The Pix Theatre 3rd Annual Gala

Over the last decade or so my hometown has been working on fixing up the downtown district. Our downtown is nothing big. The buildings are small and the shops are made up mostly of locally owned antique stores and restaurants and I believe the tallest building there is the library but it's quaint and I love it. Several condemned buildings have been torn down and replaced with grassy areas with murals while other older buildings received face lifts. Even the police station had a make over. It's actually exciting for me to see progress in a turbulent economic downturn.

One of my fondest memories was watching Back to the Future III at the downtown theater. I didn't notice at the time how rundown and old it was, I was too excited about seeing Michael J Fox save the present as he knew it from the evil clutches of Biff Tannen in all his various ages and generations. After that I went there only a handful of times before the building was finally condemned and Edwards took over the Treasure Valley. I hadn't thought about the old theater much since then until a foundation came to my work asking for help with their bookkeeping and taxes. They call themselves the Pix Theatre Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in the restoration of an old condemned building where a little girl once watched Back to the Future III. The work they are doing will not only give downtown their theater back but also a venue where live performances and meals can be given. Over the last couple years we've built a relationship with the official members of the organization and have done work for them pro bono.

A few weeks ago they came into our office announcing their 3rd Annual Gala on October 24, a fund raising and awareness event with auctions, dinner, entertainment, and raffles. Since we've done so much work for them they wanted to give us a whole table of eight (cost of $800) and be VIP guests for the evening. They mentioned they were having trouble finding volunteers to help receive money for all the different money making portions of the evening and I immediately accepted the challenge for both my husband and myself. My mom (also my boss) said everyone who sat at our table would be happy to help. It was an exciting evening for me at least.

They had some really good fundraising ideas as well. The theme was Wizard of Oz and a local jewelry store donated a real ruby and emerald. Anyone who bought a wand (little dollar store plastic things) received a box which may or may not have the ruby or emerald enclosed inside. Those who didn't receive the precious stones got other jewelry like earrings and necklaces. There of course was a raffle for a beautiful quilt, a live auctions, a silent auction, and an online auction.

I live for these kinds of things. I don't like going to this stuff for the party, I always feel out of place and awkward. I love to work these events where I feel I have an excuse to interact with the guests and feel like I'm working toward a good cause. Something my hometown can be proud of.