[For A Cozy, Creative Community] Update 2: Events
We’ve moved up an additional 40% and are now just over $700 away from reaching our goal!! A lot of credit goes to my mom, who has been sharing about her experience volunteering here a couple of weeks ago. She’s also been translating the gist of my updates to Chinese for our relatives and family friends, inspiring them to donate!
Today’s update will be focused on EVENTS.
WHY EVENTS?
Events are a way to bring the community together and unite them in celebration. Whether its a celebration of talent (Eleonas Got Talent, Elea Cup, Eleonas Dance Battle), of holidays (Nowruz (Persian New Year), Eid, Easter Fun Fair, King’s Day (Dutch), Halloween), or just to give thanks and share a meal (Celebration of Thanks community lunch in the spring), they are moments that are fondly remembered by volunteers and residents alike.
Volunteers have a role in planning the events, running games/activities as necessary, preparing decorations, and participating in outreach. For example, during our Halloween festivities this past October, some volunteers spent the week beforehand preparing decorations such as garbage bag cobwebs and a large spider for the top of the Elea House. We also planned a scavenger hunt with mini games spread out through the camp for children as well as an escape room in the Elea House for adults. The party concluded with the awarding of prizes to the winning scavenger hunt teams, followed by (as is the Eleonas custom) a big dance party!
More important than even the creative flair that Project Elea has become known for in its events is our emphasis on including residents in the process. We even have a resident DJ (DJ SOL!) who mixes the beats at every party! Like our activities, our events are run alongside the residents; with them, not for them. In this way, we can all have pride in our successes and share ideas to find ways for improvement in future events.
If you feel inclined to support Project Elea’s community-building activities such as our fabulous events, please visit the GoFundMe campaign and donate what you can!
