For Release October 9, 2009

Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream 3rd Annual Celebrates Her 21st Birthday. Click HERE to view this press release in PDF format.

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DARE 2 DREAM FOUNDATION HAS CONTINUED SUCCESS!!!

Inspired by the young, beautiful model, Keisha MacDonald, who tragically lost her life in a car accident February 2007, the Dare 2 Dream Foundation has once again helped create amazing opportunities for others!

Past recipient, Amber Chase, of Lake Odessa, attended the recent Launch Event in Chicago and was awarded a recording contract.  Amber has an amazing voice and unknown to the judges, Amber sang her heart out to a song she had written about Keisha’s inspiration to her.

Marshall Block of Reel-to-Reel Productions was so moved by Keisha’s family and the foundation at the Launch event in November that he generously offered to have a song written and recorded and to be sung by the artist chosen from a panel of nine judges.  Seven of the nine judges chose Amber as their first choice!  Not even knowing the connection between girls!  The song is going to be marketed for a future movie soundtrack.

The Keisha MacDonald Dare 2 Dream Foundation has also sponsored several other models and actors that are living their dreams or are on their way to New York and LA!  Please see the website for more details:  www.rememberkeisha.com

“Watching the success of Keisha’s foundation grow and helping so many others in her memory has been such a tremendous source of therapy for me.  I know that my daughter would be so proud of all we are doing to honor her memory, but mostly she is smiling down on us because of the amazing opportunities that we are able to offer to those who share what was her passion in life!” exclaimed Keisha’s mother, Linda MacDonald. “None of what we do could be possible without the continued generosity and support we receive from so many.  We sincerely thank everyone for supporting Keisha’s foundation!”

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE:  July 11, 12–5  for the Dare 2 Dream’s Got Talent Showcase and Fundraiser!  Hosted by Cambridge Partners at Woodland Creek Apartments - 3300 E Paris, Kentwood.  We are planning a big bash with food, drinks and 5 hours of entertainment.  Please join us to help scout for the next – top model, actor, musician, dancer, etc.  Cost is only $5 per person.  If you have a talent you would like to showcase, please register – only $25 per category.  Several scholarships will be awarded! See website for more details and sign-up sheets or call 616-204-2127 for more information.  SEE YOU THERE!

Please visit the "Dare-2-Dream Foundation" page for flyer & forms

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The 3rd Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Model and Talent Search

Friends and family of 2006 graduate Keisha Michelle MacDonald are hosting the 3rd Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Model and Talent Search to honor her memory and to select our next recipient for her scholarship. This scholarship offers amazing opportunities for people with big dreams of entering the modeling/acting arena. Keisha had a passion for modeling. She may have been born in a small town but that never kept her from dreaming big. Many of us can imagine our dreams, but never follow through for fear of failure

or the dream being too far out of our reach. Through perseverance and determination, Keisha was able to achieve that dream. The sad irony of that is that the same day her agent had an international contract for her to sign, is the very day her life here on earth tragically ended in an automobile accident. Keisha will never live out that dream, but we, her family, feel her passion and determination should not be forgotten.

This free event will be held on Sunday, February 22 from 12 pm to 4pm at the Woodland Creek Apartments Clubhouse 3300 E Paris SE in Kentwood. We are looking for models and actors to award the "Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Scholarship" and the "Launch Showcase Keisha MacDonald Scholarship" that both honor Keisha, one of Launch's stars and top Detroit and international model on the 2 year anniversary of her tragic accident. Anyone who has a serious passion for this industry may apply.

Potential models should bring two snapshots, one head and one body shot. Actors will need to perform a 30 second monologue. All will be judged by a representative scouting for Traque International Model and Talent Detroit; CDU Models Tokyo; Code Models NY; and several Los Angeles based talent managers.

If awarded the scholarships, the entry fee to The Launch Showcase in Chicago will be paid for, a $3,000.00 value. Launch will allow participants to showcase thier talents in front of major model and talent scouts from around the globe.

We leave you with this....... The greatest gift in life is to inspire; Opening your eyes to enhance one's desire; If it is within you, add fuel to your fire; And soon you will be the one who people admire. Let Keisha be YOUR inspiration! We hope to see you there, "The Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Foundation."  Any questions call 616-204-2127.
 

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For Release January 16, 2009

Her memory and amazing spirit live on.......... we miss you so much Keisha.... always and forever.

Lakewood 2008 graduate Amber Chase, daughter of Robin and Kyle Chase of Woodland, was a recent Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Foundation recipient. The foundation honors Keisha, a 2006 Lakewood graduate, who died in a car crash in February of 2007.
 

"Our last talent search discovered this very talented local girl," said Keisha's aunt Shannon Brandon. "Amber is a Lakewood High School student with an amazing talent for acting and singing. She was awarded a scholarship from the Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Foundation to go to the Launch event in Chicago this past November."

Chase started her freshman year in fall 2008 at Olivet College, majoring in theater and psychology. Robin Chase said her daughter wants to do "something really big." When she saw the article in the Lakewood News about the Keisha MacDonald Dare2 Dream event, she said, "There is my chance!"

Keisha’s mother agent, Lynn Clark-Geiner from Detroit, Traque International Model and Talent Management, selected Chase at the October event in Grand Rapids for her talent. Launch 2008 was held at Chicago's Hyatt Regency O'Hare.

Launch Model and Talent Showcase LLC is a national association of industry professionals whose goal is to nurture and promote the nation's best aspiring new talent.

The Chicago weekend event was made up of workshops, seminars and showcases to meet the contestant's individual needs. All aspects of the participant's personality, talent and skills were on display during the event.

Chase's showcases were singing, monologue and cold reads.

"What an excellent experience this was" said Robin Chase. "She met people who have been in TV commercials, TV sitcoms and movies. She had the opportunity to meet a teacher from the New York Film Academy. This was an opportunity for Amber to receive a scholarship to The New York Film Academy. Her goal is to attend the academy in fall of 2009 for one year, then return to Olivet College to finish her career in theater and psychology.  Amber will continue to work with her mother agent, Lynn Clark-Geiner for possible new opportunities."

Chase's goal is to move on to theater, television or the music industry. Someday, she said she would like to build a music/theater academy back in Lake Odessa, said Robin.

"Amber is so thankful to the MacDonald Family for this wonderful opportunity. We all need to Dare2Dream," she added.

"I want to thank the MacDonald Family for this opportunity and also my parents. I also want to thank Keisha for being such a beautiful person. Her dreams will live on through many people we will make you proud," said Chase.
 

Two other lives have been changed through the help of the foundation. Danny Houser of Lansing was awarded a full scholarship for the launch event where he was discovered by Drew Lineham and offered an internship. Lineham is a major mogul of the fashion and modeling industry and has been a past judge on America's Next Top Model. Houser will be leaving for New York this month. During the launch event, the foundation searches for someone who possesses the same qualities and drive that Keisha had. Austin Cederberg was presented with a $2,000 scholarship during an emotional runway video display and tribute to Keisha. The funds will allow Cederberg to travel to New York and meet with some of the 17 agents who are interested in taking him to the top. The foundation board, comprised of Keisha's parents and family members, is pleased to continue helping others "Dare2Dream."

"It is such an honor and privilege to be able to continue Keisha's legacy through an industry that she was a part of and that meant so much to her," said a family spokesperson. "Just to know that Keisha's passion and love of life, even though cut short, will help to inspire and change so many lives. Her memory and amazing spirit live on."

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2nd annual Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Model and Talent Search

Friends and family of 2006 graduate Keisha Michelle MacDonald, are hosting the 2nd annual Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Model and Talent Search to honor her memory and to select our next recipient for her scholarship. This scholarship offers amazing opportunities for people with big dreams of entering the modeling/acting arena. Keisha had a passion for modeling. She may have been born in a small town but that never kept her from dreaming big. Many of us can imagine our dreams, but never follow through for fear of failure or the dream being too far out of our reach.  Through  perseverance and  determination,

Keisha was able to achieve that dream. The sad irony of that is that the same day her agent had an international contract for her to sign, is the very day her life here on earth tragically ended in an automobile accident. Keisha will never live out that dream, but we her family, feel her passion and determination should not be forgotten.

This free event will be held on Saturday, October 11th from 11am to 4pm at the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza, 5700 28th Street SE in Grand Rapids. We are looking for models and actors to award the "Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Scholarship" and the "Launch Showcase Keisha MacDonald Scholarship" that both honor Keisha, one of Launch's stars and top Detroit and international model. Anyone who has a serious passion for this industry may apply.

Potential models should bring two snapshots, one head and one body shot. Actors will need to perform a 30 second monologue. All will be judged by a representative scouting for Traque International Model and Talent Detroit; CDU Models Tokyo; Code Models NY; and several Los Angeles based talent managers.

If awarded the scholarships, the entry fee to The Launch Showcase in Chicago will be paid for, a $3,000.00 value. Launch will allow participants to showcase thier talents in front of major model and talent scouts from around the globe.

We leave you with this....... The greatest gift in life is to inspire; Opening your eyes to enhance one's desire; If it is within you, add fuel to your fire; And soon you will be the one who people admire. Let Keisha be YOUR inspiration!

We hope to see you there,
"The Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Foundation" 
Any questions call 616-204-2127.

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THANK YOU

The family of the late Keisha MacDonald would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all that participated in the 2nd annual Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Celebration golf outing. The day consisted of fun golf, lots of food, music, prizes and special tributes to Keisha. The Dare2Dream Foundation was established in the spring of 2007, shortly after Keisha's precious life had ended in a horrible car accident. Keisha was determined to achieve all that she could out of life, and wasn't afraid to reach for the stars. She had much success in her short life, and left an imprint on all of us that will last a lifetime. That is why it is so important to us, that the Foundation in  memory  of  her  will be  able  to  do  amazing

things for as many people as possible. We however could not do this without the continued support and generous donations from all of you. There were a special few of you that were not able to make it this year, but still sent in your contributions and for that we are very grateful. We continue to walk this broken road every day with sadness and heavy hearts because we miss our beautiful girl so much. With the love from our many wonderful friends and family, and our strength we get from God, we are somehow able to keep going and hold on to his promise that we will reunite with our baby girl again. Our celebration ended with everyone singing Happy Birthday to Keisha, a special poem was read that was written by her cousin, and we all stood and watched as 20 pink balloons made their way up into the sky and through the clouds to find their way to Keisha. Thanks again to everyone......God Bless, and we hope to see you all next year!   Love and prayers, Keisha's family.

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DREAMS COME TRUE!!!

The Keisha MacDonald Dare 2 Dream foundation was established in the spring of 2007 following the tragic death of Keisha who was 18 years old and in the prime of her life.  Her life ended in an automobile accident on Feb 20, 2007.

The purpose of our foundation is to help sponsor young people to pursue their dreams of modeling and/or acting like Keisha was before she was killed.  She was about to embark on a journey she had worked very hard for since age 12.  On the very

night of her accident, her agent was signing a modeling contract for Keisha to go to Tokyo and begin her lifelong dream.  Her life ended far too soon but through the foundation, her dreams will live on.
 

This past February, the foundation held its first annual “Keisha MacDonald Dare2Dream Model/Talent Search” in Grand Rapids to scout talent for our first recipient to attend an event in Chicago called Launch. Appropriately named as the event gives models/actors a chance to showcase their talent to several top agents and hopefully “Launch” their career.   Keisha’s former agent, Lynn Clark-Geiner from Traque Model Management is a professional scout for national and international agencies.  Lynn interviewed the several candidates and assisted the foundation in choosing the first recipient, Andrew Linn from Charlotte MI.

Andrew

Throughout the event,  Lynn was amazed by the talent she saw and offered an additional 2 partial scholarships: Taylor MacDonald  and Kelsey Hooten  from Lake Odessa and 3 full scholarships were awarded to:  Derek Brandon, of Middleville, Christine Praniewicz, Tyler Vroman both from Saranac. Three more recipients will attend the fall Launch event:    Jesse and Nicole Sanchez from Middleville  and Katie Arnson  of Grand Rapids.

Derek

The Launch event was a huge success!  Each candidate received callbacks from interested agents.  The foundations recipient, Andrew Linn, received several and has since signed with Major Models in New York where he will begin his new life!  Derek Brandon will be signing with Avalon Artists Group in Los Angeles, CA where he will be spending the summer working on his dream of becoming an actor.

During the event in Chicago, one person who seemed to possess many of the same qualities and aspirations as Keisha, really stood out among the rest.  Erin Welsh, a Traque Model from the Detroit area was awarded the very first “Keisha MacDonald Launch Scholarship.”  Erin was awarded $2000 to help her with expenses in moving to New York.   She has signed with Red Models and just finished shooting her first magazine cover and 13 page spread in a Mexico Fashion Magazine.
 

Erin

DARE 2 DREAM, DREAMS REALLY DO COME TRUE!!!!!!