Last night I had the great privledge of being invited to the Marshall Community Foundation’s Donor Appreciation Night. I was there both as a grantee and a donor. Probably one of the few times it feels good to be on both sides of the fence!
As a Grantee I was asked by the Foundation to put together a small display demonstrating how the grant funds were used on our project. G.I.F.T (Give to the Fountain Today) received a $10,000 grant directly from the Marshall Community Foundation and 693 individual donations through the Foundation for a total of $189,000. I was very much looking forward to this opportunity to express my appreciation to all of the donors face to face. I have placed my signature upon all 693 of those thank you letters, but was eager to shake their hands. I set up early yesterday afternoon and was anxiously awaiting the evening festivities.
When I arrived back at the Franke Center for the Arts the celebration was in full swing. The room was wall to wall people. Laughter, smiles and hugs came easily. The conversations consisted of congratulatory remarks, praise and pride. I took my place behind the G.I.F.T table and quickly became one with the buzz of the room.
Soon, Sherry Anderson, the Executive Director of the Marshall Community Foundation, called us all upstairs for a special presentation in the auditorium. People were reluctant to end their conversations, but followed rank and file upstairs to take their seats. The lights dimmed, the screen came up and before us began a slide show documenting all the projects that have been funded through the Community Foundation, made possible by its donors. The presentation had a resounding theme, “Heros”.
As I looked around that auditorium last night I saw all familiar faces, all people that I have worked with, who have volunteered for me, who have given me their time and their friendship. A tear came to my eye and a lump rose in my throat as I realized that I was surrounded by heros everyday. Everything that happens in this small town is because of one person that takes it upon themselves to make it happen. Heros are not of myth or legend here in Marshall, they walk beside you every day, and I am blessed to call them my friends.
