Inside Cocktails for a Cause: "I Empower Scholarship" Fundraising Mixer!

They came, they conversed, they cocktail-ed, but most importantly, they gave back. Drinks and donations made for a charitably fun Friday, as we take a look inside last week's Cocktails for a Cause event!

Last Friday, February 27,  an intimate group of guests gathered at the Cocktails for a Cause event held at 14th street eatery, Creme Restaurant and Bar.  Happy hour cocktails brought together an electric mix of fashion designers, real-estate moguls, DC bloggers, and more, for an evening of networking and fundraising for the I EMPOWER Scholarship Fund, given out by the Urban League's Thursday Network for Young Professionals.

Comprised of more than 130 young professionals, Thursday Network is committed to serving the Washington Metropolitan area through community programs, it's mission to provide a forum for adults, ages 21 - 40, to focus their energies on community service, professional development, and political involvement. In addition to service programs, Thursday Network provides personal & professional development through workshops, seminars and networking opportunities. The organization sponsors several other events and awards scholarships at the Greater Washington Urban League's Annual Whitney M. Young Gala. The I EMPOWER scholarship program was designed to aid local high school students pursuing a collegiate education at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States. Since 1992, the I EMPOWER Scholarship Fund has provided more than $130,000 in scholarship funds to deserving high school seniors in Washington, D.C. and Maryland's Prince George's and Montgomery Counties.

During the event, guest noshed on Creme's delectable happy hour menu featuring light bites like southern style hush puppies and creamy risotto while in enjoying wine, beer, and an assortment of other cocktails. Business cards were collected for the evening's raffle, which featured items by local and regional brands/retailers. Guests had the opportunity to win a selection of raffle prizes including: a $115 gift card to Taylor Made Aesthetics, 2 custom pocket squares by local designer, For the Squares, an Art of Shaving gift set, 5 days guest pass to YMCA, and a $150 gift card to D. Auxilly.

[G of G DC editor, Morgan Evans]

Event organizer, Ramona Jones, stated: "Choosing the I EMPOWER Scholarship for my first fundraiser simply made sense, as I am a new member of the Urban League. I figured, why not raise dual awareness about the scholarship program and organization? This is the first of many fundraising events for 2015. I'm excited to unveil other partnerships and giving initiatives!"

[Event organizer, Ramona Jones]

The evening led to a great time had by all attendees. Cocktails for a Cause was a true success raising $1000 for the I EMPOWER Scholarship Fund. If you were unable to attend the event, but would like to make a donation, click HERE, to make a contribution!

[Photography by Cadenhead Media]