The Planning Begins!

Hello Change Agents!
It is that time again! Time to start planning the next Fanatical Change event! Tonight, January 18, 2011 the Change Agents will gather at Panera Bread on San Felipe and Post Oak in the Galleria area to start planning for the next event. This is your opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

TOO BUSY TO VOLUNTEER?
Don't worry, we know you're busy. That's why we created SPEED VOLUNTEERING. With SPEED VOLUNTEERING we assign only short and simple tasks that have very little or no follow-up required so even our busiest friends can contribute to the change. Send an email to info@fanaticalchange.org for details with "SPEED VOLUNTEERING" in the subject line.

See You Soon!

Keep The Change!

Hollywood Halloween Delivery of Goods & Services

Hollywood Halloween Recipients

Nicholas, Manuel and Refugio Martinez

The Tragedy:

These three brothers were getting ready for work at 4:30am on October 21, 2010 when they were startled by the sound of glass breaking outside their apartment. Nicholas went outside to see what was going on and surprised a burglar who shot him in the chest and head killing him instantly. When his brothers heard the shots they ran out to come to his rescue. Both suffered injuries and currently Manuel is fighting for his life at Ben Taub Hospital. Unable to work as a result of his injuries Refugio is left to deal with the stress of his ailing brother and the death of another brother. We aim to help him with housing costs, hospital bills and the final expenses of his youngest brother. With the help of the patrons of Hollywood Halloween this has become a reality.

The Fanatical Change:

It was afternoon when we arrived at Refugio's apartment. There was still crime scene tape around his vehicle with a memorial with his picture.

With the money donated to Fanatical Change we were able to allocate $2,000 for Refugio's rent for the next 4 months and provide him with $1,000 in Kroger gift cards for food and gas. Now he can concentrate on recovering from his injuries, burying his brother Nicolas and being by Manuel's side as he continues to fight for his life at Ben Taub Hospital.

Hector, Alexandra and Samantha Suarez

The Tragedy:

A family beach outing turned tragic on Sunday October 3, 2010. Hector Suarez had brought his family to the Texas City Dike for a day of fun in the sun. Instead he watched in horror as his twin girls struggled with the currents. He jumped in to rescue them but was unable to do so. He was hospitalized in critical condition as a result but the fate of his twin daughters was a parents worst nightmare. All of this occurred in front of the couple's eldest daughter, Gloria. To make matters worse as Edith, Hector's wife was visiting him in the hospital the couple's home was burglarized. Days later Hector succumbed to the trauma caused by his near drowning. Hector was the sole bread winner for his family. With the help of the fine and generous people of Houston who attended Hollywood Halloween we were able to bring a little peace to this family who has gone through something that is worse than anyone could imagine.

The Fanatical Change:

It was around 5:30 pm when we arrived at Edith Suarez's home. Her family was gathered around her and there was a large photo of her now departed husband and twin daughters hanging in the living room. Mrs. Suarez is eight months pregnant. She showed a strength that she said was so necessary for her children but under the surface we could see it was extremely hard for her. Thanks to our donors we were able to provide her and her family with $1,500 worth of gift cards to Kroger for food and gas, $1,000 to target for clothes and household needs and $1,500 to Ikea to help replace some of the furniture that was damaged during the burglary of their home. She was at a loss for words and was so thankful and surprised by the good will of her city.

Debbie Wilson

The Tragedy:

On Wednesday October 13, 2010 the sky in the Greenspoint area of Houston was thick with smoke. 37 units of the Driscol Place Apartments went up in a blaze. Debbie Wilson lost everything that she owns in the blaze. She did not have renter's insurance and without our help she was left with nothing.

The Fanatical Change:

We arrived at Debbie Wilson's new apartment at around 4pm. When we entered her apartment it really hit home how much she had lost because it was completely empty. There was no furniture, no decorations but when we left it was full of hope and thanks. As a result of our donor's generosity we provided her with $500 to Kroger so she can restock her refrigerator and pantry, $1,500 to Target for clothes and household items and $3000 to Ikea so she can fill her apartment with furniture. She was so grateful she felt compelled to call again later on in the night just to thank us one last time. She was told by Fanatical Change that her many thanks would be past on to those who made it possible through their kindness.

Theodore Jones

The Tragedy:

On Wednesday October 27, 2010 at 9:15am Theodore (Theo) Jones was waiting for the bus near his home with his seven month old son in his stroller. A car speeding and driving erratically was coming towards him but he did not see the car until it was too late as Theo was legally blind. When he realized that the car was careening toward him and his young son he threw himself in front of the carriage. He was killed instantly. His son suffered a broken arm. He is survived by his wife and two children. His family is unable to afford his funeral expenses. Thanks to the people who came out and donated at Hollywood Halloween a Fanatical Change was possible.

The Fanatical Change:

When Eleanor Jones, the mother of Theodore Jones, came to greet us she seemed as though the weight of the world was on her shoulders. It was heartbreaking to hear her tell the tale of how she actually went to the scene of the accident when it occurred but was unable to see her son due to the horrific injuries he had suffered. She told us how she wailed to the investigating officers to tell her that it was not true, not her baby. She was truly overcome with grief still. She shared with us a song of worship that he had just written for his church. There was not a dry eye as we heard the strain in her voice as she sang her son's song. It was a feeling that can not be described when we could see the relief that came over her when she was informed that she would be able to bury her son and give him a monument fitting to his life and that she would be able to get a head start on taking care of her grandchildren. We provided her with $3,500 toward his final expenses, $500 to Babies "R" Us, $500 to Target and $500 to Kroger. Mrs. Jones was overwhelmed by the generosity that her fellow citizens of showed in her time of need. She was so thankful and full of emotion.

Mohammed Elsayed

The Tragedy:

On October 13,2010 during his usual night shift as a cab driver Mohammed Elsayed was killed by two assailants who robbed him. This father of two children was working hard to put himself through engineering school and made extra money by teaching language and cultural classes to the U.S. Military. He leaves behind his wife Doaa and his two daughters ages two and eight. He was a devoted husband and father and up until now Doaa has been a home maker. Now not only does she have to deal with the loss of her husband but will now have to be the bread winner of the family. Fanatical Change, with the aid of the donors who attended Hollywood Halloween, were able assist in this difficult transition.

The Fanatical Change

When we arrived at Doaa Elsayed's apartment we were greeted by her. She invited us in and we met her children and her sister. She told us about how her husband cared for them. How he took care of everything. She showed us pictures of him. We saw him golfing and swimming in the sea. She told us about how much he loved working with the U.S. military, teaching them about middle eastern culture. She said that he worked so hard. Putting himself through engineering school. He long to be able to provide them with more and worked hard everyday towards that goal. She was over come when we presented her with $1,000 to Kroger and $1,300 towards her rent to aid her in the transition to being the family's bread winner, $1,500 to Ikea so she could have some of the nicer things that he wished to provide her with, a new $600 computer and $600 worth of Rosetta Stone so she could have a better grasp of the English language so she can have better opportunities to provide for her children. She was so thankful. We were all humbled by her strength.

Franco Olascoaga

The Tragedy:

Franco Olascoaga was a generous twenty one year old man. He was a talented soccer player who played for a club team. He spent time volunteering as a soccer coach in Porter, Texas. On September 10, 2010 while coaching his team he was struck by lightning. He fought for his life until October 7 when he succumbed to his injuries. His family was unable to provide a headstone for their beloved son and brother.

The Fanatical Change:

Franco's mother greeted us at the family's Porter, Texas home with Franco's little sister Paula at her side. In the living room was an almost life size poster of Franco in a suit most likely from his senior prom which was not that long ago. His sister had written him a letter on a dry erase board. We told his mother, Aracelia, that we were able to provide her with $1,000 to Kroger to help with gas and groceries since he was no longer around to help with the household bills. Paula and his Franco's little brother Paul received savings bonds in their brother's honor for when it is time for them to go off to college and Franco will now have a fitting monument to commemorate his life. She was overcome with emotion as she held her daughter. We all shed tears as well.

The Fanatical Change Foundation would like to thank everyone who made Hollywood Halloween such a success. Without our donors none of this would be possible. We hope that we can continue to inspire you to be the change you wish to see in the world.

The Selection Process Has Begun!

Hello Change Agents. The Selection Committee has been lucky to have some great volunteers come together this year. We will coordinate our efforts through our Facebook site. This gives everyone a chance to see how we identify our recipients. The Selection Process begins today so you will begin to see postings of tragic stories and you will be able to track our progress. Please feel free to jump in and help if you feel you can be of any assistance. We are three weeks out.

Do you know what you are going to be for Hollywood Halloween yet?

What Do You Get The Guy That Has Everything?

A guitar autographed by every member of U2 of course!




Once again The Fanatical Change Foundation will continue our tradition of amazing auction items. The guitar above and the items below are just a few of the items that will be available at the event:

The Perfect gift for your teen (or your husband who likes to keep his fan club membership a secret from his poker buddies)



Or if you secretly desire to be a child of the night this item is for you



These are just some of the amazing items we will have at our event on October 29th from 7-11pm at The Houston Motor Club which is located in the brand new City Centre. Come and hang out with local celebrities and captains of industry in a space shared with exotic cars, drinks by Tito's Vodka, Jack Daniels, Chambord and others. All of the energy spent having a blast will be in the effort to raise money for local Houston families who have just suffered a life altering tragedy.

This Halloween: Party With a Purpose!

Selection Committee Orientation

Hello Change Agents!

The Selection Committee is going to meet on Thursday October 7th at Panera Bread on Post Oak and San Felipe at 6:30pm. This committee is responsible for finding the potential recipients of the funds raised at our next event, Hollywood Halloween. Duties involve; monitoring local news for stories about tragedies that have happened to local Houston families or individuals. We will go over the type of story to look for, how to track down the people, the correct way to interview them and how to coordinate our efforts. We currently have about eight volunteers but the more we have the less work we have for each volunteer.

We look forward to seeing you then and working with you!

It's Gonna Be Cool

Hello CHANGE AGENT!

Our Hollywood Halloween Costume Party is going to be cool. We need a little help making this our biggest and best event yet.

Name/Theme: Check! Hollywood Halloween
Venue: Check! Houston Motor Club (Luxury Car Showroom in City Center)
Date: Check! Friday, October 29 7p - 11p
Entertainment: Check! Celebrity Impersonators, DJ, Live Art, Live Auction

Food: ? We need you!
Decorations: ? We need you!
Donations: ? We need you!
Silent Auction: ? We need you!
Other Event Stuff: We need you!

WE NEED YOU!

The best part of volunteering is coming in at the end when most of the grunt work is done so you can add a small contribution that makes a major impact.

Imagine getting dressed up in some crazy outfit or costume and heading to a great event while all the energy you're spending having a good time will be used to benefit a family that just suffered a tragedy.

Will you please help us plan this exciting event at our next Volunteer Meeting:

WHERE: Panera Bread (Post Oak and San Felipe)

WHEN: Tuesday September 28th 6:30p to 8:30p

We Want You!!!

The Fanatical Change Selection Committee needs ten (10) volunteers to assist in finding potential beneficiaries for our upcoming event. Searching out our beneficiaries is a fundamental part of this charity and requires people who can deal with other people who are in uncomfortably dire situations. However, the work is incredibly rewarding. The job is part-humanitarian, part-private investigator and part-avid reader of the local news. If you want to join the team, contact Juan Cuevas at 832.797.6463 or Jason Griffin at 281.748.3087. We will be holding a training/orientation session in the coming weeks.

Come be a part of deciding who Fanatical Change helps.

A Call For Volunteers!

Hello CHANGE AGENT!

Name/Theme: Check! = Hollywood Halloween
Venue: Check! = Houston Motor Club (Luxury Car Showroom in City Center)
Date: Check! = Friday, October 29 7p - 11p
Entertainment: Check! = Houston Celebrities, Celebrity Impersonators,DJ, Live Art, Live Auction

Food:? We need you!
Decorations:? We need you!
Donations:? We need you!
Silent Auction:? We need you!
Other Event Stuff: We need you!

Selection Committee Street Team: We need you!

The best part of volunteering is coming in at the end when most of the grunt work is done so you can add a small contribution that makes a major impact.

Imagine getting dressed up in some crazy outfit or costume and heading to a great event while all the energy you're spending having a good time will be used to benefit a family that just suffered a tragedy.

Will you please help us plan this exciting event at our next Volunteer Meeting:

WHERE: Panera Bread (Post Oak and San Felipe)

WHEN: Tuesday September 14th 6:30p to 8:30p

Tito's Vodka + Fanatical Change = Hollywood Halloween

We are excited to report that we officially have our first sponsor for the Hollywood Halloween party scheduled for October 29th, 2010!

A special thanks to Kevin Bartz over at Tito's. So CHEERS folks! We will see you all on October 29th.

It's Official! We Have Our Venue!

We have secured our venue for the next Fanatical Change Event! We need to keep the suspense up for just a few more days until all of the paperwork is done. Be prepared to be among some of Houston's hottest celebrities in one of the newest and most exciting venues in the city! More details to follow soon. To get the inside scoop on Fanatical Change please make sure to like/friend us on Facebook and Twitter.

We would really like to thank Mo's "A Place for Steaks" for hosting us and providing the delicious hors d'ourves. A special thanks to Carlos Zubizarretta for setting that up.

Stay tuned for more information about our next planning meeting and more details about our next event. Until then...

Keep The Change!

FCF BOD

Come to The Next Meeting

Hello CHANGE AGENT!

We're having a Hollywood Halloween Party and YOU'RE INVITED! In fact, we'd love your help in planning this event. We need your help with the location, theme ideas, silent auction, family selection, and event logistics. Imagine getting dressed up in some crazy outfit or costume and heading to a great event while all the energy you're spending having a good time will be used to benefit a family that just suffered a tragedy.

We've changed our meeting location to Mo's on Post Oak and San Felipe.

Will you please help us plan this exciting event at our next Volunteer Meeting:

WHERE: Mo's "A Place for Steaks"
WHEN: Tuesday August 24th 6:30p to 8:30p

Keep the Change!

Fanatical Change Presents: Hollywood Halloween

Last night's planning meeting was a great success. We named our next event: Hollywood Halloween. We are very excited. We will be reaching out to our celebrity friends and they will be coming out for the event. We plan to have the hottest Halloween party that Houston has ever seen.

Be Sure Not To Miss This Event!!!

This week we will nail down the exact date and the venue and begin putting all of the marketing packages together.

Our Next Volunteer meeting will be at Moe's on Post Oak Blvd on Tuesday, August 17, 2010 @ 6:30pm.

Come one come all who want to be the change they want to see in the world!

Stay Tuned,

FCF Board of Directors

Our Latest Volunteer / Planning Meeting

Last night's meeting was great! We had some new faces who are movers and shakers from the University of Houston student body and some of the usual suspects. The planning of our next meeting went extremely well. If you would like to receive invitations to these meetings please email your request to info@fanaticalchange.org. We are always looking for volunteers and new ideas and all are welcome.

Keep The Change!

Things Are Coming Along

Hello Change Fanatics!
Yesterday's Strategic Planning Meeting went very well. Thanks to those who were there. The vision of the future for Fanatical Change is taking shape in the long term the vision of expansion to other cities all over the country and then all over the world. In the short term we talked about our next event which will be a phenomenal beach party. Details will follow on that. Stay tuned for more updates and in the mean time, Keep The Change!

The First Fanatical Change Baby!

Veronica Torres, Benefacio Torres's wife, was unable to meet us when we delivered the goods and services we were able to provide her family with because she was making a delivery of her own. When she had her strength back she called The Change Agents to thank them. Everyone in the car, Steven Kaufman, Randy Kashdan, David Winters, Teresa Gallagher and Juan Cuevas were changed forever after hearing what she had to say. This is a chance for you to witness true magic. It was one of the most amazing moments that we were all able to share and as a thanks to our donors, we want to share it with you...



They sent us a picture of the little guy. He really is perfect!

Thanks To Our Sponsors

The name says it all "Accurate Title Group". These seasoned professionals know the title business through and through. Their excellent customer service shines through on every transaction. They are also great humanitarians that support many causes. Help me thank Accurate Title Group for their continued support.



Del Walmsley is a genius. Especially because he hired Steve Davis as his Vice President. A special thanks to Mr. Davis and the amazing company that he is a part of.
Del Walmsley has been Real Estate Investing for over 20 years and he can teach you how to do it. The members of his company, Lifestyles Unlimited, collectively own more multifamily assets than any other landlord in Houston. Please help me thank this great organization for their generous contribution.

Fanatical Change is All Over The News!

You Can Now Witness The Change!

Please enjoy the video of the delivery of goods which were provided by you, our donors to seven Houston families at their time of need. A special thanks to Emilio Bennett our videographer, Mauricio Brown our photographer and Natalie Camarata our editor. To our donors; this is what you made possible:



Thank You

Because of Our Donors, Beads For Deeds Was a Phenomenal Success!

On Thursday February 11th, 2010 Houstonians gathered at the House of Blues Houston for the Fanatical Change Beads for Deeds Mardi Gras Masquerade. Guests enjoyed Cajun cuisine and authentic Louisiana sounds of Big Red and Zydeco Play Makers. (A special thanks to Big Red, you guys are amazing!) Guest were able to bid on auction items and there was a live auction for the three most sought after items; A guitar signed by every member of The Rolling Stones, a boxing glove signed by Mohamed Ali and an autographed Michael Jackson Thriller album.As much fun as we all had there was a reason beyond enjoyment for being there. Seven Houston families who had just suffered a life altering tragedy would be the beneficiaries of all of the proceeds raised. These are their stories:

Brenda Jones

The Tragedy:

Brenda Jones moved to Houston after Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home in New Orleans. It was a total loss, but she felt lucky to be alive. She began to rebuild her life here in Houston and decided to stay. Life seemed to have made a turn for her. Her daughter and two grandchildren would visit frequently, and she would babysit her grandchildren while her daughter attended nursing school.
However, Tuesday, January 26, 2010 disrupted her new life. She was awakened to panicked screams to get out of her apartment. Flames had engulfed the building. Her apartment, along with all of her belongings she had gathered since Katrina, went up in flames. Brenda suffered a total loss for a second time.

The Fanatical Change:

With the Funds Raised from the event we were able to provide Ms. Jones with $500 to H.E.B.,$2,500 to Ikea and $1,250 to Target, $250 to Babies "R" Us and provide her two grandchildren with $1000 savings bonds each. Soon her now empty apartment will be filled with new furniture and household goods as a result of your generosity.

Bonifacio Torres

The Tragedy:

Bonifacio Torres and his wife, Veronica, have 2 children and another on the way. The anticipation of their new addition has brought them much excitement. In preparation, they had purchased many new items for the baby.
In the early morning hours of January 26, 2010, the Torres’ woke to the clamor of screaming and constant pounding at the door, alerting them that their building was on fire. Unfortunately, all of the new baby items, their clothes and other worldly possessions were damaged beyond repair by smoke and water.

The Fanatical Change:

We arrived at Doctor's Hospital when Veronica Torres was in labor. Mr. Torres came out to meet us and was pleasantly surprised to see so many smiling faces all there to give him aid in this time of need. You could see and almost feel the heaviness lift from him as he realized that his son, Bonifacio Torres IV, would have a home that would now smell of new items instead of the charred remains of everything that was damaged in the fire. Mr. Torres received gift cards to H.E.B. for $500, Target for $1,000, Babies "R" Us for $1,000 and Ikea for $2,500. We also provided him with a savings bond for $1,000 so he could get a jump on Bonifacio the IV's college tuition. Thanks to all of the donors who came out, his son will be welcomed into their home that will no longer smell of smoke but instead be filled with hope.

Deandre Emerson

The Tragedy:

Sukari Emerson was going out-of-town on November 11, 2009 with her new boyfriend. Her mother, Deandre Emerson was babysitting Sukari's five children while she was out-of-town. Before leaving, Sukari called her mother to see if she needed anything further for the kids. This would be the last conversation Deandre had with her daughter. Days turned into weeks; the holidays came and went. Dandrae knew something was wrong. On January 25,2010, 2.5 months later her worst fears were realized: Sukari's body was found in a heavily wooded area in northeast Harris County.

The Fanatical Change:

It was late in the evening when we arrived at Ms. Emerson's home. She welcomed us in and her grandchildren were a bit overwhelmed by how many people had come to help them but quickly warmed up to us. They were pleasantly surprised by all that we had to give them. Ms. Emerson received $600 from Target, $200 from H.E.B., counseling, enough for every member of the family to receive six sessions of therapy donated by Terry Azzouz a Licensed Therapist and Fanatical Change Board Member and the final expenses for Sukari that were on a payment plan that were $4,000 have now been taken care of giving Ms. Emerson the closure that she needed. We also were able to provide all of Sukari's children a $1,000 savings bond in their mother's honor for when they are ready to go to college, something that Ms. Emerson stated as a goal of hers for her grandchildren. Of course Ms. Emerson was thankful for all of the assistance your generosity provided but it was the counseling that she needed most for her children. Thanks to all of the donors who came out her five grandchildren will be able to begin the road to recovery from the death of their mother.

Reyna Lopez

The Tragedy:

Reyna Lopez was driving home when struck head-on by a vehicle driving on the wrong side of U.S. Highway 59. She suffered major injuries but is expected to make a full recovery. Reyna is a single mother of three. She is doing everything she can to get by. The time that she will spend recovering will have a domino effect on her financially. We gathered to come to her her aid and make sure that that first domino does not fall.

The Fanatical Change:

When we arrived at Ms. Lopez's home she was moving slowly. She welcomed us in. Her adorable son was walking around and was curious as to what all of these people were doing. He smiled and was anything but shy. His mother put on a smile of her own when she learned of the good will she was receiving as a result of the generosity of those who attended the event. We were able to provide her with a gift card to H.E.B for $500, we paid her rent for 4 months and brought her some diapers and a gift card to Pappa's restaurants for when she is recovered. She was very thankful and could not stop smiling.

Jose Azua

The Tragedy:

At around 9 pm on Wednesday, February 3rd, 16 year old Jose Azua was shot and murdered while working the evening shift at his family’s taco stand in the 11400 block of the Eastex Freeway. His mother found his body lying inside the taco stand when she went to check on him.
Jose was a teenager enrolled in AP classes and played on his school basketball team. He leaves behind his mother, three brothers (ages 21, 18 & 14) and two sisters (ages 8 & 7 mos.). His family holds much trepidation towards continuing their family’s taco stand business. Anyone of them could have been the victim; however, fate chose Jose.

The Fanatical Change:

When we arrived at the Azua home it was late in the evening. The family had gathered in solidarity, mourning the loss of their loved one. We met with Jose's mother she told us how he was an excellent student. She proudly displayed all of the acceptance and interest letters from colleges on his bed. Colleges like Auburn, Houston Baptist, Iowa State, Baylor, Washington and others.

There was not a dry eye in the room as we now shared the mourning for this poor kid who was cut down in his prime by senseless violence. Our tears were not the only thing that let Mrs. Azua know that strangers do care. As a result of the hundreds who attended Beads for Deeds we were able to provide her with $600 to H.E.B., $600 to Target, $2,000 for a headstone that would honor the memory of her fallen son and $1,800 in counseling which is enough for every family member to receive 6 sessions of therapy as they deal with this unimaginable tragedy.

Caleb Copeland

The Tragedy:

Eight weeks ago, 8 year old Caleb Copeland caught an everyday virus, which gave him a fever. However, for whatever reason, the virus caused encephalitis, a swelling of the brain. Caleb began—and continues—to suffer four to five seizures a day. His doctors advised to admit him into Texas Children’s Hospital in the Med Center. Because of the rarity of his ailments, on Monday, Texas Children’s sent him to Baylor in Dallas by ambulance.
Caleb’s parents have been staying in Dallas while Caleb receives treatment while Caleb’s two sisters, Essence and Taylor have stayed behind with relatives. Caleb’s father, Joe, works a job that pays only straight commission. While they stay in Dallas, he is limited in what work he can accomplish. The Copeland family has some immediate needs to help bridge them through this crisis.

The Fanatical Change:

We arrived in Richmond at Belin Park where family members and friends of the Copeland's were gathered smoking brisket in preparation for another benefit planned for them. We delivered gift cards to H.E.B. to Caleb's grandmother for $2,000, Target for $2,000 a Visa gift card for $500, and $500 worth of gas cards. They were overwhelmed and thanked us profusely. We let them know it was our donors who were in need of thanks and she did on camera which will be posted shortly. She was so glad to know that her fellow citizens came to her family's aid in their time of need.

The J. Wilms Family

The Tragedy:

Just this morning at approximately 2 a.m., J. Wilms was travelling down Highway 6 on the north side of town. Riding with him was Christa Rodriguez. Wilms took a left into a Whataburger parking lot when a speeding truck driven by an intoxicated man struck Wilms’ vehicle. The wreck resulted in the death of Christa. Wilms survived but remains in the ER as of this afternoon.
This accident is still so recent that Wilms’ mother, Cathy, had yet to speak to the doctors and spoke to us from the ER and so was still uncertain of their immediate needs. The Change Agents™ want to help them during this time in which Wilms and his friend were needless victims.

This Tragedy was so recent that the family is still reeling from the aftermath. At the time of delivery they stated that they were willing to receive help but just could not tell us exactly what they would need. We have allocated $2,000 for them and will post our delivery to them at a later date.

Thank you all for making this our most successful event yet. Stay tuned for news of our next event. You are the ones who make this possible.

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the families that received assistance, Thank You,

The Fanatical Change Foundation

Thanks To Our Sponsors

Stewart Title Company began in Galveston, Texas, in 1893. Today, Stewart Information Services Corporation is a customer-driven, technology-enabled title insurance and transaction management company, providing services through more than 9,500 policy-issuing offices and agencies in the United States and international markets. Stewart continually applies new technology to achieve its mission of enhancing the real estate transaction process. The end result is a magnificent experience for its customers. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Stewart is proud to be active in the local community through multiple charitable organizations and outreach.

Serendipity Events offers a full range of services for your
social and business event needs. Our goal is to create
moments guaranteed to be remembered. They have both been a big help to us. We thank you for your support!

We Are Almost There!!!

Last nights Board Meeting was amazing. Things have really come together. The volunteers are ready, the auction items have been received and the selection committee is right on the mark having already identified 5 of the 10 families we wish to assist in their time of need. Here is what a board meeting looks like:




Are you ready? Have you picked out your outfit? Do you have a date? Have you saved the date? Have you re-posted this to your FaceBook to spread the word? If not do so today. These next eight days will zoom by.

Now that another board meeting is in the books it is that time again. Let's check in with the Change Agents and see what antics we can all laugh at this week. In this episode you will witness both Steven "Big Steve" Kaufman and David "The Process" Winters attempt to dance to reggae music in the car. (Big Steve, David, we are laughing with you, not at you.)

Enjoy!

Two Weeks Out!

We just finished up this weeks board meeting and things are looking good. The selection committee has begun the search for our recipients and the event committee is putting on the finishing touches on what is sure to be our most successful event yet. The word is definitely out there. We have posted a place to purchase tickets in advance as we are expecting an impressive turnout. The press will be at the door photographing our red carpet arrival area and the band will be ready to kick out the jams. With this week's Board meeting now closed you all know what it is time for. It is what you have waited for all week. That's right... Here is the the latest chapter of The Change Chronicles Episode IV. In this fantastic episode you will see the Change Agents en route to James Badger's house to deliver the goodwill all of you donors were able to provide through your generosity. The Badger Family Thanks you, as do we.

Enjoy!

3 Weeks Out

Last night's Board Meeting was a great success. We once again had great turn out and new faces just keep coming as our cause grows and grows. Some of us caught up with The Charity Chicks at their Crave a Cure event @ Crave Sushi downtown benefiting Young Texans Against Cancer. The details of the event are taking shape and some of Houston's politicians have confirmed attendance. Now that another Board Meeting is in the books you know what time it is; Please enjoy this weeks episode of the Change Chronicles. In this episode you will see the entire delivery crew heading to meet Victor McDonald's cousin. Enjoy!


Remember February 11, 2010 House of Blues Houston @ 6pm

Change Your Calendar, Change a Life!

The Canadian Club of Houston

FCF- let’s help our Canadian friends in Houston and benefit the Fanatical Change Foundation at the same time! In honor of Canada's role as International Host of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, The Canadian Club of Houston (CCoH) is hosting an event entitled "Bringing the Olympic Spirit to Houston" at the Houston Club (811 Rusk St.) on January 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sponsored by Enbridge and Rolls-Royce, and benefiting Houston charitable partner Fanatical Change Foundation, the evening will include a cocktail hour, multi-media presentation featuring interviews with Olympians, and a seated multi-course dinner. The event's keynote address will be delivered by Barrie Shepley, former Olympic Coach and motivational speaker. The evening will feature American and Canadian national anthems, sung by Woodlands high school student Cori Reebenacker and Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, respectively. Confirmed VIP guests include:

> Matt Grevers, American Olympic Gold & Silver Medalist
> Sue Lovell, Houston City Council Member At-Large, Position 2
> Chris Hadfield, Canadian Space Association Astronaut

Please visit the website for more details at www.canadianclubofhouston.org

A Special Thanks To Terry Azzouz

Terry Azzouz is a true humanitarian. She is always willing to take on tasks to improve Fanatical Change as a whole and make our events sure to please the crowds that we anticpate. She is also one Houston's finest realtors. Please help me applaud this amazing Houstonian!

Please visit her website
www.terryazzouz.com

Going Once, Going Twice, SOLD!

2010 Beads for Deeds Premium Silent/Live Auction Items

We are proud to announce the list of our Premium Silent and Live Auction items for our upcoming Beads for Deeds event at the House of Blues on February 11th. These are a great long-term investment, excellent to keep for sentimental value, the perfect impressionable gifts, and can often be sold immediately on Ebay for quick profit. The Fanatical Change Foundation is pleased to present these items which are generously donated for the continuity of our mission to help families who have recently suffered life altering tragedies.

AUTOGRAPHED GUITAR
The Rolling Stones - Group Signed - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood & Bill Wyman

AUTOGRAPHED MUSIC RECORD ALBUMS ALL CUSTOM FRAMED
BB King
Bruce Springsteen
Elton John
Frank Sinatra
James Brown
Kiss - Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss & Ace Frehley
Madonna
Michael Jackson Thriller Album
Pink Floyd - Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Rick Wright & Nick Mason
U2 - Bono, Edge, Larry Mullen & Adam Clayton Jr. WAR Album

16x20 CELEBRITY AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOS ALL CUSTOM FRAMED
All 5 James Bond's - Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore & Timothy Dalton

11X14 CELEBRITY AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOS ALL CUSTOM FRAMED
Al Pacino - Scarface

8X10 CELEBRITY AUTOGRAPHED PHOTOS ALL CUSTOM FRAMED
Christopher Reeve - Superman

16x20 AUTOGRAPHED SPORTS PHOTOS ALL CUSTOM FRAMED
Yogi Berra - New York Yankees
Mickey Mantle - Classic Yankee Image

AUTOGRAPHED BOXING GLOVES
Muhammad Ali

We do allow early bidding via email to bid@fanaticalchange.org. Every item in our Premium Silent and Live Auction has undergone triple third party authentication and an Authentication Certificate is provided with each item.

For more information on each item or bidding information then please email bid@fanaticalchange.org.

Looking forward to a brilliant event.

Enthusiastically,

Steven Kaufman
President of The Fanatical Change Foundation

Shine Up Those Dancing Shoes!

We are honored to have Big Red and The Zydeco Playmakers! They are sure to set the right type of party atmosphere that all will enjoy. This event promises to be the most fun of our events yet.

A Special Thanks To Change Magazine

We at Fanatical Change know why Carla Medlenka knows so many people. Her charisma and go getter attitude has proven to be an absolute blessing. She is resoursful and generous and has proven to be an irreplacable asset to the Fanatical Change team. Her publication, Change Magazine, is one of Houston's finest. Please help me applaude this amazing Houstonian who strives everyday to make a difference!



www.bigredzydeco.net

The Change Chronicles Episode II

We just finished up this weeks Board of Directors meeting. We are picking up so much momentum. The word is spreading! We had 19 volunteers at our meeting tonight! All of which have committed to bringing 10 people to the event. Now that the meeting is over you know what that means...It is time for another installment of The Change Chronicles. In this hilarious episode you will see Juan Cuevas admit to trying on a tube top at Suit Mart where he and the Change Fanatics purchased a gift card for Victor McDonald. Please give any and all fashion advice to Senor Cuevanomics in the Comments section.





Enjoy,
And Remember....
February 11th House of Blues Houston 6pm

Change Your Calendar, Change a life!

Watch The Change Happen

Hello Change Fanatics! Are you ready to see change in action? We are pleased to bring you our first episode of behind the scenes footage. This is the first of many Episodes staring Board Members, Steven Kaufman, David Winters, Christine Jacques and Juan Cuevas as they drove all over the city of Houston gathering items of aid for our recipients on August 14, 2009, the morning after our last event.

WARNING: PEOPLE RIDING AROUND IN CARS FOR HOURS CAN GO INTO A STATE OF DEMENTIA. THIS VIDEO DOCUMENTS THIS FRIGHTENING PHENOMENON.

Change Chronicles, Chapter 1




Stay Tuned for Chapter 2!

Remember, Change Your Calendar, Change a Life!

February 11, 2010

Beads for Deeds Mardi Gras Masquerade

On the night of February 11th, 2010, The Fanatical Change Foundation will enthusiastically host the 2010 Beads for Deeds Mardi Gras Masquerade at Houston's newest hot-spot, House of Blues. This spectacular celebration, not to be missed, will include Live New Orleans Party Jazz, and hors d'oeuvres Cajun cook-off, Silent Auctions, Raffles, Blackjack, Roulette and much, much more for attendees and donors to enjoy. Graciously hosted by the House of Blues - Downtown Houston, this breathtaking room and ensuing party will accommodate over 300 guests, all of whom will enjoy the company of fellow Houstonians, young and old. All attendees and donors enjoy sharing a common interest in Fanatically Changing the impact of recent life-altering tragedies in the lives of Houston families. Don't miss what is sure to be a life-changing event, for you, and those your attendance will benefit. Change your calendar, Change a life!

The Charity Chicks Houston!

We are pleased to announce that our next event, The Fanatical Change Mardi Gras Masquerade Party, will feature The Charity Chicks! This is a fanatically fantastic group of women (and some men) who are committed to giving and creating positive change in their community. With their assistance in promoting this event it is sure to be our most successful event yet! Please visit their website at http://www.charitychickshouston.com/ for more information about who they are and what they do.

Our Latest Board Meeting

We just wrapped up our latest board meeting and the momentum is beginning to build! We are very close to choosing a venue. There was a lot of discussion about the theme of the party. Masquerade masks will be available, beads will be given out for deeds and we will name a Mardi Gras King and Queen. We will have the first Fanatical Change Top Chef Award who will be chosen from the participants for the Creole Cook Off.


We were happy to welcome two new volunteers and Mira Hays Perkins has taken on the position of Interim Executive Director! Thank you Mira!


Our next Board Meeting is scheduled for December 8th at Panera Bread on Post Oak and San Felipe at 6:30 pm. Come one come all. All ideas are welcome. We are committed to making our Mardi Gras Masquerade Party the best event yet!

What's Next?

In less than 12 months we've raised nearly $35,000, and we've made a significant impact on the lives of 8 different families. So, two major events, a Mayor Bill White Proclamation and a Michael Jackson autographed Thriller Album later, it's time to plan the future events of Fanatical Change.

Please join us on Tuesday, November 24th at 6:30PM at the Panera Bread located at 1709 Post Oak (Corner of San Felipe and Post Oak) for a Fanatical Change Foundation Volunteers/Board of Directors Meeting!

Let's see what we can make happen!

Thank You TJP Faith!

TJP Faith is the latest corporation to join the Fanatical Change Foundation's great sponsors. They are donating 10% of their website profits to The Fanatical Change Foundation and 100% of profits for every Fanatical Change Foundation t-shirt they sell. Now let's buy those shirts at tjpfaith.com. TJP Faith thank you for your outstanding support.

"You Guys Saved Our Family"

We have received another heartfelt letter, this time from the generous family of Lewis Holiday.

Words cannot describe what we feel for all the prayer and hope. We wanted to thank you guys for all the support Fanatical Change gave with open hearts to us.

We really appreciate all your organization has done.

All the kids received everything they needed and some. God Bless you guys and if our services are needed at any time, please feel free to contact us. You guys saved our family.

Thank you,

Holiday Family

Letter from the Family

If the video footage and photographs of the families assisted by all of your generous donations weren't enough proof of the impact The Fanatical Change Foundation has made on them, then maybe this letter from Victor McDonald's (read his story below) family will show just how far your belief in our cause went. The following letter was sent to Fanatical Change's Vice President, Juan Cuevas.


On behalf of my family, we really appreciate your generosity shown towards Victor. We understood the challenges he would be facing upon his return to Houston, however you all have made the impossible, possible. You all have provided him with a fresh start to resume his life and to pursue his dreams of being an entrepreneur in the ice cream business. Your organization is truly phenomenal, I was literally moved to tears by your stories posted on your website. I know this thank you is bit informal, but I wanted you and Fanatical Change Foundation to know that as Victor's big sister; you all are doing great work and to say, " Thank You".

Best Regards

Deidre


People all over the community are finding themselves with a restored faith in humanity as a direct result of your work and ours. Imagine if the entire world took part in a cause like this and letters like the one above were being written at a constant rate. That is the world The Fanatical Change Foundation hopes to create. Keep the Change!

Warmly,
Sara Cousins
Interim Executive Director

24 Hours of Fanatical Change Photos

The Results are in!

This is what is possible when people come together to make a difference. Congratulations to all of you that donated to The Fanatical Change cause. This is the phenomenal impact you made on the community.

We sincerely thank all of you who donated and attended the event. None of this would have been possible without your support.

Warmly,

Sara Cousins

Interim Executive Director

Fanatical Change August 14, 2009 from Picture Perfect Productions on Vimeo. Filmed by Emilio Bennett.

Watch The Change Happen!!!

To our Donors:

This section is for you. This is so you can witness the impact of your generosity. None of the following would have been possible if it was not for you:
Below you will see the families listed and the life altering tragedy that they experienced. Then you will see how you helped to provide life changing assistance to these families.

The Badger Family

The Tragedy:

Elena Badger was traveling on the Sam Houston Toll Way with her two teenage daughters. When the car began overheating, the teen pulled over to the far-right lane of the service road and turned on the emergency flashers. While waiting for help, a Ford truck rear-ended the Honda. Mrs. Badger was ejected from the vehicle and her daughters were both taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital. Her daughters are currently fighting for their lives and suffering from severe internal injuries and third degree burns on their legs and face. They will face a long recovery at the hospital.

The Fanatical Change!:

Fanatical Change, determined to make this tragedy as bearable as possible, drove down to Sugarland the morning after the event to provide assistance to this family in need. After carefully planning the logistics of the day and obtaining the items that we deemed would be the most impactful based on the needs of the family, the FCF board members arrived at the Badger home. We were welcomed by James, their stepfather, their grandparents and their 6 year old brother, Niko. Since both Alexia and Melina, ages 15 and 16 respectfully will face a long recovery we felt that connectivity with their friends family and not to mention their schooling would be a great tool to help them have the support they will need. We brought them both new laptop computers from Micro Center. Since they are music lovers who both sing in their school’s choir, we brought them each $100 i-tunes gift cards. Since James will need to make some adjustments to their home we provided him with a $750 gift card to The Home Depot and a $450 gift card to H-E-B for help with the groceries. The amount of new prescriptions this family will have to contend with be extraordinary so we provided them with a $500 gift card to CVS Pharmacy. Once Melina and Alexia are well again they will enjoy a day of pampering at the Genesis Spa in Sugarland. For Niko, who is an avid Wii, soccer, basketball and football player, a $1000 gift card to Target will help in the short term to help him just play and be a little kid and a $1000 savings bond in honor of his mother Elena, will help him to remember all of you long into his future.

Victor McDonald

The Tragedy:

Victor McDonald was employed at ENRON for thirteen years. The subsequent layoff and the loss of his 401k drove Mr. McDonald to change careers. He began working for a contractor for Marriott traveling the country upgrading Marriott information systems. As the economy declined the slow of the hospitality industry caused Mr. McDonald to find himself once again out of work. At the time of this layoff his car had broken down. This caused him to be ineligible for unemployment as he was unable to continue to interview. Willing to take any position to keep food on his table he began driving an ice cream truck. On August 7 while driving his truck through a Tomball neighborhood three men began shouting racial slurs at him and then drug him from his truck and severely assaulted him. He suffered a cracked skull, broken nose and lost significant sight in his left eye.

The Fanatical Change!:

Since Victor is out of state recovering from his injuries with his mother, we met up with his cousin Carlos who accepted the aid on his behalf. Victor is facing a long recovery period. The three months of rent that we paid for his apartment will give him the time he needs to heal from this event both physically and emotionally. During his recovery he will be able to get $500 worth of groceries from H-E-B. We feel that what happened to him was inhuman. We wanted to let him know that thanks to people like you who donated he can restore his faith in humanity. He will be able to interview effectively not only because the$500 worth new business attire he can now purchase Suit Mart but also because Christian Brothers Automotive has restored his means to get there.

Shaquinta Bingham

The Tragedy:

Shaquinta Bingham is a mother of two children ages 15 and 8. She had been living at the Lake Crest Apartments on Tidwell Road in Northeast Houston. On July 31st her apartment was one of 11 units that was engulfed in flames torching all of the school supplies, clothes and personal items that she had been acquiring over the summer to prepare her two children for the coming school year. Ms. Bingham did not have renter’s insurance. All of her family’s personal belongings were lost in the fire. Unprepared to move she is in need of the deposit and first month’s rent for a new apartment. Even though we cannot provide Ms. Bingham with all of the pictures and memories that are now in ashes, we can provide her and her children with new clothes, school supplies and household items to help her and her family feel whole again.

The Fanatical Change!:

It was a stroke of luck that we received the phone call from Shaquinta informing us that she had been approved for her apartment. It was just after we finished with Victor McDonald's cousin, Carlos. She informed us that the office would close at 5pm. It was 4:39. We were downtown and she was on the northeast side. Luck was on our side again when we did not encounter any traffic and made it just in time to surprise her with a new lease on life! We might not be able to replace the memories that were lost in the fire, but thanks to everyone who donated Shaquinta and her two children will be making new ones. We presented her with a $1,500 gift card to Ikea, $1000 from Target, $450, from H-E-B and paid the deposit and three month’s rent. Her children will be in their new home in time for the new school year. Thanks to everyone that donated they will be going with the clothes and the school supplies that they need.

Lewis Holiday

The Tragedy:

On the night of Sunday, August 2nd, Lewis Holiday’s girlfriend became worried when he did not pick her up from work. She had a family member give her a ride over to Lewis’s house where she also lived. She found Lewis lying on the floor in their home and an ax nearby. Lewis had been struck at least twice in the head with the ax, causing his death.
Lewis Holiday leaves behind six children with ages ranging from five to seventeen. The responsibility to raise his children has fallen on Lewis’s mother, Florida Island. We will help the family adjust to this new living arrangement forced upon them by stocking her pantry full of food and other items they will need.

The Fanatical Change!:

It was getting close to 6pm when we arrived at Florida Islands’ home. We found her with her family who were all obviously in a numbing pain as they were roused from what could be described as a vacant stare brought on by the untimely vacancy of their loved one, Lewis. They were very friendly and just seemed to be in a state of disbelief and graditude as we presented them with a brand new desktop and laptop computer to help the kids with their studies, $500 from H-E-B for groceries for the new mouths to feed, i-pods to keep them entertained and $1000 to spend at target to keep them clothed. They told us of Lewis’s generosity and how he opened his door to those who no one else was willing to take a chance on. It seems only fitting that this same spirit of generosity now will help to nourish his children in his absence. It is your generosity that makes fortuitous ironies such as these possible.

Nikki Gates

The Tragedy:

On Wednesday July, 29th Nikki Gates, a woman nine months pregnant, was able to save herself and her two young sons from flames engulfing her mobile home but was unable to save her cousin who died in the inferno. She had lived there for five months with her children, ages 2 and 4, and her grandfather. Two of her neighbors tried to save her cousin but the flames were too much for them to advance into the burning home. On Monday her grandfather passed away from ailments unrelated to the fire. His funeral washeld on August 14. We headed down to Hitchcock to deliver to Ms. Gates means to start rebuilding her life out of the ashes.

The Fanatical Change!:

It was close to 8:30pm when the long drive down to Hitchcock was over. We arrived at Nikk’s grandparent’s home. Her neighbors were friendly but obviously grief stricken having had attended her grandfather’s funeral earlier in the day. The biggest welcome came from Elvis her dog that at first shouted cautious barks but soon relented and became playful out on the salty, sea sprayed lawn. Nikki walked slowly, labored from both the now overdue baby and the weight of the stress of losing her cousin, her grandfather and everything that she owns in the span of a week. We let her know that we had come to do everything possible to make her life get back to normal as soon as possible. We presented her with a $1000 gift card to Babies “R” Us so she can be prepared for when the stork’s late train arrives. We let her know that she would not have to worry about restocking her fridge because the $450 from H-E-B would help her to do that. For those times when a single mother of three is too tired to cook, we gave her $50 for Burger King. Her two boys T.J. and Kaiden will remember you all long from now when they are able to use the $1000 savings bonds we purchased for each of them. She was so grateful. Her whole body language had changed. When she first sat down to listen to why we had come she seemed to be slouching a little. Once we had presented the items to her she seemed to be sitting strait up in her chair. We would love to think that some of the weight was lifted of her shoulders but the reality is her baby was most likely kicking.

Afterword:

On the way home, Steven Kaufman, David Winters, Christine Jaques and I were commenting on the day and how thoroughly enjoyable it was. At 9pm the previous day our event "24 Hours of Fanatical Change" an event five months in the making had drawn to a close. We had spent an exhausting yet overwhelmingly fuflfilling day driving all over Houston delivering good will on behalf of our donors. We happened to notice the clock and it was 9:04pm. At this point the exhaustion had kicked in and I don’t think one of us at that point even remembered that we had named the event “24 Hours of Fanatical Change”. It was quite surreal.

Special thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers and corporate

sponsors!

Once again my life has been changed forever by participating in another Fanatical Change event. Your life could be changed as well. Please contact us if you wish to volunteer at our next event. One thing that you can do to help that can have a enormous impact is spread the word! Tell 2 people about Fanatical Change, encourage someone to visit our website or add us as a cause on Facebook.

Stay tuned for more uploads of video and photos.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, our most sincere thanks to everyone who helped to make this amazing event happen, thank you.

Sincerely,

Juan Cuevas

Vice President

Fanatical Change Foundation

On August 13, 2009 Houstonians gathered for the charity event of the year, 24 Hours of Fanatical Change. Donors enjoyed cocktails in the rooftop lounge of this ultra chic high rise building located on Herman Park. They were able to see exactly where the money they were donating was going with write ups and streaming power point presentations playing on the screens above the bar. Libations included -the “Cause”-mopolitan and the Teq-“heal”-a Sunrise. Silent auction items included an autographed Michael Jackson Thriller album and a Mohamed Ali autographed boxing glove along with many other fantastic items.

The Moment We've All Been Waiting For....

It's finally here! After months of strategic planning, it is now "game time." You don't want to miss this fantastic celebration. Join us at Montage and enjoy an assortment of hors d'oeuvres, beers, wines, specialty cocktails, karaoke and THE silent auction of the year, while overlooking the city from a luxurious high-rise. By attending, you'll not only get to spend the evening with some incredible people, but you'll also have the opportunity to spread hope, compassion and joy to families who currently have none.

We can all make a positive impact on the world, and here is your opportunity to begin! See you all tonight at Montage!

Thank You Houston Fertility Institute!

Houston Fertility Institute is the latest corporation to join The Fanatical Change Foundation's outstanding sponsors. Thank you for your support HFI. Now is the time to change those lives!

Commercial Cleaning Solutions Joins the Cause!

Thank you to Commercial Cleaning Solutions for contributing to our fanatical effort! In just a few days, your donation will completely transform the lives of very devastated Houstonian families. Congratulations to you for making it happen. Now, let's see what we can do!

Houston Press for Fanatical Change

Houston Press, one of Houston's main sources of news and entertainment, has published a fantastic ad for 24 Hours of Fanatical Change! Pick up the July 30th issue of Houston Press to see our ad. Or you can simply view it by clicking here and flipping to page 25. Also, be on the lookout for The Houston Press Street Team...they'll be handing out 24 Hours of Fanatical Change Flyers!!!