Well, my benefit was this past saturday!! it was HUUUUUGE SUCCESS!! I'm so happy with how it turned out. I raised over $7,000 that night, and as of that night I had raised $15,001. I have since then collected more money, but I am unsure of my total at the moment.
The actual day of my benefit was such a headache. The night before I basically had a breakdown because I was so nervous. I got to raised around 11:30am on saturday with Jessica Federico, Paulina Keszler, my friend from boarding school and my boyfriend. The first thing I had planned to do was set up my auction tables, but of course things could not go smoothly and the tables were not there. We had to basically stalk Jim Knowlan, but everything was cleared up fairly easily and I soon had the necessary amount of tables. I decorated my admission desk, and assembled an information desk. Once the other tables got there we set up the auction area and put the white tablecloths and auction pieces on them.
I put up small amounts of decorations, purple streamers on certain tables. I organized all of my auction pieces according to number, and color of numbered sticker (i know, pretty anal.. but it was for the best!) larger art items, such as photographs were displayed behind the table on easels. My mom was assigned to watch the auction during the benefit. Around 4:30 I sent my boyfriend to pick up the caterer, Bailey. Bailey got to Ross shortly after but of course another thing had to go wrong.. the food wasn't here, my mom forgot to bring it. so the food was quickly recieved and Bailey started assembling, filet mignon on bagguettes, smoked salmon on black bread, and "BLT's" which were little tomato's with cut up lettuce and bacon inside of the tomato. looked yummy, i never got a chance to eat anything.
The Glazzies showed up at 3 for a sound check.. but we didn't have a PA system. Bill saved the day, of course. But, they didn't get to rehearse and have a sound check until about 5:30 after all the dancers and steppers rehearsed. I felt like we were cutting it a little close with the time, but once the drummers came and began drumming everything calmed down.
People started arriving, everyone continuously complimented me on the dress I was wearing (my dad had designed it for my mom) and how professionally done the school looked. The entire night felt surreal. I had never spoken to a large audience before, and I completely winged my short speech. I felt good about it. I started to get choked up talking about my father passing away, but I was able to quickly compose myself and continue on.
We cleaned everything up in about 45 minutes, I distributed the auction pieces, collected and counted the money, and felt AMAZING! I couldn't believe I had finished my senior project benefit. I started planning this over a year ago, and had been continuously working on it since March 2009. I just can't believe it's done.
I now have to finish my 10 page essay on Pancreatic Cancer. I have a full detailed outline, which I plan to begin next week. I've learned so much through this entire process. I learned a lot more about myself, my family, and how to create and run a successful benefit.
Oh, and I forgot to mention... after my benefit my cousin gave me a very special present. She gave me a necklace that has a gold round charm on it. It was my father's mother's who i was named for. On the front of the charm it says "HRC" Hannah Rosenfeld Coane. On the back it is engraved "our love always, Bonnie and Jonnie" which was my dad and his twin sister. :)
