2. Non-Profit Agency
The Shannon Cox Counseling Center provides counseling for
individuals, couples and families, grief counseling for children and their
families, smart parenting and behavior management services, anger
management education, training and professional development and lastly,
behavioral and mental health consultation throughout Southwest Louisiana.
Their primary focus being counseling for grieving children. The Shannon Cox
Counseling Center has provided more than 8,000 hours of strength focused
counseling, consultation and education to children, youth and families. This
center is based on the belief that all individuals’ posses the ability to solve
their own challenges and live a healthy life when support is available,
counselor and engagement specialists’ utilize a strength-based client directed
and outcome informed approach. The overriding goal is to support and
encourage the development of greater well-being among the citizens of
Southwest Louisiana. Shannon Cox was a local advocate for the
underprivileged and exploited. She made it her life’s work to help people who
could not help themselves. Shannon was tragically killed in a car accident in
2010. To honor her memory, John and Ginny Henning provided funds for the
establishment of the Shannon Cox Counseling Center. The center will
provide much needed support for grieving children and their families in
Southwest Louisiana.
Event|Venue|Audience
Derby For Dollars is a special event created by the founders of the
Shannon Cox Counseling Center with the primary focus of holding a social
event for all to enjoy with an underlying message of raising money to benefit
the center and the grieving children. Losing someone of significance or a
parent can be devastating and extremely hard on someone, especially a child.
Children are still developing daily and the loss of an individual will take a
huge toll on them mentally, emotionally and sometimes even physically. The
event Derby For Dollars is an upscale social event that will be held at The
Stables at Le Bocage. Where better to hold a Kentucky Derby themed a party
than actual horse stables and event rings. The Stables at Le Bocage are a full
equestrian and training facility, as well as an event venue, boarding facility,
equestrian camps, lessons, therapeutic riding, pony parties and photography
venue. We ultimately want the guests to feel as if they are at the Kentucky
Derby. By holding this event at The Stables, we feel as if that will encourage
guests to feel the entire derby element. Derby For Dollars at The Stables will
3. feature the Lake Area’s finest restaurants, spirits, music, equestrian jumping
exhibition, Kentucky Derby live footage and action, and contests for the best
ladies’ hat and gents’ best duds. The equestrian jumping exhibit will be
displayed and performed by the junior jumpers of the Stables. The junior
jumpers are adolescent clients of the stables that range in age from 13-25.
This will be a prestigious event with a wide range of guests. The guests that
will be in attendance are the socialists, business owners, doctors, lawyers,
high-class citizens of the Lake Area. They will range in ages from young
twenties well into their later adult years. These are people who enjoy
everything about the social scene. The live music, food, drinks, attire, and
equestrian events, which make people feel as if they are in a higher class.
These are also guests who have a desire to help people. While the majority of
the guests will be young, there will be older guests as well. The young guests
are more than likely there because of the type of event, the socializing of the
event. There will be media coverage at the event. This is the closest thing to
the Kentucky Derby the Lake Area has to offer. The guest will enjoy the
social aspect of the event but they more than likely also have a heart and a
passion for grieving children. Grieving children are more common than
people think, losing a loved on happens too often. Grieving is a long and
difficult process, that more times than not, often requires counseling to grieve
properly and process every step. Tickets are $100 and the entirety of the
profits will benefit the children participating in the counseling center. There
will also be a section of the event that will give the guests and opportunity to
sponsor a specific child. The sponsorship will help them cope, grieve and live
life to their full potential. It will also give them financial help when needed.
The sponsorship can remain anonymous but can also be revealed and
involved as well. With this type of event, there is a dress code of complete
derby attire. Attending a derby party requires derby attire, right? Ladies to
be dressed in semi-cocktail style dresses and hats, gentlemen to be dressed in
Sunday suites, bowties and dapper duds.
4. Vision|Goals
The complete vision of Derby For Dollars is to raise money and
awareness for grieving children. To grieve properly and entirely is a long,
difficult process that usually requires the help of counseling to cope
completely. Especially for children, who are still developing into who they
are. They are developing mentally, emotionally and physically. The majority
cannot get through this process without help. Dealing with a loss at a very
young age can lead to a whole series of problems in their futures. It often
leads to confusion and rebellion. The Shannon Cox Counseling Center aides
these children with their grieving process. It must be done at their pace. The
money raised at this event goes entirely to those children.
Guest Arrival|Registration
Guests will be pre-registered through the purchase of their ticket. Le
Bocage is laid out with a circle driveway to the front of the venue. There will
be valet parkers available where tips are optional. Upon arrival, there will be
a staff member standing by a floral archway at the end of a laid out walkway,
checking guests in and approving their registration on a list. Tickets are to be
purchased prior to the event and paid in advance.
Site Plan
The Stables at Le Bocage offer a multi facility event venue. The stables
are in one building, which also offer a reception hall, kitchen, rooms, waiting
rooms, etc. The other is a covered pavilion, which will be perfect for our event.
The facility also offers two barns, covered and outdoor riding arenas, indoor
wash stalls, outdoor wash stalls, climate controlled tack rooms, waiting
rooms with televisions and Wi Fi access, showers and laundry facilities. The
facility is built on over 100 acres of land but the actual event sites are right
next to each other. We will not offer anything inside the stables and barns
but viewing will be available while walking to and from the pavilion to the
arenas for the equestrian events. Derby For Dollars will be held in the
pavilion with a specific walkway, lined with flowers and a carpet. There will
be a floral archway at the end of the walkway with a staff member checking
people in. Passed the archway, will be a backdrop for photos upon arrival or
media photos throughout the event. Entering the pavilion there will be many
features. There will be white drapes across the ceiling and draped down on
5. every corner. Lining the area lengthwise will be food and drink/spirit tables.
The food will be buffet style with servers. The spirit tables will have bar
tenders staffed. One large chandelier will be hanging in the middle of the
area, with four smaller ones hanging closer to each corner. Under the large
chandelier, there will be a round table with derby themed decorations, hors
d'oeuvres, champagne, mint juleps and a large, tall floral arrangement with a
replica Kentucky Derby trophy. The table will also feature information about
the Shannon Cox Counseling Center. There will be tables with place settings
and centerpieces set up throughout the area for dining. The theme of the
décor is the traditional Kentucky Derby, floral, gold and black and white
stripes. The traditional flower of the Kentucky Derby is the red rose,
therefore that will be the focal floral of all the arrangements. The event will
take place during the day so the chandeliers are mainly for decoration. There
will be spot lighting for the stage but there will not be a necessary need for
any special lighting or effects. There will also be a projector screen set up
above the band on the stage for the viewing of the Kentucky Derby. For this
event, there is no limit on capacity since the event is taking place on the
grounds of a stable and a pavilion.
Food & Beverage
Food and Beverage for the event will be prepared, provided and
donated by the Lake Area’s finest and favorite restaurants and spirits.
Luna Bar & Grill
Spinach Artichoke Dip (Local favorite!)
Crab Cakes
Greek Salad with Seared Salmon or Tuna
Mazens
Marinated Caprice Salad
The Harlequin
Fried Alligator Dippers
Gumbo
Cousins Lebanese
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Chicken Kabob’s
Darrels
Po-boy Tray’s featuring the Darrel’s Special & Shrimp Po-boy
6. Prionias Deli & Bakery
Strawberries & Champagne Cake
Assorted Cookies
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Homsi’s Liquor
5 cases of Champagne
Hocus Pokus Liquor
Liquor for Mint Julep’s
Vodka
Beer
Heist
7 cases of red & white wine
Budget
The Stables at Le Bocage $1,500
Event Planner $700
Florist $1200
Servers & Bar Tenders 12 @ $9/hr for 7 hours = $756
Valet Parkers 3 @ $9/hr = $189
Band/Sound $500
Security 4 -$200/ night= $800
Photographer $500
EMT/Emergency Team $500
Food & Beverage Donated
Newspaper Ads $250
Radio Air Time $45
Flyers (Printing) $50/5,0000 flyers
Ink $100
Decoration Rentals & Misc. $1000
Total $8,090
7. Agenda
The event will begin at 3:30 in the afternoon. Upon arrival, there will
be a backdrop at the entrance with the Shannon Cox Counseling Center logo
and the Derby For Dollars logo for media and photography. When entering
the pavilion, there will be servers with drink trays offering champagne and
mint juleps; traditional derby spirits. The band will be playing as the guests
arrive. The Kentucky Derby coverage will begin at 4 o’clock eastern time with
the race beginning at 6:44 o’clock ET. The founders of the Shannon Cox
Counseling Center will thank the guests for participating in the event,
provide a brief background on the center and the vision they have for the
event and honor the memory of their friend Shannon, prior to the Derby
coverage. The food and drinks will be provided throughout the entire event.
3:30-4:30 pm Guests Arrival
3:30-8:00 pm Live Music/Band
4:00 pm Begin Kentucky Derby Coverage
4:30-5:30 pm Equestrian Jumping Events
6:15 pm Founders Speech
6:44 pm Official Start Time of the Kentucky Derby
8:00 pm Event End
Timeline|Calendar
April 1st Begin Promotions & Ticket Sales
Flyers, Radio Script, Business Sponsorships
April 20th Television Interviews with Local Channels
April 27th-May 1st Double up on Promotions
Radio Spots, Interviews, Newspaper
May 2nd Official Event Time
8. Promotions
Radio Script
Date Submitted: April 1st, 2015 Product or Service: Fundraiser
Customer Type: Socialite/Family Spot Length: 30 seconds
Advertiser: Act Right Appeal: Derby Inspired Event
Approach: Benefit and support
children grieving a parent or
loved one
_______________________________________________________
Announcer: (Excited/Interested/Sympathetic) Losing a parent or a loved one
affects every single person throughout his or her life at some point and time.
Imagine losing that someone at a very young age. The feeling of hopelessness and
loneliness comes flooding in and is almost unbearable. The Shannon Cox
Counseling Center is there to help grieving children throughout the entire
process. The Shannon Cox Counseling Center has organized grief counseling for
over 800,000 hours. On May 2, 2015, Derby Day, The Shannon Cox Counseling
Center will host the social event of the season, “Derby For Dollars”. Derby For
Dollars will be held at The Stables at Le Bocage at 3:30 in the afternoon. Tickets
are $100 and the entirety of sales and proceeds will benefit children participating
in the Counseling Center. Come out for live music, equestrian jumping events,
socializing and Lake Area’s finest dining and spirits. Derby inspired attire is
encouraged. There will be a contest for the ladies best hats and the most dapper
duds for the gents!
_______________________________________________________
9. Press Release
The Shannon Cox Counseling Center For Release: April 2, 2015
220 Louie Street
Lake Charles LA 70601 General Public
Sarah Ann Coleman
337-515-6106
The Shannon Cox Counseling Center
“Derby For Dollars” Event
Want to participate in an event that makes you feel as if you are a
socialite at the Kentucky Derby? Have a passion for helping other when they
are in need? Relate to the understanding of losing a loved one at a young age?
Then “Derby For Dollars” is for you! Derby For Dollars is an social event
hosted by The Shannon Cox Counseling Center to raise money to benefit
children who have lost a parent or a person of significance in their life too
soon. Grieving is a long, difficult and painful process especially for children
who have not fully developed mentally or emotionally yet. Understanding
why is the hardest part of the process. Derby For Dollars tickets are $100 and
the entirety of proceeds raised will benefit the children participating in the
Shannon Cox Counseling Center. Come out for live music, equestrian
jumping events, and socializing. Featuring the Lake Area’s finest restaurants
and spirits. Derby themed dress code is encouraged. Derby For Dollars will be
held on May 2, 2015 at The Stables at Le Bocage at 3:30 in the afternoon.
The Shannon Cox Counseling Center “Derby For Dollars” Event
04.02.2015
###
10. Staff
Derby For Dollars will require a whole variety of staffers including, an event
planner, florists, décor staff with the event planner, catering services, spirits
services, servers, bar tenders, valet parkers, stable staff to mange the horses,
security, EMT’s nd more! There will be a security detail on the premises and
an ambulance for emergencies throughout the entire event.
