One can never know why you are compelled to run that race, raise money for some orphanage or collect cans for hungry children. It's not a matter of why or how but when.
Is there a right or wrong time to donate your time, energy or money to Non Profits? For me I tend to find myself running thin these days in a tough economy where being a face around the community and popping out my event skills is in higher demand then ever before. I say BECAUSE the economy is tough if you have it-give it, this is the time to really show what you are made of and help those around us...
I have planned events from 1920's casino nights for Parkinson, Weekend Get Aways for MS, Fashion shows for Cancer, Galas for Orphanages, women organizations, to off the beaten path-one of a kind of events for all types of non profits. Every time it is a challenge, a new beginning and adventure for all involved. Working with low budgets, volunteers (usually inexperienced staff), high demand clients, crucial deadlines and constant favor asking. Pulling out my charm is the least I can say for pulling off most of these events, being able to sleep at night and at the end of the day wondering how 8 months has passed and did I profit anything to make ends meat?!
I must say the joy and fulfillment I get from these events is such a bland explanation and term of how I truly feel
pre and post the event. I glow in admiration of my 'baby' I brought up, matured, trained, nourished, which is now grown and blossomed into a gorgeous article and expression of my hard work and love.
I have found creative (with much experience) techniques and standards of how to inventively design and create non profit events with literally no budgets and at the end of the day raise funds. After my time of dedication to nearly 100's of non profits, I have embarked on designing and starting my own Non Profit- The Vela Foundation. Based on my first book 'Love vs. Infatuation' my Non Profit will set forth a basic understanding of what the difference is, what a healthy relationship is and isn't, and how to define what love is for yourself! It will include workshops, partnerships with other non profits to outsource relationships with in the community, seminars, course work and counseling. My board of members will include celebrities and icons who have relative stories that they can share and relate to with the community.
I am excited to start a new adventure that will last longer then 8 months (typical event planning time for an event), that will keep excitement and thrill coming and create new challenges that will keep me on my toes that will never get boring! Stay tune for more information and the official launch party and website coming soon this Fall!
Vela Foundation-define the way you love and are loved!
One could relate my excitement of New York Fashion Week to that of a little girl on Christmas morning waiting for her new little dolly to appear in one of those beautifully wrapped packages; oh yes, it's that serious!!! I search for all the best shows, times and coordinate schedules with friends. However this season, I was attending to my mother recovering from a hysterectomy in Colorado for two weeks, so I didn't have the opportunity to 'fall in love' with my calendar as years past. 
