(the following is from Sara’s blog www.discoversarandipity.com…it’s her take on Bloody Brunch Holiday 2009)
So….there was a lull on this here blog in the past month or so where I wasn’t blogging….like at all. I know you’ve prayed & begged & asked Santa for blogging to return here in Sarandipityland. And I’m here to tell you….your prayers/begs/christmas lists have been answered (you’re lucky too…as I have on good authority you’re on Santa’s naughty list).
I’M BACK!
And what was with that lull, Miss Dipity?….you ask, sweetly.
Well, kidlets….I was just busting my gourd on a lil’ project called Bloody Brunch. What is Bloody Brunch, Princess Sara?, you ponder, inquisitively. Well…click the link & read up, son. Or…here’s the cliff notes version……It’s a Twitter based event that raises moola for blood related charities (namely The Blood Center of Wisconsin & The Great Lakes Hemophilia Foundation) and…while we’re being all good & charitable, we get piss drunk on bloody mary’s. (kay….not exactly piss drunk….but we do have one hell of a good time)
While the first 3 Bloody Brunches were lil’ sorirees into the land o’ fun….we decided the holiday one had to be effing awesome. Which it was, if I do say so myself. We had over 150 attendees. We raised over 1,000 bucks for our blood charities. And as a little toast to good ol’ St. Nick, we filled 5 garment sized boxes (that’s as tall as me) with toys to benefit Toys for Tots. I’d say we done good. 
We had a silent auction, we had a raffle, we had free bloody marys, we had free burgers, we had a kick reindeer arse Santa & free photos with the bearded one, we had a cute Marine….and we did it all at Stack’d Bar…who were ridiculously amazing from the beginning planning stages to the day of…we couldn’t have asked for a better venue or a better staff. (PS…shout out to Maurice…he is one rockin’ dude….and a pretty darned awesome manager too!)
So….I have some folks I need to thank…because believe you me….pulling off an event like this doesn’t happen overnight with one hand tied behind a gal’s back. Oh no….I needed lots of hands….so a big THANK YOU to…
CHRIS — the newest member to the Bloody Brunch team & one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met. Chris is a legal eagle & turned our lil’ Bloody Brunch into an LLC, registered our marks & all that jazz….but she’s so much more than just the law mouse. She secured some wowza auction items & swag, she got us custom freaking Bloody Brunch M&M’s (I know…how effing cool is that?!?) on her own dime, she hit the pavement & ran around Milwaukee in an effort to gain donations & then pick up said donations (it should be noted that Chris lives 30 minutes from MKE), she kept my head on straight & she did all this nay a complaint in sight. I’m sure I’m forgetting something….as she was all over this shiz….in short….she is just freaking amazing & I’m lucky to know her.
AMY — my co-founder of the whole shebang, Amy is one of the most creative chicks I’ve ever known. All the awesomeness that is our website? Yeah…Amy’s the gal behind the curtain. She secured us some super amazing auction items & swag, made us our fantastic banners, tweeted up a freaking storm, sent out news releases, made cute-as-hecks magnets for the swag bags, designed her lil’ butt off & was on top of everything despite getting a crappy medical diagnosis in the middle of all the chaos. When Amy & I met over a bloody mary last spring, I had no idea our friendship would not only be so much fun….but bring so much good to our community. It’s rare to meet people so in-tune to yourself….& I’m so fortunate to know Amy…..as she is just that….me…..with red hair & a killer “rarrrrrhhhrrrr” pose.
STACY, SARAH, LYNN, CHRIS, EMILY, MARE, TOM, ED, JIM, CARRIE, ….. these folks were our fabulous, amazing, wonderful, heartwarming, lovely volunteers. Honestly…I can’t find enough adjectives to describe my gratitude for helping us make Bloody Brunch such a success. We couldn’t have done it without them.
Stacy, Sarah, Lynn, Emily & Chris were at my house til the latest, most ridiculous (with Amy & Chris, too) hours of the night before the big day stuffing swag, making booklets & keeping me (partly) sane. Of course the Chinese takeout (read: WINE….LOTS OF WINE) helped too…but those gals gave up their Saturday night to throw all the last minute shazam together…and that’s fanfreakingfabulous. They all also volunteered the day of…running around, making sure all was right in the bloody world. You can’t dream of friends like these…yet…here they are. Truly, truly blessed.
Tom was our “twitter expert”. He owns Trivera Interactive with his lovely wife, MARJIE & gave twitter tutorials all morning, spreading the good twitter word. If you have any questions about twitter (or need any website or design assistance) they’re your peeps. And they’re good peeps. Really good peeps!
Ed spun his way into Bloody Brunch history by professionally dj-ing our big day. He did one hellova a job & stayed well past the closing….spinning away. He truly brought the holiday spirit to all of us….thanks so much Ed!
Jim saved the day…literally. After our original Santa Claus flew the Christmas coup, Jim stepped up to fill those famous coal stained shoes. And fill them he did. He was the perfect ol’ jolly St. Nick. The children loved him & (from all the pics pouring in) so did the….ahem….older children. He was such a good sport & we can’t thank him & his wife, Kris, enough for helping us. We owe you some milk & cookies (& carrots for Rudolph).
Carrie was our official photographer. She took the free photos with Santa with all the kidlings….and adultlings. She was so prepared bringing every sort of fun prop imaginable….makes me wonder if she came in on a magical sleigh with Santa. She really made all the difference & her bubbly personality put an insta-smile on all our faces.
And last….but soooo not least….I have to thank our SUPER DUPER GENEROUS local businesses for donating to the swag bags & the silent auction & raffle. Ohmigoodness…the donations kept pouring in….our socks were rocked. There’s too many wonderful establishments to list here…but check them all out HERE & HERE.
We had 50 swag bags total….with 25 being the “premium” swag….the best coupons/gift certificate/goodies. To get a premium bag you needed to donate a killer toy…we’re talking $25 or more in value. I was absolutely blown away when I found out those were gone in the first 20 minutes of the doors being open. The other 25? Within the first 30 minutes. Wowzapants! The silent auction raised $1300 for the blood related charities. That’s pretty impressive seeing our first 3 events raised a little over $100 at each. Moving up in the charitable world!
The most important aspect of Bloody Brunch was the outpouring support of our community. The amount of folks who attended made my heart soar. Everyone showing up, toy(s) in hand & ready to get their donation on….just because we asked for toys & donations was…..well…..it was tear ducts flowing with happy tears excited & amazed. I’m not sure what I was expecting whilst planning our pants off for this…I guess I was expecting toys & donations & people & all….but to actually see it….was really something. I honestly can not express to you my gratitude. From the tips of my toes to the top of my head….with a big ol’ detour through my heart….THANK YOU. If I could become Stretch Armstrong for a moment & pull you all in for a giant group hug, I would.
Here’s a lil’ snicky snack of how amazing the Twitter community is…..get the tissues ready & click HERE.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…..from the bottom of my heart…..THANK YOU!!! You all are truly the meaning of Christmas. We couldn’t have done it without you.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, MILWAUKEE!!!
(be on the look out….next Bloody Brunch will be heading your way in February!)
Please also take a peek at Chris’ wrap up of the Bloody Brunch event on her blog: Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot.
