Shadow’s Foundation
Shadow’s Foundation is a non-profit in Flagstaff, Arizona which raises money to assist those with life threatening illnesses, in getting the care they need. It’s a magnificent organization owned and operated by one of the most wonderful women (humans) I know, Vicki Burton-Taunton. I love this organization and would love for everyone to know more about it, so you are welcome to read more here.
Vicki would always tell people I was her “right hand”. My duties ranged from coordinating volunteers, to meeting with shareholders, to organizing campaign days for the organization's “Better Bucks” initiative. I would help with planning of certain background aspects for all events. I got to be hands-on at all of the events on event day, I helped with set up and tear down. I really got to have some amazing broad event experience with Shadow’s Foundation.
My favorite events that I got to work were The Big Sting Country Thing, the Heart of Hope Gala, The 911 Color Run and the Heart of Hope Golf Tournament. I had the opportunity to learn so much about a wide variety of events, and I am so grateful for that opportunity! I also made connections with city officials, sponsors, shareholders and other volunteer groups. The Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity at my university chose Shadow’s Foundation as their local philanthropy, so I worked closely with them to fill volunteer needs at each event, and on the “Better Bucks” initiative.
The “Better Bucks” initiative was created by Shadow’s Foundation in partnership with the Flagstaff Police Department. They created Better Bucks as an alternative to cash, to discourage panhandling in an attempt to help mitigate substance abuse. Better Bucks can be utilized at a number of grocery stores in the city, and cannot be used to purchase alcohol. If you’d like to learn more about Better Bucks, please do so here.
The Big Sting Country Thing is a Country Music festival hosted in Prescott Valley, AZ. I was mainly hands-on help during event weekend for this event. I sold tickets at the door, helped restock bars and merchandise, and acted as a runner for anything Vicki needed. I helped maintain quiet hours overnight, since this was a multiple day event.
The Heart of Hope Gala honored Shadow’s Foundation beneficiaries and donors. This was hosted at the Twin Arrows Resort in Flagstaff, AZ. I helped with volunteer coordination, set up, tear down, and was on my feet on event day, working to ensure all moving parts were running smoothly.
The Heart of Hope Golf Tournament was the first Golf Tournament I’d ever been to or helped plan. I coordinated volunteers, helped with set up and tear down, drove a golf cart from hole to hole to ensure everyone had everything they needed throughout the day. This event was so much fun, and I would absolutely help plan it again!
The 911 Color Run was a Color Run around the Northern Arizona University campus. I helped coordinate registration, color and collateral distribution, volunteers, set-up and tear down. I also got to participate in the run. Funnily enough, my Event Management class required each student to choose one event to assist with for hands on event experience. This was the event I chose, and I gained so so much more experience than I thought I would. I chose to work on so many other projects with Vicki because I just love her and her team, and the support they provide the community. I got to work with a non-profit whose mission I truly believed in, and I’m lucky to be able to draw from this experience every day.
