Advanced voting for the 2013 Battle of the Bands is now open. Find your favorite band below and donate to vote. Every dollar is a vote for your band in the Battle, and goes to GFTH for purchasing and distributing essential new clothing to the DC area homeless!

• http://www.crowdrise.com/ReasonableExpectationofExces
• http://www.crowdrise.com/AttractiveNuisance
• http://www.crowdrise.com/BeatsWorkin
• http://www.crowdrise.com/BigSur
• http://www.crowdrise.com/BillEarlyandtheCollections
• http://www.crowdrise.com/CravingOyer
• http://www.crowdrise.com/Estoppelgangers
• http://www.crowdrise.com/JazzIpsaLoquitur
• http://www.crowdrise.com/KungFuGiftShop
• http://www.crowdrise.com/LarryandtheLandLawyers
• http://www.crowdrise.com/LawandDisorder
• http://www.crowdrise.com/PRINCESSCooleyBoiesSchillerDOJ
• http://www.crowdrise.com/SutherlandComfort
• http://www.crowdrise.com/TheObjections
• http://www.crowdrise.com/ThePerks
• http://www.crowdrise.com/ThePrecedents
• http://www.crowdrise.com/SethGreensteinJazzExperience
• http://www.crowdrise.com/TheSoulPractitioners
• http://www.crowdrise.com/TheUnnamedParty

Read the recent article from Georgetown Ministry Center on GFTH’s work in DC.

It’s that time again, and we at Gifts for the Homeless already have our eyes set on the summer’s biggest rock show, the TENTH ANNIVERSARY Banding Together – Battle of the Law Firm Bands. The show will once again be presented on two stages at the Black Cat on Thursday, June 20^th.  Last year was an absolutely amazing year in terms of attendance, strength of bands and, most importantly, fund-raising. We are excited to once again beat all expectations at Banding Together!

In order to get a jump on things, we are revving up our band application process a bit earlier than usual. SOLELY FOR THOSE SEEKING TO ENTER A BAND, please see the “Entry Form” requesting some general information regarding the band, the firm(s), and the anticipated sponsorship level. Please fill out the entire form and return it to our band coordinator, Dan Buchner, at daniel.buchner@wwfus.org, via email, or by fax to (202.296.7186) by Friday, March 1st. As a reminder, securing a slot in the line-up is really the beginning of the competition, and final decisions will be made based not only on your band’s anticipated performance but also on your firm’s ability to help raise as much money as possible for GFTH in sponsorships and votes. Remember, 100 cents of your sponsorship dollar goes directly to purchase clothing and winter items for distribution to DC’s homeless. We strongly encourage each firm to commit to sponsoring at the highest possible level (recommended level this year is the $10,000 “Tenth Anniversary” status with special on-stage recognition for your Firm). Spaces are limited!

Please don’t hesitate to let Dan know if you have any questions, and feel free to forward this email to anyone who might be interested in applying.

The Kelley Drye & Warren law firm has been a strong supporter of Gifts for the Homeless (“GFTH”) for nearly a decade.

The Firm, through the tireless efforts of its GFTH chair, attorney Dan Blynn, collects between 75 and 100 bags of new and gently-used clothing, linens, toiletries, etc. annually; employees also make monetary contributions.  The Firm encourages its employees to donate as much as possible in an effort to spread holiday cheer and, even in these difficult economic times, Kelley Drye employees enthusiastically dig deep to provide for those less fortunate.

Formal internal collection typically begins about a month before the collection deadline, but Blynn coordinates the receipt of items throughout  the year to maximize the amount of clothing and other items donated.

According to Blynn, “charity and community involvement are calling cards for Kelley Drye, and it makes me smile to see the Firm make winter a little warmer for others.  We applaud Gifts for the Homeless and are happy to be involved with such a great organization!”

Drye Law Firm Clothing Drive Participants

This weekend, volunteers from all over the District are helped out with the clothing drive. First-timer Sam, a 13-year old 8th grader from Arlington, had a great experience and will help again next year.

“During the clothing drive, I saw some of the shelters we were donating to and realized what a good thing we were doing.  I delivered many bags of clothes and I am very satisfied with what I did.

There were so many bags of clothes piled up.   I didn’t realize there were so many people who wanted to help and how many people are needed to make the drive successful.

I am sure I will volunteer next year.”