And the Award Goes To...

by Super User

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The evening of February 20th 2016 was the Temecula Chamber of Commerce Gala, but will forever be etched in my mind as a gala night for Reality Rally.

I had been nominated for the Visit Temecula Valley Welty Award for Tourism Professional of the Year, but in my mind this was a nomination for Reality Rally—I was just the mechanism.  I was one of 8 nominees. The other 7 are very powerful people in Temecula, so I went basking in the glow of that amazing nomination to even be amongst that group.

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Imagine my total surprise when Jimmy Moore, last year’s winner, opened the envelope and announced, “The winner is Gillian Larson of Reality Rally.”

As I looked down at over 600 faces, I wished I had an acceptance speech prepared so I could say all that is always in my heart. I only had a few minutes anyway, and what I had to say would have needed the hook to get me off. I accepted this amazing honor for all who took my “jungle vision” and have made it a reality.

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We have done it because being on CBS “Survivor” gave me the platform and opportunity to do something that would be significant using the “celebrity” I had become.

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We have done it because we believe we can make a difference in the lives of others seeking guidance and support through Michelle’s Place. Bill and Marilyn followed their dying daughter’s wish to open a Support Center and our fundraising helps.

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We have done it because Chuck Washington listened to my idea and gave me a huge thumbs up to go for it.

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We have done it because Reality TV Stars want to lend their “celebrity” to our “Fun for Funds” event.

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We have done it because hundreds of generous businesses sponsor what we need and donors from all over the world donate to make a difference.

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We have done it because the City of Temecula and Aaron Adams, the City Manager, support what we do.

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We have done it because people come from all over including other countries to be part of our event. 

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I have been able to do it because I have a totally supporting husband Ron and family always behind all I do.

And to acknowledge the collaborative force of many, I and we have done it mainly because of the Reality Rally Production Team who are all volunteers, who donate their time and talents and make their part of Reality Rally perfect, making Reality Rally all it is. Awesome.

Take a look at all the wonderful folks who make Reality Rally a Premier Reality Star fundraiser and a Temecula Signature event.

The Welty Award belongs to everyone in “Reality Rally.”

-Gillian

 

Executive Team

Gillian Larson       Creator and Event Director

Lily Holland           Celebrity Relations Director

Gaylon Holland    Event Logistics Director

Annette Nielsen   Celebrity Chef Showcase Director

Jennifer Elliott       Volunteer Director

Joni Preston           Media Relations Director

Cynthia Stedfield  Celebrity Reception Director

Kim Goodnough    Michelle’s Place Director 

Production Team         

Event Logistics   

Gary Dowd Technical Support

Keifer Preston      Logistics Support

David  Paget         Logistics Support

Rod Crider          Logistics Support

Casino Fundraiser       

Aaron Rachman   Casino Coordinator

Debbie Breslin      Casino Volunteer Coordinator

Celebrity Relations

Kim Ornelllas       Celebrity Chef Director.

Lisa Harrigan       Celebrity Handler

Tarona Stanfield Celebrity Handler

Christy Shipley    Celebrity Handler

Mark Shipley       Celebrity Handler

Mike Kimura        Celebrity Handler

Chuck Hiers         Celebrity Handler

Carmel Sitton       VIP Pass Handler

Team Relations  

Joan Hoover     Team relations Director

Pam Rainey          Team Relations Coordinator

Lisa Armijo Team Relations Coordinator

Anna Silva  Team Relations Coordinator

Bill Rainey  Team Relations Coordinator

Volunteer Relations     

Candace Coons    Volunteer Support

Challenge Checkpoints         

Terry Lindsley      Checkpoint Captain

Mark Horn Checkpoint Captain

Barbara LaQuia   Checkpoint Captain

Jennifer Sevilla     Checkpoint Captian

Sarah Long Checkpoint Captain

Celebrity Chef Showcase      

Collin Rand          Showcase Judge Host

Susan Allen          Chef Showcase Support

Lucinda (Cindy) Johnson        Chef Showcase Support

Juliette Barnes      Chef Showcase Support

Lip Sync Showdown   

Jonnie Fox  Lip Sync Director

Celebrity Travel 

Jill Hiers     Celebrity Air Travel Coordinator

Jason Osborn       Celebrity Ground Transportation Coordinator

Sponsor Relations

Nikki Malolepsy  Sponsorship Management

Susan LaMadrid   Sponsor check in

Event Check In  

Julee Johanson     Check in and Sales

Tracy Kneebusch Check in Support

Live Stream Production        

Jennifer Donnelly Live Stream Production

Peter Schlemmer  Live Steaming Team

Social Media Team      

Brenda Morken    Social Media Team

Brahm Shank       Lead Teen Social Media Consultant

Katie Ornellas      Instagram Coordinator

Staci Beeman       Social Media Team

Ashlee Collins      Michelle's Place Staff

Event Communications        

Ashley Coons       Radio Distribution and Event Admin

Taryn Murphy     Reality Rally Blogger

Media Relations

Lucinda (CIndy)   Media Support

Susan Allen          Media Support

Cindy Parker        Media Support

Food Distribution Services

Christina Cadwell Lead Green Room Food Distribution

Christopher Murguia     Green Room Food Distribution

Rosie Girardot     Green Room Food Distribution

Celebrity Green Room

Becky Ginesi   Green Room Coordinator  

Casino Prize Coordination

Kristina Sanders Lead Casino Prize solicitation

Richelle LaPorte-Marques       Casino Prize Support

Ginger Monge      Casino Prize Support

Gigi Donascimento        Casino Prize Support

Linda Maietta       Casino Prize Support

Festival Activities 

Laurie Malmstrom         Festival Activities Coordinator

Jennifer Hawkins Assistant Festival Activities

Dawn Powell        Kidz Checkpoints lead

Cecila Reyes         Character Station Lead

Tanyia Pfennighausen    Character Station Support and Spanish

Jamal and Kaila Cumberbatch Entertainment Director & Stage Manager

Event Float Services

Lori Miller  Event Float

Johnny Randle     Float Assist

         

Celebrity Meet and Greet

Troy Kuretich      Autograph Line Coordinator

Donna Martello    Autograph Line Coordinator

Saturday Stage Management  

Eric Cox     Opening Ceremonies Stage Manager

Sheryl Cox Stage Management Support

Mackenzie Cox     Stage Management Support

Dignitary Host   

Jackie Steed          City & State Reps Host

Street Promotional Team

Terry Lindsley      Old Town Temecula Liaison

Behind the Scene

Jacob Myers         Graphic Design

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