January 20, 2004
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release

NAWBO SEVA
National Association of Women Business Owners
Southeastern Virginia Chapter

Contact: Deloris Becker,
NAWBO SEVA Public Relations Director
D.H. Becker & Associates, LLC
beckerconsult@aol.com or (757) 871-3435

The National Association of Women Business Owners Southeastern Virginia Chapter held their Annual Charity Event on December 17, 2003 at the Chesapeake Conference Center. Every year the auction benefits an organization that impacts women in the Tidewater Community. This year’s event, which was the most successful in the organization’s history, benefited the JDIFL Foundation, a local organization founded to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and provide support to women who are battling this disease.

Proceeds were presented to JDIFL in honor of Rowena Fullenwider of ROWENA’s, a past NAWBO president and ovarian cancer survivor, and in memory of Liz Kollmansperger, who passed away of ovarian cancer in the spring of 2003. Liz worked relentlessly to inform women about the importance of early detection of ovarian cancer

NAWBO is an organization that represents the interests of women entrepreneurs. The local chapter, which supports women business owners on the Southside and Peninsula, meets monthly on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Town Point Club in Norfolk.

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The evening was a great success! Networking and great food, a wonderful band and lots of wonderful items to purchase. A special thanks to all of the wonderful people and organizations who donated goods and/or services for our event. To the Chesapeake Conference Center for giving us such a wonderful location to host our event and to Margaret Hockeborn for making sure everything happened the way it should. And to the Power Sound Band who kept us wonderfully entertained through the night! We raised $6000.00 for JDIFL! On January 21st NAWBO SEVA presented the proceeds from the auction, as well as a little extra from Rowena Fullinwider to JDIFL in honor of Rowena. NAWBO SEVA is very proud to support Rowena and JDIFL and proud to contribute to an organization committed to raising awareness of ovarian cancer. Click here for pictures of the evening

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'Twas a week before Christmas, when all through the Chesapeake Conference Center,
Not a person was resting, not even Deirdra McBride or Janet Wenger;
The auction items were laid out on the tables with care,
In hopes that big spenders soon would be there;

Liza and Meredith of JDIFL, were checking out their finds.
With hopes for a cure to ovarian cancer in the top of their minds;
And Kathy with her money, and I lending a hand,
Had just settled down for a night with the POWER SOUND band.

When out in the parking lot there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my chair to see what was the matter.
Out to the front I flew like a flash,
Threw open the door still holding my cash.

The moon was shining, no snow on the ground
But the Holiday lights were bright all around,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a Winnebago, and eight NAWBO SEVA Board Members all shouting,
“WE’RE HERE!”,

With a petite lovely lady, so lively and quick,
Rowena looked at me with a smile and a wink.
More rapid than MALE business owners - her members they came,
And she whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Deloris! Now, Vivian! Margaret, Kathy and Dory!
On, Carla! on BJ! on, Kala and Debbie and Mary! Not to worry!

And then, in a twinkling, I was filled with great zeal!
I heard the prancing and pawing of each little heel.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the hall Margaret Hockeborn came with a bound.

She was carrying her clip board, checking each task,
And her clothes were all tarnished, I was agast!
A bundle of instruments she had flung on Harl’s back,
And she looked like a lady poised to attack.

The guests -- how they giggled! “Would this poem ever end!”
Their glasses were empty, they had money to spend!
Their hungry little mouths were anxious to eat,
And they wanted to buy some of these great gifts, honor Rowena Fullinwider, help raise money for JDIFL, meet some of our sponsors and guests and fill out that NAWBO SEVA membership application!

Thanks to the City of Chesapeake! They sponsored the night!
I’m sure you’ll agree, This sure beats the mall!
Now we thank all of our sponsors who are with us tonight!
Salon Vivace! BB&T! Goodman and Company! And all!"

Margaret telling me with her eyes, “It’s time to shut up”
And I imagine the crowds just about fed up;
I had better come up with my closing remarks,
So just a few more things before my fanny I park.

Whether it’s problems with employees, or clients with ill-tempers,
When you meet with an obstacle, just call other NAWBO members,
Former leaders have made us strong and for that, we thank you,
Dot Wood, Candice Dettloff, Debbie Mollura, Mary Wyld and Rowena too.

We thank you one and we thank you all,
for making NAWBO SEVA the belles of the ball;
We appreciate your being here,
To share with us in this Christmas cheer;

On January 7th there’s a marketing roundtable,
An employee roundtable on January 8th,
And our next monthly meeting is on January 21st,
Where Melinda Davis of Goodman and Company will teach us tax tips and tricks;

If I forgot to mention your name, I’m so terribly sorry.
It’s only because I’m in such a hurry!
But I’m here to exclaim, as I leave the mike,
"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"

Click here for pictures of the evening