Giving Back on Giving Tuesday
With the holiday season upon us, I look around at my family, friends, and clients and I am reminded of all the wonderful things I have to be thankful for. I also have a moment to think about how far SQN Events come in the last few years, and I am reminded of my very first large-scale event. It was exciting. It was terrifying. But above all, it was life-changing.
In 2007, I was enjoying my role as full-time stay-at-home mom and volunteer extraordinaire. I loved spending time doing committee work at my kids’ schools and being able to give back to the organizations and causes that my family was involved in. (Fun Fact: Though my “maternity sabbatical” lasted close to seven years, neither of my children remember a time when I did not work. They thought I worked at their schools – that’s how often I was there.)
During my son’s last year at the preschool, I was approached to co-chair the annual fundraiser. I had previously helped plan other events, but this was a full-scale event management request. I handled décor, marketing, and logistics, while my co-chairs managed the silent auction and volunteer committee.
It was the most successful fundraiser to-date and led to my first wedding a year later. A woman getting married at the venue the following year saw photos of that event and hired me to help plan her wedding. That wedding led to others and SQN Events grew organically from that point on.
Almost 10 years later, SQN Events is my pride and joy (second only to my two amazing children). The opportunity to use both the logistical and creative sides of my brain (I’ve taken those tests online, and I am exactly 50% left-brained and 50% right-brained) to create meaningful experiences and unique atmospheres for each of our clients is an honor and a privilege.
While the majority of our clients have been couples planning their weddings and embarking on their next great adventure, SQN Events has never forgotten its roots, and continues to give back. In honor of every client, we make a donation to one of the following organizations:
- The Birthday Party Project, whose mission is to bring joy to children living in homeless and transitional housing facilities by celebrating with monthly birthday parties.
- The Confetti Foundation, who supplies birthday party kits to children who are spending their birthdays in the hospital.
- Wish Upon A Wedding, who covers the costs for weddings and vow renewals to couples facing serious illness or a life-altering circumstance.
All of these organizations are close to my heart and I am honored to donate my time and other resources to them, making a small impact in the big picture.
A few weeks ago I had the privilege to manage the vendor team, décor, and logistics for Camp One Step’s annual signature “Flight” Event at the Four Seasons Hotel. Camp One Step is an incredible organization where kids with cancer can just be kids again. They swim, play sports, roast marshmallows, and just play. Every year the Flight event is inspired by a different country. This year we packed our bags and enjoyed “An Evening in Greece”. While I wanted the donors and volunteers in attendance to feel like they had been transported across the ocean and were sitting along the Mediterranean, I had a nonprofit-sized budget to keep in mind. Utilizing SQN’s vendor relationships, along with some strategic creativity, our guests were treated to a memorable night raising funds to ensure children have the opportunity create lasting memories.
All images courtesy of Studio This Is
Creative Partners: Fragrant Design, Nuage Designs, Nuvole Collection, BKO of BeatMix Music, Reenie Rose
As 2018 comes to an end, the team at SQN Events takes a look back at all of the special moments we have been able to be a part of. From the happiest day of a couples’ lives, to meaningful and emotional evenings with nonprofits near and dear to our hearts, we have enjoyed helping our clients dreams become a reality.
In honor of Giving Tuesday today, please consider making a donation to The Birthday Party Project, Camp One Step, The Confetti Foundation, Wish Upon A Wedding, or any cause close to your heart to help make sure someone else’s dream can become a reality.
For every comment we receive on this post or on our Instagram account on November 27th 2018, we will donate $5.00 to the charity of your choice.*
Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
* One donation per person. Total donations up to $250.00. Valid 11/27/18 only.
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