Hello Exhaustion, Our name is Open Hand

I think we've met. In fact we met yesterday and around 1am when we finally got home and then when we had to get up this morning. Whoever says fundraising is easy... well, I'll be polite and leave it at that. Last night, after many weeks of planning, preparing, inviting, and gathering auction items OH had their first major event with both men and women called Party by the Pool. We had gracious hosts who opened their gorgeous home and incredible back yard entertaining area to us to have our event.

With the threat of rain at 70% for the entire day and into the evening we kept praying and praying and pushing back the rain. It amazes me that God is in charge of the weather - We watched as the chance of rain literally went down to 0% for the whole day and then stayed at 60% for the evening which was when our event was taking place - from 7 to 9pm. I really really didnt want to move the event indoors b.c the outdoor area was so awesome so we kept praying and watched as the chance for rain kept going down until it was nothing until 10pm. Our poor hosts ran around frantically yesterday, cleaning their house and trying to figure out how to host a party of 60 in their home while we prayed the rain away, hour by hour.

Alisha and I arrived 3 hours before the event to begin setting up the auction tables, items, registration tables, raffle table, Croc drop off, microphone, beverages, food..... you get the idea. We did it all. Literally.

Needless to say the certain threat of rain kept a lot of our guests from attending but those that did attend had a fabulous time eating and drinking and learning about Open Hand.

That being said there are a few things we have learned for next time:

1. Even thought we were at a multi million dollar home on the lake - the drive is just too far for people.
2. People listen to the weather man. Even when he's wrong (which btw, is most of the time)
3. Silent auction items need to be located in a more convenient location.
4. We need a decent sound system
5. You are going to bust your butt to get these events in place etc... and you may not collect your goal. It's a lot of work for little reward. 
6. Can't wait to get our determination letter so that we can get corporate sponsors and company donations. It sure would be easier than what we've been doing.
7. When we get our determination letter and we hit up those big donors, we will have worked hard for every dollar we collect. This is not easy. It is exhausting. Like I'm so tired, I'm gonna cry, exhausting.

I think that's all my tired brain can think of right now. We managed to collect 37 pairs of Crocs™ and enough money for 127 loans - a third of what we need for Haiti.  I had set my sights on raising the money for all 300 loans we have committed to but it didnt help that only a third of those who RSVP's showed up.

We have one more Sole Sister party set for June and hopefully another big Family Fun Event at the end of July but we really need to get something on the books closer to Atlanta.