News Release B

NEWS

from Amy Gwaltney Director of Communications amy@themochaclub.org 453.987.6754

1512 Compton Ave Nashville, TN 37212 www.themochaclub.org www.livefashionable.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 3, 2011 JMU STUDENTS SIGN UP TO SAVE LIVES HARRISONBURG, Va.—More than 40 James Madison University students gathered downtown for a Mocha Club benefit last Thursday to learn about the nonprofit’s mission and the meaning behind “redefining your coffee break.”

Hosted on Feb. 24, “Mochas for Mocha” featured free coffee and performances by Into Hymn and The Madison Project. Welcome tables provided information about Mocha Club and fashionABLE, Mocha Club’s newest venture providing sustainable jobs for women in Ethiopia.

JMU students Amy Gwaltney and Jeremy Cherry serve as campus representatives for Mocha Club, a nonprofit that funds development projects in Africa.

The two decided to represent Mocha Club for JMU after Gwaltney interned at Mocha Club last summer, headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. Though not yet an official JMU organization, the students strive to spread Mocha Club’s mission throughout campus and the Harrisonburg community.

“After learning about Mocha Club and its viable mission, I couldn’t help but jump on board,” Cherry said. “We drink coffee every day. Giving up two mochas sounds simple, but its effects are incredible.”

Mikaela Steinwedell, JMU junior, approached the two to help the organization and offered to host “Mochas for Mocha” in her downtown home. Ten students signed up for Mocha Club while a number of students took information to sign up online at themochaclub.org. ((more-more-more))

“Mochas for Mocha was a huge success,” Cherry said. “Students were receptive to the organization’s mission and eager to find out ways to help.”

Mocha Club targets young adults who may not have financial means to contribute large sums of money to help people living in poverty in Africa. By giving up two mochas, or $7, members can give seven Africans clean water for a year, help them fight Malaria and battle other causes. Artists such as Lady Antebellum, Dave Barnes, Matt Wertz and Sanctus Real sponsor Mocha Club.

“As a campus whose slogan is ‘Be the Change,’ JMU is filled with socially responsible students wanting to change the world,” Gwaltney said. “Because of that, Mocha Club and fashionABLE are the types of organizations JMU students migrate to.”

The students have also coordinated “Lyrics in the Lounge,” an event to be held at Clementine this month featuring JMU student musicians Brightwork and Andrew Rohlk.

Cherry and Gwaltney will also present to sorority groups on campus about fashionABLE. As a popular accessory on campus, fashionABLE offers an option for students to be responsible consumers, as their purchase of a fashionABLE scarf empowers women through jobs and restoration.

“With marigold and amethyst as two new colors, JMU students can sport ‘fashionABLE’ school spirit,” Gwaltney said.

The campus representatives organized a table at Exit 245’s final concert in December and sold eight scarves. Cherry said they plan to work with Exit 245 at their final concert this spring to present all of the new designs, a total of 36 scarves.

As an online community, Mocha Club members give up two mochas a month, or $7, to fund relief projects in Africa with five project areas: orphan care and vulnerable children, child mothers and women at risk, HIV/AIDS and healthcare, education and clean water. Projects exist in Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ghana.

Mocha Club’s newest venture, fashionABLE serves as a nonprofit that provides sustainable business for women in Ethiopia through the selling of handmade scarves.

Buying a fashionABLE scarf allows the consumer to provide jobs and job training for women so they may enjoy new opportunities.

Visit themochaclub.org to find more information about Mocha Club and its project. Also visit livefashionable.com to find out more about fashionABLE. ###