Submitted by Community on Fri, 2013-04-19 10:35
- STORIES FROM AUSTIN, TEXAS-
Well Aware, an Austin-based 501c3 that builds sustainable water systems in Kenya, needed a place to party. It was time to kick off our 5th annual Shower Strike, Well Aware’s primary fundraiser that recruits people to stop showering until they meet their fundraising goal. Because what’s a few showers when so many people around the world struggle just to get a drink of water every day?
So, step number one in throwing a party that stinks is choose a great venue, preferably one with an admirable mission. It made perfect sense to hold our biggest Shower Strike event yet at CTC Garden. We know CTC shares our determination to make life better for people in Kenya, and they were so welcoming and helpful despite our unbathed abandon. (Truth is, we didn’t stop showering until later that night, but no one told Blake Mycoskie, who admitted he started a couple of days early.)
CTC Garden is an urban oasis that requires no additional adorning. We threw up a few extra lights, positioned pictures of past water projects, brought in an awesome DJ, and we were set.
Step two is line up food and drink that will keep guests gratified. We took advantage of Cazamance Café – delicious African food right on site at CTC. Everyone raved about the food, and the Café even donated a portion of the sales to Well Aware’s water work. The only down side: now we’re all addicted to Iba’s delectable dishes.
The drink was a nice touch too, since Thirsty Planet had been aging a special brew based on a Kenyan recipe just for this affair. It was so delightful that two kegs of it were killed in less than two hours. Lesson learned: people who care a lot about water also care a lot about good beer.
Step three is inviting an eclectic crowd that includes members of other local orgs, as well as friends and family of our team and participants. We so enjoyed eavesdropping that night. Our favorite remarks were how hip the venue was and how excited folks were about our upcoming water projects. We were particularly excited to talk about the rainwater collection system that Well Aware is installing this month at CTC’s new land in Kenya.
Step four, the final step, in throwing a funky fiesta is relax and enjoy. The Well Aware fundraising team put in many hours to pull it all together, but once our guests arrived and the beer was tapped, the vibe was just right to simply appreciate and get to know all of the wonderful people who showed up. Everyone there wanted to be a part of making someone else’s life better, and that energy filled the space. It was a most excellent evening.
And if you’re wondering, everyone has since showered, and we exceeded our fundraising goal!
If you want to learn more about the Shower Strike or the work of Well Aware, please visit our website, WellAwareWorld.org
Blog By:
Sarah Evans, Well Aware Co-Founder and Executive Director
