Christmas Card from SafeHouse

(Click on image to enlarge.)

Divas Lead the Holiday In The Park Parade

The Divas officially kicked off the Orlando Christmas Parade at 3:30 pm on Saturday, leading the procession around Lake Eola on our motorcycles.


 The staging area with Chris and Melissa

Plenty of time for Taz and Victoria to catch up.

All the Divas' bikes are in the staging area and ready to get this party started up in here!

Has Martha Stewart paid the Divas' garages a little visit? Hmmm... We're looking mighty festive.

Yay! Akili is back in the saddle to ride with us!

Lynn made it too!

Even Diva elves have their own cell phones these days.

Martha and her dog came out to meet up with the Divas and watch the parade.

Melissa trying on Keri's bike.

This one should fit just right.

Our Toy Soldier has a new friend. You think she's negotiating an insurance plan for the Divas?

Where in the world is...?

This elf is ready to ride!

Victoria hanging out with the WJRR crew.

Our Toy Soldier clowning around with Orange County Commissioner Linda Stewart.

The Divas take the lead and parade around Lake Eola.

Thanksgiving Weekend Car Wash

The Divas put on their baggy pants this morning -- it is the Saturday after the Thanksgiving feasts after all -- and headed out to Friendly's Restaurant in Altamonte Springs to hold another car wash. Each car wash we have has been a little more successful than the last. This time was no exception, especially after a patron suggested that our Toy Soldier carry a donation jar. [PALM SLAP TO FOREHEAD HERE] Why didn't we think of that?!

Orlando Sentinel Clipping

Picture of Zazzoo the Clown and Diva Chris leading the Rollin' for SafeHouse Poker Run made this morning's edition of the Orlando Sentinel...

The Chromes Divas' Rollin' for SafeHouse Poker Run 2009

We did it! On Sunday, November 22nd, the Chrome Divas of Orlando pulled off a successful poker run -- our first ever! -- to benefit SafeHouse of Seminole. There were so many blessings to be counted today. We are so grateful for all the people who donated their time, money, products and services to make our event the success that it was. We're thankful for all the people that came out and rode with us in the run. And we are certainly glad that the rain waited to come down until the event was over! Hallelujah!!

Here are a few of the highlights:

Chris and Zazzoo the Clown up and at 'em bright and early at Birthday World, where the ride would begin after registration and breakfast.

Jo Alaniz (with the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce), Zazzoo and Donna Loader setting up the computers for online payment for our guests.

Keri signing in our first riders.

Representatives of SafeHouse of Seminole dealt the cards at Birthday World.

Some of the members of C.O.B.B. came out to participate. Here, two of their members draw cards.

Sharon and Bunny were selling extra raffle tickets at Birthday World.

The first group out was lead by Zazzoo the Clown.

Trish's group at Donna's Bar & Grill, our 2nd stop. Joni and her friend Ashley dealt the cards at this stop.

The Chrome Divas of New Smyrna Beach came out to support us today. Here they are at The Sports Den, our 3rd stop of the run.

Melissa and Lisa dealt the cards at The Sports Den...

...and sold raffle tickets for this liquor basket.

The Chrome Angels (front row) came out today and dealt the cards at Wolfy's Bar & Grill, Stop #4.

Taz, Rory and Lynn were detailing bikes at Seminole Harley Davidson, the final stop of the run.

Last bike in, and the party is in full swing at Seminole Harley Davidson.

Akili and her son joined us at Seminole Harley Davidson.

Trish and Zazzoo begin to raffle off all the prizes.
This took a while -- we had lots of 'em!

"I won!"

Another lucky winner.

Mark can't believe his luck -- third time up!

Becky with the Chrome Angels couldn't help teasing some of the winners as they came up to claim their prize (all in good fun!)

How perfect is it that Divo James ended up winning the motorcycle training course? (He's been talking about wanting a bike and getting his endorsement.) The Divas are grateful to him and all the help he gave us, including making sure that the men's rooms in bars all over the Orlando area had Rollin' for SafeHouse fliers posted in them.

Sharon and Rob: The good news is, they had a lot of prizes to take home at the end of the day...

...the bad news is, they had a lot of prizes to take home at the end of the day. Somehow they made it work, though!

And so it's over. And what do we have at the end of the day? New friends, for sure. A sense of pride at being able to have pulled off an event like this in such a short amount of time. Feelings of optimism and confidence that next year's run will be even bigger and better after having learned what works and what needs to be tweaked. And enough funds raised to cover the Christmas party for SafeHouse that we are hosting December 6th and to be able to present them with a very special surprise at the party...

Yeah. It was a good day.

Final Preparations for Poker Run

We had a Bag Stuffing Party tonight at Birthday World for the Poker Run this Sunday.

Here's our assembly line for filling the registration bags with all the goodies that were donated...

Bags stuffed and boxed...

One last huddle up before the big day. Hope we're not forgetting anything...

Papering Orlando

Divas Trish, Keri, Victoria, Joni, Lisa, Bunny, and Divo James headed out on this beautiful Saturday afternoon to post more fliers for our Rollin' for SafeHouse Poker Run next weekend.

At Gators Riverside Grille

At Bar Out Back in Sanford

A milestone day for Joni -- she rode out by herself to meet us at Bar Out Back. Go Joni!
Remeber the first time you headed out on your own?

Thank You Letters from the SafeHouse Children

Here are some thank you letters that the Orlando Chrome Divas received from some of the kids at SafeHouse of Seminole:





We're looking forward to being able to do even more for these sweet babies and their moms!