|blue lotus | | |401-105 n. west street | | |raleigh, nc 27603 | | |bluelotusnc.com | | | | | |Raleigh Jaycees | | |The Flagship Building | | |4332 Bland Street | | |Raleigh, NC 27609 | | |www.raleighjaycees.org | | News Release Media Contacts: |Jill Sockman |Beth Worsley | |Director, blue lotus |2007 Publicity Director, Raleigh Jaycees | |(919) 831-BLUE (919 831 2583) |(919) 713-0031 | |info@bluelotusnc.com |publicity@raleighjaycees.org | For Immediate Release | blue lotus Yoga Studio Partners with Raleigh Jaycees to Raise Funds for | |Downtown Raleigh Community | RALEIGH, N.C., April 5, 2007 – blue lotus, downtown Raleigh’s yoga & movement arts studio, recently donated $724 to the Raleigh Jaycees and its HOPE project, which for eight years has worked to bring existing community resources together to provide essential services to downtown Raleigh’s Heritage Park residents. The fundraiser was held in conjunction with the Grand Opening of blue lotus, March 2-3, 2007. All donations and proceeds from the classes held that weekend were donated to the HOPE project, along with a contribution from blue lotus, in keeping with its commitment to give a percentage of all retail sales to a local non-profit. “One of our guiding principles at blue lotus is community – developing community and participating in the community,” explained Jill Sockman, blue lotus owner and director. “We were pleased to include in our Grand Opening celebration such an event that fostered both of these ideals and that benefited such a worthwhile project.” Sockman said she approached the Raleigh Jaycees regarding the partnership specifically because of its HOPE project, which focuses on providing events and programs that positively impact Heritage Park residents, such as mentoring for the children, GED classes for the adults, reading programs, helmet/bike safety, career day for young adults, job shadowing, tree planting, social events, and many others. HOPE project Chairperson Jeff Zabawa and Raleigh Jaycees President Ed Blackman were grateful for the donation and appreciated blue lotus’ dedication to the community. “We were excited to work with blue lotus on the fundraiser, and so pleased with the donation,” Zabawa commented. “These funds will be used by the Raleigh Jaycees to provide many opportunities for the families in Heritage Park, including tutoring, school supplies and educational outings for the children, as well as Turkey Baskets for residents at Thanksgiving.” blue lotus and the Raleigh Jaycees will continue their collaboration, particularly with regard to Heritage Park, as the two groups are already planning a combination drum circle and yoga class for various groups of the young residents of that community. About blue lotus blue lotus, downtown Raleigh’s yoga & movement arts studio, offers a range of classes for all levels of students. The studio, founded on the principles of community, innovation and inspiration, also offers workshops and yoga instructor trainings, as well as a full line of unique yoga clothing and props for men and women from innovative, socially conscious businesses. A member of the Green Yoga Association, blue lotus works to minimize its environmental impact and educate its students and community about ecological consciousness, reverence and action. In Eastern traditions, the blue lotus represents the victory of the spirit over the senses and signifies the wisdom of knowledge. In Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, Song of the Lotos-Eaters, the blue lotus symbolizes that which urges us to seek new experiences. Because the lotus grows from mud and finds its way through purifying water to open to the sunlight, the flower also is seen as a metaphor for the path of the individual toward enlightenment, ultimately representing the highest aspiration of seeking enlightenment for the sake of others. About Raleigh Jaycees Celebrating its 75th year as part of the Raleigh community, the Raleigh Jaycees is an organization dedicated to leadership development through community service. This 200-plus, all-volunteer member civic organization operates more than 100 community service and leadership development projects each year. The Raleigh Jaycees is an affiliate organization of the N.C. Junior Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce and Junior Chamber International. Membership is open to anyone between 21 and 40 years of age. The Raleigh Jaycees meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at the McKimmon Center on the North Carolina State University campus. For more information about the Raleigh Jaycees, visit www.raleighjaycees.org or call (919) 713-0031. ###