Countdown To Soirée For Sudan
Hello supporters!
Here you can find the latest updates about Soirée For Sudan, our annual gala that benefits 24 Sudanese teachers and 1,300 students in Yida Refugee Camp. If you have not registered or made a donation yet, you can also knock that out right here, right now:
If you have questions, please reach out to us at concierge@operationbrokensilence.org
Gratefully,
Sara James, Ragaa Kunda, Faith Pool, Sarah Roberts, Emilie Rogers, Samantha Stack, and Ed Waugh
June 16, 2020
This is our first update since March, and it’s a BIG one!
Since we announced our decision to reschedule Soirée for Sudan, we’ve been monitoring updates about the pandemic and re-opening procedures. We always strive to put on a beautiful, dynamic gala that connects our supporters and raises funds for our education program in Yida, and to have an event that is accessible and welcoming to all.
Because large events are still not recommended by health department guidelines, and since we always want to have a gala that is welcoming to all our supporters, we’ve made the decision that Soirée for Sudan will be a virtual event this year.
This was a tough call, but under these circumstances, we know it’s the right one. We also believe that we can rise to the occasion and still deliver a wonderful event to you from the comfort of your own home!
Thank you for understanding and supporting our decision. Mark your calendars for September 10-12 and get read to join us for 3 days of virtual fun including….
Daily live streamed virtual events to keep you entertained and inspired at home, including virtual demos and performances. Attend them all or choose the ones you’re most interested in!
Opportunities to get involved and help further our mission.
3 days of virtual silent auction items
Live raffles for the wine stash of your safer-at-home dreams
Our best dressed contest (yes, there will be prizes!)
And more!
We’ll have more details and a schedule in the next several weeks. We’re also excited to share that we have a generous matching donor who is doubling the next $5,000 in donations that are made! Many of you have already donated in honor of this opportunity or are fundraising to get your family and friends involved.
We’re blown away by your generosity! Thank you for standing with us and helping to make the most out of this event. Without you, the Endure Primary and Renewal High Schools would have to close their doors to 1,300 students and 24 teachers. With no other robust schools in their community, they would lose a life-changing resource they value so much.
If you have any questions or want to fundraise (and earn an extra ticket to give to a friend!) email us at concierge@operationbrokensilence.org
March 16, 2020
Due to the spread of the coronavirus and recent recommendations from the CDC, we have decided to reschedule Soirée For Sudan for Saturday, August 29. Please watch this video from our Executive Director Mark Hackett to learn more:
We understand that some international crises transcend missions, borders, and societies. We are in one of those times right now. As a nonprofit that exists for the public good, we know that this decision is the right one, even though it negatively impacts our work in the short term.
If you can help our schools in Yida Refugee Camp get through this difficult moment, please consider taking one of these two actions:
March 2, 2020
Soirée For Sudan is all about improving education in Yida Refugee Camp. Teachers are the central part of that.
Being an educator is hard, wherever you are in the world. From the teachers in Yida to some of our top supporters here in Memphis, we know a lot of teachers and school administrators. Many of you work endless hours, are underpaid, and are under-resourced. Yet you show up in your classrooms everyday anyways. Because you know what you do is important.
If you work in the education field and want to attend Soirée For Sudan on March 28, we’re offering you 20% off your tickets! It’s our little way of saying thank you for everything you do.
Send us a quick email at concierge@operationbrokensilence.org letting us know the school you work at. We’ll send you a 20% off promo code :)
February 20, 2020
It's decoration time! All major planning for Soirée For Sudan is now complete, just the little details remain. We're stocking up on lights, streamers, balloons, and greenery. Our event storage room is probably going to explode soon with all the colorful stuff that brings the evening to life!
Two more dinner sponsors have arrived: Home Place Pastures and Sweet Cheeks BBQ! Home Place Pastures is committed to the ethical treatment of animals, the stewardship of their land, and the health of their community. Sweet Cheeks BBQ is an incredible competition team. We can't wait to see what they'll be bringing to Soirée For Sudan :)
And a big welcome to Elizabeth Looney Scott and Brooke Ballard! They will be helping us promote our big night online. Be sure to follow both of them on Instagram. They may or may not be giving away a pair of free tickets to Soirée For Sudan in the near future. Just sayin'.
Finally, another ticketing deadline is coming up! Both discounted Pre-Sale Admissions end on February 28, then the price goes up. Go ahead and register now before you miss the deadline!
February 7, 2020
It’s time to welcome this year’s title sponsor and mixologist! Bar 409 is returning to provide our themed cocktail! It will only be served at Soirée For Sudan, then never again. We can’t wait to see what they come up with!
We’re welcoming West Memorials back as a sponsor! This marks their 4th year supporting our education program in Yida Refugee Camp through this event. Be sure to check them out!
Our first two dinner sponsors are here as well! The Arcade Restaurant and Ciao Bella Italian Grill and Bar are joining us again. We can’t wait for their yummy food!
And finally, welcome to MEMPopS! The first 60 guests to arrive will get one of their rare boozy pops at the door. It’s worth showing up at 7PM on the dot for that! Yum.
January 15, 2020
Time to welcome two more sponsors! Meet Snapdragon Floral and Glo Medical Aesthetics & Hair Spa. Be sure to check them both out! Huge thanks for helping to make this year's event possible.
January 13, 2020
Welcome to 2020! Here's the latest news about March 28:
We have a new team member! Ragaa Kunda joins the Soirée For Sudan committee as our 9th member. She's super smart, crazy talented, and from Sudan. We're so glad you are part of our team Ragaa!
The core components of March 28 are planned out. Now it's all about the nitty gritty details and implementing our plans. Right now, we're locking down more event sponsors and exploring event decor. We have a lot of work ahead, but this is shaping up to be our best year yet.
Silent Disco is coming back due to popular demand! You'll be able to dance the night away in a more private area this year. We'll have some extra headsets and extra space for you as well!
We mentioned in November that there will be more ways to learn about Sudan and our work there. One way will be a virtual reality film screening! You'll be able to strap on a headset and get a sense of what life is like in one of Sudan's war zones for a few minutes. If you've never experienced VR before, this is a great chance to take it for a test run and learn about Sudan.
Finally, the first ticketing deadline has passed. The good news is that there are still two early registration levels left! Right now, you can register as an individual for $40 or as a couple for $70. Ticket prices will go up again when 40 of these tickets are purchased or at the end of January. Reading these updates also has perks. If you haven't registered yet, use promo code IREADSTUFFfor an extra 10% off :)
A big shoutout to the 49 of you who have already registered for Soirée For Sudan! Our supporters are registering 40% faster than last year. That means more support sooner for the 24 teachers and nearly 1,200 students at the Endure Primary and Renewal High Schools in Yida Refuge Camp!
December 1, 2019
Our first sponsors have arrived! Shoutout to Silent Events, Vera Bradley, Gold and Diamond International, Pettigrew Adventures, Pavo Salon, and Whitney Winkler Art for helping to make the evening possible.
November 4, 2019
There are a few big changes coming to the 2020 event! All of these come from feedback from our 2019 guests:
Cocktails are replacing beer tasters.
We introduced themed cocktails in 2019. Interest in beer tasting plummeted as a result. Fewer than half of all attendees even accepted a tasting glass at the door. Hence our evening's name change. We'll still have kegs for the beer lovers though!
New layout.
2019 was our first year in the Memphis Grand Carousel. We learned a lot, and you gave us great feedback on how we can improve the layout and flow of the entire space. Giving and fundraising booths will all be in the same area and two mobile bars are being added to cut down on wait times at the main bar. There will be slightly less table seating so everyone can move around more easily. We're also adding giant checkers to the list of games available!
More Sudan!
Throughout the evening, you'll have more opportunities than ever before to learn about Sudan and our mission there. We're exploring the possibility of doing a VR film instead of a traditional film screening and there will be more information throughout the space about why we do what we do.
October 7, 2019
As requested by guests from the 2019 event, we have improved ticket prices for 2020! There will be multiple and extended earlybird options leading up to general registration, ticket prices are roughly 50% less than last year, and a VIP section has been added:
Now - December 31, 2019
$28 Announcement Tickets
Free Entry via $100 Fundraising Page
January 1 - February 29, 2020
$40 Pre-Sale Registration
$70 Discounted Couples Pre-Sale Registration
Free Entry via $100 Fundraising Page
March 1 - March 21, 2020
$50 Earlybird Registration
$90 Discounted Couples Earlybird Registration
Free Entry via $100 Fundraising Page
March 22 - March 27, 2020
$65 General Registration
$120 Discounted Couples General Registration
March 28, 2020
If any tickets are available at the door, they will be $80 per person.
September 28, 2019
Big changes are underway for our biggest event of the year, including the evening's name. Say farewell to Good People Good Beer. Say hello to Soirée For Sudan! And the first 28 tickets are only $28!
About Us
The people of Sudan are overcoming two of the greatest challenges facing humanity today: war and genocide. Operation Broken Silence is accelerating their ability to generate lasting change through storytelling and movement-building, education and emergency relief, and grassroots advocacy programs.
We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. DONATE HERE »
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