Ashley and Brittney Drakeford lost their mother, Sharon, in 2004 due to complications from pulmonary sarcoidosis. To honor her memory, the Drakeford sisters have started a pre-Mother’s Day event to honor her memory.

“My sister and I talked about having a Mother’s Day event in honor of our mom or having a luncheon that celebrated the maternal figures in our lives,” Brittney Drakeford said in an e-mail.

“We have been blessed with an extensive support system, but not with the money to have an elaborate party for them.”

Both sisters attended North Carolina A&T State University. Brittney Drakeford, graduated in Fall 2009, while Ashley withdrew after their mother passed away.

The pair organized about 40 volunteers to put on Project In-SPA-ration at Shepherd’s Cove in Capitol Heights, Md. Project In-SPA-ration was born out of the “beauty night” the sisters used to have with their mother.

“My sister and I really just wanted to give these ladies a chance to feel good inside and out,” Ashley Drakeford said in an e-mail.

Shepherd’s Cove is one of Prince George’s County, Maryland’s largest women and children’s shelters. On May 6, the sisters and volunteers set up a day of pampering, relaxation and encouragement for 30 women at the Shepherd’s Cove housing facility.

“We cold-called businesses and asked if they could donate services for the day,” Brittney said.

The women received spa services from mobile nail salon, Manicures-N-Motion, Royal Designs and a team of Mary Kay consultants including manicures, hairdos and facials.

Members of the Drakeford sisters’ family, church family and sister circle also wanted to help out. One volunteer’s mother is a member of the Washington, D.C. chapter of social fellowship, Swing Phi Swing. That group donated 25 gift baskets for the women

“About two weeks before the event, we decided to send a letter to Sephora of Annapolis. It was really just a shot in the dark,” Brittney said.

“The day before the event they said they wanted to sponsor. They had an additional 20 gift bags that they donated.”

The Drakeford sisters also had additional help from Girl Scout troops and some friends from N.C. A&T.

Aggies Renee P. Hairston, '09, Rachel Pace, '06, Phyllis Robinson '06 and Kalayah Washington, '11 all volunteered their time to help.

“We were fortunate enough to have wonderful friends, family and church members to support our vision,” Ashley said.

Brittney agreed.

“That moment reminded me of a quotation from Paulo Coelho’s novel The Alchemist ‘When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it’,” she said.

Volunteers were divided into different groups offering services, serving refreshments or entertaining children.

“I was so excited,” Brittney said. “I envisioned it, but to see your vision executed in reality is awesome.”

Ashley agreed.
“After all the planning it felt amazing to actually see our vision come to life,” she said. “It makes me feel like there is more work to be done.”

And the sisters will do more work. The next project in which they will be participating is the development of a community garden in Capitol Heights, Md., with fellow Aggie, Xavier Brown.

For those Aggies in Washington, D.C./Maryland/Virginia who would like to get involved with the Drakeford sisters’ community service initiatives, contact Brittney at Brittney@greensborosheart.com or follow her on Twitter @brittneythenerd.