Event Planning at its Finest!

April has traditionally been a hectic month for me…it used to be Gala follow-up month…making sure all details were wrapped up, gifts delivered, final numbers for the business office, and thoughts about next year. Although I really haven’t missed the Gala, I have missed organizing events and enjoying the fruits of my labor.

Don’t get me wrong, I have no intention of organizing any more events on that scale, ever! However, there is something to that feeling of satisfaction when goals are met.

With my not-so-new job with Community Catholic Center, there is only one fundraising event and it is almost like a walk-in-the-park for me! You know the feeling, when it seems like everything is running too smoothly? That’s how I have been feeling.

I’m not experiencing dreams about no one showing up, or volunteers telling me what to do, or last-minute donations falling through, the venue forgetting to put us on the calendar, the guest speaker falling ill, the internet going down for the online auction service, or a pandemic shutting things down and cancelling events all over the place! Oh the worries! No, just what am I missing? This is too easy!

Tomorrow (Thursday), is our Spring Fundraiser. We will celebrate with donors, old and new, and count on their generous spirits (and wallets) to help support the tuition assistance program that makes up our non-profit organization.

This event is a no-brainer for an event planner…it’s 6-7:30pm, catered with an open bar, a student success story and a board member thanking and asking. Done and Done!

The party will be at the home of a priest…and by home, I mean a lovely, suitable for hosting 150 guests, home. They are being very accommodating…no charge for us, moving furniture, providing the centerpiece for the large food table and PLENTY of parking!

Caterers are bringing the appetizer buffet, bartenders and supplies. This is casual, stand around, and there are indoor bathrooms. (Previous gatherings had port-a-pots for outdoor events!)

We are providing the nametags, pledge cards, complimentary pens, and directional signs for outside! Oh and the customized bottle of Makers Mark for anyone donating $1,000 or more! That’s it!

Tomorrow, I’ll work until noon, come home and get ready, arriving at the venue by 3pm to setup signs and prepare for the caterer who will arrive around 4pm. Shortly after 7:30pm, the crowd will disperse and we’ll be headed home with our gifts and pledges! Now, that’s my kind of fundraiser!!

I am so happy to have the great memories and friendships from all of my events, but I am forever grateful that my long days and nights of planning and working these events are over.

My sweet daughter is working on a fundraiser for the theater organization she is working with. She sits on their board and they are just stepping back into the spotlight after Covid. I want to support her in so many ways…I donated a Bucket of Booze for their raffle, and have found myself sending little donations here and there to help her get to her goal. She seems fairly calm but I’m sure, she is experiencing some of that same anxiety that has been around me for so long!

Pray for our successes and the generosity of others! I’m still not sure why I feel like I’m missing something…Maybe it will be trying to figure out what to wear, thanks to the crazy weather! Stay tuned!

I hope all of your events, big or small, run smoothly!! Love to you all!