Thank You, Redskins All Stars!

Thanks to the Redskins All Stars, the cost of the dance tent and other expenses for the Cinderella Ball are now covered.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

'Redskins All Stars' Teams With The House for the 2nd Annual Cinderella Ball

The Washington Redskins announced yesterday that they will be teaming with The House in its efforts to reach more students for the 2nd Annual Cinderella Ball.

In a press release Wednesday, April 25, the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation said that as part of this year's Redskins All Stars "300 area youth will be recognized for their hard work, dedication, and community spirit at the 7th annual Redskins All Stars Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 4, at FedEx Field."

Members of the team will be joining the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and the Freddie Mac Foundation in the presentation of grants to top D.C.-area nonprofit organizations.

The Redskins All Stars program, an initiative of the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, recognizes and encourages community service and teamwork among area youth. Groups of children between the ages of 5 and 18, along with their youth leaders, coaches, teachers and parents, are eligible to participate in the program.

According to the foundation, the nonprofit organizations being honored were selected from hundreds of area organizations. The organizations receiving grants demonstrated creativity, uniqueness, and the spirit of community service.

The House is honored and humbled to receive the Redskins All Stars grant from the foundation for this year's Cinderella Ball. Last year, 100 youth created an evening for students with disabilities and their families. The night was dubbed "A Cinderella Ball," and it enabled many students who could not participate in their school social activities a night to be honored and celebrated. The grant money will be used to double the amount of youth that are able to attend the event.

ABC's Paige Hemmis to Be Special Guest for 2nd Annual House Cinderella Ball

The House is excited to announce that Paige Hemmis, design team member from ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," will be a special guest and speaker at this year's Cinderella Ball.

Paige Hemmis may be an unlikely vision on a construction site, however she is an accomplished carpenter and skilled homebuilder. This self-taught carpenter, dynamic and confident Wisconsin-born entrepreneur honed her skills as co-founder of Rent to Own Investments, buying and renovating houses and developing innovative rent-to-own solutions for tenants who cannot afford the down payment usually required to purchase.

Paige grew up in Chatsworth, Calif., with aspirations ranging from teacher to doctor to world traveler to wedding planner to building her dream house. She's had the good fortune to experience many of the careers of her childhood dreams. During college, Paige fulfilled her teaching penchant by teaching first aid and CPR to the University of California Santa Barbara student population. She became a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and pursued a medical internship in Virginia for a year after graduating with her Theology and Psychology degrees from UCSB. When she accepted an International Sales Manager position for Iwerks Entertainment, she satiated her travel curiosity by serving territories throughout Asia, Australia and the U.S.

A true entrepreneur, Paige pursued substitute teaching while developing contacts in the wedding industry. She launched Simply Elegant Weddings in 2001 and continues to assist couples with planning the most important day of their lives. The natural progression of helping couples led to helping families secure their first homes. Without deep pockets, Paige used her tenacity and resourcefulness to learn all aspects of construction, including drywall, cabinetry, electrical and plumbing. She quickly became a fan of home remodeling shows and began to pursue opportunities to participate as a guest carpenter. She appeared on "Monster House," where she was discovered by the producers of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

Paige considers her role on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" a blessing and feels extremely fortunate to make her living helping others. In between extreme makeovers, she has been working with Hollywood For Habitat For Humanity, leading all-women crews and making personal appearances to bring attention to the organization. In 2005, Paige launched Tuff Chix -- a collection of clothing and accessories for girls and women who believe in being strong, capable and feminine.

The House is thrilled that Paige has decided to join us in for the 2nd Annual Cinderella Ball.

Dylan Reminds Us Why the Cinderella Ball Is So Important

Volunteers,

You heard Dylan's story tonight at our organizational meeting in the letter Helen read from Dylan's dad.

In case you needed another reminder of why we're doing what we're doing, here's Dylan and his sister.

Smiles don't get much bigger.

Volunteer Meeting for 2007 Ball

Volunteers,

We'll be meeting at The House at 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 21. We appreciate all you do and look forward working with you again to prepare for this very special event.

Kyle Maynard Booked for 2nd Annual Cinderella Ball

The House is pleased to announce that Kyle Maynard will be attending the 2nd Annual Cinderella Ball, presented by The House.

Kyle was the keynote speaker for last year's inaugural Cinderella Ball and was a inspirational hit for students and parents.

We are also pleased to announce that Regnery Publishing has donated copies of Kyle's book, No Excuses, for every attendee again this year.

For more on Kyle and his amazing story, check out this report from the 1st Annual Cinderella Ball.

2nd Annual Cinderella Ball Set for June 1, 2007

The 2nd annual Cinderella Ball will take place at The House on Friday, June 1.

We're anticipating another incredible night. Remember last year?

Check Out the 2006 Cinderella Ball Highlight Video

The full, one-hour video of the Cinderella Ball is available for purchase now. Click here to purchase the full-length version.

Check out the highlight video:

Official Cinderella Ball Photos

You can order your Cinderella Ball pictures here:

The 1st Annual Cinderella Ball: Friday, June 2, 2006

Just a few pics from the event. It went even better than we had planned. More photos to come.

Prep Time Friday for The Cinderella Ball

A few photos of a few of members of our volunteer team preparing for the big night, including the ladies who donated their time and resources to do hair and make-up for any of the girls who wanted it done, those who prepared the banquet and dancing rooms, and the red-carpet reception area.

Great Potomac News Coverage of the Cinderella Ball Preparations

The Potomac News has another great article about The House today. This time they tell the story of our preparing for the Cinderella Ball.

Celebrating Dreams
Ball lets area teens be Cinderella for a night

By Josh Eiserike

Saturday, May 27, 2006

When Terry Brown-Zapata picked up her daughter, Jessyca Brown, from an after school program a few years ago, the elementary school student was crying because the other girls wouldn't include her in a game of jump rope.

"Mom, I know I can't jump, but I can turn the rope," she said.

Jessyca was born with spina bifida, a birth defect in her spinal cord, and hydrocephalus, an abnormal accumulation of spinal fluid inside the brain. Now 16, Jessyca will never walk.

"For her, it's normal," said Brown-Zapata, 45. "She's very outgoing and talkative. I've only heard her say once 'I wish I wasn't in a wheelchair.' "

Brown-Zapata added that her daughter, who attends Freedom High School in Woodbridge, looks at things she can do, not the things she can't.

"A lot of people miss that with disabled children," said Brown-Zapata.

One thing Jessyca will be able to do is go to a prom, specialized for students with disabilities, thanks to The House in Woodbridge. The non-profit tutoring and mentoring program for teenagers has been in operation since last November.

More...

Click on the images below to read the coverage from the Potomac News.

Governor Kaine's Letter to The House

May 25, 2006

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I am pleased to extend warm greetings to everyone attending the Cinderella Ball hosted by The House.

I would like to recognize The House for organizing this event for middle and high school students. The House has demonstrated that an after-school leadership program can have a major influence in the lives of young people. By promoting positive relationships in a mentoring environment, you are preparing the young citizens of the Commonwealth for a life of community involvement.

I am pleased to commend all the attendees and their families for their support of The House. You have confronted live's challenges with integrity and optimism and you should be proud of your success.

Best wishes for a memorable and successful event.

Sincerely,

Timothy M. Kaine