Final report on the 2001 "Happy Birthday, Tori" RAINN parties

Added October 16, 2001

Read the message below from RAINN on how well the Happy Birthday parties did and see a photo of Tori receiving a birthday card from Kelley Bevis from RAINN with the names of the hosts and donors on it. Thanks to all who made this fundraiser a success!

Click to see larger. Photo shows Kelley Bevis from RAINN presenting Tori with her birthday card.

We are very pleased to report that the parties raised just over $100,000 for RAINN. This is enough to keep the hotline running for almost two months, in which time we'll provide help to more than 10,000 victims of sexual assault. This is an amazing result, especially considering the short amount of time hosts had to plan and organize. We are amazed, proud, and very grateful.

When Tori was in DC last week, Kelley presented her with a very cool handmade birthday card completely filled with the names of hosts and donors. It was a giant posterboard, folded it in half. On the front and back were a variety of articles and ads that hosts had sent us, and the inside was completely filled with the names of the thousands of people who donated. (Look above for the photo of Kelley presenting this card to Tori!)

Tori was overwhelmed. She was close to tears and called her husband and the crew over to see the card. She said that she definitely wanted to keep it and asked Kelley to hold it until after the tour.

When Kelley told Tori that we raised $100,000, her eyes got really big, and she gave Kelley a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. Then, as we went to take a picture of Tori with the card, our cameras batteries died. Fortunately, Tori was in town all weekend, so we were able to take a picture the next night. Here is a photo. (See above.)

Later this week, we'll be mailing all hosts a personal thank you and a special memento of the first-ever Happy Birthday, Tori parties to all of the hosts.

Thanks again to all the hosts, donors and volunteers. Thanks also to Mikewhy and Raven--we couldn't have done this without you.

More than 5,000 people were involved in planning and attending the parties, and several million people read stories about them in local papers. It was a truly amazing effort. It's also amazing--and great-- that everybody is willing to do it again next year. Almost every host said they were willing to host again; they were also nearly unanimous in asking for more time. So mark the week of August 22, 2002 on your calendar. With your help, next year is going to be even bigger and better.

All our best,
Kelley, Scott and everyone at RAINN

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