May 18, 2012

By Peggy Mullan, President & CEO of Beatitudes Campus

AFTERGLOW: the state of euphoria that follows something that has gone really, really, really well. I’d say we’re still enjoying the afterglow of Power of the Purse 2012!

On May 6^th, 350 people came to support the Beatitudes Campus in our second annual Power of the Purse (PoP), our signature spring fundraiser and almost $100,000 was raised! All afternoon, individuals shopped for designer purses, enjoyed scrumptious hors d’oeuvres created by our own Dining Services Team, visited with residents, board members and sponsors and simply felt the hospitality that is the hallmark of community.

For those of you that don’t know, Power of the Purse is a cocktail party (on a grand scale) where gently used designer purses of every stripe and color are auctioned off, with the proceeds used to benefit special causes near and dear to our hearts. Last year “PoP” raised almost $80,000 which was used to renovate the beauty salon in the North Plaza Apartments–a project that was way overdue by anyone’s estimation. It also funded the completion of a new community kitchen on Vermilion Cliffs, our award winning program for people with memory impairment and other thinking disorders. Both of these projects have added to the quality of life to the individuals who need the services offered there.

This year, we dedicated the proceeds of PoP to our Resident Assistance Fund, a special account within the Beatitudes Campus Foundation used to help people who have outlived their resources so they can remain in our community. With the decline of investment assets that so many of our residents have experienced over the past few years, this fund has dipped considerably. Power of the Purse is a great first step to rebuilding the balance there so that we may continue to support residents all across the campus as needed.

Whenever an event the scale of Power of the Purse takes place there are many thank yous to be made. Let me start with our leadership. Nancy Stouffer, wife of our Board Chairman, Brad Stouffer, served as the Chair of the Women’s Council who planned and executed the party. She was fabulous in her role, a tireless volunteer from start to finish. The other members of the Council, comprising residents, family members, staff and community volunteers, were equally dedicated. Our Dining Services crew, under the leadership of Joe Kane and Matt Lopez, simply outdid themselves! From the gazpacho served in miniature martini glasses to the “appletini’s” themselves—their work was top shelf. Our Maintenance and Landscape teams pulled out all the stops to make set up and break down of the extravaganza in record time while our Housekeepers helped us pass the “mother in law” test ten times over. Literally every department on campus was represented by volunteers at PoP, which is a testament to the team we call Beatitudes staff. And I would be quite remiss if I did not thank our Beatitudes Auxiliary for their tremendous support and goodwill, as well. Our two Boards of Directors, the Campus Board and the Foundation Board, could not have been any more supportive, with their tremendous financial support and presence at the event. Our guests were delighted to meet the trustees and see firsthand why they are so excited about their work here.

There are four women in particular that need to be recognized, and they make up our Fund Development team: Amanda Olsen, Christie Munson, Debbie Hickey and our very new leader of the band, i.e., V.P. of Fund Development, Amy Caffarello. These were the brains and the heart behind all the hoopla and fun—and a good measure of the elbow grease, too.

I’ve saved the most important thanks for last. I thank our residents, for being so present on the day of the event and on all of the days leading up to it. One of my personal goals is to change the way people perceive the elders of our country. Janet Seltz and Martha Lee Murphy did just that as they “strutted their stuff” down the red carpet, designer purse slung over a shoulder. Their smiles were contagious! So was the goodwill and warm welcome given by every resident. They were all just marvelous ambassadors for who we are and what we do.

Again, my thanks! And don’t forget to bask in that afterglow!

 

Sidenote: Photos from the event will be posted on the Power of the Purse website in a few upcoming days - so look out for these.

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