Who:
Rachel Myers
Angeles Chapter, Conservation Program Coordinator
Where:
Los Angeles, CA
I was fretting about every possible detail that I imagined would go wrong for the biggest fundraiser that I have ever worked on for the Sierra Club. The fundraiser took place on August 7th in the beautiful Newport Back Bay at the MUTH Interpretive Center. The Back Bay Concert was a joint effort for the Orange County Group and our newly formed True Cost of Food Campaign. What better way to spread the word of the True Cost of Food Campaign than to have an event in the picturesque Newport Back Bay overlooking wetlands with music, organic wines and premiere vegetarian food at sunset?
The PR machine was so well-oiled (soybean oil of course) that we sold out the event. We had over 300 people attending and we had to turn people away. Vendors such as Whole Foods were actually contacting me to find out if they could donate food for the event! We got all of the food, wine, music, and venue donated as well as the printing and graphic design work. I was dealing with over a dozen vendors as well as musicians and excited volunteers.
My husband and I arrived at the interpretive center and the day was absolutely beautiful. Blue skies, warm breezes, and a serene calm fell over us. Volunteers started to file in and we slowly began to transform the center into a beautiful outdoor party. Canopies were unloaded, tables and chairs set out, tableclothes were laid down, and vendors began to arrive. The vendors slowly laid out the vegetarian and vegan foods, organic wines, and delicious desserts. The classical cellist began to play as the guests started to file down the dirt walkway.
I walked around the event in a well-organized haze and smiled to myself. I am constantly aware that the Sierra Club has the best, most dedicated, kind-hearted, and effective volunteers around. I thought about all the work that was needed to pull this event off and how we did it with teamwork and dedication. I am so proud all of the time to be working for these volunteers. They all make the emotional battle of environmentalism a fight that I can step up to each day. Proudly.
