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Runaway and Homeless Youth Give Back to their Safe Haven by Putting...



May 11, 2005 -- May 10, 2005 - Runaway and homeless youth give back to their safe haven by putting their talents to use decorating birdhouses. Residents of The Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children, a safe haven for abused, neglected, and runaway youth, decorated birdhouses as part of the second annual tabletop design contest and gala fundraising event, "Dining Spaces," sponsored by the International Special Events Society. The event takes place on Sunday, May 22 at the NJ Expo Center in Edison, NJ., for more information, visit www.diningspaces.com.



The birdhouses, which will be displayed, voted on and auctioned off during the Gala portion of the event, provided the residents with an opportunity to express their talents while giving back to the organization that provides them with food, housing, clothing, basic- and independent living skills education, counseling, referral to support services and case management services. Some of the residents spent several days decorating their entries. And in exchange for their efforts, all the residents will receive gift cards and the designers of the top three most popular birdhouses will receive participant ribbons.



On her experience decorating the birdhouses, J. R., a fourteen-year-old girl who resides at the Home said, "At first, no one was into it [decorating the birdhouses] but then everyone started getting really creative. I wanted mine to be different and stand out so I painted it pink, green and red, like a Christmas tree. It was fun."



"Dining Spaces" was started by ISES' NJ Chapter -a group of professional entertainers, event planners and managers-- as a way to celebrate and reward creative entertainers. The event brings together professional decorators, students, and anyone who thinks they know how to put together a great time! Competition entrants are given a table, ten chairs and free reign to design and decorate a themed table for the evening's Gala. Last year's entries included tables resplendent in exquisite floral arrangements, elegant ethnic themed settings, and even a whimsical beach bash table complete with lobster netting and suntan lotion. The tabletop competition during "Dining Spaces" recognizes excellence in professional and amateur party planners by awarding several prestigious prizes-including a People's Choice Award, chosen entirely by the public who come to view the tables and a newly created category, Apprentice, for novice designers. This year's celebrity judge will be Mitch Pennell of CBS reality show, Wickedly Perfect fame. In addition to helping select the best tabletop designers, Pennell, a past member of the floral design team for the Academy Awards and Tournament of Roses Parade, will demonstrate the latest in floral design techniques during the public preview and vendor showcase portion of the event



Jeffrey Fetzko, Somerset Home executive director and honorary vice-chair of the "Dining Spaces" committee, said of the "Dining Spaces" event, "It's heartwarming to see special event planners devoting their talents and energy to helping runaway and homeless youth. We are grateful to the New Jersey Chapter of the International Special Events Society for making us a part of this exciting event."



"...I'm excited to see what new and creative ideas the designers will come up with! I'm also honored that our charity, The Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children, will be a first time designer!" Says Amy Serridge, CSEP, "Dining Spaces" co-chair and Event Coordinator of Flemington, NJ -based Star Events, LLC.



Funds raised through the silent auction and Gala cocktail and dinner event go directly into operating funds to provide food, housing, clothing, basic- and independent living skills education, counseling, referral to support services and case management so youth can return home or to another appropriate and safe living situation. Tickets can be purchased online at www.diningspaces.com. Tickets for the Public Preview are $10. Registration fees for designers are $150 for ISES members and $200 for non-members. Vendor Showcase registration for ISES Members is $100 and $200 for Non-ISES members. Tickets for the Gala cocktail and dinner are $100 per person, $175 per couple and $875 per table.



About the International Special Events Society (ISES)

The mission of ISES is to educate, advance, and promote the special events industry and its network of professionals along with related industries. The International Special Events Society is comprised of over 3,300 professionals in over a dozen countries representing special producers (from festivals to trade shows), caterers, decorators, florists, destination management companies, rental companies, special effects experts, tent suppliers, audio-visual technicians, party and convention coordinators, balloon artists, educators, journalists, hotel sales managers, specialty entertainers, convention center managers, photographers, and more.



New Jersey ISES presently has a chapter of more than 60 members. Monthly meetings are staged so that people in the industry can meet, network and attend educational seminars. Each meeting is held at a different venue so that attendees can learn how others cater to the public.



For more information about becoming a tabletop designer for the event, or to attend either the public viewing or the gala cocktail and dinner reception, please visit www.diningspaces.com. For information about the New Jersey Chapter of ISES or to inquire about membership, contact Roy Evon at 973-328-8600 or visit www.njises.org.



About Mitch Pennel

Mitchell Pennell grew up in a small Middle America town where he unknowingly began his career before graduating high school. Most recently he has been immersed in making "Wickedly Perfect," the CBS reality series that searches for America's next great style maker. Now that the series is over, Pennell is working full steam ahead to build M.A.P.: Directions for Living into the complete guide to contemporary city living. For more information about Mitch Pennel, visit www.mitchpennell.com.



About the Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children

The Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children has been a safe haven for abused, neglected, and runaway youth since 1973. Proceeds from Dining Spaces will go directly into operating funds to provide food, housing, clothing, basic- and independent living skills education, counseling, referral to support services and case management so youth can return home or to another appropriate and safe living situation.



The agency provides five programs to adolescents and their families: Somerset Youth Shelter; Pathways Independent Living Skills; Passages Transitional Living; My Place I Transitional Living; and Street S.M.A.R.T. street outreach. For more information, visit www.somersethome.org or contact Tracey Costanzo, Communications Manager at 908-526-6605.






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