The Big Show - Snowflake Gala 2009

After a long year of events, it was finally my turn to go to the big show, United Way's Snowflake Gala. This was the only event I had never been to, therefore, I was most nervous about. But I must say, I was nervous for nothing. The room was gorgeous, people had a good time, and we had a positive campaign report to give. All in all, it was a good time for all.

Oh, and did I mention we were listed in the Top 3 of Oklahoma City Charity Events by Oklahoma Magazine. Minor detail. I was thrilled, to say the least.

Entry - the walkway to the event room





Decor - beautiful damask tablecloth with red chair bands, napkins and florals for a nice pop of color




Marketing staff - Erin Brewer, VP Marketing and Communications, me, Director of Events, and Rachel Klein, Director of Communications

Due to a, well, we'll call it a deviation from the script, we moved Volunteer Award comments to it's own event in December 2007. So, in December 2008, we recognized our 2009 Volunteer Award winners with their own reception, where they invited family and friends to make their acceptance speeches.

The crowd enjoyed a reception in the hallway and slowly filed into the room at the Waterford Marriott hotel


2009 Volunteer Award winners: Todd Edmonds (Ray Ackerman Leadership Award), Sue Hale (John Rex Community Builder Award), Berta Faye Rex (Richard H. Clements Lifetime Achievement Award) and Nancy Moore for her late husband Steve (Richard H. Clements Lifetime Achievement Award)

Early Bird, Early Morning

The Early Bird (in 2008) Breakfast was changed from a lunch to a breakfast in October when we learned our United Way executive vice president was being awarded that afternoon for being the city's top fundraiser. Due to the change, attendance was down, but we still had a party.

We recognized and thanked our 2008 Loaned Executive class for their hard work and service during our peak campaign season


As well as hosting a special 'ribbon cutting' (in keeping with the building theme) to announce where our campaign stood at that particular time

Day of Caring

Day of Caring is a nationwide event for United Way. We tag it as 'not your usual day at the office.'

Volunteer teams are sent out in to the OKC metro where they have prepared meals for the homeless, refurbished playgrounds for children and played bingo with the elderly.

Our Partner Agencies submit projects that need to be completed such as landscaping, painting or interacting with clients. Companies then pick the projects and bring the materials needed to complete the projects for the agencies.

Photos below highlight just one of the over 50 projects completed on the Day of Caring.

Pacesetter Reception

The second of this event in history, and it was a huge success.

Pre-event reception


Bob Spinks, United Way president, welcomes Pacesetter companies before handing the program over to Pete Delaney, OGE Energy Corp. and 2009 Campaign Chairman (filling in for John Richels, 2008 Pacesetter Chairman)


Pete Delaney with employees from HeartLine, Inc (United Way Partner Agency) and Nina Daylor, United Way executive vice president


Pete Delaney, Mike Coats (IBC Bank) and Nina Daylor

The Earliest, Most Chaotic Morning - Campaign Kickoff

Imagine waking up at 2 a.m. Now, imagine having to be at the Bricktown Ballpark at 4 a.m. Now, imagine that the largest event you do all year takes place and is over by 9 a.m.

September 5, 2008 - Bricktown Ballpark

This was the scene that nearly 1,000 people walked in to on the morning of our Campaign Kickoff pancake breakfast, better known as 'Breakfast at the Brick.' That morning, much was set to take place, and the best way I can describe it...organized chaos.

The scene early the morning of Kickoff


The entrance, set to go with Building Our Community, construction decor was a must


The more than 40 tables and 300 chairs set for over 1,000 attendees


The food line, designed to cut down on clumping, glad we found a good set-up


Our five Focus Area banners: Successful Kids, Strong Families, Healthy Citizens, Independent Living and Community Preparedness


Stage decor, pre-event


The Early Bird trying to catch the Worm (to illustrate our Early Bird deadline)


Loaned Executives refilling pancake pourers for our 'Celebrity Chefs'


'Celebrity Chef' shift one, 7 a.m.


Board members and TV personalities serving as 'Celebrity Chefs' to feed our nearly 1,000 attendees


Emerging Leaders competing in the 1st Annual Pancake Eating Contest


And the winner is...Aaron Diment, United Way Logan County Coordinator


Emerging Leaders (front), media personailities (stage) competing in the Annual Pancake Flip-off


First flip, and the Emerging Leaders have all overshot


The final flip, Alex Cameron, KWTV News 9, and Dave Morris, NewsOK


And the winner is...Dave Morris, NewsOK


John Richels, Pacesetter Chairman announces the Pacesetter campaign results, just over $6 million


David Thompson, Campaign Chairman, announces campaign goal on $18.5 million, with the help of the Early Bird and Worm


After another successful event, staff and Loaned Executives gather for a group photo

Community Investment Reception

After one month on the job, I was faced with a new task. Pulling off an event that we had never done before.

Part of what we do at United Way is allocating the funds we raise back to our 60 Partner Agencies. We do this every spring with the help of 200-250 volunteers who review our agency's budgets, programs and facilities. The process lasts roughly three months, and at the end, the board of directors approves the funding and then we notify our agencies.

In 2008, our Community Investment Department asked that we hold an event and press conference for the agencies and volunteers to come and celebrate the funding and have the media there to report about the dollars going back into the community.

The reception prior to the press conference


Community Investment Chairman, Shane Wharton, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, talking about 2008/2009 agency funding


The best interns (besides myself) that we've ever had, Jessica and Ashley, passing out Live United t-shirts to attendees

Pacesetter Games

Two weeks after my 'first' event, we had our Pacesetter Games at The Oklahoman.

Let me explain. The Pacesetter Games event is where 25-30 companies come out to play two goofy games and then compete in a canoe race. Now, this may sound silly, but these companies take it very seriously. Each team consists of 10 employees from each company who will compete for the prize. Now, you might think the prize is something truly amazing, and while I assure you it is not, they will fight to the death to win.

Trophies: 1st, 2nd, 3rd place hard hats (to go with our Building Our Community theme)


Game 1: Build a Skyscraper


Game 2: United Way Construction Relay


Game 3: Canoe Race (the best game to witness, but not participate in)