It was the fourth annual Giving Party, hosted by Chapel Hillians Diane Belden, Perri Kersh, Mary Beth Grealey and Casey Saussy at the Belden home. Attendees — mostly women — enjoy catching up with each other, but four nonprofits are invited to talk one-on-one with guests about their causes. And guests are encouraged to directly donate to those causes. At the end of the three-hour party, a total is revealed. This year, $14,655 will be divided among the Habit for Humanity of Orange County Women Build, the Fuel Up Program at Perry Harrison School, Summit House and The Women’s Center’s Teens Climb High Program.
Kersh and Grealey conceptualized the party standing in the parking lot of their kids’ preschool. They were tired of getting invitations to come to someone’s home and buy jewelry or cooking supplies. They wondered if that idea could apply to a more selfless cause. Their first party raised $13,000.
“The first goal of the Giving Party is to spread holiday cheer,” says Grealey. “The second goal is to increase exposure for organizations that we think are worthy. And the third is to support these organizations financially.”
Different organizations are selected to benefit from the party every year. This year, the focus was on programs for women and girls.
As the guest list has grown to almost 400 people, so has the concept. This year, sister Giving Parties will be thrown in Cary, Charleston, S.C. and Charlotte.
Latest Comments
Giving Party
Posted by kay mann December 04, 2010 11:15:09
Thank you
Posted by Ann Gerhardt, Executive Director, The Women's Center December 03, 2010 17:16:01
Thanks!
Posted by Perri Kersh December 03, 2010 12:55:27