First (annual?) Marshmallow Games!

First Thursday has rolled around again, and the Alaffia team headed out to the warehouse gym for the Olympic Games of Marshmallow Sports (Marshmallow sports are ABSOLUTELY a thing.)

Shipping, production, and office staff were divided up into seven teams, and with that, the madness began! 

The Line-up of competitors.

 Match #1:

 This round found everyone getting their feet wet (or should we say hands sticky?) with a quick bout of line-up and toss (this is the technical name for lining up and tossing marshmallows, in case you aren’t familiar with the sport).

Some SERIOUS shots were made...

While some not-so-serious faces lined the side-lines.

Match #2:

Round two got real serious, real quick. Form is EVERYTHING when shooting hoops with air puffed sugar. 

Curtis, getting serious.

Laura's stellar form.

Match #3:

This was the hands on, down and dirty match; thirty seconds to shred a marshmallow into as many pieces as humanly possible. Winner gains the respect of their team, and an irremovable sticky residue for days. (All for the game!)

Brave teammates, shredding like pros.

Match #4:

Gut check time. This was the final round, the clincher for the winning team (who reportedly had a whopping TWENTY-SIX COUNT volley! Tre impressive.) All seven teams circled up and had an intense two minutes of marshmallow volley.

Sylvia was not messing around.

Sam was dressed for sporty success; shades AND hat to ward off the warehouse glare.

The winning team. In action. Volley pros.

Points were tallied, and while everyone refueled from the strenuous activities and soaked up some sun, the winning team was announced. Russell’s team took first! (No surprise there, he seems to be on Lady Luck’s side every time First Thursday rolls around.)

The walk of victory

A few of the days champions, enjoying their spoils.

 Until the next time! 

6 Riders + 81 Days and Endless Miles + A [nearly] All Consuming Love of the Co-op Movement = Co-Cycle

Alaffia was recently introduced to Co-Cycle. A group who, in their own words, are “a dedicated collective, working to organize a fun, safe, challenging, and exhilarating adventure you will never forget.”

Last year's Co-cycle team.

Co-cycle is a student based group of biking buffs from a wide range of fields of study, who share a passion for all things co-op. Co-Cycle will be riding around the good ol’ U-S-of-A, organizing events and workshops in the cities they pass through, focusing on the importance of the co-op movement to our world, fueled by “hope, and inspiration towards a better world”, and, of course Alaffia products! When we were asked to sponsor the Olympia leg of their journey, we were excited to be able to supply them with products. We love being a part of the co-op movement and value the opportunity to partner with like minded individuals who are driven towards solving global issues, focused on social justice.  Armed with some Authentic Black Soap, Africa’s Secret Skin Creme, and a few other products, we can’t wait to see how their journey progresses! In each city they stop, they will be hosting two day events celebrating co-ops and teaching others about their importance. Check their itinerary; they may be stopping in your town!

One of the many events organized by Co-cycle for the 2012 tour.

Check out their website for updates on their progress of strengthening co-op ties, as well as developing skills in collaboration, organization, and last but not least, cycling, across the country.

Good luck on your journey, Co-Cycle. We’re excited to watch it unfold!

Riders on the 2012 Co-cycle tour.

Bikes, bikes, BIKES!

Spring time is here, which means it’s BIKE DRIVE SEASON!

Alaffia is gearing up for a GREAT round of bike drives and we are excited to see all of you and COLLECT THOSE BIKES! Our Founder, Olowo-n’djo was down at the PDX, Hollywood Whole Foods Market for a ‘Meet the Founder’ and kick off our first bike drive of the season!  Seventeen bikes later, we are ready to keep the community empowerment rolling! (Thanks for the love PDX!)

Hollywood PDX Bike Drive

Bring us your adult sized bikes and we will distribute them to students in Togo. Education helps break down the cycle of poverty, and dedication to educating women is a key to empowerment.  

“Now that I have been given a bike, I am free. When I did not have a bike, I was always late to school. Now, I am free. I get up, I sweep the yard, I wash the dishes before leaving for school, but I am still on time.”  Tieka Lare- 2012 recipient of a Bicycles for Education donation.

 Every year, your faithfulness to donate helps us keep girls in school. (Bonus! You are able to easily recycle your old bike, WIN WIN!)

This past year, with your help, we were able to ship and distribute 500 bikes to young girls.

“Before, my daughter suffered a lot to go to school. She was forced to go hungry (because she could not return home during lunch). Sometimes I was able to find 25 francs [10 cents], and I gave it to her to buy lunch. And in the evening she returned very late, from 7-8 pm, because of the distance. Now, with her bike, everything has changed. She gets to school on time, and returns early after school. Thank you for this precious gift. Thank you very much.”  -Mother of Tieka Lare

 Look for us at our next two bike drives in June - We’d love to see you!

• Saturday June 15^th at the Proctor Metropolitan Market, Tacoma (12-3)

 2420 N Proctor St, Tacoma, WA 98406

• Saturday June 22^nd at First Alt. Co-op, Corvallis, Or. (11-3)

1007 SE 3rd St, Corvallis, OR 97333 

Click here for more information on our Bikes for Education Program and our other Alaffia Community Empowerment Projects. Click here to donate.