The kicker is that a lot of people have benefited along this journey too......
When you walk into the Ronald McDonald House the OEE donor recognition plaque is quite large. I don't think we set out build an "I love me wall," but the thank you is nice, and should have all 200+ member names inscribed as well. For the casual onlooker, newer member, friend, or foe, OEE mastered the art of the fundraising event and took it to new levels in our town. Hey, it was still a "kegger," but now it would be in the rotunda of the AT&T Town Pavilion (the first party there), and benefit the Camping Connection.
Other events included partnering with "The Gentlemen of Distinction" for Project Harmony and the huge party at the Allis Plaza (now the Downtown Marriott). We rented satellite dish trucks to beam the Royals vs Cards from St. Louis to a vacant bank on Grand Avenue for the I-70 Series; blow outs with KOKOMO on empty floors of new office buildings, and the countless times we would host a "Killa at the Villa."
It was probably not our initial goal but we raised the bar on how to make money for a charity and have a blast in the process. "A Day in the County" at Spirit Fest, key leaders like Tracy Chelepis in the "Terror Train" at the Union Station, or how about 1500 people for Cinco d' Mayo on the top of the Plaza West garage (without one piece of mail). Soon our members were asked to join the boards of Bacchus, Friends of the Zoo, and every charity in town so that we could work the OEE magic to promote their cause.
We had a few misses along the way such as the Miss Greater Kansas City Pageant (all of us came out of pocket on that deal). The Croquet Tourney was good and bad, but we learned how to make it work. The bottom line is that with OEE there is synergy and new and inventive ideas to make things a bit better for all.
Please add to this site with your pictures, postings, ideas, and/or corrections. A major party is in the works for later in 2014, so keep your eyes on this link.......at least "One Eye."
I congratulate you gentlemen on building something very positive in our community over the last three decades and hope that this ride continues well into the future. It seems that there are five key marks on the timeline of OEE that in my opinion from a distance really propelled our group: Mark Faber, Mark McKee, Mark Hassenflu, Mark McGurren, and Mark Ebbitts (e-boy). I toast the five of you for the roles each has played in pushing the ball. You all know what you did, and when you did it. Without your particular style of leadership (be it up front or behind the scenes), the works of the Jay, Mitch, Oct, Lanny, Tracy, Bop, Brad, Curt, Uncle Phil, and the 200 or so others who carry an eye-patch, would not have amounted to much more than a beer at The Wheel, Harpo's, P. Ott's, Kite's, or Kelly's.
Thanks and Congrats to the Men of The O.E. Ellis Society,
