Fall Dinner & Party Update
Category News | Posted on May 18, 2020
Dear Members & Fall Dinner Supporters,
I hope that you are staying well and have been able to spend time outside enjoying our Ozarks’ spring. Every day I see more and more people out on the trail system you’ve helped to build, and in the midst of this pandemic we are receiving notes that say, “These open trails are what’s saving my sanity as our country shuts down.” Many demands are being placed upon individuals, groups, and entire systems due to COVID-19, and we have a role to play in this too –connecting people to our beautiful outdoors matters.
As you know, each year we conduct our Annual Fall Dinner & Party –our largest fundraiser for our organization. Not only does this event support our on-going operations, it also plays an important role in bringing us together. However, there is a time and a place for events. The Board of Directors and I have determined that our 23rd Annual Fall Dinner and Party needs to skip 2020. You read that right-it’s cancelled. I’ve felt disappointment, uncertainty, but ultimately relief with this decision. I’m confident that putting the health of our community is first and foremost. It’s also a great time to focus on what isn’t cancelled. Spending time outside is not cancelled. Supporting each other is not cancelled.
Please consider a donation to our organization as we work to complete the planned 140+ mile trail system. By strategically building on the 76 miles of trails already on the ground, we can “ungap the map” to connect communities by trail throughout our region. Our 2019 Fall Dinner proceeds funded a portion of our 2019 operations budget, and it also raised critical funds through the causeauction that we leveraged with MoDOT turning $25,000 into $125,000. These funds will be used over the next two years to fund regional trail planning services-a solid next-step in increasing our organizational capacity. We have many more steps to take to meet the growing demand for trails.
I look forward to celebrating with you in the future. With a hopeful heart, I look forward to seeing each of you, enjoying your company, and hearing the delightful roar of so much laughter and conversation at our 23rd Annual Fall Dinner & Party on September 23, 2021. 2021 also marks our 30th Anniversary!
Thank you for loving our trails and outdoors the way you do-
Mary Kromrey, Executive Director