THE
STORY
The Story
Behind the Glass Slipper Ball………..
Like many
things in life, creating something new is a combined result of
an evolution of thoughts, action, events and people. From the
beginning, it was apparent the stars were lining up to launch
this event into the stratosphere. And since women love stories,
we thought we'd share with you the story of how it came to be…….
Over the past
25 years the small, local Zonta Club struggled with fundraisers
and lack of visibility within the community. Being a volunteer
organization, Zonta Three Rivers Pittsburgh North came into the
new millennium needing to attract new members and new talent.
But this is a very difficult time for women. They are juggling
many balls in the air, and tend to put themselves last. Many working
mothers and professional women have taken multi-tasking to an
unhealthy level. Yet for the past 85 years, Zonta clubs worldwide
have attracted women, very busy women, to help make a difference
in women's lives on a global level.
Our chairperson,
Debra Dion Krischke, being a member of Zonta for over 18 years,
and having worked on many committees, decided over a decade ago
to produce a benefit Christmas party in her home, with proceeds
to go to scholarships for women. With the help of her husband,
daughter and friends, they were able to raise $5,000 to $10,000
a year.
In 2003, returning
from an Anthony Robbins Firewalk, Debra had a lightbulb moment
concerning her upcoming Christmas party. She thought, "Wouldn't
it be fabulous to have just the chefs she knew personally give
their 'best effort' for a fundraiser?". Her Christmas party
that year saw eight chefs outdo themselves with signature hors'doeuvres
and desserts. Everyone involved that night knew the concept needed
to "Go Big". Little did they know how that would eventually
play out.
At the same
time, Zonta was evolving and five years ago embraced an idea to
do a dance at Arthur Murray. The next year it evolved into a 50's
dance with Johnny Angel and was repeated the following year. It
raised an all time record of $7,000 and the entire club was ecstatic.
Although the process had left us depleted and overwhelmed, there
were still a handful of women, with great skills, willing to take
their piece of the production and do it one more time.
Knowing she
had at least a handful of chefs and a handful of women committed
to an event, Debra presented our club with a lofty goal that would
stretch all of us in many ways. Her enthusiasm for the event and
commitment to it's success permeated our meetings and soon others
"caught the bug". The first year, we were able to give
over $35,000 to the various agencies we support. They, in turn,
handle the applications and selections for worthy candidates.
Zonta Three Rivers Pittsburgh North was thrilled as they parceled
out the funds!
This second
year we hope to top $60,000 and the event can now move into the
fine-tuning stage. More importantly, it gave Zonta the visibility
it needed and deserved after all these years. The club has attracted
15 new members, many with needed skills and corporate connections
that make all the difference. Truly it can be said that "The
Whole is Greater Than the Sum of it's Parts…..but it's Parts
are Really Something! "
So where does
the vision go from here? There is a saying that we are all angels
born with only one wing, but by locking arms we can fly. Bon Voyage
- and get ready for take off!
