Did you know 10+ years ago, I worked for the Drug and Alcohol Commission while building my business on the side? I worked in Prevention and it was my job to get a drug prevention program up and running in our community. I’ll spare you the details, but there were A LOT of logistics that went into that including building Coalitions with the movers and shakers in the community, organizing volunteers and coordinating lots of moving parts. I was younger, newer to that industry and was really just trying to prove myself…to myself. My background was in public relations and working with a lot of important people in the community, I just wanted to do a good job. In comes Denise with The Flower and Balloon Gallery. This woman was probably one of THE SWEETEST people I had gotten to know working there. While planning events, big meetings, or anything really, she was always there without even having to ask with donations of center pieces, gift certificates for give aways and even more valuable -her time. All of this to say, as a young buck being thrown into a new industry, I’m not sure she will ever know how much I appreciated her kindness and dependability during such a stressful time. She has done so much for our community-more than people may even know.
Ironically, when the timing was right, I left that job to pursue my photography business full time, Denise and I got to continue to work together in the wedding industry. I’ve photographed lots of centerpieces, bouquets and all kinds of her creations over the years. Her business grew as she added balloon art and here she is doing something AGAIN for our community. She brought The Big Balloon Build to Indiana County which is allowing The United Way to raise money for our community. Planning events myself and knowing how much stress, logistics and the feeling of proving it to yourself goes into a big event like this, when she asked me if I would be the photographer, I thought, maybe this is a full circle moment!
The Balloon Village of Indiana County the team created was absolutely magical-something you just HAVE to experience in person. The amount of details they included blew my mind. The amount of time these 80+ individuals donated in order for our community to be able to experience something like this is amazing. I got to witness first hand the amount of joy that went into putting this together. But what you see is the FINAL product. If you’ve never planned an event, you have no idea just how much goes into the back end of planning before the first balloon even gets inflated. THAT is the most impressive. That often doesn’t get celebrated enough….Denise did that for our community and as a result the money raised will benefit the children and youth that the United Way of Indiana County serves. As someone who once benefitted from programs like those growing up…..it really *IS* a full circle moment to participate in this event.
Fun facts about The Big Balloon Build:
- The Big Balloon Build makes a difference through the joy and magic of balloons.
- They work alongside charities, communities, businesses, and local leaders to create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that supports positive change. Raising awareness of their partnered charities is the main goal of the build, while at the same time bringing joy and wonder to those who immerse themselves in the wonderlands designed and created by hundreds of balloon artists.
- 80+ Balloon artist showed up from all over the world
- 120K + Balloons were used in the Indiana County Balloon Build
- This is a once in a life time display. They will be moving to a whole new city/state or country next year.
If you want to learn more about The Big Balloon Build, go check them out on social media! You can keep up with where they are going next!
Thank you for welcoming me and making me feel like part of your family! Your happiness and joy is so contagious!
