Normally Toys for Troops sends packages of beanie babies and soccer balls to our Troops in Iraq, Kosovo and Afganistan. The troops then give out the gifts to the children in the villages. That one little toy can make all the world of difference in that childs life.
For the holidays, Toys for Troops is sending Christmas care packages to our soldiers overseas. I figured my friends could at least help sponsor the shipping of some gift packages, so that's what we did - collect money for postage while Gnightgirl and her group collected gifts and packaged up the gift boxes in Champaign IL.
I put the word out that I was looking for an alcohol company to sponsor the party. One thing lead to another and I found Barefoot Wines. Once they found out what the fundraiser was for, they were totally on board. Yeah! Free wine for my friends!
Tonight was the party, and here are a few photo highlights -
I made this sign for out front
Gnightgirl sent us pens and thank you cards to pass out to everyone.
Erin Wright from Barefoot Wine is ready for the party
and here come the guests!! I don't know who wants to be identified and who wants to stay private so I'm only going to post the names of a few people.
Bill Hayes and Susan Hayes from Days Of Our Lives. GloZell saw them walking in front of the house and made them come in, she knows them from her church. Turns out they live right around the corner from me!
Another blogger Bdub and his girl E. Two of my favorite posts of his - Don't park in his parking spot! and I love when E. took Bdub all over New York on the "Sex and the City" Tour. Only a man that REALLLLY cared about you would be willing to take the "Sex and the City" Tour! Note to E. - He's a keeper!
The caterer deserves a post all of his own, for now I'll just say that I do believe the guests really enjoyed the food!
Fellow Texan (that's where we know him from) and actor Lew Temple also came by. If you haven't watched the movie "Waitress" yet, buy a pie and go rent it! Apparently many of the actors and crew on from that movie all had kids not that long after working on the movie - Lew said it must of been something in the pie. Watch the movie, you'll see!I was so busy I didn't eat a bite of food and I was able to get over to the wine table once. Erin of Barefoot wines left us a few bottles so I'll sample some later this week.
I'm looking at the photos and I realize that I missed a few people (I hoping GloZell got 'em with her camera!) but should you want to see the whole flickr set of photos - click here
This was my first time doing anything like this, I was completely out of my comfort zone, but I had lots of help and it really was lots of fun. I am overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends. Seriously. In one night we raised over $2,285 for Toys For Troops and more importantly we were able to spread the word about an amazing organization that does such great work!
It's midnight, I'm exhausted and I'm not responsible for typos.
19 thoughts????:
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan
http://www.car-insurance-choices.com
MARY!!!!!! Ya'll are so glamourous!!! and the party looks FABULOUS!!! and that's a big haul for your first party too, girl. Congrats!
You have such a big heart Mary. That's one of the many things I love about you!
xoxox
Thank You, Mary & Q, and everyone else that showed up!
I was up past midnight here also, finalizing all of the boxes; we had so many donations that I had to bring them home to finish packing.
I can't thank you enough, and I so wish that I could have attended both events.
I'm off to the post office now!
Mary, that's awesome in every way!
No one would ever know you were outside of your comfort zone. Your home is beautiful, your friends are warm and gracious (says a lot about you), your husband wears a spectacular shirt and Miss Mary, you can paint and decorate and hostess better than most.
Jane is looking for a house tour on a day you're not working. I tried to tell her about your coffee table and she wants to see it in person.
Yes, my 10 year old reads Dwell too.
Good cause, great party. I was honored to be there.
Mike and I had a great time and were so thankful to have the opportunity to give. You didn't seem out of your element at all! Nicely done.
It looks like you had a great time while supporting a great cause! Way to go Mary and Friends!
Thanks again for the invite, Mary. Erika and I had a good time. Thanks for the blog shout-out too! Your house is beautiful and the eats were tremendous. Good times. See you soon, neighbor!
I OWE YOU A CHECK! Will put it in your mailbox in the morning! As a proud fiance of a military man serving our country in Iraq- the depth of my gratitude to you and your generous friends is endless!
Hey "Fightin' Mad Mary", I am gnight girl's neice. I've heard alot about you. I am in charge of the Toys For Troops facebook group, because I know SO many people that know some one currently deployed, and so few of them know what we do. I wanted to ask your permission to copy the pictures from your page and post them in an album on Facebook.
Sorry i missed your party. Katie and Maria told me all about it. Congrats on raising that amount of money!! Hope you are ready for the holidays, i did not start christmas shopping yet. Did you?
Kudos to everyone involved, including the sponsors! Its great to see people getting together and helping others!
A big hooray for you & Q. Although, were was Day-Z in all this?
The food looked fab and big plugs to Barefoot Wines to anyone I speak too.. great things come from giving!
Wow! This was quite a star-studded event! And good for you, turning your holiday party into an event to help others.
You rock!
Great pics and great post. I loved it. You look beautiful! It looks like a fab time! :)
I HATE that I wasn't able to make it. It looks like an AMAZING time and who is the cute guy in the Khaki jacket?
How cool...what a great evening, and for a great cause!
After reading about Barefoot wines sponsorship at your party, I bought a bottle of their Merlot. I like it! And very reasonably priced! I'm sipping it now. Will buy again.
Looks like a fun party! I love Neil Flynn. So glad Scrubs is back!
That looks like a great party! It's great that so many people turned up to help out those on need!
Neil looks adorable! But it's amazing how much taller he is than the door frame!
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