Wow! What a great first fundraiser! I want to take this space to thank all the people on our committee who worked so hard. It all started in May when we pulled this committee together to take on this thing called a fundraiser. Only a couple on the committee had ever done this before and we were all pretty overwhelmed and scared!
The marketing/registration team was first to get going. That team included Lisa Kelly, Colleen Lennon, Cindy Sharp and Heather Yoder. They were awesome on all levels! They worked on sponsorships, marketing, time lines and just keeping us focused! Registration went off without a hitch and was SO organized with notes even at the end of the night! Oh, and Carrie Zamorano....our charming, intelligent, greeter! You were perfect!
The creative team with the help of Kim Zelke, came up with our fundraiser logo and all the ideas for the tables, fabric, plant arrangements and overall feel of the night. That team was Shannon Broling and Dinah Schisler! For those of you there, you know what a wonderful job they did at bringing in the African feel! Herb Kruse from Woodstock High School did about 10 paintings of some of my pictures of Zambia that were also placed around the venue and were oohed and awed over! Thank you Herb!
Monica Summers and her friend Joseph worked till all hours the night before on the video presentation! They did not have much time and did a phenomenal job! Wow!!! Really impressed!
The silent auction team was pulled in late but thanks to Sheri Webb, she ran it like she had done it a thousand times before! She pulled in Hollie Grossman and Gere Wissell who gave tirelessly of their talents and energy to the HUGE task of putting together descriptions, baskets, and the tables the night of! Not to mention, the intake of all items and the storing of them before hand. Still can't believe all the work they did! Peggy Souchek and Tracey Kent helped them set up the day of, thanks gals! Also, thanks Alicia Barnett, Brianne Choitz and Ali Webb for helping with the silent auction!
Sheryl DiCicco was gracious enough to share the story of Precious and her children to many who wandered through the gardens. Our entertaining MC's, Glenn Chelius and Chuck Field did a fabulous job of keeping everyone informed and having fun throughout the night! Thanks all of you! The extra touch you guys put on the night, Sheryl, Glenn and Chuck, was priceless!
Then there is Steve and Mary Jacobs.....you guys......Steve, I don't know what we would have done without you! Your expertise in event planning and your willingness to jump in and take over working with the venue and caterer and MANY other details was a gift from God! Truly, we could not have done this without you! Your support financially and otherwise for Extending Hands and this fundraiser was overwhelming! Thank you both for all you did and just who you guys are!
Then Sandy and Phil Woznicki....Sandy my dear, wonderful board member....it's been quite a ride! You have been my rock, my truth teller, my friend. We were scared to death to even think about doing this and here we are on the other side! Your ability to know what your roll was going to be and jump in feet first to this crazy thing with me is something I will never forget! Phil, you were soooooo helpful wherever you were needed! A true servant! You and Rich Schisler behind the scenes....Rich, it was inspiring to see two men, be examples of what love looks like. What is more inspiring is that it was done for women half way around the world whom you have never met. Thank you!
Now, I have to mention here my other board member, Bob Barnett. Though, he was away on sabbatical during this time, his prayers and concern of not only Ben and I but for Extending Hands did not go unnoticed! We missed him very much but we are all glad he was doing what needed to be done! Thank you Bob and Deb for your support always whether near or far away!
Keva Jones, you too! Thank you for helping us out in the beginning and moving us in the right direction! Much appreciated!
Ben.....you have been the most understanding, supportive, hard working, husband ever! You constantly worked on every detail of not only the fundraiser and my trip but all the other Extending Hands duties that have to be done on a regular basis! Paperwork, technology issues, printing, and on and on it could go. Thank you for being you!
Then there is all the others who jumped in to help the day of or by supporting us financially as a sponsor (Noel Thelander-Edward Jones Investments and Nils and Sylvia Cederberg!). Those who donated silent auction items and banners or signs, and ALL of you who have supported us financially in the past or have prayed for us at any time!
None of this though, could have happened without God. From putting this committee together, allowing my return to Zambia in the middle of all the planning and how all of it came together in the last few weeks, God continues to show us He is in control and it will all happen in His timing. One day at a time......
To check out the full album of the night, go to our facebook page (at the top of this page).
Thanks everyone who helped or attended! You all made it a great event!
