great birthday. Thank you!!
www.believeinsyracuse.org/birthday-gift John DeSantis Believe in Syracuse 315-657-7478 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/BelieveInSyracuse https://twitter.com/BelieveInSyr Visit Our Website Contribute There is so much excitement out there in the community about our event tonight! I can't wait to see everyone. We'll be at Small Plates in Armory Square from 6-8PM. We have over 100 people signed up to come which is great because Small Plates is a really big place. You can just show up tonight, but if you're planning on coming, let us know. Click Here and then RSVP.
Yesterday the Post Standard wrote an article about our event. The day before, I was on TV on Channel 10 being interviewed about the event. All week 95X ran a public service announcement about the Birthday Party. People from all across CNY have been contacting us to express their support for the event and for what we're doing. We were able to book a musician for tonight. His name is Gary Frenay and he is a five time Syracuse Area Music Award winner. There will be free birthday cake and some free food. There will also be drink specials at the bar. The event is free and open to the public. What are you waiting for? There's no excuse not to come. Signup on our website or signup on Facebook. In order to advance our mission further, promote the positive aspects of the greater Syracuse area, and continue to hold events like this, we are conducting a fundraising campaign. Even if you can't make it tonight, this is a great way to be a part of our birthday party. Any contribution, no matter how big or small will put your name on our birthday card that will be on the wall at the event tonight. Can you chip in and wish us a happy birthday? Click here and contribute anything you can. We really hope to see you tonight at 6PM at Small Plates (former location of PJ Dorseys). Small Plates has struggled a bit to get off the ground. Personally I think it is much nicer in there than it was when PJ Dorseys was there. As a new locally owned business, let's show them that we're in this together and we'll help get them going. Can't make it tonight? Chip in $10 or whatever you can to help move our campaign for Syracuse forward at www.believeinsyracuse.org/contribute To learn more about the birthday party, check it out on our website or on Facebook below. www.facebook.com/events/246126972213509/ www.believeinsyracuse.org/believe-in-syracuses-first-birthday-party Thanks, John DeSantis Believe in Syracuse 315-657-7478 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/BelieveInSyracuse https://twitter.com/BelieveInSyr Visit Our Website Contribute You may have already heard about our first birthday party happening this Thursday night at Small Plates in Armory Square. Now is the time to sign up to come. Click here and then RSVP. This event is a networking event like those we have held before. The difference is that this is the culmination of everything we have done over the past year. This is your chance to be a part of something great. It's going to be big. We're expecting over 80 people to come out and have almost 100 people signed up to come. There is no charge to attend. There will be birthday cake, live music and drink specials. You won't want to have missed this. Click Here to learn more and then let us know if you're coming. What: Believe in Syracuse's First Birthday Party Where: Small Plates (former PJ Dorsey's Location) 116 Walton St, Syracuse, NY 13202 When: Thursday January 30th, 6PM - 8PM I am really excited about the attention and enthusiasm this event has gotten and how it has been able to help us promote the positive qualities of the Syracuse area. This week I was interviewed by the Post Standard and Time Warner Cable News (channel 10). 95X radio is doing a public service announcement about the Birthday Party which is being sponsored by Pizza Promos, Liberty Tax Service in Eastwood, BC Restaurant, the Syracuse Silver Knights and KinaneCo Printing. You won't want to miss this chance to celebrate everything we've done together over the past 12 months. Click here to check out the event on our website and click here to sign up for the event via Facebook.
One year ago I had this crazy idea that Syracuse was on the rise and if we got that message out there, we could change attitudes in our community. Our mission is to promote the positive aspects of the greater Syracuse area. For our first year of existence, we have accomplished a lot. We started out as a social media campaign. We played a role in influencing people's perceptions of Syracuse and engaging people around the progress it is making. We surpassed 2,000 Facebook fans, 3,100 Twitter followers and 700 email list members. In 2013 we held networking events and neighborhood promotion nights bringing hundreds of people together. We helped save Beer Belly Deli and helped Hanover Square through a tough time. A quote I wrote was on the Connective Corridor Billboard in Downtown Syracuse about how Syracuse is on the rise. We volunteered cleaning up parks and serving breakfast to the homeless and hungry. We are reaching thousands of people with messages of hope for the future of Syracuse and we have done it because of you. We hope you will stick with us over the next 12 months yet to come. Together, we can give the people of Central New York hope for a positive future for Syracuse. For more info on the event go to either of the URLs below: www.facebook.com/events/246126972213509/ www.believeinsyracuse.org/believe-in-syracuses-first-birthday-party Thanks, John DeSantis Believe in Syracuse 315-657-7478 [email protected] www.facebook.com/BelieveInSyracuse http://twitter.com/BelieveInSyr Visit Our Website Contribute P.S. Are you aware of the perks we can give you for giving a Birthday Gift to Believe in Syracuse? Learn about those perks at www.believeinsyracuse.org/birthday-gift By the end of this week Believe in Syracuse will be one year old. At our birthday party this Thursday we will have a great deal to celebrate. One year ago I had this crazy idea that Syracuse was on the rise and if we got that message out there, we could change attitudes in our community. Twelve months later, we are coming up on our first birthday party. We're gathering to celebrate how we've been able to promote the progress Syracuse has made, bring people together and encourage civic engagement. For our first year of existence, we have accomplished a lot. We started out as a social media campaign. We played a role in influencing people's perceptions of Syracuse and engaging people around the progress it is making. We surpassed 2,000 Facebook fans, 3,100 Twitter followers and 700 email list members. In 2013 we held networking events and neighborhood promotion nights bringing hundreds of people together. We helped save Beer Belly Deli and helped Hanover Square through a tough time. A quote I wrote was on the Connective Corridor Billboard in Downtown Syracuse about how Syracuse is on the rise. We volunteered cleaning up parks and serving breakfast to the homeless and hungry. We are reaching thousands of people with messages of hope for the future of Syracuse and we have done it because of you. I am writing today because as we hit the one year mark in our campaign for Syracuse, your role in the success of this movement is as strong as ever. We're a grassroots group and we will go as far as this community takes us. Are you in? Chip in a birthday gift of $10 to send a message that you stand behind us going into our second year. Thursday we will gather from 6-8PM at Small Plates (former location of PJ Dorseys) in Armory Square. This event is going to be huge. We already have 70+ people signed up to come and expect more to follow. There will be a birthday cake and stay tuned for details on live music and drink specials.
In order to keep this movement going strong we need funds to advance our mission, establish ourselves as an officially registered organization, and bring our message of hope to every Central New Yorker. Our goals are lofty, but they are attainable if we work together. That's why today we launch our First Birthday Contributors List. Give us a birthday gift of $25 or more and we'll add your name to our donor list. Click here and then help us out. To learn more, go to www.believeinsyracuse.org/birthday-gift Thanks, John DeSantis Believe in Syracuse [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/BelieveInSyracuse https://twitter.com/BelieveInSyr Visit Our Website Contribute P.S. - Our birthday party is brought to you by our generous sponsors, Pizza Promos, Liberty Tax Services in Eastwood, BC Restaurant in Armory Square and the Syracuse Silver Knights. Give us the birthday gift of supporting the work they do in our community and tell them we sent you. Can you believe it? Believe in Syracuse is 8 days away from its first birthday party. I couldn't be more excited. But I am not the only one.
We have heard so many people tell us they are planning to come to our first birthday party January 30th at Small Plates in Armory Square. Not just that, folks have told us that they will invite their friends, neighbors and co-workers. Why are folks so excited? This is not just another networking event, this is the culmination of everything Believe in Syracuse has done since it's inception one year ago. I'm asking you this: if you haven't signed up to come, RSVP Today. Get that out of the way and let us know you'll be there right now. For those of you who already told us that you're coming, share this with your friends. Forward this email or share our event on Facebook by sharing this URL: www.believeinsyracuse.org/believe-in-syracuses-first-birthday-party Lastly, I am extremely excited to announce that the party is sponsored by Pizza Promos. Check out their website, follow them on Facebook or on Twitter. They promote small locally owned pizza shops in Syracuse and are part of the Buy Local movement. We have more in the works for the 30th that we'll be letting you know about over the next 8 days. Keep in touch and do not forget to mark your calendar for the 30th. Click Here or RSVP at the URL below: www.believeinsyracuse.org/believe-in-syracuses-first-birthday-party Thanks! John DeSantis Believe in Syracuse 315-657-7478 [email protected] http://www.facebook.com/BelieveInSyracuse https://twitter.com/BelieveInSyr |
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