Angels for Kids: Turning Wishes Into Reality

Angel- A kind lovable person, one who manifests goodness, purity and selflessness.

If you ask me to give you one word that describes Shanyn McCourt, ANGEL would be it. She truly embodies all of the characteristics in it's definition and her selflessness is infectious. Shanyn is the founder of a Non-Profit Organization called Angels for Kids Foundation that hosts a very special Christmas party each year. She has an incredible story that you can read here in the December Issue of Family Circle located below.




Mom Grants Christmas Wishes for Children in Need




Photography by Roger Mastroianni in 
the December issue of Family Circle





I met Shanyn at a Unite This City event back in October. Her energy was kind and up-beat so naturally, we gravitated towards each other. After some small talk, Shanyn explained the upcoming Christmas event she was hosting at the House of Praise in Lorain. She offered to adopt a family that I provide childcare for and I was elated. It was such a good feeling knowing the kids were going to get everything they wanted for Christmas. I have never worked with an organization that was able to do that, so I knew this was something really special. Not only did my family get everything they wanted but 75 other children did too! It was a heartwarming experience :)

Each family received new board games.

Stockings completely filled with goodies!

There was so much food they were able to
send some home with families after the event
.

Tons of crafts and activities for parents
and children to work on together.

Brandy Bright and Don DiFranco
for UTC "Santa's Helpers".

Oh yes, Santa asked what else
the kiddos wanted ;)

This little cutie was so nervous until
Santa gave her a candy cane :) 

My camera couldn't even capture all of the presents.
 There were so many!

Santa's Amazing Helpers!

Then..........it was time to open gifts!!!!!!!

I literally stood on stage in tears watching all of the kiddos
 open their gifts. They couldn't believe their eyes! 

This gift was awesome! It was loaded with make-up from
Sephora.....and yes I was a tad bit jealous :)

Wrapping paper everywhere!

The Today Show filming two kiddos
getting their new bikes!

My Buddies Day and Roman.

Roman opened his new Nintendo DS.
He has wanted one for so long :)

My favorite part......Day'Leon playing in the wrapping
paper after all of the gifts were opened!

The Angels for Kids Foundation has created such a buzz that The Today Show located in New York City came to Lorain, Ohio to film the event! From set up to tear down the crew conducted interviews and captured images of joy, happiness, selflessness, gratitude and love. If you would like to see it, The Today Show will air the event on Tuesday December 10th between 9:30-10:00am.

Roman interviewing with The Today Show.

If you would like to donate to The Angels for Kids Foundation

please click on the link or mail checks to:

Angels For Kids Foundation
P.O. Box 12
Amherst, OH 44001

DONATE

It was such an honor working with Shanyn and everyone
  who volunteered or donated! An unforgettable experience for sure!

 



Unite This City Business of the Week: Two Bucks Food & Spirit

I received a message from UTC saying, "Hey, do you want to write a blog for Two Bucks?". My response was, "No, of course not (thinking it was $2)! Who wants to write a destination blog for two bucks?".  However, I do love my comrades at UTC so I decided to help out anyway. I'm really glad I did because it was actually a restaurant called Two Bucks and they have really great food.

 

Shally B 4 UTC at Two Bucks

 

A beautiful bar with $2 Guinness on draft all day everyday.

I went to the new Mayfield Heights location to meet up with one of the owners Cory Rowland and Executive Chef Brian McNeff. I felt right at home when I walked through the door of Two Bucks. Everything was so clean, in it's place and Florence and The Machine "Dog Days are Over" was playing in the background. Now, if you know me at all, you know I am driven by music so this was a huge plus in my book.

 

Cory Rowland is hands down one of coolest people I've ever met. Very warm and welcoming, proud of his business and he genuinely cares about what his customers want. We chatted for a while about the concept of Two Bucks. Cory explained he wanted to have affordable, fresh from scratch pub food with a great menu of delicious drinks. I would have to say Cory and his cousins Eric and Sean Nugent have accomplished exactly that. Every hour is happy hour and I didn't want to leave.

 

Owner Cory Rowland, Myself and Executive Chef Brian McNeff

The Executive Chef Brian McNeff  has created a menu that will satisfy all pallets. His unique pairing of blue cheese crumbles with a Cajun aioli on the Black and Blue Burger is different, yet extremely tasty. It forced me to think outside of the box and try new things. If I could fall in love with a black and blue burger (normally not a chance), everything else on the menu had to be good as well. I was more than correct. Brian is a genius in the kitchen and I'm excited to show you all of the wonderful dishes he prepared for me.

Pure Happiness

Naturally, the first thing I had was an array of seasonal and specialty drinks. I am served two shots of hard cider and a Moscow Mule. My absolute favorite drink was the Buck Cider. I'm not sure I can even get through telling you about it without wanting one. This beverage was created in house and is rum based. It is so smooth and reminds me of the home-made applesauce my Great Grandmother used to make. Ladies, if you're looking for a drink that is delicious and easy to shoot, this is the one! The Moscow Mule was my second favorite. This drink is a ginger beer made with fresh lime and Tito's Handmade Vodka and it was so refreshing. It's an all year 'round kinda drink but I will especially enjoy this on warmer evenings.

Moscow Mule served in a copper mug and made with Tito's Handmade Vodka

I had no problem drinking this bad boy :)

The Killers are playing in the background and I'm truly relaxed and ready for some food. Chef Brian prepares me multiple dishes including: Two Bucks' Fries ($2), Pickle Duo ($2), Mac & Cheese ($3), Fried Calamari ($6), Mix and Match Sliders ($7), and the seasonal Smoked Gouda Flatbread ($7). Wait! Did I just say Chef prepared Fried Calamari for me? Yep! I explained that I literally vomit anytime I try to eat seafood but if they were game to clean the table I would try it. They were up for the challenge.

I ate 3 large pieces of Calamari! They were so crispy and light.
 I was absolutely amazed I didn't get sick. Kudos to Chef  Brian for
preparing a stellar appetizer!

This is the BBQ Pulled Pork Slider with Fried Onions. This slider
boasted a smoky flavor that wasn't too tangy or sweet. It tasted just like
BBQ from when I was child. I will be back for this very soon!   

My two favorites: A shot of Buck Cider and the Mac & Cheese.
The ziti is made from scratch in house and topped with a smoked gouda cheese sauce. 

Do yourself a favor and enjoy some Two Bucks. This spot is perfect for business lunches, watching your favorite game, a night out with friends, families that want a fun place to dine and those who need to order a quick and affordable take-out meal. Don't forget to use your UTC app to check-in and receive your discount! Don't have the app? Sign up here: https://www.unitethiscity.com/JoinUs

 

 

 

 

 

Unite This City Business Worked For Me

Growing a small business, beautybybrown, on my own was one of the hardest things I've ever done. My advertising budget has been low and, as a result, I've experienced a small amount of growth. Little did I know that one phone call from a dear friend would change the way I did things-- forever. That phone call was from Brandy Bright a representative of Unite This City. She explained the company's goal, spoke about building a stronger community and caught my attention with the fun factor. My response, "So let me get this straight... I join the movement, help my community, save money on advertising and network with other small business owners? I'm sold". Check out this short video clip below, it breaks it down for you!



I attended a few events with UTC  and initially it seemed too good to be true. I eventually came to understand that UTC is a company that truly does stand behind their community and I was ready to sign on the dotted line. I just had one more event I wanted to attend before making it official: a session on business appreciation. I wanted the opportunity to network with some of the businesses that were already apart of the movement and network, I did! More than 200 local business owners were in attendance. I landed two new accounts and have been growing ever since! I would have networked more on my behalf but the night belonged to Unite This City and I was ready to get back to work.

These business appreciation events are a real treat because you are well taken care of, entertainment is always provided and Unite This City really cares about you moving N.E. Ohio forward. Everyone wants to help everyone and they share the same level of excitement. I started to see a lot of cross- marketing and businesses working together to help each other grow.

I have posted pictures from three events that were so much fun and really helped put me on the map. If you are a small business owner, I encourage you to set up an appointment with one of the fine employees from UTC. They will give you more details on how Unite This City will change the way you do business. It is truly amazing!

Business Appreciation in Medina at Johnny J's Pub

Business Appreciation at Quicken Loans for a
Cleveland Gladiators Game

Business Appreciation Event at the Olde River Yacht Club

Live Love Rescue with UTC

 
Unite This City was proud to be a sponsor at Dawgs 4 Dogs, a fundraiser for Live Love Rescue. This was a great party that brought the fun of tailgating and the support of the community together to rescue dogs that are in need of homes. It was an honor to work with Jason Darwish and The Browns Bunch as well as our Cleveland Browns players. Unite This City works hard to support our community by giving back locally and the Dawgs 4 Dogs event was a prime example of how we like to help out, have fun and Unite This City!

 

Click this pic to be directed to the website!

Me with one of the pups.

Live Love Rescue is a nonprofit, no kill dog rescue in Cleveland Ohio. They rescue dogs from abuse, neglect, and death from kill shelters and provide them with the care and love they need in a foster home environment until they find their forever home. You can help too by donating, fostering or adopting a dog from Live Love Rescue. Click on the photo to be directed to their website for more information.

 




The Browns Bunch knows how to tailgate. The season doesn't start for weeks yet I had that excited feeling that a game was about to go down. From corn hole to great food and great music I had an absolute blast! Thank you Jason Darwish for bringing the fun of tailgating to Scoundrels Bar and Grill for this amazing event.

Just a few friends who came out!

I love this truck!

 

The Players were incredible also. A huge thank you to John Hughes, Craig Robertson and Billy Winn for offering their time by signing autographs, posing for photos and playing corn hole with the fans! These guys are awesome and they remind me why I love Cleveland so much.

Brandy Bright and Billy Winn

Craig Robertson and I

John Hughes and I

Billy Winn signing autographs

 

Feeling full and happy for our furry friends, I left this event exited for the future of the pups, the upcoming Browns season and grateful for my job. This was a wonderful example of how UTC likes to help out, have fun and Unite This City.

Proud to be with UTC!