Charity Event Planning

No matter who you are, jobs can be stressful and fulfilling at the same time. Imagine, on top of your job, that you are running a charity event. At least a handful of women are screaming, “That’s me, that’s me,” at their newspapers right now. Just like a job, the organization and planning that goes into a charity event can be stressful, but even more so, it's fulfilling. When all is said and done, anyone involved in planning such an event wants nothing less than a smoothly run, successful event. With careful planning and enthusiasm, patience, and flexibility, you are almost guaranteed to have a tremendous event. If you are interested in aligning with a charity and getting involved, make sure you carefully decide what type of organization you want to team with. There are so many types of events that raise money for a multitude of causes. One event that I personally have been involved with for more than 10 years is the Kid’s Cup Golf Tournament. The tournament is in its 16th year, and my husband has golfed 14 of the tournaments. Kid’s Cup is sponsored by my employer Express Employment Professionals. The May 21 event will be the fifth tournament for which I have been part of the planning committee. Seeing the children who benefit from the money raised talk to the group at the end of the tournament wipes out all the stress built up over the preceding months. Their gratitude and hope makes every minute incredibly worth it. Through the years, I have learned how to recruit golfers, set up an effective registration table, organize a silent auction and maximize the money we bring in by having games on the course, such as selling mulligans. If you are part of an event committee, take the newbies under your wing, welcome them with open arms and be their mentor. Without mentors such as Dawn Nelson, Amy Holtz, MaryAnne Nonn and the others who have helped guide me along the way, I would have been seriously confused and wanting to walk away from the committee. Lindsey Polin, who is employed full time outside the home, recently became involved with Camp Companion and Paws and Claws. She has a knack for rescuing animals; in the past couple of years she has rescued and found homes for or the owners of numerous cats and several dogs. For the first time, she is on the committee for Camp Companion’s Uncorked event, which is being held on May 4 at the Salem Glen Winery. The experience she is gaining the first year is invaluable, and there only have been a few frustrations. She is proud to be part of the event, as the cause and the event align perfectly with her passion. In talking with local women, I am learning just how much they get involved with charity events that represent their passions or have a direct impact on someone they know. There are events for research in such diseases as cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease; as well as animal rescuing, benefits for individuals and more. The events range from wine-tastings, to telethons, to golf tournaments to walks or runs. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what a score was, how fast you ran, whether or not you sang well and so forth. What matters is the atmosphere created and reason for the fundraiser. When it is all for a good cause, everyone wins.