Columbus Collective Launch Party & Pelotonia Benefit

UsHey gang! Last Friday evening, Scott and I headed out all gussied up to the Columbus Collective Launch Party and Benefit for Pelotonia.  “What are those things?”, you ask.  Well I’ll tell you.

Columbus Collective is social media the way it should be used, for the promotion and support of local businesses and corporations. To quote the website:

Welcome to the Columbus Collective! Our group brings together small organizations in Central Ohio to share events and ideas with social media users in one collaborative space.. Our meetup.com page is the place to find all the exciting upcoming events from Columbus Collective organizations. Together members attend the events and use twitter, facebook, and blogging to share their experiences. Members also post photos and videos online from the events. Essentially, the Columbus Collective uses social media to promote local Columbus organizations who have unique and interesting content.

This is one of the many reasons why I love Twitter, because I can learn what’s going on in my community. It also helps introduce me to new people! Because we’ve “chatted” via Twitter, meeting someone new isn’t really as awkward of a situation as days past. If you have not joined Twitter, consider it! And start looking up local businesses around you. You just might be surprised who you find! I follow restaurants, local event papers and magazines, even my local Chamber of Commerce! It’s fantastic!

Now, Pelotonia is an organization dedicated to raising money for cancer research via a bike ride where people can get sponsors to support their ride. Or one can donate directly to the cause. To borrow from The Pelotonia website:

Pelotonia Mission:

Pelotonia is a grass roots bike tour with one goal: to end cancer. Pelotonia raises money for innovative and life saving cancer research at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center- James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute. Driven by the passion of its cyclists and volunteers, and their family and friends, Pelotonia’s annual cycling experience will be a place of hope, energy and determination. Leveraging Netjets’ transformational gift, Pelotonia directs 100% of every dollar raised to research. It is a community of people coming together to chase down cancer and defeat it.

Columbus Collective Welcome Sign The Bike Ride:

About The Pelotonia Weekend

Pelotonia opens on Friday, August 28 with registration, an expo, dinner, beverages and an opening ceremony which will feature remarks from Lance Armstrong and live music. On Saturday, Pelotonia riders, including Lance Armstrong, will embark on Pelotonia’s four fully supported routes that span the distance between Columbus, Ohio and Athens, Ohio. The routes include a one-day, 25-mile route; a one-day, 50-mile route; a one-day, 100-mile route; and a two-day, 180-mile route. Riders participating in the 100-mile and 180-mile rides will enjoy a festival at Ohio University on the evening of Saturday, August 29. Riders participating in the 180-mile ride will spend Saturday night on Ohio University’s campus and will also enjoy a festival at Slate Run Metro Park in Canal Winchester upon completing their ride on Sunday, August 30.

People mingling

Positiveness and hope all around, you have to love it! Scott and I arrived to the party and said our Hellos to Ryan, who invited us to join in the festivities. The party was held at Wild Goose Creative, a local organization that promotes and supports local artistic organizations. Artistic and creative groups can meet up here and practice, paint, sing, read, knit, give talks, anything they want to do. The have free range to be able to create and expand their knowledge and abilities.

The space provided a nice intimate feel for a party supporting a sensitive and serious subject. I’m a sucker for exposed brickwork and duct work, so I loved this space. First things first, I spied people with drinks so I started looking for some wine. And I found it!

Food buffet

I have to admit that I was pretty excited about some of the food to be offered at the party because they were from places I was curious to try out! I had a glass of red to start off with, which was a merlot. Scott poured himself a beer from the keg. I had a sip and it was pretty good! Great job Elevator Brewery!

We arrived just in time to hear everyone’s speeches. First up was a representative from Pelotonia explaining how the organization was founded and its mission to raise money for cancer research.

Then we heard from Ryan’s brother explaining about his experience battling cancer and how he is now cancer free! It’s pretty safe to say that everyone has known someone in their lives who has battled or dealt with cancer. It’s a scary issue that we should all be fighting to solve.

After the speeches, everyone started mingling and chatting. I grabbed some snacks to quiet my belly.

First plate of snacks

My first plate had a mini scone from TehKu Tea Company, sushi from Haiku, and some bean dip with veggies from Olive Tree Cafe. The sushi on the far right was for Scott because that had some raw fish in it. The sushi I had was a California roll with crab and avocado. It was really yummy and the perfect size! You can see my glass of red wine in the corner there. The bean dip was spicy and creamy. I ate all my veggies plain so I could just eat the dip straight up! Scott got one of the last slices of pizza, I was so jealous! Then I went back for a second plate of goodies.

Second plate of snacks

There is a mini sandwich in the back that I picked up for Scott. Also on the plate are some pita triangles and a dip that I think was roasted tomatoes and peppers. It was so tasty! And the pita was warm and doughy.

I have to say that the spread and variety of food was excellent. There was something there for everyone to be able to munch and enjoy. And the hosts of the party were great about keeping the table full of food! A plate wasn’t empty long before it was replaced with another scrumptious treat. Good job, guys!

After our eats, Scott and I mingled for a little bit.  I got to meet new people and Twitter people, I loved it! Of course my mingling skills aren’t fantastic so there were loads of people I didn’t get a chance to meet. Hopefully soon though!

And if the night wasn’t fabbo enough, there were door prizes and then a band! Sadly we didn’t get to hear too much of the band, Hotel Eden, because this grandma was getting tired and needed to get back home. But from the accounts I’ve read, it was a fantastic set.

We had a great time and thanks to Ryan and co-hosts for putting together a very successful party!

For more information on Columbus Collective, please check out their site. And if you would like to donate money to Pelotonia, you can do so here.

For more information on Pelotonia, please visit their website. Pelotonia is also on Twitter!

12 thoughts on “Columbus Collective Launch Party & Pelotonia Benefit

  1. Robb says:

    Great decription of a great event. Sorry I missed you. We have grandchildren also. Did you get to try the scones from Tehku?

    • Oh Robb, I was kidding about being a grandma! I just meant, that because I have to be in bed so early, I call myself grandma. :lol: I did try a scone and loved it!

  2. It was great to meet you there, (reverse of your twitter example). Figured I’d take the hint to be an active participant in local blogs, and as a side effect I have been having fun going through your old posts.

    • Morgan!! So glad you stopped by! It was great meeting you and getting the chance to chat with you a bit. Started basic plans for growing things next season!

  3. Kelvin says:

    Great party for a good cause.

    I don’t believe we had a chance to meet – but you’ve posted a picture with me in it.

    Nice Post.

    • Hey Kelvin, welcome! :D I took pictures right when I walked in the door so I don’t doubt I caught you in one. You just happened to be in the right spot at the right time! :D

  4. I was wondering how the event went since I couldn’t attend. Great recap! Also the mention about following your local chamber of commerce–Hilliard Chamber thanks you!

  5. What a great event! I agree that Twitter has really opened up a new venue of socialization for me. Pelotonia sounds like a fantastic organization and I’d love to visit a place like Wild Goose Creative. Thanks for sharing the evening!

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