$100,000,000 given to CARE and Salvation Army by Maybelline founder.

The Tom Lyle Williams Foundation, still gives to charity, 43 years after the sale of the Maybelline Company.

Tom Lyle Williams, with his niece Annette Williams-Corbett, in 1968, after the sale of the Maybelline Company.  Like her uncle, Annette believed in preserving her new wealth through non-profit foundations.  She worked as a secretary for the Maybelline Company before marrying George Corbett in the late 1940's and continued to have a unique relationship wih her boss (and uncle,) incorporating his values throughout her long life.  Tom Lyle believed that the more he gave to others, the more came back to him, 10 fold.  "Don't lend money if you can't afford to give it, with no expectation of return," was a statement he lived by his entire life.  His fondation still gives and lives on today helping those in need.

Read more about Tom Lyle and his unusual generosity  in The Maybelline Story.  Also we still have a few Tama Bags and Maybelline book, at http://www.maybellinebook.com/ for $50.  A good portion of profit from the bag and book goes to Instruments 4 Africa to help young girls in Mali, West Africa, have the opportunity gain an education. 

Maybelline Story author, Sharrie Williams believes giving back, is the answer to peace.

This is Tama Walley, one of the founders of Instruments 4 Africa.  She has a unique perspective as to why her non profit benefits the children of Mali.  She told author

of The Maybelline Story, Sharrie Williams, that providing programs for the children of Mali to connect with their culture through their own music, dance and the arts,  keeps them grounded and secure from being influenced by negative extremist views, that ultimately end in destruction.  Tama believes that children who connect with the love and passion of their own culture have a strong foundation to focus on positive goals and this gives them a chance to thrive.  Instruments 4 Africa's mission statement is to protect the children of Mali, as well as children all over the world, by helping eliminate poverty mentality through expansion of the mind through creativity.  The money from her charity funds academic scholarships, mentoring and training in the traditional arts of Mali.  The kids are engaged in learning and off the streets.  Watch a video of the kids  participating in traditional African dance and music by clicking on the palm trees to the right  of this page.  A portion of the Maybelline Story goes to Instruments 4 Africa.  

As a member of a family who grew up in America with so much opportunity and choice, Sharrie feels it's her responsibility to give back by helping children connect to their God given voice,  natural talent and creativity and hopes you might feel the same way too!

The Maybelline Story would make a great Valentine's day gift as well as a donation to a worthy charity.