Non-Profit Invites all to "Driving Hope" Documentary Event This Sunday

Newport Beach, CA--The Non-Profit, With my Own Two Hands, is preparing for their annual fundraiser in Costa Mesa.

If you are a fan of Sportscenter, Stan Verett will be hosting the Sunday, July 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Port Theater in Newport Beach, Ca. But the message behind the evening will captivate you.

Guided by founder and CEO Lindsey Pluimer, of UCLA and international professional basketball fame, With my Own Two Hands is about getting people to feel inspired and to know they can make an impact in another person’s life. Education, shelter, health, water and agriculture. These sustainable projects are the motivation behind quality of life for every person, according to Pluimer. This is what her non-profit is all about.

A graduate of UCLA, Lindsey learned of the genocide in Darfur and was committed to going to Africa one day. That experience was the beginning of starting her own foundation.

“I played professional basketball in Australia and Spain after college,” she said. “After we won a championship in Spain, I went to Africa, saw how meaningful the non-profit work that was done there was to the people.”

A Laguna Beach resident for almost 8 years, Pluimer grew up in San Clemente. She retired from basketball and started the With My Own Two Hands non-profit organization. At just 24 years old, she has learned along the way.

“Our hands are an extension of our heart, and we are all capable of being able to help and provide solutions for people in need,” Lindsey said.

Part of helping is supporting the organization by attending the upcoming film.

Previous attendees include Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and Olympic champion skier Lindsey Vonn. Special guests of this event will be announced.

This is the third annual documentary screening, using a documentary film as medium to share the story of the organization’s work done abroad.

Tickets include complimentary beer and wine, red carpet photos, professional athletes in attendance, hors d'oeuvres, silent auction, question and answer session with the program director Joel Massango, who is flying in from Kenya for the event.

“This is an international organization, getting people to see and hear the stories is the most important thing,” Pluimer said. “Unfortunately, we can’t bring the kids here, so we use the event to show people where funds are going.”

First year, raised $54,000. In their second year, With My Own Two Hands raised $77,000.

“The group is growing and expanding, according to Pluimer. Due to her background in sports, many professional athletes are regularly attendees of the event.

“They are very supportive in the work that we do,” she said. “For me, personally, nonprofit work international – the idea that we are all human beings and deserve basic human rights, we are all connected no matter where we are from. What drives me, all human beings deserve education, access to food and water, safe place to live.”

Lindsey speaks openly about the children they have assisted.

“These kids are our future. They are the future politicians, doctors, all they need is education and to be provided with opportunity,” she said. “It’s beautiful to see the children year after year. We celebrate their birthdays, and sponsorship goes a long way to making the children feel loved and special.”

The fundraiser is opening eyes to problems a world away.

“Usually there is one specific thing we fund-raise for. The first event we raised funds for a school, last year, we built a rescue dormitory for girls in forced marriages, and built a greenhouse that has harvested over 1,000 pounds of food since January,” Pluimer said. “This year, we will be hitting our four areas of focus. Fresh water, education and two more greenhouses. We are helping to feed and clothe kids, as well as raising income to help us care for the children and projects long after we’re gone.”

Sunday's event will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at The Port Theater 2905 East Coast Hwy Corona Del Mar, CA 92625

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit: www.withmyown2hands.org

Photos, courtesy of WMO2H