When it's time to create marvelous events to raise funds for great causes, Howard Fletcher is one of many dedicated individuals on the Board of Trustees of "We Will Survive Cancer" that steps up to the plate and delivers!
"We Will Survive Cancer" is a tax-exempt organization that raises funds to directly assist families of cancer patients as they struggle to deal with the emotional, financial and physical devastations of cancer.
"We Will Survive Cancer" is a tax-exempt organization that raises funds to directly assist families of cancer patients as they struggle to deal with the emotional, financial and physical devastations of cancer.
by Rodney W. Branche
Copa: How long have you lived in the Washington, DC area?
Howard: I was born in northeast DC and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. I have lived here most of my life. I went to college down in Atlanta at Georgia Tech. , worked in Houston, Texas for two years in the early 90's and worked for five years in the mid 90's in Denver, Colorado.
Copa: How long have you lived in the Washington, DC area?
Howard: I was born in northeast DC and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland. I have lived here most of my life. I went to college down in Atlanta at Georgia Tech. , worked in Houston, Texas for two years in the early 90's and worked for five years in the mid 90's in Denver, Colorado.
Copa: What is your profession?
Howard: I am a Realtor with Christie's International Real Estate at W.C. & A.N. Miller in Potomac, MD. I am Licensed to conduct residential and commercial real estate transactions in DC, MD, and VA. Most of my business is in Bethesda, Potomac, and Washington, DC.
Howard: I am a Realtor with Christie's International Real Estate at W.C. & A.N. Miller in Potomac, MD. I am Licensed to conduct residential and commercial real estate transactions in DC, MD, and VA. Most of my business is in Bethesda, Potomac, and Washington, DC.
Copa: How long have you served on the board of "We Will Survive Cancer?"
Howard: This is my second year on the Board of Trustees of WWSC.
Howard: This is my second year on the Board of Trustees of WWSC.
"We Will Survive Cancer Board Meeting"
(Center) Gayela Bynum, Founder/Chair
Copa: Was there any particular reason you have chosen to work with WWSC?
Howard: My first job out of college was to work at the American Red Cross National Headquarters downtown. So, I have worked in some non-profit capacity most of my adult life. I have to say that is was after Gayela Bynum shared her story of how she and her daughter-in-law (as she was fighting her own battle with cancer) discovered the impact that cancer not only has on the patient, but on the entire family. I was so moved by her dedication to the cause that I knew that it was something with which I needed to become involved.
Howard: My first job out of college was to work at the American Red Cross National Headquarters downtown. So, I have worked in some non-profit capacity most of my adult life. I have to say that is was after Gayela Bynum shared her story of how she and her daughter-in-law (as she was fighting her own battle with cancer) discovered the impact that cancer not only has on the patient, but on the entire family. I was so moved by her dedication to the cause that I knew that it was something with which I needed to become involved.
Copa: We understand that you are the key organizer on the second annual "Seersucker & Sundress Party" which will be held at the Irish Whisky Public House on August 22nd from 6 to 9pm. Would you please share some information about this event?
Howard: This is my favorite event of the year. Not just because it is one that I spearhead, but because it is something that helps wrap up the summer season in a very light hearted and fun way. Seersucker suits are something that everyone knows shouldn’t be worn after Labor Day. So, it gives men a reason the break theirs out one more time. Furthermore, sundresses by definition just make people smile. I have never seen an unhappy woman in a sundress. With all this free-flowing happiness at the party, it will turn out to be something great. This is an event that we would like to host annually. It is my sincere hope that it is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. A very large portion of our donations, are spent on the Holiday gifts and gift cards that we give to families we sponsor at the end of the year. The more money we can bring in at this event, the more families we can help during the holiday season. Last year, we were able to help 13 families. This year, it is our hope that we can sponsor as many as 25 or more. But, we can only do so if we have the money to spend. I want this party to be able to fund at least half of that effort, if not more.
Howard: This is my favorite event of the year. Not just because it is one that I spearhead, but because it is something that helps wrap up the summer season in a very light hearted and fun way. Seersucker suits are something that everyone knows shouldn’t be worn after Labor Day. So, it gives men a reason the break theirs out one more time. Furthermore, sundresses by definition just make people smile. I have never seen an unhappy woman in a sundress. With all this free-flowing happiness at the party, it will turn out to be something great. This is an event that we would like to host annually. It is my sincere hope that it is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. A very large portion of our donations, are spent on the Holiday gifts and gift cards that we give to families we sponsor at the end of the year. The more money we can bring in at this event, the more families we can help during the holiday season. Last year, we were able to help 13 families. This year, it is our hope that we can sponsor as many as 25 or more. But, we can only do so if we have the money to spend. I want this party to be able to fund at least half of that effort, if not more.
Copa: We understand that this will be a great networking event with wonderful people attending. What sort of special activities or entertainment should one look for at this wonderful event?
Howard: Well, a good deal of the entertainment of the event is people watching. Last year, we had some great Seersucker suits and beautiful sundresses walk through the door. And, this year, I am expecting event better outfits. Our good friends at Irish Whiskey have extended their happy hour prices to our attendees who have WWSC wristbands on for as long as they are at the establishment. XOXO Photobooth will again have Linda Kilbrith Sutter there with her costumes and props to take pictures of our guests with their friends. It was very popular last year. Another sponsor, D’Milikah – Brazilian Swimwear, will have two models there modeling their swimsuits and also taking pictures with our guests. We will also have a raffle with many fantastic items to choose from, many are still coming in from different sponsors. All in all, it is a fun time for all who will attend. I think the main thing is that we are all there to support WWSC with our mission to help the families of people who have unfortunately contracted this terrible and fatal disease.
Howard: Well, a good deal of the entertainment of the event is people watching. Last year, we had some great Seersucker suits and beautiful sundresses walk through the door. And, this year, I am expecting event better outfits. Our good friends at Irish Whiskey have extended their happy hour prices to our attendees who have WWSC wristbands on for as long as they are at the establishment. XOXO Photobooth will again have Linda Kilbrith Sutter there with her costumes and props to take pictures of our guests with their friends. It was very popular last year. Another sponsor, D’Milikah – Brazilian Swimwear, will have two models there modeling their swimsuits and also taking pictures with our guests. We will also have a raffle with many fantastic items to choose from, many are still coming in from different sponsors. All in all, it is a fun time for all who will attend. I think the main thing is that we are all there to support WWSC with our mission to help the families of people who have unfortunately contracted this terrible and fatal disease.
"Seersucker Sundress Party" 2013
Copa: What does the future hold for Howard Fletcher?
Howard: We are working toward having a larger national presence so that we can help families outside of our metropolitan area. Personally, I would like to foster and develop relationships with corporate sponsors and private foundations. Once people see what we do and the positive effect we have on the lives of the families we help, it is very difficult for anyone not to want to assist in our mission. In 2015, I am going to contribute 5% of the commission of every house that I sell. So, in the short run, the more business I can do, the more I can directly help the families we sponsor.
Howard: We are working toward having a larger national presence so that we can help families outside of our metropolitan area. Personally, I would like to foster and develop relationships with corporate sponsors and private foundations. Once people see what we do and the positive effect we have on the lives of the families we help, it is very difficult for anyone not to want to assist in our mission. In 2015, I am going to contribute 5% of the commission of every house that I sell. So, in the short run, the more business I can do, the more I can directly help the families we sponsor.
Copa: How may someone get information on the “Seersucker & Sundress “ event that will benefit “We Will Survive Cancer?”
Howard: There are several ways to get information on this event. You can go to our Facebook event page: “WWSC 2nd Annual Seersucker and Sundress Party” or you can go to www.eventbrite.com here is the direct link to our event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wwsc-seersucker-sundress-party-ii-tickets-12432627323 You can also go to my Facebook Page: Howard Fletcher or my Twitter feed @FletchDC. And, last, but certainly not least, you can email me at [email protected] or call me at 301.233.2845. We look forward to all of you being there.
Howard: There are several ways to get information on this event. You can go to our Facebook event page: “WWSC 2nd Annual Seersucker and Sundress Party” or you can go to www.eventbrite.com here is the direct link to our event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wwsc-seersucker-sundress-party-ii-tickets-12432627323 You can also go to my Facebook Page: Howard Fletcher or my Twitter feed @FletchDC. And, last, but certainly not least, you can email me at [email protected] or call me at 301.233.2845. We look forward to all of you being there.