Success Concert of ‘Toys for Tots’

The Night Ended as we raised those Boxes full of Toys

Victory University’s Benefit Concert, the ‘Toys for Tots’ helped to raise many boxes of toys for the underprivileged kids.

Victory University’s Benefit Concert, ‘Toys for Tots’ was held at the University’s campus on December 13, 2013 evening 7.30 pm. The sleety weather was braved by everyone who made their way to extend their helping hand and share the joy of giving.

The stars of the evening were two women – Alexis Grace, who sang her heart out and the other was the Mini mouse that was sitting quietly in a box full of toys.

People Who made it

Others who made the occasion special with their graceful presence were the Local24, the CW30, Jonny Pineda with his guitar, the band, the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and the concerned people who came with a lot of toys for children.

The concert and the entire event were complete as the stage got glittered with the Christmas tree, lights, music, and some special songs from Alexis Grace. The golden pink light swept across the stage, the music was incredible and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience, and the USMC. who made their way to Memphis for the kids of this area.

Mini and Other Toys

Everyone who tried to be part of the annual ‘Toys for Tots’ and the concert came with an unwrapped toy for the kids and in return enjoyed the musical evening. The toys were collected in boxes and wrapped safely.

The Mini mouse definitely grabbed everyone’s attention. Even some grownups wanted to hold it for some time. Imagine the kid who is going to hold it for real and keep it. For that sheer joy on those faces, the event was organized and fulfilled with the help from the US Marine Corps.

The Marines

The USMC visited the Victory University campus after the Friday event to pick up the boxes of toys collected on the event night. They will distribute the toys to the kids of Memphis area to make the Christmas celebrations more enjoyable for them.

See you Next Time!

The benefit concert is over now with all our wishes fulfilled. But for the next year, the event will come back to host another day of collecting toys for our tots. Victory’s campus will be closed from tomorrow evening for Christmas holidays. For those who want to rewind the memories of the evening and for those who were not able to make it, please visit the Facebook page and browse the photo gallery: <<https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.712567222088876.1073741879.127942080551396&type=1>>

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Build a Career with Right Education

The episode of the radio show “An Education That Works” by Kenneth Kinney of Victory University on KWAM990 Talk Radio, this time brought lots of important information about career transition, job market, role of education in career, etc. The guest of honor was career transition specialist, Tom Wilson, who shared many useful and valuable inputs on enhancing one’s career, changing career paths, unemployment & its effect on job seekers, job market, and influence of education on career.

Tom said that the changing scenario in the job market demands an employee to change his/her job frequently. He also said that the average number of years for a person to work in an organization is 3.7 years.

As a career transition specialist, he explained about the Career Transition (CT) groups and their role in helping people to find a career and job in the busy and competitive job market that exists today.

Tom advised the job seekers to organize their efforts to excel in a job. According to him, the important factor while seeking a job is to market one’s own skills in order to be considered by the potential employer.

These career transition groups also help companies to handle the situation when they have to reduce their staff from the organization.

Uncertainty in the Job Market During Economic Crisis

Tom explained that the employees are usually nervous about their career and their future especially during uncertain economic situations like inflation and recession. They get the fear of the unknown that could affect their career in a big way.

He emphasized that people should be made aware that help is available for them to face such emotionally difficult situations. As the economy is starting to get better as the time goes by, the CT groups help people differentiate themselves in the job market in order to get hired and find a career.

How Career Transition Groups Help People

Basically, a person who has lost a job would go through emotions like shock and anger. The Career Transition group helps the unemployed people who have lost their jobs to cope with the emotional problems.

They let the people examine their own attitude and behaviour and make them realize how they react to the situation.Only 17% of the people are excited about going to work every day, the rest 83% are agitated even with a thought of the same, especially on Monday mornings. The CT groups try to shift people belonging to this 83% category to the people who are excited about their jobs.

On Education and Degree

In our fast paced world, everyone has to constantly learn from whatever they do. The role of an education degree is very crucial in convincing the employer that you are the right person for the job. An education degree shows to the employer your ability to learn and the ability to complete a task.

In long term, it is not the job, but the career that is the way to make money and be happy. Career development with necessary skills is important to obtain a job. Getting a good education, learning, and continuous learning throughout one’s life keeps an employee up, on the top rank.

Getting a Job

People who have lost their jobs should realize that they have the unique opportunity to move to the next level in their career and they should try to remain positive. CT groups help people in getting back in the job market and to the work.

In marketing, the two most important factors are the target audience and the marketing product. In the job market, you have to market yourself to the potential employer. Here, your skills and your accomplishments are the products, the employer is the audience and the resume is the marketing tool. A candidate should use the marketing tool, the resume, to sell the product, that is, the skills, accomplishments and the educational qualifications to get hired.

The educational qualification of a candidate is a boost to increase the competency of the application among other applicants.

The show ended with Kenneth stressing on the importance of education for the local Memphis community. He said that education is the way to reduce the poverty and make the community stronger.

If you need help to find the right career path, e-mail your queries to Tom Wilson, the career transition specialist. E-mail ID: twilson16@aol.com

If you have missed out the show, listen to it at www.kwam990.com. Do watch out for the next episode of “An Education That Works” coming Tuesday at 8 am. Kenneth Kinney of Victory University has more to offer on education and career success.

Also, check out other episodes of the show at the at AM990 on demand link at the www.kwam990.com Website. For all those app enthusiasts, don’t forget to download the KWAM AM990 app from your app store.

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People behind ‘Toys for Tots’

Take a look at the Who’s Who of the Benefit Concert ‘Toys for Tots’ that is going to be held on December 13, 2013. The ‘Toys for Tots’ concert organized by the Victory University would not have been possible if not for the effort and support of some of the well-wishers of the local Memphis area and the kids.

These people have continued to be along with Victory showing their support towards the concert and its promotional activities.

Celebrity Statement

Just as we all are eager for the musical evening, so is the star, who is going to perform on the evening. Alexis Grace has extended her invaluable support and time for the kids and Victory University. She is actively involving herself in the advertisement and promotional activities for the success of the concert.

When asked about her expectations and thoughts on the event, the singer shared that the event is going to be fun to participate in and she is more than thrilled to perform on the evening.

Alexis Grace is the local singing sensation and the American Idol Season 8 finalist.

The Chief Guests of the Event

The utmost important and an integral part of the concert are without doubt the media and the sponsors. Their involvement and contribution to the show is widely appreciated by the University and its members. The effort put by media and the sponsors for this event cannot be got over with by just appreciating them.

This year, the media partners and the sponsors of the event include Local24, CW30, Sonic Restaurants, and the Memphis Redbirds. The chief guests of the event are Joyce Peterson and Cameron Harper from ABC Local24 and CW30.

Joyce Peterson is the co-anchor of Local 24 and CW 30 News. Her commitment towards the education for young people is well-known and evident through her involvement in mentoring children of Mid-South schools. She also spends invaluable time for local charities and organizations.

Cameron Harper is the co-anchor of Local 24 and CW 30 News. He is a member of Leadership Memphis. He organized the first ever Celebrity Putt-Putt Golf Tournament and raised thousands of dollars for Ronald McDonald House of Memphis.

Launching ‘Local Cares’

WATN/WLMT-TV Vice President and General Manager, Ardyth Diercks said that the extension of their support for the Memphis community called ‘Local Cares’ will be launched at the concert. He also added that ‘Local Cares’, as the official media outlet of the concert, is honored and looking forward to help brighten the holidays of children of Mid South.

Victory University Welcomes You

Kenneth Kinney of Victory University said that Victory is elated to continue to serve ‘Toys for Tots’ and the local community with such great partners as Local24, CW30, Sonic, and the Memphis Redbirds. He also mentioned that Alexis, the local singing star, would make the concert and the evening, a phenomenal success.

The Toys for Tots coordinator for Memphis, HM1 EmanuelaSpeal thanked all of the supporters of this year’s Toys for Tots campaign. He said, “We look forward to the Toys for Tots Concert with Alexis Grace that has been put together by Mr. Kinney with Victory University and many other supporters. The Toys for Tots program is a success because the community gets involved, making a child’s Christmas dream come true by donating toys.”

It is commendable to see that such sponsors, media partners, and celebrities have raised this cause so much and are still encouraging people to participate, contribute, and enjoy the evening.

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Victory University ‘Toys for Tots’ extended for a week

The ‘Toys for Tots’ benefit concert is going to be held on December 13, 2013 now. So you have one more week to do your preparations. Here are some ideas for the kids, for you to think about in the meantime.

Although it may be a little disappointing for us to hear about the concert being postponed, we can blame the poor weather and meanwhile can use this one week’s time to prepare for the program more and do things that we would not have done if the program was not postponed.

So here is the positive approach. The time we have got now can be really useful if we plan and strive to utilize it in a purposeful way.

Now, how can you utilize this opportunity?
We have listed down a few ideas for you to think about. Maybe you could be different than others at the concert:

1. More toys for Kids – Utilize this extra time to purchase more toys for kids. You can also create a small campaign with your friends and collect toys from your friends, neighbors, and relatives, if they are not able to come on the day of the concert due to the delay. You can help them reach and show their love towards the kids.


2. More friends to bring along – This is more fun for you. If you have friends who are not from around your locality and live far away, you can invite them to the concert now to contribute and have fun with you on the evening. You can give them the opportunity to participate. Ask them earlier, so they can get prepared and reach the place within a week.


3. Come back if you have gone away – If you had any important travel plans on December 6th and had no option of avoiding the trip, you have the opportunity now. If you can come back within a week, you can take part in the concert and fulfill your wishes.


4. Spread the message – People do not have time to even check their inbox. People do not have time to browse the websites and explore, but everyone gets connected through social media. You can use this extra time to spread more information about the concert through Social media. You can also talk about the aim of the concert and about the entertainment aspect of the concert including the musical evening by the sensational singer Alexis Grace on Facebook, Twitter, etc.


5. Switch on your Creativity – You can also get creative by making your own toys for the kids. It would be even more beautiful and heartwarming for you to watch the kids playing with toys made by you. Make sure that you make toys using safe materials. Some of the safest options are paper, wooden objects, cloth, etc. You can also make science or educational toys which may be costly if you buy them from stores. Invite your friends for an informal toy making session and have fun making toys for kids.

We know there are millions of ways to spend our time usefully and fruitfully. The above list is just a few for you to think about to contribute towards the concert and participate more in the activity. You can add more to this list and make the concert a grand success. We cannot wait to see you end of next week at the benefit concert.

Until then, keep checking our Victory University website victory.edu and the Facebook page facebook.com/VictoryUniversity

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Cheer Up for the Graceful Alexis at Victory University

We all know Alexis Grace as the American Idol Season 8 finalist, a beautiful country singer, and as a caring mother. You would also know more about her from her morning show on a Top 40 station Q107.5 where she co-hosts the show as a radio DJ.

She is one of those inspiring people who are doing their best at both the worlds and enjoying the same. Growing up as a singer with her father, she involves in her music through stage performances and by taking active part in the local theater community in Memphis. She has also played Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago and Serena in Legally Blonde, which was her ‘Playhouse on the Square’ debut.

According to Alexis, the most important thing in her life is raising her beautiful daughter, Ryan Elizabeth. Her enthusiasm towards motherhood and her true love towards kids is clearly visible in her expression when she talks about Ryan. Extending the same emotions, she involves in concerts like the ‘Toys for Tots’ Benefit Concert which is being held at Victory University on December 06, 2013 at 7pm. She is singing to encourage donation of toys for kids.

As a single mom and an upcoming singer who works as a DJ, Alexis manages many things in her life with such a bubbly attitude that many should note for us seriously. She lives and takes it to her heart, the inspirational quote of Walt Disney:


“All of our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney.

She works for her dreams round the clock, tours to sing, and plans her life to pursue and achieve her dreams. For the benefit concert she is coming together with Victory University to help realize the dreams of few underprivileged children, to see their starry eyes when they hold those beautiful toys to play and have fun with.

As a mom to a seven-year old girl herself, she can understand what it means for a child to have a toy or a present to explore. Talking of the American Idol days, people say that she made the locality real proud with her presence at the iconic singing show.

Alexis cheers the kids at this night of the concert. The whole of Victory University is looking forward to see this emotional journey and support her music that would motivate her to do more such performances for charity and events.

Do not miss this opportunity; share this musical evening with the graceful singer and spread the joy around. You would be witnessing Alexis’ own compositions, other famous songs, and some Christmas songs. As you may be aware, please bring an unwrapped toy for free admission to the concert or donate $10. Note that tickets for the concert are currently on sale.

Cheers!!!

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