“We like to give back to our community,” said Jillian Dodge, board member of Hoboken-based nonprofit Party With Purpose (PWP). “Why not do it when having a good time?”
Dodge is among 20 volunteer board members who support the work of Party With Purpose, a local nonprofit that combines social events with fundraising. The organization held its third Annual Winter Benefit earlier this year at W Hoboken hotel. Approximately 275 people attended including past donor recipients such as True Mentors, the Boys and Girls Club, and the Jubilee Center.
Since 2002 the volunteer run organization has donated $350,000 to local charities through social events and family oriented events like their 5K run and winter holiday dinners.
Dodge said that bringing people together in social settings is enticing for busy professionals who want to give back to their community. The organization’s motto is “Work hard, play hard, give hard.”
Starting off
Following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Hoboken resident Scott Delea felt a need to give back to the community. With the help of his friends, he organized PWP’s first event in December 2002.
“They knew that if they got their friends together they could definitely raise money,” said Dodge.
The organization is run entirely by volunteers and has grown to include 20 volunteer board members and up to 100 volunteers for the annual 5K race. The Winter Benefit was put together by a cadre of 25 volunteers.
“When this organization comes together we really work hard at making the event a success,” said Dodge. “It makes people want to come again and again.”
Volunteers hail from diverse backgrounds and include a mix of professionals and college students, among others. They handle all event planning responsibilities from nuts to bolts.
Dodge first became involved in 2009.
“I went to the first meeting…and really connected with a lot of people…and I kind of got hooked,” said Dodge. “I really love being a part of this organization. Everyone is fantastic to work with.”
The board members generate ideas on which organizations to fund, among other responsibilities.
“We always make sure that we vet [the] charities to make sure [money] is going to the right places,” said Dodge.
“I really love being a part of this organization. Everyone is fantastic to work with.” – Jillian Dodge
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Benefiting local residents
The Winter Benefit raised close to $20,000. Part of the proceeds will benefit local Hoboken charities and victims of the Third Street fire that displaced a number of local residents.
“Once we saw the fire taking place, immediately we knew that we wanted to be able to support those people that were affected [by it],” said Dodge.
Dodge said that the event hit close to home because a former coworker of hers lived in the building and a volunteer for the organization recently moved out of the building.
“It is unbelievable how fast all of your possessions can be lost,” said Dodge. “We want to help them get back on their feet [and] we are here for them.”
Dodge said that the goal of the organization is to help the community, and when the fire happened, the board immediately saw the need to offer support. Such a circumstance reminds Dodge why she loves being a part of Hoboken.
“That is what is so great about Hoboken,” she said. “Even though it is a big town, it is a small town.”
‘Fun’ in fundraising
The Winter Benefit, which took place in the Chandelier Room at the W, kicked off with entertainment by Bikini Burlesque Bootcamp. The group donated their time and performed five routines. Dodge said the group had fun with the performance and it ended “with some of the male board members doing some routines of their own.”
The event also featured special guests such as boxer Eric Kelly, who Dodge said has been supportive and a mentor to the organization’s beneficiaries. Kelly donated a boxing lesson for the live auction.
Dan Levy of Grand Stand Sports ran the silent auction that featured items donated from local businesses. Skeery Jones from the Z100 Morning Show auctioned off concert tickets including tickets to see Van Halen. Other special guests included the Skinny Chef Jennifer Iserloh, author, and radio talk show host John Bell, and local reality star Adam Poch from CBS’ Big Brother. Local favorite Carlos Bakery donated cupcakes.
Next event: run, then party
Party With Purpose plans to host their eighth annual 5K on July 17 along the Hoboken waterfront. Dodge anticipates the event will draw more than 1,700 runners. Kids have their own fun run before the actual race.
Following the 5K, PWP will host an after party on the waterfront with live music, food, drinks and an auction.
For more information, visit www.partywithpurpose.org or find them on Facebook or Twitter.
Adriana Rambay Fernández can be reached at afernandez@hudsonreporter.com.