South Riding, VA May 19– Charity begins in the playroom is the message that Red Thinking owner and creative director Jen Sterling will be sharing June 2, 2011  at 6:00 pm, as she takes the stage at Town Danceboutique, 2009 8th St NW, Washington, DC for the 7^th Ignite DC event. Ignite DC is part of a national movement that started on the West Coast in Seattle in 2006. Today over 100 cities host these fast paced events where 16 people have 5 minutes to share their personal and professional passions.

Sterling’s 5-minute 20-slide presentation, Charity Begins in the Playroom, will share her experiences as the co-founder of Let’s Help Kids, a foundation that she started with her then 6-year old daughter Rachel.

“The idea for Let’s Help Kids came from my daughter,” says Sterling. “She and I were having a discussion, the type where the child teaches the parent that sometimes it’s best to see the world through a child’s eyes.” Rachel wanted to know what could be done to help kids in need have more fun in their lives.

The two talked about how they could make a small but measurable difference in their community. From there the non-profit Let’s Help Kids was born. “Starting this organization was like giving birth. There was a lot of planning, meeting with specialists, fretting over a name, and wondering what kind of life the organization would have.”

Let’s Help Kids was launched with great success and Sterling keeps her now 7 year-old daughter involved in making decisions and crafting the messages. “Making a difference, is simple” says Sterling, “so simple a 6-year old can do it.”  Sterling will be sharing her passion to the local DC community and hopes to inspire others to improve the lives of children through one act of kindness at a time.

We invite you to join the conversation. We are passionate about our work applying intense creativity with sound business practices and beliefs. Let’s talk, we’re eager to listen.

Volunteer non-profit organization helps working families find affordable childcare options.

It’s almost impossible these days to find a family where only one parent works to support the household. Devotion to Children (DTC), www.devotiontochildren.org, a volunteer run non-profit works to provide affordable child care solutions for Northern Virginia families with children under the age of six.

Jen Sterling, Owner of Red Thinking, a Northern Virginia-based marketing and branding firm has recently been appointed to the DTC Advisory Board and will be co-chairing the group’s annual fundraising gala.

“Quality, affordable childcare is as important to families as a roof over their heads, food on the table, and healthcare when they are sick,” says Jen Sterling. “Many parents struggle with the dilemma of not being able make enough money to pay for childcare and not having enough money to live. As a result, mothers often stay home to care for their children but are then forced into poverty.”

As an Advisory Board Member, Sterling will work with the Board to raise awareness and funding for the group’s programs. Sterling will be co-chairing the popular annual fundraising gala “Red, Heart & Soul.”

“As a mother, I personally understand the need for quality childcare. I’ve been fortunate to be able to continue to work and contribute to my family and further my career. Working with Devotion to Children is my way of reaching back and helping others succeed for themselves and for their children,” say Sterling.

For more information on how you can help visit www.devotiontochildren.org.

Red Thinking has a mission and philosophy to offer companies true branding and design solutions that resonate in today’s economy. Jen Sterling is a well known business leader and high-energy volunteer. She is a graduate of Leadership Fairfax and enthusiastically serves on several boards in the Northern Virginia area such as the Fairfax County Parks Foundation and numerous small business advisory boards. Her community leadership positions include: Communications Chair for DC Chapter of the Entrepreneurs Organization, Chairman of the Board of Success in the City, past Chair of the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, past Chair of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, and past Chair of the INC.spire incubator program.