Saturday, September 27 was an incredible busy day full of volunteering. Mike and I coordinated booths for the annual
Character Counts ! Jamboree. Then to top off the day, volunteered at the #1 event in San Clemente. The Toast to the Casa.
At the Character Counts Jamboree, we set up a Garden Club booth and Mike had a Bluebird booth next door with the bluebird guys. Here I am (in the pink visor) showing children how to plant a flower and their 'responsibility' was to water and take care of it. We helped 300 children plant snapdragons-ok, it was 297 to be exact! The day was exhausting but so rewarding! It was fun to hear someone say, "my plant from last year is still alive. " I showed many of them how to make the snapdragon flower 'talk'. My booth mates got a kick out of that. I pretended the flower was a puppet and asked their name etc.
The booth was one of the most popular at the event. Here we are working with kids of all ages, including a few moms (that cautiously asked) wanting to plant a flower. It is interesting to share the simplicity of planting a flower. Their caution while pressing it into the cup and adding a little more soil showed that this was a new lesson for most that participated. You could easily tell the few children that did have experience planting something.
This is the 4th year the garden club has participated in this event. The first year we handed out color books, then had the idea of planting flowers. The last 3 years we have had a consistent 300 children visiting out booth.
OK got home at 4pm from a day at Character Counts! Jamboree. Put our feet up for a few minutes...ahhhh.
Now, time to get ready for the event of the year in San Clemente. The Toast to the Casa the major party/fundraiser. Tickets were $175 per person with entertainment, food and wine everywhere. We were volunteers for the evening-only way we would attend. The theme was the roaring 20's (when the Casa was built) with attire and decor to go along with it. Mae West and Charlie Chaplin were there too...We put on our duds and snapped this self photo.
The evening consisted of silent auction, 60 items-we were working that area-a live auction, including a golf cart, 3 bands, 2 areas with piano players and a 3 piece string group. Food from many local restaurants being cooked on the spot and wine from many vintners being poured all evening. We knew many people there because of our community involvement and were 'working' the party but it was something to see. You would never think the economy was in the state it is to see the generosity of these people that attended. Quite the event. We arrived home at midnight. Wow, what a day!
