Picture this: Last winter, my husband and I spent days decorating our house to look like a grand ballroom in the heart of New Orleans. We cooked a four-course dinner, complete with jambalaya, shrimp with remoulade sauce and beignets. We got in Mardi Gras costumes and donned our masks and beads. And then our eight guests arrived, similarly decked out in costumes to match their character descriptions. So began a delightful evening of sleuthing as our guests tried to determine “who done it.”
Each year, my husband and I host several of these themed Murder Mystery Parties in our home. And while the parties are pure fun for us to host, they’re also one of the ways we give back to Prairiewoods, since we auction them off at Prairiewoods’ annual Garden Party. These Murder Mystery Parties are one of the highlights of my year and one reason I look forward to the Garden Party.
But this year is different. Although we would love to host a big Garden Party and celebrate all the ways you contribute at Prairiewoods, your health is more important. So there will not be a traditional Garden Party this year.
In the next few days, you’ll likely hear a lot from us about non-event fundraisers and unconventional ways to support Prairiewoods. A non-event fundraiser is an event like no other, because there is no actual event. There will be no tickets, no auction, no Murder Mystery Parties to host.
Instead, we’re invited to think about how much we would usually spend to attend the Garden Party and consider donating that amount. Every dollar we donate will directly support Prairiewoods’ mission as a sacred space for nurturing relationships with Earth, God, self and others.
Thank you for not attending the Garden Party this year and for being part of the Prairiewoods community. We couldn’t do this work without you, and we are so grateful!
—Andi Lewis, Prairiewoods marketing coordinator