Party With A Purpose 2011: A Smashing Success!

Global health is the purpose. Young adults are the inspiration. The Party is the catalyst.

With that sentiment in mind, the concept of Party With A Purpose was born.  According to the creators, Party With a Purpose originated as a way to focus the energy and passion of 20 to 30 something year-olds in Seattle on one specific global health issue for one magical night.  The premise was that such social consciousness amongst enthusiastic participants could truly bring about world changing progress.  Turns out they were right.  More than 500 peopleshowed up for Party With a Purpose 2010 proving the concept to be a smashing success.  The first incarnation of Party With a Purpose focused on Rotavirus as its global health issue and as a result of the Party and the $13,000 that it generated, over 50 Rotavirus Treatment Oral Rehydration Therapy Corners were funded throughout Kenya.

Party W/A Purpose from Brandon Thomas Irwin on Vimeo.

That brings us to Party With a Purpose 2011.   The Purpose of this party was The Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI) and more specifically promising vaccines being developed by IDRI for Tuberculosis.  Building off the momentum created by the 2010 Party, the vision for this party was much grander.  The goal was to double ticket sales to 1000 in order to create maximum impact.  With a powerhouse line-up of sponsors that included the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Vulcan, Inc., Seattle Sounders FC and Swedish Hospital and Medical Center to name just a few, the 2011 Party graduated from its original venue at the Pan Pacific Hotel to the stunning MaCaw Hall.  Only a venue such as this could comfortably hold that many enthusiastic party people.

Earlier this week the 2011 Party With a Purpose results came in and to say it was a homerun is an understatement.  The event was able to raise roughly $34,000 with a sold out crowd of over 1000 people. Party With a Purpose 2011 created such a buzz that it received recognition in the one.org blog as well as a number of local publications including Humanosphere and Seattleite.  Most importantly, the seeds of a larger movement have being planted and are beginning to take root.  Seattle’s 20 to 30 year-olds have now been indoctrinated with the idea that hip visionary events like Party With a Purpose provide the perfect opportunity to become involved with global health issues.  Plus, there is a realization that such involvement can be personally rewarding, educational and extremely fun all at the same time.  The groundswell created by Party With a Purpose is truly amazing.  It is anyone’s guess as to how big the event will become and what the incarnations will look like moving forward.  However, one thing is sure, with some progressive vision, a worthy cause, a night, and a multitude of passionate supporters, world changing progress can be achieved.

SpotEDU was thrilled to provide DonorHub as the exclusive fundraising platform for both Party With a Purpose and IDRI and looks forward to evolving and growing with these organizations moving forward.  If you’d like to contribute to help IDRI’s beat Tuberculosis you can donate at www.idri.org/donate.