Showing posts with label Robert Tonner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Tonner. Show all posts

10/26/2022

MetroDolls Charity Luncheon to Benefit Toys For Tots October 23, 2022

 My husband and I traveled to Red Bank, New Jersey on Saturday, 10/22, in order to make a weekend of our attendance at the MetroDolls Luncheon which would be held the following day.

It was a beautiful day so we went for lunch at a bagel place. Their bagels are the size of small loaves of bread! Scrambled eggs and crispy bacon on a delicious bagel were to be the best thing I had all weekend. FYI, the name of the place is Bagel Station.


It was not this big.

I had to be down at the room in which the luncheon was to be held at the ungodly time of 7AM. All I'll say is that the members of MetroDolls are hard-working, efficient and well-practiced in setting up a banquet room. The tables looked beautiful and all around were the helpers, vendors' tables, auction items and John Davey's vintage Hollywood costume display. Since this was my first time at the luncheon as a member of this club, I was very impressed at how it all came together. 

Behind the scenes, members also did so much to make the event a winner. We raised more than $10,000!                                                       


A little information about Toys For Tots

MISSION: The basic mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas.

GOAL: The primary goal of Marine Toys for Tots is, through the gift of a new toy, help bring the joy of Christmas and send a message of hope to America's less fortunate children.

OVERVIEW: In order to better execute the Program, in 1991 the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation was created at the behest of the Marine Corps.

FOUNDATION OVERVIEW: The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity which was created at the behest of the U. S. Marine Corps in 1991.

FOUNDATION GOVERNANCE: The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is governed by a board of directors, all of whom are veteran Marines and successful business leaders from throughout the nation. The Foundation’s professional staff is headquartered in the Cooper Center, which is located just outside the Main Gate of Marine Corps Base, Quantico, about 35 miles south of Washington, DC.

FOUNDATION MISSION: The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is to assist the U. S. Marine Corps in providing a tangible sign of hope to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. This assistance includes providing day-to-day leadership and oversight of the Program, raising funds to provide toys to supplement the collections of local Toys for Tots Campaigns, to provide promotional and support material and defray the costs of conducting annual Toys for Tots Campaigns. Other Foundation support includes providing administrative, advisory, financial, logistic and promotional support to local Toys for Tots Coordinators; managing funds raised and monies donated based on the use of Toys for Tots name or logo; providing other support the Marine Corps, as a federal agency, cannot provide; and conducting public education and information programs about Toys for Tots that call the general public to action in support of this patriotic community action program.


In most cases, I would have many photographs of the event but as a result of some responsibilities, I didn't take the time to do so. However, many of my photos of auction items and those of others are on the MetroDolls website at http://metrodolls.blogspot.com/p/2022-auction.html. 

Open Auction

Open Auction

Open Auction

DAE Centerpiece

Ed Ferry

Part of Ed Ferry's Vendor Table

Robbin's Vintage Style Handbags - Doll-Sized, Of Course!

Robbin Atwell

Helpers

Helpers

Marine Representative from Toys For Tots

John Davey's Display

John Davey's Display

Jeff Lega

Marcia Friend

Dorene Zebarth (standing) and Sue Gollihur

The outfit on the far left was a gift to every attendee. The other outfits were optional purchases. 

Aretha McCrary-Tennessee Setting Up

Robert Tonner talks about the steps in designing and creating a doll.

Robert Tonner talks about the steps in designing and creating a doll.

Stateroom Trunk created by MetroDolls 

Part of our "Garage Sale"







8/02/2021

UFDC Convention Baltimore, Maryland 2021. Part II





One of the doll clubs to which I belong, MetroDolls, sponsored the Tonner meal event. We had 100 attendees and the seats sold out very quickly.
In my photo archives, I have a picture of Robert and myself at every event I ever attended where he was the guest speaker. One day I will gather them all together and cry at the aging.




A promotional sketch of the Ellowyne event doll which we haven't received yet. Customs held on to it. I don't know if it was released yet. 
Update: As of August 3rd, the dolls are out of customs. Yay.


 










I misspelled Rowbear. Forgive.
This text is from their promotional information:

Rowbear Presents "The Best Doll Show in the Country"
The 33rd Annual National Doll Festival
Baltimore MD
Sunday - Wednesday, July 18th - 21st, 2021
...
A Fabulous Multi-Million Dollar Array to Behold & Buy
Rare Exquisite Antique, Quality Vintage, Modern Collectible,
Contemporary Artist, Fantasy to Realistic
Dolls + Toys - Bears - BJD - OOAK - Miniatures
Clothing - Fabric - Lace - Wigs - Books - Shoes - Accessories
Antique & Vintage Jewelry for Ladies & Gents
Door Prizes Consignment Table, Identification/Valuation, Restringing; Repair, Handicap Accessible, Food for Purchase On-Site
_______________

That's a lot of hype. Some of the items were lovely; some trashy. 
Because I had never been to a Rowbear event, I don't have a basis upon which to compare what it was like before. I was told that there were far fewer vendors than had been there in the past. Chalk that up to Covid. People still are being cautious or just can't travel. 

On the shuttle from the Marriott to the Holiday Inn.




I wanted her.





I bought this 1920's bisque tiny doll.



View from the stage.


Some of their auction goods.








Stuff we received in the registration bag.

8" Madame Alexander Cissette

Door Prize from Kish Event

Kish Event Doll

Wig-Making Class