The Moyer Foundation 2010 Annual Giving Luncheon

The Moyer Foundation posted the following update on facebook Friday:

"Thank you for supporting the 2010 Annual Giving Luncheon- helping to raise more than $250,000 for children in distress in our community."

How wonderful, to read that!

The event was lovely, and very well done.

My mom and I arrived a bit early, and were welcomed at the "VIP reception" on the 35th floor of the Sheraton. We were kindly greeted by Foundation staff, and served hors d'oeuvres by the catering staff. There was a lovely buffet and champagne, but Mom and I agreed that alcohol was NOT in our best interests, under the circumstances.

A staff member came to invite me to pose for photographs with Jamie and Karen Moyer. I went with her. As we met for the first time, the Moyers couldn't have been more welcoming or gracious. Karen said something about me being "a rose between two thorns." She also told me that, if I had any trouble at all getting through my talk, I should look for her - she would be right nearby for support. Very kind. She was also wearing a fabulous outfit, with KILLER shoes...I mean to say.

I went back to the table where Mom was waiting, and we listened to a few words from a Board member, and from the Moyers. After that, it was time to go downstairs to find our lunch table. We were seated with people from the Hutch School, the group by whom I was invited to speak. David and Katie both attended the Hutch School - David for most of his 9th grade year while Katie was in the hospital, and Katie for the last month or two of the same (her 6th grade) school year. Both of the kids LOVED the Hutch School, and I was looking forward to speaking on their behalf, in support of their excellent program.

Let me back up: the Hutch School is supported, in part, by the Moyer Foundation.  I'm very familiar with the Hutch, but was not as familiar with the Moyer Foundation. After I accepted their invitation to speak, the executive director of the Moyer Foundation suggested that I come over to meet him and some of the staff, so that I could learn more about them, and they could get to know me a bit better.

I drove over to the Moyer Foundation office on Magnolia Bluff. It was inspiring; they are excited about what they do, and committed to doing it well. As we were getting acquainted, the executive director realized that our family had been helped by the Moyer Foundation's generosity much more than any of us had known. Since they support Ronald McDonald House, Childlife &Advanced Care at Seattle Children's Hospital, Hospice, the American Cancer Society's Camp GoodTimes West AND the Hutch School, he felt there was a lot more that I could say...yet still, just five minutes in which to say it, at the luncheon!

I went home and did some writing, and re-writing, and editing. I practiced, and edited some more. I read it aloud with Latte "heckling" me (rubbing up against my legs, purring and distracting). And then I was as ready as possible.

I am not a public speaker. I love to write, and tell stories, but delivering them on stage is daunting, and it's not getting any easier with practice. Smaller groups are better for me. This room, the Sheraton's "grand ballroom," had about 75 tables, set for 10 people. I'm not kidding - there were nearly 800 people in attendance. Huge video screens were placed around the room so that everyone could see the stage, from every place in the room.

It was a luncheon; just one hour. Very good for business people, and the staff kept it moving and on time. The Moyer Foundation volunteers and staff members were awesome, courteous and professional. Awards were given to the Volunteer of the Year, Youth Volunteer of the Year, the Humanitarian Award and the Corporate Partner Award. All were inspiring. Steve Raible (a local news broadcaster and MC of the event) spoke. A board member spoke; the executive director spoke. Karen & Jamie Moyer spoke. I kept counting my note cards, to be sure I hadn't lost one, while we ate lunch. I didn't eat much - I was concerned that I might end up with bit of parsley or green onion stuck between my teeth, and I was having fear fantasies about that - but I did eat some chicken, so that I wouldn't get up on stage and faint (another fear fantasy). Have I mentioned that I'm not a professional speaker?

A staff member came to get me. I stood by one of the enormous video screens, to the side of the stage, and leaned against the wall. My legs started to tremble. I bent one knee (an old trick learned in junior high school choir - thanks, Mr. Taylor!) and relaxed the other leg. Switched legs and prayed: "Jesus, help me. I just want to thank God and do a good job for the Moyer Foundation. Help me get through this. I don't want to cause a scene. Help me." I looked for the people at my table, and figured that at least one of them (my mom) would be praying with me.

My legs stopped trembling. I felt calm. The signal came for me to walk up on stage. I did it.

The lights were very bright. I saw myself, out of the corner of my eye, on the huge video screens. Bad idea! So I looked at my notes, and began to tell the story - the five-minute version - of our cancer journey, describing the Hutch School experience and the other blessings that the Moyer Foundation supports. I was aware of photos of Katie flashing on the video screens, but decided not to look. I had to focus on what I was saying, and try to look around the room, to make eye contact with the audience.

Toward the end, I found the Moyers. They had been seated right in front of me all along, but the lights were so bright that I couldn't see them. Karen was leaning on Jamie.

I finished. I stepped down from the stage. Steve Raible shook my hand. The Moyers came up and hugged me very warmly. Karen walked me back to my table, with her arm around me. She is just so kind.

Afterward, I was able to meet the Metcalfs, the parents of Erin Metcalf, who was the inspiration for Camp Erin. Camp Erin is a nationwide camp for grieving children that was created and funded by the Moyer Foundation. The Metcalfs were very gracious and understanding. I saw people from many of the departments that I had been able to mention: Seattle Children's Hospital's Foundation, Hematology/Oncology department, Childlife; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and others. I am so grateful that I was able to use words to paint a picture, to raise awareness and support for these wonderful entities and the people who staff them.

I can't write a huge check for my favorite causes, but if my words can move others to do so, it's worth dealing with my shaky legs and discomfort to help make that happen. I'm willing; I just need a little rest in between times! So I'm enjoying some quiet days now.