Warm-up at the W for KEENfest

All the photos can be seen at: www.tonypowell.smugmug.com

© Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Every so often a charity comes along that really means something to me. I feel blessed to be able to offer my photographic services, from time to time, to an organization that’s doing so much…especially for children. My friend Amanda Polk hosted a warm-up party at the Hotel Washington to raise awareness and funds for KEEN (Kids Enjoy Excercise Now) along with NBC Sports Anchor and Honorary Chairwoman, Lindsay Czarniak. The sold-out crowd included KEEN founders Elliott and Estee Portnoy, Holidae Hayes, Cindy Jones, Sharon Dougherty, Roby Penn, Aaron Jackson, stylist Lana Orloff, Pamela Sorensen, and designer Matt Landsberg. The raffle of prizes, which included a Michael Jordan-signed basketball, a two-night stay at the W, President’s Club tix to a Nats game, and gift certificates to Darlington House, raised over $2,000. The Warm-up party is the kick-off for KEEN’s biggest fundraiser of the year, KEENfest, which will be held on October 29, 2009.

For more information about KEEN: http://www.keenusa.org/

Curtis and Amanda Polk © Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Honorary Chairwoman Lindsay Czarniak and Me photo by Mark Silva

© Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Pamela Sorensen, Cindy Jones, Sarah Rosenwinkel © Tony Powell

© Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Impromptu Shoot with Sharon @ the W

Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009

The best thing about the newly renovated Hotel Washington is it’s panoramic view of Downtown Washington, DC from the top floor Sky Terrace. No other view like it. PERIOD! When I ran into Sharon Dougherty on my way into the KEENfest warm-up party Wednesday night, I asked her for an impromptu photo session. The sun was just right and Sharon couldn’t have been more of a good sport. We had to weave through dozens of patrons on the jam-packed roof terrace to get to a far corner spot I knew about from a few years ago when I photographed the President of the Greater Washington Board of Trade there for their Annual Report. The view of the Washington Monument is particularly evocative from that vantage point. Thanks Sharon!

Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009

Sharon Dougherty © Tony Powell July 29, 2009