Charity Starts at Home, With a Bottle of Wine and a Cheese Basket

Recently I was asked to serve on a fundraising committee for a local non-profit organization, a responsibility I was quick to accept because the charities that benefit from the funds are near and dear to my heart. Also, the fundraising involved for this particular organization consists primarily of planning elegant parties and, I cannot tell a lie; I likes me some elegant parties.

So, parties that benefit the less fortunate of our community? Sign me up.

And, you know, the fact that one of my favorite Bunco-slash-Porch Night drinking buddies-is the Executive Director of the organization and that I will be doing the majority of the party planning with her didn’t figure into my acceptance of the role at all. Really, the fact that she has excellent taste in wine, can mix a mean margarita and makes me laugh until my sides hurt didn’t factor into the decision in the least; I really just want to help my fellow man.

Anyway, my first event with the organization is tomorrow night. Preparations for the event have been going on for quite some time and, last night, my friend invited me to her house to put together baskets for the silent auction component of the event; it took us several hours to determine which of the donated items went in each themed basket, how best to showcase them and how to arrange them then, my friend attempted to school me in the art of bow-making at which, alas, I still totally suck.

By the time we were finished with the baskets, it was past nine o’clock and time for me to head home. Tomorrow, we will meet to do the set-up for the event, which kicks off at 5:00. Unfortunately, due to the fact that Hugh departs for San Francisco tomorrow morning, leaving me responsible for the children and their various schedules, I will be unable to attend the party. I’m kind of bummed about that but, according to the organization’s board of director’s, I will have plenty of other opportunities in the future and, you realize what that means, don’t you?

I may finally develop a social life that doesn’t revolve around my children and their sporting endeavors.

In the name of charity, bonus!