Press Releases
CONTACT:
Terry Grahl
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2009 734-776-0848
Enchantedmakeovers@comcast.net
Terry Grahl, Founder and President of Enchanted Makeovers,
Featured as Martha Stewart “Doer of the Week”
TAYLOR, MI — Terry Grahl, an award-winning interior decorator and founder and president of the Michigan-based non-profit Enchanted Makeovers, has been selected by Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) as a “Doer of the Week” and is being featured on the dreamers.marthastewart.com website beginning August 12.
Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers contest honors women who have turned their passion into a business or philanthropic venture. Hundreds of creative and entrepreneurial women entered the 2009 contest, which is in its third year. Beginning in July, MSLO has selected one outstanding entry each week to be featured as a “Doer of the Week” on the dreamers.marthastewart.com website. As the Aug. 12 “Doer of the Week,” Grahl will have the opportunity to win the People’s Choice contest in the fall.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me to get national recognition for Enchanted Makeovers and our mission,” Grahl said.
Through Enchanted Makeovers, Grahl has organized stunning transformations at women’s and children’s shelters such as Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac, Mich. (www.gracecentersofhope.org). She is currently working on Enchanted Makeovers’ 2009 Vision Project at Vista Maria (www.vistamaria.org), Michigan's largest private non-profit child welfare agency for girls and their families. Vista Maria provides education, therapy, shelter and care to young women and their families who are struggling to cope with numerous challenges, including histories of abuse, neglect and other traumas. As part of the Vision Project, bedrooms for the 11-year-old to 17-year-old girls living at Vista Maria’s Vision House will be made over into their very own “sacred havens.” Grahl has also begun work on Enchanted Makeovers’ next transformation project at Newhouse in Kansas City, Mo. (www.newhouseshelter.org), a shelter dedicated to providing new beginnings to abused women and their children. Her vision is to expand Enchanted Makeovers’ outreach throughout the nation and eventually around the world as she inspires others to get involved and follow their creative passions.
Beginning Sept. 16, visitors to the marthastewart.com/dreamers website will have the chance to vote for Terry Grahl and Enchanted Makeovers as their favorite “Doer of the Week.” The finalist with the most votes will be declared the People’s Choice Winner and will receive a $2,500 check made payable to the winning business or organization.
“Every dollar donated to Enchanted Makeovers has an impact on the lives of women and children. Just imagine what we could achieve with $2,500!” Grahl said. “Even more importantly, every bit of recognition Enchanted Makeovers receives helps us share our message that everyone is talented, creative and worthy of surroundings that nurture their soul. By transforming shelters, we are visibly demonstrating that people care, showing women and children that they are worthy of something better than what they've had, creating a lasting lesson that transformations are possible, and proving that beauty can rise from ashes.”
MSLO is expected to announce both the grand prize winners of the 2009 Dreamers into Doers contest and the People’s Choice Winners in October.
The newsletter article featuring Grahl as the MSLO “Doer of the Week” can be found at http://ebm.e.marthastewart.com/c/tag/hBKgdLuB7uSS5B7uorhAAAAAAm5/doc.html. To view Grahl’s profile and photo gallery, visit http://dreamers.marthastewart.com/profile/TerryGrahl.
About Enchanted Makeovers:
Enchanted Makeovers, headquartered in Taylor, Mich., is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that transforms shelters for women and children into heartwarming havens. Serving as a catalyst for change since 2007, Enchanted Makeovers relies on donations of time, talents and funding from individuals, businesses and corporations to realize each shelter makeover. The organization seeks to inspire individuals to realize their dreams by helping others. For more information about the organization and how you can help, visit www.enchantedmakeovers.org.