First Annual Volunteer Appreciation Party-Sets the Bar High for Next Year!

After months of planning, discussing details and rallying the community to come together to celebrate our best year YET, Pisgah Area SORBA hosted their first ever Volunteer Appreciation Party at Oskar Blues October 23rd. On all accounts it was a huge success and will be hard to beat for next year for sure.These things tend to take on a life of their own, and could have quickly gotten carried away, but for the first year we kept it simple and straightforward, offering sincere thanks, food and conversation as well as some amazing raffle prizes to let everyone know how much their efforts are appreciated. [video width="720" height="1280" mp4="https://pisgahareasorba.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/1a088a062b04480d9a58a7d67cd5ec39.mp4" poster="https://pisgahareasorba.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_0081-scaled.jpg"][/video]It all began months prior with a small volunteer committee planning each detail - funny how it took volunteers to appreciate volunteers! Who better to know how to appreciate volunteers? In fact, aside from one paid position, which is new to the organization this year, we're all volunteers.The Executive Director - Natalie Narburgh summed the event up nicely in her thank you to the appreciative volunteer planners here:

"Hello Party Planning Dream Team,

I wanted to thank you all for the work, care, and time that went into planning last night's event. Honestly, words can't express the appreciation I feel for all of the PAS volunteers, which includes each of you. You all crushed it with a very successful FIRST EVER Volunteer Appreciation Party. From the adorably decorated cupcakes, to the logistics and OB coordination, to the steller raffle prizes, to the thoughtful decorations and seamless check-in process....... the bar is set high for next year! Abi - you are an amazing committee chair and we were lucky to have you leading the charge. 

I am so grateful and admire each of you.  The care you all have for our organization was shining through last night. 

THANK YOU. "

The event started with a group ride led by BOD member Chad Davis on the front range trails from Oskar Blues Brewery. They got a quick lap in on the newly opened seasonal trail and local favorite- North Slope. It was a social no-drop ride, super fun, and it allowed us to really enjoy a cold beer, food from the Chub Wagon and an amazing cupcake too.The cupcake display was LEGENDARY, thanks to Sonya. It will be hard to beat for sure, complete with golden THANK YOU sticks, mini shovels and even gluten free cupcakes!All in attendance were given food, beer and raffle tickets to show our appreciation for our amazing community. Thanks to everyone who donated raffle items, including: Cognitive MTB, Kitsbow, Cedar Mountain Cafe, Morning Social, Kanuga, The Riveter, Weevil, and REI.If you are interested in volunteering to attempt to make next year's party even better or just want to get involved so you can attend next year's party and be appreciated get in touch with us here. There is always a way to get involved, we're not just about digging!