Fun Times at MOTAL's 20th Anniversary Celebration

Cheers to 20 Years!

MOTAL's 20th Anniversary event brought new and old friends together to celebrate the organization's milestone on Sunday, September 29, 2024 at the Hunt Library. Celebrating 20 years is a wonderful achievement considering that approximately 30% of non profits fail after 10 years and more than 12% do not exist after 5 years according to the National Center on Charitable Statistics, (Duke Haddad, Ed.D., 2002, August 19, Nonprofits Can Fail, https://www.nonprofitpro.com/post/nonprofits-can-fail/#:~:text=About%2030%25%20of%20nonprofits%20fail,National%20Center%20on%20Charitable%20Statistics.)

Attendees had an opportunity to enjoy MOTAL's current exhibit entitled, A Class Action: The Grassroots Struggle for School Desegregation in California before entering the festivities.

Volunteer, Dee Steedman, provided a combination of mimosa mocktails, sparkling cider, and non-alcoholic wine as guests waited in line. She also created the event's lovely centerpieces. YBAB Coordinator, Adrianna Dunner and Volunteer, Bea Lee, and Event Planner, Anna Emerald, did an amazing job of serving up delicious appetizers from Porto's Bakery.

YBAB Staff, Jane Coday and Board Member, Mary Deming enjoy a moment of cheer at the festivities.

Everyone had a chance to win a prize at the silent auction as each person was given a free raffle ticket. MOTAL raised over $1,000 in ticket sales. Six winners went home with a See's Candy gift certificate, handmade ceramic mugs, bottles of red wine, a paid roundtrip ride to the airport, Magic Castle passes, a Waterford Vase, and a Bowers Museum gift basket generously donated by Mad Systems and MOTAL Board Members, Greta Nagel, Eva Postma, Mary Deming, Cheryl Stewart, and Pat Casey. Avid supporter and raffle winner, Donna Judd said, "The MOTAL 20th anniversary gathering was a class act! I very much enjoyed the inspirational guests and people that I met during the event. Also, I’m looking forward to using my roundtrip prize ride to the airport." 

Board President, Greta Nagel presented Michael Ramirez, family member of A Class Action, and independent scholar, David Andrews with banners from the exhibit in recognition of their tireless efforts and support. Both recipients were deeply touched by this honor.

Ed Smith performed a delightful magic show with audience participants. Volunteer, Jessie Peissig said, "The magician was both funny and fantastical! We had a lovely time. The food and company were excellent, and it was fun to hear more about Greta and how she founded MOTAL." Peissig was accompanied by her daughter, Iva Gomez and her daughter's friend, Atia Eisenhauer. Ms. Eisenhauer was especially excited about winning the See's Candy gift certificate. It was her first time attending a non-profit event.

Friends and family honored current and past Board Members and volunteers for their contributions to the organization. In that spirit, MOTAL would like to thank the following volunteers for making the event possible: Richard Deming, Iva Gomez, Atia Eisenhauer, Bea Lee, Ben and Claudia Lozado, Jessie Peissig, and Richard and Dee Steedman.