Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) October 5, 2004
This afternoon, Former Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney, in a press conference held at the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel, will unveil the first Gingerbread House of the Second Annual Rotary Gingerbread House Extravaganza. A club spokesperson stated proudly, “Last year, we started with a little dough and turned it into $ 50,000!” He added “This year, with everyones help, we hope to nearly double that amount and split the proceeds with the Ronald McDonald House and Habijax(a Habitat for Humanity chapter).”
The Rotary Gingerbread House Extravaganza, is a unique charity fundraising event, which takes place in the large lobby of the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel. The actual exhibit is displayed from just after Thanksgiving until the week before Christmas. Each gingerbread house is custom built by corporations, bakeries and even children, who spend up to 300 hours on the final creation.
“Last year, America Online not only provided its interactive exhibit, but it manufactured little AOL Running Men cookie cutters to handout on opening day.” said Odette Struys, club Public Relations Director. “Firehouse Subs (now with over 100 locations), even built the “World’s Largest” Gingerbread Man, a 12 ft. plus monstrosity.” she added. “What we were most amazed about” Odette said “was the amount of press coverage.” “We had television, radio and a tremendous amount of print coverage including several color front pages.”
Joe Miller, the idea man behind the event, learned to decorate cakes when he was eleven years old. When asked why he chose gingerbread, Joe said, “Our club is 50 years old, this year.” “Our fundraising events were just like every other club or organization, I wanted to shake things up and try something new.” “Over the years, I’ve noticed how fascinated men and women are with gingerbread house creations.” “We just put a financial fundraising spin on exhibiting gingerbread houses.” He continued “In a conservative organization like Rotary, this was a giant leap (to attempt such a untested new fundraising concept), but what impressed me the most, was that the entire club participated.” adding “Usually, 60 percent of the members do all the work in any volunteer organization.” “But with this event, I’d bet every single member pitched in to help.”
So what does Joe have up his sleeve this year? “On the charitable side, I’ve worked out an arrangement with Gifts in Kind (Giftsinkind.org) for our club.” “It (Gifts in Kind) provides thousands of dollars of free new products to our Rotary club, which we distribute to local non-profit agencies.” “Our Rotary club just acts as the conduit to distribute items and everyone benefits.” “So far this year, our club has donated over $ 150,000, utilizing this program.” he said. “This idea has already spread to the Tulsa, Oklahoma, Rotary club.”
“On the business side, I’ve signed an exclusive marketing agreement with the Radisson Riverwalk Hotel to assist in the creation of a Super Bowl time period venue, which will be held on 14.5 acres of empty paved hotel property.” Joe continued. “The hotel is positioned on 700 yards of riverfront property and is located next to the 2005 NFL Experience(last yr. attendance over 200,000 people).” “On the property, there’s room for corporate parties, 15,000 people in front of a live nightly performances, press sites, food and beverage, trade booths and much much more.” “Best of all, this site (currently titled Riverplace Station), is directly across the river from the stadium and has water taxi access to town and the stadium” he concluded. The Super Bowl period venue will be open from January 28th until the day after Super Bowl 39, February 7, 2005.
Returning to the subject of the Gingerbread Extravaganza. Joe said “The hotel staff and owners are proud to work with Rotary on the Gingerbread project.” “What is even better” he added “is the Jacksonville public, hotel patrons and many others can enjoy this event while raising money for children.” “What a win-win situation for everyone!” he exclaimed.
Starting immediately after the Jacksonville 2005 Super Bowl project, the Radisson owners will begin developing their vacant property into several waterfront condominiums. “Not only will they build beautiful condos” Joe stated “but, they’ve allocated riverfront space to a community park area.”
When asked more about the Super Bowl period site, Joe held up a shaded satellite image of the riverfront, He said “This map dispays how the local host commiittee is planning the Riverfest.” adding “The Radisson site (currently named RiverplaceStation.com) is one of only five major entertainment zones of the Times-Union Riverfest presented on the map, and one of the largest.” The Riverfest is the public party zone for the 2005 Superbowl to be held on both sides of the St. Johns River. “The city is expecting over 500,000 people to visit the riverfest over the four days leading up to the game.” Joe added.
Even if you don’t have a ticket to “The Game”, Jacksonville, Florida, should be a exciting place to visit January 28, 2005 thru February 7, 2005.
# # #
Tags: Superbowl by admin
Comments Off
