News Archives

July 2010 News:

News from Azalea Blossom Incorporated
Azalea Blossom Incorporated is Margaret Bernstein's not for profit organization dedicated towards the prevention, education and awareness of child abuse and domestic and social violence through the creation and use of music, multi-media and the Arts. Currently, we are in the process of scheduling SAFE through the Arts programs in schools throughout New York State for the 2010-2011 school year. For further information, please visit http://www.azaleablossom.com/pages/safe.html

Azalea Blossom welcomes Christina
We could like to welcome Christina Ilowiecki, our new summer intern program coordinator to Azalea Blossom. To learn more about Christina and our other dedicated volunteers, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/pages/internsvolunteers.html

Thanks From Azalea Blossom Incorporated
Azalea Blossom Incorporated would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to recent donations from the Bank of Greene County and Price Chopper's Golub Foundation. Both of these community organizations are repeat funders of the SAFE through the Arts program. To see a list of Azalea Blossom Incorporated's donors, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/pages/donations.html

Congratulations to Galway High School Students!
Azalea Blossom Incorporated would like to sincerely thank Galway High School Graphic Arts teacher Maureen Mierzwa and her students for their work and creativity on the new SAFE through the Arts brochure. Special thanks and congratulations to Rita Ball and Katie Thayer, Weston Staufenberg, Megan Trigg and Victoria Giftos for their winning designs! www.azaleablossom.com/pages/safe.html

 

June 2010 News:

Azalea Blossom receives grant from Stewarts Shops
Azalea Blossom Incorporated, the 501c3 organization founded by Margaret Bernstein for the awareness, prevention, and education of domestic violence through the use of music, multi-media and the arts, is a recent recipient of a $350 grant for the SAFE through the Arts program. The funds will be used towards programming of the SAFE through the Arts program in upstate New York. For further information, please visit our SAFE page.

Behind the Scenes
This column on the Monthly newsletter will feature one of our dedicated people who are working behind the scenes at Growing Azalea Music and Azalea Blossom Incorporated to make things happen. This month we are highlighting The Voice Workshop’s founder, Jeannie LoVetri, who has been Margaret’s vocal coach, for the last four years.

 

March 2010 News:

Happy Azaleazation Day!
On March 8th, 1983, Margaret wrote her song “Azalea”, which later planted the seeds for the forming of her Growing Azalea Music Productions (1992) Azalea Blossom Incorporated (2005) and her original children’s’ musical ‘The Little Seed” (1990). The concept of Azalea is to celebrate the uniqueness and beauty within each of us. “Azaleation Day” also coincidently coincides with International Women’s Day.

Behind the Scenes
New! This column on the Monthly newsletter will feature one of our dedicated people who are working behind the scenes at Growing Azalea Music and Azalea Blossom Incorporated to make things happen. This month we are highlighting Azalea Blossom’s new intern, Laura Karutis. Meet Laura and also read about Azalea Blossom’s dedicated board members!

 

February 2010 News:

Welcome to our new interns!
Growing Azalea Music and Azalea Blossom Incorporated would like to welcome new interns from local Universities to their promotion and administrative team this semester: Laura Karutis (SUNY Cobleskill), Alexis Gines (SUNY Albany), Pooja Ramani (SUNY Albany), and Amber and Ashley Taylor (SUNY Albany). To learn more about volunteer opportunities within Azalea Blossom Incorporated, please visit our volunteer page.

 

January 2010 News:

Azalea Blossom welcomes new Board of Directors
Margaret Bernstein is proud to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors, all of whom bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the organization. Mike Skinner, Lisa Reitman-Dobi, Nelta Miller, and Debbie Young will be joining existing board members Katie Cross and Helen (Bunty) Bernstein. We would also like to thank Daphane Pearson, who recently resigned from the Board of Directors for her dedicated three years of service as board member and treasurer. To learn more about Azalea Blossom’s Board of Directors, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/pages/empsboards.html

Donations to Azalea Blossom Incorporated
We would like to thank everyone who so generously contributed donations during the holiday season to Azalea Blossom Inc. for SAFE through the Arts, the weeklong educational program for middle school students on the prevention of domestic violence and abuse through the use of music, multi-media and the Arts. To learn more about how to donate as well to view a list of current donors, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/pages/donations.html

 

December 2009 News:

News from Azalea Blossom Inc.
Azalea Blossom Inc. has accomplished a lot in the last year! To read the annual letter and learn how your $5 contribution can go a long way in helping to support the SAFE through the Arts program, view here.

 

November 2009 News:

SAFE through the Arts program in Germantown, New York
Margaret will be teaching the SAFE through the Arts program at Germantown Middle School in Columbia County, New York, during the week of November 2nd-6th. The week-long educational program for seventh and eighth grade students based upon Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence, teaches middle school students tools to recognize and prevent domestic violence and abuse through a variety of performing and creative arts activities. The program culminates with an assembly concert given by Margaret’s band and is sponsored, in part, by the Bank of Greene County, Stewart’s Shops, and Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation. SAFE through the Arts is a product of Azalea Blossom Incorporated, Margaret Bernstein’s 501c3 organization dedicated to the prevention, awareness, and education of domestic violence and child abuse through the use of music, multi-media, and the arts. For more information, please visit the SAFE through the Arts page.

A call for volunteers
Azalea Blossom Inc. has ongoing opportunities for volunteers in a variety of capacities including serving on the Board of Directors. Azalea Blossom offers internships for college credit as well as community service opportunities for high school students. For further information, please visit the volunteer page.

 

October 2009 News:

Please join our Fall Fundraiser-October 17th!
In honor of “Domestic Violence Awareness Month”, Azalea Blossom Inc. will be holding its annual fall fair fundraiser in beautiful Rensselaerville during the afternoon of Saturday, October 17th. The event, which is geared towards families, will include games, crafts, and activities for all ages, food, and live fiddle music. A full schedule of events as well as directions to the fair will be posted one week prior to the event. We hope that you will be able to attend. However, if distance is a factor, you can still participate in our October fundraiser by purchasing a ticket to “Shop for a Cause”, which will also take place on October 17th, at MACY’S stores throughout the country. Please visit our events page for more information about the fair as well as how to be involved in our nation-wide fundraiser.

Azalea Blossom Incorporated receives another grant from Target Stores
Azalea Blossom Incorporated, Margaret Bernstein’s 501c3 organization dedicated to the prevention, awareness, and education of domestic violence and child abuse through the use of music, multi-media, and the Arts, recently received a $2,500 donation from to be used towards the SAFE through the Arts programming in upstate New York this fall. This is the second grant that Azalea Blossom Incorporated received from stores for the SAFE through the Arts program. To view our list of recent donors, please visit our donations page.

SAFE through the Arts program in full swing!
Margaret Bernstein recently taught the SAFE through the Arts program at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Middle School in upstate New York, culminating with an assembly concert given by Margaret’s band. The week-long educational program for seventh and eighth grade students based upon Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence, teaches middle school students tools to recognize and prevent domestic violence and abuse through a variety of performing and creative arts activities. For more information, please visit the SAFE page.

 

September 2009 News:

Azalea Blossom Incorporated receives grant from Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation
Azalea Blossom Incorporated, Margaret Bernstein’s 501c3 organization dedicated to the prevention, awareness, and education of domestic violence and child abuse through the use of the music, multi-media, and the Arts, recently received a $700 donation from Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation (insert link) to be used towards the SAFE through the Arts programming in upstate New York this fall. SAFE through the Arts, a week-long educational program for seventh and eighth students based upon Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence, teaches middle school students tools to recognize and prevent domestic violence and abuse through a variety of performing and creative arts activities. To view our list of recent donors, please visit our donations page.

SAFE through the Arts programs scheduled for this fall!
Margaret will be instructing the SAFE through the Arts program at twenty public middle schools throughout New York State beginning with the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District in Southern Albany County and Hunter-Tannersville Central School District in Greene County. For more information, please visit our SAFE through the arts page.

Free Performance with Margaret and her band in Berne, New York
As part of the SAFE through the Arts program, Margaret and her band will be performing a free concert for the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School community and general public on Thursday, September 24th in the afternoon. The concert, which will be approximately forty minutes in length, will feature songs from Margaret’s “Bricks in the Wall” album, offering hope and encouragement to audience members of all ages. For more information, please visit www.gamusic.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Fall Fundraiser
Azalea Blossom Inc. will be holding its annual fall fundraiser in beautiful Rensselaerville on Saturday, October 17th. The event will include a dinner, dance with live fiddle music, raffle, silent auction, and activities for children. For more information, please visit our events page.

Azalea Blossom participates in “Shop for a Cause”
Azalea Blossom Inc. will once again be participating in MACY’S “Shop for a Cause” this October.
MACY’s clients nationwide will have the opportunity to support Azalea Blossom Inc. through special savings and discounts. Please visit our events page for more information.

A Call for Volunteers!
Volunteers are always welcome and appreciated at Azalea Blossom Incorporated. Internships are available for college credit and high school students can also receive community service credit hours. In addition to using volunteers to help with fundraising events and concerts, Azalea Blossom also uses volunteers to serve on its board of directors. It is not necessary to reside in New York State in order to be an Azalea Blossom Volunteer. For further information, please visit our volunteer page.

 

August 2009 News:

Azalea Blossom Inc. receives Price Chopper grant
Azalea Blossom Incorporated recently received a donation of $700 from Price Chopper’s Golub Foundation for the SAFE through the Arts program. The grant will be used towards fall programming in the Albany/Catskill region of New York State.

Azalea Blossom Inc. to hold Fall Fundraiser
Azalea Blossom Incorporated, a not for profit 501c3 organization operating out of Rensselaerville, New York, will be holding its annual fall fundraiser on Saturday, October 17th, 2009 in Rensselaerville. The event will include a dinner, dancing and music provided by "Fiddleabout", a raffle and a silent auction. There will also be activities and games for children beginning at 2 PM. For further information, please call (518) 797-9737

SAFE through the Arts program update
After successfully teaching the program at Margaretville and Duanseburg Middle Schools last spring, Margaret Bernstein is excited to be teaching the SAFE through the Arts program at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Middle School in Southern Albany County during the week of September 21st through September 25th. SAFE through the Arts, a week-long educational program for seventh and eighth grade students based upon Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence, teaches middle school students tools to recognize and prevent domestic violence and abuse through a variety of performing and creative arts activities. Recently, Azalea Blossom Incorporated has received grant support for the SAFE through the Arts program from the New Heritage Music Foundation, Stewarts Shops, and the Bank of Greene County. To learn more about the program, visit www.azaleablossom.com/page/safe.html

Internship and Volunteer Opportunities
Azalea Blossom Incorporated currently has opportunities for dedicated college students to gain valuable on-the-job experience while being a part of exciting and dynamic projects! In addition, Azalea Blossom Inc. offers community service credit for high school students. Not all positions require residency in New York State. For further information, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/volunteer.html

 

July 2009 News:

Recent Grants for Azalea Blossom Incorporated
During the last few months, Azalea Blossom Incorporated has received grant support for the SAFE through the Arts program from the following organizations: The New Heritage Music Foundation of New York City; Stewarts Shops; and the Bank of Greene County. SAFE through the Arts, a week-long educational program for seventh and eighth grade students based upon Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence teaches middle school students tools to recognize and prevent domestic violence and abuse through a variety of performing and creative arts activities. To learn more about the program, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/pages/safe.html

SAFE through the Arts dance a success!
The first annual dance for teens was held at Conkling Hall in Rensselaerville on Tuesday, June 23rd from 6:30-8:30 PM with DJ Richard Tollner, who graciously donated his time and talent. The dance was a benefit for the SAFE through the Arts program.

 

June 2009 News:

Azalea Blossom receives grant from New Heritage Music Foundation
The New Heritage Music Foundation of New York City recently awarded Azalea Blossom Incorporated a $15,000 grant to help support the SAFE through the Arts program, a week-long educational program for seventh and eighth grade students based upon Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence. SAFE through the Arts teaches tools to recognize and prevent domestic violence through a variety of performing and creative arts activities. To view the complete list of donors, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/pages/donations.html

SAFE through the Arts program a success!
The launching of the SAFE through the Arts program into public middle schools was a success! Margaret Bernstein, who developed SAFE through the Arts, recently taught the weeklong program in Duanseburg and Margaretville Schools in upstate New York. The program, which teaches tools to recognize and prevent domestic violence through the use of the arts, was funded by grants from Stores and the Bulova Gale Foundation, respectively. Students who participated in SAFE through the Arts enjoyed participating in a variety of activities based upon three key components (Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence) including collage making, movement, dramatic role-playing, and journal writing and drumming. The program culminated with a showing of students’ work demonstrating their creativity and understanding of the concepts as well as a performance by Margaret Bernstein and her band.  www.azaleablossom.com/pages/safe.html 

 

Azalea Blossom receives grant from Stewarts Shops
Azalea Blossom Incorporated, the 501c3 organization founded by Margaret Bernstein for the awareness, prevention, and education of domestic violence through the use of music, multi-media and the arts, is a recent recipient of a $250 grant for the SAFE through the Arts program. The funds will be used towards future programming in upstate New York.

 

March 2009 News:

Margaret will be performing music from her "Bricks in the Wall" album with her band on two occasions this month as part of the SAFE through the Arts program. Please check the calendar to find out more about the free concerts at Duanesburg and Margaretville Central Schools. Margaret will also be performing solo instrumental music at the Rensselaerville Institute during the Wine and Food Pairing Dinner, pairing affordable new world wines with a seasonal 5 course tasting menu.  Includes cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and dinner.  Reservation required by 3/6/09, please call 518-797-5100

SAFE through the Arts Update

Azalea Blossom Incorporated is excited to be presenting the SAFE through the Arts program at Duanesburg Middle School in Schenectady County, NY and Margaretville Central School in Delaware County, NY this March. The SAFE through the Arts programs at these two schools are generously sponsored by stores and the Bulova Gale Foundation. SAFE through the Arts, an educational program on the prevention of domestic violence using the creative and performing arts as the primary mode of instruction, is based upon three key components: Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence. The weeklong program will culminate with a performance by Margaret Bernstein and her band. For more information, please visit www.azaleablossom.com/pages/safe.html

 

February 2009 News

SAFE through the Arts Update

Azalea Blossom is excited to be presenting the SAFE through the Arts program in Duanesburg Middle School in Schenectady County, NY this March, thanks to a generous grant from Stores. SAFE through the Arts, an educational program on the prevention of domestic violence using the creative and performing arts as its primary mode of instruction, is based upon three key components: Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence. The weeklong program will culminate with a performance by Margaret Bernstein and her band at the end of the week.

Upcoming Performances

Changes are often being made to the calendar page of our website, so please be sure to visit often to stay informed of Margaret’s upcoming performances! www.gamusic.com/calendar.html

 

Jan. 2009 News:

SAFE through the Arts

Three public middle schools in New York State have expressed interest in hosting the SAFE through the Arts program this spring. SAFE through the Arts is an educational prevention program using the creative and performing arts and is based upon three key components: Self-Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of non-violence. For more information, please visit the SAFE through the Arts page.

Buffalo Television

Margaret will be appearing on Buffalo, NY local television (WIVB.com –TV news 4) in a half hour interview discussing her “Bricks in the Wall” project and the SAFE through the Arts program. The TV spot will be boardcast on Saturday, June 7th at 6AM.

Dec. 2008 News:

Contributions to Azalea Blossom Inc.

When you make a year-end, tax-deductible donation to Azalea Blossom Incorporated, you will help Azalea Blossom’s mission of providing awareness and education of domestic violence and abuse through the use of the arts to the public. Specifically, you will be help bring SAFE through the Arts, an educational program for public middle school students based on Self Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of nonviolence through the use of the creative and performing arts. If everyone receiving this newsletter gives $7.00 (Margaret’s lucky number), we will have raised an additional $7,000.00. To make a donation, please go to the donation page.Thank you for your support!

Nov. 2008 News:

Azalea Blossom receives donation from Bulova Gale Foundation

Azalea Blossom Inc. recently received over $3,000 from the Bulova Gale foundation located in San Diego, CA. The donation will help fund the SAFE through the Arts program for the awareness and prevention of domestic violence through music, multimedia and the arts. This grant, along with the recent grants from stores, McMurry Charities, and contributions from private donors, will enable Margaret to teach the weeklong program in three public middle schools this spring. SAFE through the Arts is based on three key goals: Self Affirmation, Financial independence, and Education of nonviolence.

Oct. 2008 News:

Azalea Blossom receives grant from Stores
We are happy to report that Azalea Blossom Inc. recently received a grant for $3,000 from stores for the SAFE through the Arts program. This grant will enable Margaret to teach the week long arts –based educational program for the prevention of domestic violence in a local middle school.