Twinkling Eyes Foundation

2009 Twinkling Eyes grant recipient, Tyler Elementary School,
recognized by Task Force on Childhood Obesity

In February, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let's Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. As part of this effort, President Barack Obama established the Task Force on Childhood Obesity to develop and implement an interagency plan that details a coordinated strategy, identifies key benchmarks, and outlines an action plan to end the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Secretary Arne Duncan visited Tyler Elementary School where parents and teachers have demonstrated that a focus on health and physical education can have a powerful impact on children’s well-being and achievement. The school’s After Care and Outdoor initiative received a grant to purchase plants and seeds and other tools for the Outdoor Classroom; and cooking equipment and supplied for the After-Care cooking program.

Message from Education Secretary Arne Duncan

Watch the video

"The Cocktail Party of 2009!"
November 7, 2009

Denise Medved (TEF President and Chairman of the Board) with Pat Neely, Guy Fieri, and Gina Neely.
The Twinkling Eyes Foundation awarded a total of $70,000 to three non-profits dedicated to culinary arts and education at its inaugural cocktail reception and ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Washington on Saturday, November 8th. The event featured celebrity appearances by Food Network stars Guy Fieri and Pat and Gina Neely and benefited FRESHFARM Markets, Share Our Strength, and Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

Denise Medved, president and chairman of the board of The Twinkling Eyes Foundation, said “Our mission is to build value in the culinary experience by investing in the future generations of food and beverage providers who operate from cultivation to consumption. We are excited to support the culinary arts through our contributions to these three recipients.”

FRESHFARM Markets received a grant in the amount of $30,000 to establish a scholarship within the Farmer Fund to be used to assist young farmers in their education. FRESHFARM Markets is dedicated to building a vibrant local food movement in the DC area that supports the region’s farmers, protects threatened farmland and creates a new rural-urban partnership.

Share Our Strength received a $10,000 grant to support their mission to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. Share Our Strength is a national organization that finds childhood hunger where it hides and works hard to end it.

Special Operations Warrior Foundation received $30,000 to set up a special culinary scholarship. The Foundation provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions.

Board members Steve Perraud and Ted Kratovil pose with guests.

Bill and Denise Medved present scholarship to John T. Carney, Jr. on behalf of Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

2009 Twinkling Eyes grant recipient, Tyler Elementary School, recognized by Task Force on Childhood Obesity In February, First Lady Michelle Obama launched the Let's Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation. As part of this effort, President Barack Obama established the Task Force on Childhood Obesity to develop and implement an interagency plan that details a coordinated strategy, identifies key benchmarks, and outlines an action plan to end the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Secretary Arne Duncan visited Tyler Elementary School where parents and teachers have demonstrated that a focus on health and physical education can have a powerful impact on children’s well-being and achievement. The school’s After Care and Outdoor initiative received a grant to purchase plants and seeds and other tools for the Outdoor Classroom; and cooking equipment and supplied for the After-Care cooking program. Message from Education Secretary Arne Duncan Watch the video
"The Cocktail Party of 2009!" November 7, 2009
Denise Medved (TEF President and Chairman of the Board) with Pat Neely, Guy Fieri, and Gina Neely.		The Twinkling Eyes Foundation awarded a total of $70,000 to three non-profits dedicated to culinary arts and education at its inaugural cocktail reception and ceremony held at the Grand Hyatt Washington on Saturday, November 8th. The event featured celebrity appearances by Food Network stars Guy Fieri and Pat and Gina Neely and benefited FRESHFARM Markets, Share Our Strength, and Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Denise Medved, president and chairman of the board of The Twinkling Eyes Foundation, said “Our mission is to build value in the culinary experience by investing in the future generations of food and beverage providers who operate from cultivation to consumption. We are excited to support the culinary arts through our contributions to these three recipients.” FRESHFARM Markets received a grant in the amount of $30,000 to establish a scholarship within the Farmer Fund to be used to assist young farmers in their education. FRESHFARM Markets is dedicated to building a vibrant local food movement in the DC area that supports the region’s farmers, protects threatened farmland and creates a new rural-urban partnership. Share Our Strength received a $10,000 grant to support their mission to make sure no kid in America grows up hungry. Share Our Strength is a national organization that finds childhood hunger where it hides and works hard to end it. Special Operations Warrior Foundation received $30,000 to set up a special culinary scholarship. The Foundation provides full scholarship grants and educational and family counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel who die in operational or training missions.
Board members Steve Perraud and Ted Kratovil pose with guests.
Bill and Denise Medved present scholarship to John T. Carney, Jr. on behalf of Special Operations Warrior Foundation.