Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Sprechini.
Hi Courtney, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Throughout my entire life, I have found joy in helping others. Since I was a teenager, I began to expand helping others beyond my community by volunteering for various national and local charities and participated in many fundraising events. During this time, my uncle was also diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. That devastating news motivated me to host a fundraiser to raise money for a charity (the International Myeloma Foundation) dedicated to research for that particular type of cancer. After that successful event, I saw the true difference I could make not just for my community but the world.
With this passion and the help of my friends and family, I began to create and produce a variety of other fundraising events to raise money not only for charities that support valuable, life-saving research and treatment options, but also to make a difference in the lives of individuals who are battling cancer. I’ve been able to found a non-profit organization and hold annual events in my community since starting these fundraising events. Now, we are currently preparing for our 16th annual Cabaret 4 A Cure fundraiser, which is a large tricky tray raffle with dinner show, while hosting smaller events in the months leading up to the Cabaret.
For me, it’s so rewarding to know that I have lightened someone’s load, even just a little bit or helped to ease their burdens, lifting spirits, and providing much needed financial support to those courageously battling cancer.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth journey, but fortunately it has not been a very difficult one either. The biggest issues I’ve encountered have been the early learning curves on how to operate as a non-profit organization, and of course, continuing to find supporters, whether it be sponsors or locals to contribute to our annuals causes. I’m lucky to have volunteers who truly work together to think up solutions or research ways that we can continue to evolve and improve so that we can best serve those in the community who are relying on our efforts.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Having a background in musical theater, performances seemed to be the natural fit when creating fundraising events and getting involved in the community. Each year, my troupe of performers and I plan a “Cabaret 4 A Cure” fundraiser to benefit an individual battling cancer or a cancer-based charity. The event consists of a dinner-show of live musical performances along with raffle prizes to help raise money to offset medical bills and expenses for the beneficiary (or fund research for a charity).
In addition to our annual Cabaret 4 A Cure fundraiser, we host “dine & donates,” holiday performances, karaoke contests, toy-drives, entertain at Farmer’s Markets and community events, and even visit hospitals and senior living facilities, when possible.
Our goal is to raise awareness along with needed funds, as well as the spirits of our beneficiaries during their darkest times. We strive to improve the quality of our beneficiaries lives, and also enjoy giving back to our community, sharing the gift of music with those who might not otherwise have access to it.
We are completely volunteer based and work tirelessly throughout the year to secure sponsors, donations, and support so that we can maximize our help. As a tight-knit group, we have been fortunate enough to create bonds with those we have assisted, which has made our efforts all the more meaningful.
How do you define success?
I define success by feeling accomplished. It doesn’t have to be hitting a monetary goal or a certain metric, but rather knowing you did your best and feeling as though you accomplished what you sought out to- whether it’s personal, professional, or otherwise.
There is a lot of pressure in society to do things a certain way, or to hit specific standards to be considered a “success,” but for me, especially in regard to my charity work, I want to know I did my best to make the biggest impact possible. Each year, that can look a little bit different, and that’s okay. But this is what keeps me motivated and helps me feel as though I am reaching my goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cabaret4acure.org/
- Instagram: @cabaret4acure
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cabaret4ACure
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cabaret4acure
