Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Schwartzwald and Julie Bunkley.
Brittan and Julie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started a fundraiser, with my co-chair Julie Bunkley, for the Marcus Autism Center called Monster Mash. We hold the event the third weekend in October. Six years ago, my son was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.
My husband and I were very fortunate because our son was accepted into the Marcus Autism Center’s early intervention program. Our son was 2.5 years old when he started in the program and four years old when he graduated from the program. He entered the school without any verbal skills and with very few non-verbal skills. He was developmentally delayed. We were incredibly worried. The program at Marcus was transformative. By the time he left he was able to make eye contact, answer to his name, he was reading, and he was just being to really become conversant.
We raised money in a typical way for Marcus while our son was there and after he graduated. But 5-ish years ago, I was talking with Julie, my amazing wedding planner who owns Invision Events here in Atlanta/Birmingham/Auburn about doing a fun fundraiser event where we could wear our old wedding clothes – and voila – Monster Mash/ Wedding Bash was born – that was our theme our first year in 2015. We decided to create an adults-only Halloween fundraiser benefitting the Marcus Autism Center with funds going specifically for a scholarship to the early interventions. We raised over $10,000 that year, then $20,000+, then $30,000+.
For the last three years, the event has been held at Wild Heaven Beer in Avondale Estates – Scott Morris, aka DJ Dookie Platters, spins the music, make-up artists get people in theme, a costume contest, complimentary beer, and there is a KILLER silent auction (think goat yoga, chicken rentals, VIP seats to the Braves, swim with the sharks at the GA aquarium, pottery date night at Mudfire, chef prepared dinner by Love Eat Local, and much more). This years theme is Monster Mash/ Rock Star Bash. It is going to be epic. I am hoping to raise over $40,000.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m am not a fundraiser or party-planner by trade. I went to law school, practiced law, had a kid and stayed home. Then my kid had a lot of needs, and I felt like I was half-mom half-live-in-therapist. But by the time I was toying with the idea of starting this fundraiser, my son was in a really good place – he was conversant, he was making friends, he was doing well in typical school.
So I started telling our story and asking people to contribute – either by sponsoring, donating items to the silent auction, or attending the event. And people did contribute – in the last three years, we’ve raised over $60,000. And Julie has been AMAZING at handling the logistics, coordination, website, and details – I could not put this event on without her.
So truly, the hardest thing to overcome was fear of putting it all out there and worrying that no one would show up. But the people came and the community sponsored, we’ve had approximately 200 attendees every year.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Monster Mash – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What has driven me from the beginning was the thought that there was a way to raise more money for Marcus and have more fun doing it. I have always loved Halloween. My son loved Halloween. And I thought “Halloween, it’s not just for the kids”.
This is one night a year where you can really get all of your Halloween fun in and know that you are raising money for a great cause. People are decked out. And then they drink. And then they buy stuff at the auction. And alllllll the money goes to scholarships at Marcus. It is such a community event.
It is all the old-fashioned fun of Halloween that you had as a kid plus great beer from Wild Heaven. I think what sets this event apart is the enthusiasm I bring to it and the impeccable planning that Julie brings to it.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
We’ve got our fourth Monster Mash coming up on Friday, October 19th from 7-11pm.
This is the first year that we have held the event on a Friday. It is also the first year that we have some people flying in to celebrate with us.
We have a new food truck this year – Tex’s Tacos. Our DJ, Dookie Platters is amazing, and we hope he never leaves us. We are open to themes for 2019 – have any for us?
Pricing:
- Tickets cost $45/ person
- Sponsorships start at $150
Contact Info:
- Website: www.monstermashatl.com
- Email: bschwartzwald@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonsterMashATL/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdyVuVeQa9ug0KRIdYOQxJQnM8cxuTk317sLwZjUwuq-_A%3AAdxDolQnK2nXq4Z3Fndgtdbu9C3IVeh4AVCyixbeP4a-NA
Image Credit:
Vue Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
