Get out! Give Back!

I’ve always enjoyed social affairs… galas, black ties, cocktail receptions… the whole lot. You could say I was weaned on them. My parents were in the diplomatic corps, and as such were invited to all and sundry parties at embassies or State houses. Always wanting to expose us to many different things, they often broke the “no children” rule of etiquette by taking my three siblings and me to as many affairs as possible. (Ahem… we were very well behaved children).

I will never forget where I cut my teeth on black tie functions. I must've been 6 years old. It was at a state dinner. The wedding celebration of the son of a certain African dictator (er… I mean president… “for life”). What a magnificent event! The entire diplomatic corps and expatriate community was invited and from the looks of things, showed up… many of them clad in their native attire (the "evening wear" versions, I would imagine). I can still taste the little morsels of yummies that were passed around, and I’ve tried for years to duplicate the Hungarian goulash soup that preceded the main course – succulent Ostrich. Or was it Quail?

Fast forward to my college years. A friend invited me to a social gathering which was to be held by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. I had never heard of Multiple Sclerosis, but since it was an “After 5” meeting with the enticement of free food and drink for a starving student like myself, I said, yeah, why not? The gathering turned out to be a volunteer recruitment and planning meeting for the Preakness Stakes. Multiple Sclerosis was the benefiting charity for that year’s race. As volunteers, we were told we could partake in all the pomp and circumstance that is the Preakness (after our volunteer tasks were completed, of course), plus we were helping raise money for good cause. I was so there!

And so began my interest in charity events. I found I could do good, while having a bit of fun. Not only did I learn about how Multiple Sclerosis strikes when individuals are in the prime of their lives (between the ages of 20 and 50), I learned why non-profits like the Multiple Sclerosis Society are the catalysts for government action. Non-profits cannot do it without dedicated volunteers, donors, and events like the one I attended. Even though I have no connection to the disease, I have always remembered this organization in my annual giving.

It is my hope that HRDossier will inspire you to “Get Out and Give Back” by attending the many wonderful and worthwhile charity events in our community.