Last week’s Unsung Heroes were the hundreds of volunteers — Westport Rotary Club members, and those with no connection at all — who made this year’s LobsterFest a $400,000 success.
This week, we broaden our lens. September and October are prime fundraising season. The Westport Country Playhouse, Earthplace, Sunrise Rotary Club, Wakeman Town Farm — they, and many other very worthy organizations, host galas, bashes, fests and more.
The venues are different: indoors, outdoors, on-site and off.
The goals are similar: to raise money for their own operations, and/or to help others.
Wakeman Town Farm’s HarvestFest is one of many fall fundraisers.
There are so many moving parts: finding sponsors, and donors for raffles and auctions (silent and live). Lining up entertainment. Arranging for food and drinks. Selling tickets. Decorations, set-up and check-in. Making everyone feel welcome, and important. Following up, and thanking everyone else profusely.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, with invitations to great causes. It’s simple to pick one or two, write a check, go and have a good time.
It’s really, really hard to put on an event that showcases a non-profit’s work, stands out in a crowd, provides an evening of fun, and brings in the people and funds needed to keep the organization relevant and solvent.
To all those who toil behind the scenes, helping to ensure that good works get done well: You are this week’s Unsung Heroes.
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Thank, you, Dan!!
You are also an Unsung Hero to all of us!!