The Blue Tie Ball is Going Virtual!
Get ready for 4 days of Earth Day, and no need for drink tickets!
Welcome to our first ever Virtual Blue Tie Ball, WMEAC’s fundraiser for its water programs and celebration of Earth Day! Thank you for checking us out. Here is what to expect over the next four days.
- You will get a daily reminder via email and social media to check out this webpage. We will be adding on new content every day from now until Saturday.
- Videos from the WMEAC team and from community members highlighting the environmental protection work that YOU make possible.
- An online auction! We have gathered all kinds of fun items and packages for you to bid on. Check on it daily. The auction goes live at noon on April 22nd and ends at 11:59 pm on April 25th
- Auction instructions: Just click on this link and check out our auction items or look at our Fund a Project categories. The first time you bid, you will be asked to add your contact and payment details. Then you are free to bid as often as you like. Nothing will be charged to your card unless you win an item or make a donation.
- Music!
- A Facebook Watch Party on Saturday!
We can’t wait to show you all that we have planned! Happy Earth Day(s)!
2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball
Day 4
Day 4 is about gratitude!
We know that during this difficult time we are all feeling a lot of emotions, but right now, we, at WMEAC, feel gratitude. We are grateful for our volunteers, to our community partners, our community members and leaders, to our donors, our board, and our staff.
When we come together in moments like this, it allows us to feel like we are not alone; it allows us to bring our voices together for change; it allows us to keep issues like the climate crisis and the environment on the minds of our community. We can walk out of this time and go back to normal, or we can use it as a moment to make change. We hope you will join us in choosing to make change.
Thank you for your support over the past 4 days. Please continue to bid on your favorite auction items!
VIP Drawing Announcement
The winner of our 3rd VIP drawing is Jessica VanderArk! You are winning a $50 gift card to the Green Well sponsored by Mary Robinson!
Fundraising Update
The auction is going strong and getting competitive. Don’t forget to check your bids. You have helped us raise $2,635!
2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball
Featured Items
A message from Local First Interim Executive Director, Hanna Schulze
Enjoy a little music with Josh Eid-Ries of Wake Up Autumn
Our former Board President, Christine Helms-Maletic, would like you to know why she continues to support WMEAC’s work!
A big thank you for all of your generosity and support from Mary Robinson
2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball
Day 3
WMEAC on the Lakeshore
One of WMEAC’s biggest initiatives in 2020 is establishing a satellite office in Muskegon. That has been slowed down by the virus, but our new Lakeshore Outreach Organizer tells us a little about what she is hoping to do in the next year.
Heartwell Environmental Legacy Award
The Heartwell Environmental Legacy Award is given to a public servant whose work has significantly impacted environmental protection in Michigan.
2020 Heartwell Environmental Legacy Award Winner is Brad Garmon, Director of Michigan Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry!
Why WMEAC?
Kris Spaulding from Brewery Vivant tells you all why she supports WMEAC!
VIP Drawing Announcement
The winner of our 2nd VIP drawing is Sam Simmons! You are winning a $50 gift card to Books and Mortar sponsored by Well Design Studio!
Fundraising Update
Wow! this auction is really cooking. Don’t forget to check your bids. You have helped us raise $2,210
2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball
Featured Items
Update from our Lakeshore Outreach Organizer about the work WMEAC will be doing along the lakeshore this year and next!
Former Mayor of Grand Rapids, George Heartwell, announces the 2020 Heartwell Environmental Legacy Award
Brad Garmon, Director of Michigan Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry, accepts the Heartwell Environmental Legacy Award
Kris Spaulding, owner of Brewery Vivant, talks about why she supports WMEAC
2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball
Day 2
Celebrating Earth Day with Trivia Quiz
2020 is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, a global event that engages millions of people every year. Earth Day was originally conceived as a way to engage students in 1970. It is still engaging students – and adults – every year. What do you know about Earth Day? Take our quiz to find out!
http://www.quiz-maker.com/QQXXD47
VIP Drawing Announcement
All of our supporters are VIP’s, of course – but we are adding something a little special for our Blue Tie Ball ticket holders.
The winner of our first VIP Drawing Nick Farr, $50 from Malamiah Juice Bar sponsored by Well Design.
Community Partner
WMEAC has many community partners, today we are featuring a message from Bo Torres of the Hispanic Center of West Michigan.
Fundraising Update
Thanks so much for supporting WMEAC. So far our auction and donations have raised $1,710!
Elaine Isely, WMEAC Water Programs Director, provides an update on water programs for the year.
Adnoris “Bo” Torres of Hispanic Center of West Michigan talks about the importance of WMEAC in his work organizing on alongside and on behalf of the Hispanic residents in West Michigan.
2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball
Day 1
Thank you for joining us for Day 1 of the 2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball! This is the first time we’ve hosted a “virtual” event, and we couldn’t be more excited to showcase the generosity of our community, showcase our community’s support for our West Michigan environment, and to showcase the a few items we have up for auction!
Each day we will be featuring videos of our supporters, updates from our staff, a couple of songs, and an online auction!
2020 Virtual Blue Tie Ball
Featured Items
Tommy Allen, your emcee for this year’s Blue Tie Ball, is here to welcome you for this year’s festivities!
Welcome from WMEAC Board Vice President Mike Troupos
A message from Mayor Bliss
Bill Wood, WMEAC’s Executive Director
How do we help students understand what healthy water is? Why water is so important and how they can become advocates for clean water? Your support has made Teach for the Watershed one of the best science education programs in West Michigan. It reaches over 3,000 kids each year. Learn more about this program here.
Please enjoy a song from Josh Eid-Ries of Wake Up Autumn
Blue Tie Ball Sponsors
Schrems Trout Unlimited | Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids | Michigan Environmental Council | Williams Group | Local First
