Over the course of about 2 years I have started organizing and hosting a benefit ball to fundraise for a nonprofit homeless shelter that serves 3 counties and sometimes more in my state. In a time where so many are struggling or at least finding it hard to find their way, I feel more can be done within our own communities. It hurts my heart to even hear my old church stopped providing their weekly evening meals for the less fortunate in the community. I get that Covid-19 has been hard on everyone and many can’t take the risk of getting sick; however this is the time to extend our hands and help others. I can’t help but feel like church should be a place where people would want to go, find refuge, and a warm meal – and that consistency and reliance is all but eroding away.
Okay, off of that soap box onto the next…. (kidding)! In February 2020 the very first benefit ball I organized essentially went off without a hitch. I had about 100 people attend and from many guests they wanted to have it become an annual event. Aside from me fronting all of the costs for the DJ, venue, and food – I was able to raise around $1,700 for the homeless shelter that year. I have to mention there was a certain individual, Heather, who without her assistance, the silent auction would not have done so well! She and her mother gathered so many items and even donated some food.
Covid hit a couple months later and it was uncertain if there would be a 2nd Annual benefit or not. I hesitated to even plan one. When I first started planning I even had to post-pone because we were wrapped up in masks, litigations, and quarantine catastrophes. I was determined to make it work though and planned for an event in the fall. If only people, friends and family included, would understand how much money, time, effort, and constant nagging of businesses– it takes to plan one of these events – it’s not always easy and I am rather too proud at times to ask for help. I started planning back in May of 2021 – the venue was booked, the DJ set! Full-steam ahead! I only started getting worried things may be askew when tickets weren’t selling like they should have and a week or two before the event – only 18 tickets were sold.
Maybe it was foolish of me to think my friends and family would support the same cause that I love so much and try to bring to the forefront. I felt let down and broken hearted. I still do, especially after some made commitments to attend and or help with food; yet wouldn’t return my texts or calls to see days before hand if they still planned on helping. All of that aside – you do find out who your true friends are in these moments. There are a handful of people that showed up and donated items to support my vision and the nonprofit (you know who you are) without me texting them to attend or verifying if they were going to attend. I am forever grateful – one of these special people even had surgery two days prior – but that still didn’t stop her! Lesson learned here – true friends make every attempt to help you succeed or are there to back you up.
Out of all of the hardship and what I thought would be a complete flop of the evening, those that did attend made it such a grand event! Successfully we were able to fundraise $3,800 for the nonprofit with the connection of the Elks Lodge and the grant they wrote for the homeless shelter. We did better than last year. So point here is – although I could say I failed in getting people to attend the event; the people that attended had a great time and we were able to surpass last year’s fundraising goal! Many might say that the event was a “flop” but I met and built relationships with new people and organizations; people that attended had a great time; my close friends and family were there to support me; and I did what I set out to do; raise awareness, raise funds, and help others in a time where so many others are essentially throwing in the towel because it’s hard or there aren’t enough resources. We have to stick together and we have to keep trying even if it’s for one person or 100 people. Change doesn’t always come in tidal waves! Sometimes it comes in small ripples – however, the impact we make even for one person is enough for me to call something a success.
If you find yourself “failing” at something you worked so hard to do or accomplish – don’t get down on yourself! You’ve worked so hard to even get to this point and that in itself is a fabulous flop success. Rome wasn’t built in a day – everything takes time. Own each day – as I always like to say, Slay the Day!
Thank you so much to everyone that attended the event! To the Clearfield Elk’s Lodge #540; Lotsa-Laffs Photo Booth & And We Danced DJ Entertainment; Mo Birdie Boutique; Susan Williams, Michelle DiGilarmo; Debra Kruise; and friends and Family.
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Her Boots 