TORCH has a 'Midsummer's Nights Success' at Union Bar

Another successful happy hour took place on Wednesday, July 25th, when TORCH supporters new and old gathered at Union Bar for a night of good times, good prizes, and good pizza.

Special thanks goes out to the following door prize donors: American Museum of Natural History, Crunch Gym, Integral Yoga Center, New York Liberty, New York MetroStars, New York Sports Club, New York Yoga, Sheila Sullivan, and Union Bar. Thanks also to the volunteers who made the night possible, and of course to all of you who attended! It is your support that makes The TORCH Program possible!

TORCH Music Fest 2001

On Friday, May 18th with the sponsorship of JPMorgan Chase, the members of the 2001 TORCH Program presented a talent competition for up and coming New York City high school student musicians and dancers.

TORCH members selected student pop, hip-hop bands and solo performers from high schools around NYC (i.e. Washington Irving and Lab School) to participate in the competition. A panel of professionals from the music judged the contestants. Prizes were awarded to the top three acts.

First place was awarded to dancers Laila Nor, Samantha Harrison, Shawnae Corbett, and Crystal Vandereer, who received a $500 gift certificate to Phat Farm. Lauren Gulbrandsen won second place for her rousing rendition of Ataris' "Between You and Me," she received four tickets to attend a live filming of MTV's Total Request Live. JR Moore and Michael Guzman (who call themselves Adore) won third place harmonizing to their original ballad "You and Me." They received a $200 gift certificate to Alloy. All of the performers were spectacular, and the winners proved to be quite deserving.

Adding to the festivities of the evening were the performances of up and coming artists Toya and Colin. Colin's performance opened up the show with his newly recorded song "Baby, Baby, Baby," and he later sang Stevie Wonder's "Rhythm in the Sky" accapella. The show ended with a performance by Toya singing her hit single "I Do!!"

The TORCH participants learned a lot about the music industry and event production. We hope you'll join us for Music Fest 2002!

Event Photos (click to enlarge)

Written by TORCH participants Kevin Chan and Sean Oakley

TORCH Hires Program Associate

After an extensive search, TORCH welcomes Ginny Morse who will hold the position of Program Associate. This is a full time position made possible through a grant from the Pinkerton Foundation.

Ginny graduated from Marquette University in 1999 with a degree in Education and has worked as a Program Specialist/Teacher and Human Resources Recruiter prior to coming to TORCH. Her non-profit experience subsequent to and in college includes volunteer recruitment, program development and fundraising for several organizations.

Ginny's professionalism, experience, enthusiasm and energy will be a real asset and assist with the continued growth and development of the program.

They're Still "Singing The Praises" of the Karaoke Happy Hour

TORCH supporters were singing up a storm at the Karaoke fundraiser at the Red Light Bistro on March 28th. Special thanks to Liquor donors Budweiser and Soomska and door and raffle prize donors Jet Blue Airways, Krup's Kitchen and Bath and Old Time Sports. And of course, a big thank you to all those who attended and volunteered their time to help make the event such a success!

Happy Hour was a "GO"at The Red Light Bistro

The combination of a great turnout and a cool place on Tuesday, December 12th helped make TORCH's first Happy Hour a big success!

A big thank you goes to the folks at Red Light Bistro who not only donated all of the food, but also provided some great door prizes, including generous gift certificates for the Red Light Bistro and their vintage glass store on W. 16th Street Mr. Pink. We are also grateful to Paterno Imports who donated all of the wine.

Look for details about another TORCH Happy Hour early in 2001.

Event Photos (click to enlarge)

A special thank you to photographer Madhu Dhas for all of the photos.

TORCH Summer Fundraiser

On June 27, 2000 TORCH held its second fundraising event at the Tribeca Rooftop. Event sponsors included: American Airlines American Association of Advertising Agencies, CTNY, Monsterdaata.com, Rush Communications, True North Communications, United Hoisting & Scaffolding Corp., and USA Today.

The night included a silent auction filled with exciting items such as an autographed Mohammed Ali photograph, autographed Derek Jeter baseball bat, other signed sports memorabilia and various concert and sporting event tickets.

TORCH participants were on hand selling raffle tickets (grand prize was 2 round-trip tickets to LA courtesy of American Airlines and 3 nights at the Ritz Carlton Marino Del Ray and a weekend stay at the Sunset Marquis Hotel and Villas) and mingling with sponsors and supporters.

As the evening wore on, a beautiful sunset surrounded the room and the more than 400 guests danced the night away. Thanks to the success of the night, TORCH will continue to grow and expand, meeting our program goals of expanding the program to a second group of deserving NYC public high school students this fall. Thanks to everyone who made this possible!!!

If you were unable to attend this event, but would like to support TORCH, for further information click here.

Event Sponsors

Program sponsor and provides technical support

American Association of Advertising Agencies Program sponsor

Program sponsor and Provides technical support

Burton Goldstein & Co. LLC

Provides pro-bono accounting services for TORCH

Provides technical assistance and software donor

Rush Communications

Program sponsor

Provides meeting space and technical support for workshops.

Provides technical support

Provides technical support

Program sponsor

TORCH Board Member, Russell Simmons Meets with Participants

Russell Simmons, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Rush Communications opened his doors on Thursday, May 11th to TORCH participants. The high point of the visit was when the group spent time with Mr. Simmons in his office. In addition to Mr. Simmons relating his inspirational story of building a major conglomerate, participants had the unique opportunity of being able to ask a real communications mover and shaker questions ranging from, "Who was your biggest inspiration?" to "How did you come up with the name Phat Farm?"

Mr. Simmons offered suggestions and advice to the TORCH students as he queried them about their future career goals. His message to them was to identify what they love to do and stick with it.

TORCH participants also met with Phat Farm marketers and designers and had a privileged preview of the Fall 2000 Phat Farm line.

TORCH Receives Generous Donations

Microsoft contributed over $11,000 worth of software to TORCH through its Community Involvement Fund. The software is being utilized by program participants who are modifying and expanding the TORCH website. Microsoft Technical Specialist, Lauren Klein, is one of the dedicated instructors volunteering their time to advise TORCH participants working on the website.

Marc Siden, Senior Vice President of New Business Development at Monsterdaata.com made a generous donation of company stock in memory of his parents Ronald & Audree Siden. TORCH is extremely appreciative of this donation which is earmarked for educational programming.

If you would like to make a donation to TORCH it's only a click away!

Ruby Foo's Fundraiser — Big Success!

TORCH held its program launching fundraiser on January 27th at Ruby Foo's Times Square. Over 200 people were in attendance and we raised well over our funding goal, and, just as important, the event created a widespread awareness of the TORCH program.