Being a JV automatically puts you on, what seems like, the universal volunteer list. All non-profits, walk-athons, and functions seem to know about our willingness to help. This past weekend Lily recruited us to help with Project Lazarus's huge annual Halloween fundraiser. Project Lazarus is a home for people living with HIV/AIDS. It is an amazing place filled with people of all ages and backgrounds. Lily is mostly in charge of field trips, volunteer organizing, Bingo calling, games, and fun stuff for the residents to do. This past weekend she put us all to work for the 4 day event that is The Project Lazarus fund raising event. It is a known weekend around the country that mostly attrachs gay men, who have a lot of money. It was a lively, loud and extremely fun crowd every night!
It started Thursday with a cocktail attire auction. We all came dressed up and in heals, which does not happen very often when you are a JV. I love dressing up every now and then, especially now because even just putting on a pair of jeans and a nice top is dressing up compared to my usual sweats and t-shirts. We were given ticket collecting jobs, raffle selling, guarding the auction items, and greeting people at the door. All jobs were easy enough and made more fun because we were allowed to partake in the open bar and free food. Anne and I were given 'Vanna White' jobs at the front doors because we are good at smiling and greeting haha. The whole night was a lot of fun and made even more exciting when i spotted a famous actor from the show 'Mad Men,' which i have recently become obsessed with. Bryan Batt was at the event and of course i had not problem walking right up to him, giving him a big huge, introducing myself, telling him i am a huge fan, and asking him to buy a raffle ticket. He bought 2. I gave him a discount ;)
The 'Vanna White' look alikes.
Julie Connelly and Bryan Batt :)
Friday was more of a club scene at the House of Blues in downtown. There was good music, food, drinks, and dancing! Of course we worked for the first half of the event then were let off around midnight and enjoyed the party after working. We danced the night away! Becca, Stephanie, Lily and i were able to stay at a hotel in downtown for the night because Lily's work gave her one to stay in for the long event filled weekend. It was like heaven sleeping in a king size bed (all 4 of us haha), waking up to a continental breakfast, and then going back to the hotel room for a mid morning nap. We would have stayed longer and used the pool but it was a little on the cold side. It is amazing how much you appreciate a hotel when you have not been in one for a while haha.
Saturday was the big Halloween costume event held at the convention center! And was it BIG. I saw more glitter, platforms, mini skirts, wings, feathers, and just outrageous outfits than i have ever seen before. Gay men go alllllll out with their outfits! We all dressed up too. Becca was Black Swan. Anne was the KFC man. A few girls went as Chimney Sweeps. Stephanie was a gypsy. I was Betty Boop. And we had a few other creative outfits, but nothing got close to the glitter and sequins that we saw all around us all night.
Sunday during the day the event was a boat ride on the Natchez steam boat. It started at 1:00pm and all we had to do (as volunteers) was collect tickets for a half an hour. Then we all got on the boat and our jobs were done. So we, again, partook in the free food and drinks. We sat out on the deck in the sun and laughed about the crazy weekend that we had :)
We all went to bed really early Sunday night and took it easy when we got home from work on Monday. We had a few trick-or-treaters, but not too many. Although we did not complain too much because that meant more candy for us!
Have a good rest of the week :)
No comments:
Post a Comment