Here’s an idea for companies, nonprofits, government agencies and organizations whose employees are celebrating significant milestones such as finishing a marathon, stopping smoking or losing weight.

Plan a special event around the celebration, invite the community, offer a fund-raising component to help a local charity, and promote it like crazy online and offline.

That’s what the Niederkorn Library in Port Washington, Wis., is doing this Saturday, May 12, to celebrate two librarians’ combined 206-pound weight loss.  Adult services librarian Annie Bahringer (shown at left in the striped shirt) has lost 105 pounds under her doctor’s supervision. Children’s librarian Cindy Beyer, who is in my Weight Watchers class, has lost 101 pounds.

“The Wellness Open House was my idea,” Cindy said. “Annie and I talked about it when we started on this weight loss journey and agreed that when we each reached 100 pounds, we’d have a private party and invite our friends. I thought it would be fun to have a Wellness Open House and invite the community.”  

The open house will feature local health care experts who have donated prizes that include massage certificates, Weight Watchers products and gift certificates.
   
   
Healthy Food, Too

Annie will be making healthy snacks such as Wasabi Crisps, Apricot Canapes with blue cheese and chopped pistachios, and Mini Caprese Bites featuring fresh mozzarella, basil and cherry tomatoes on a stick. Cindy will bring the desserts, including a Weight Watchers recipe for Peanut Butter Dip. 

The library is asking those who attend to contribute a non-perishable food item to give to the local food pantry. It hopes to collect at least 200 pounds of food.

I love the fliers that that library is using to market the event. At the bottom, it lists each woman’s goals for 2012.
 

Cindy’s goals:

• Lose another 50 pounds
• Participate in two charity walks
• To be fit and strong
   

Annie’s goals:

• A 60-mile bike ride
• Participate in a charity bike ride
• Write a healthy meals cookbook

Ideas on How You Can Celebrate

Here are six ideas on how you can sponsor other types of special events and generate fabulous publicity.
   
   
1. Employees Who Have Stopped Smoking

If a group of employees have stopped smoking beyond, say, six months, plan a celebration. For entertainment, invite a magician who can create “smoke” with dry ice as part of his show. Ask for donations for the American Lung Association or another worthy smoking cessation group.
   
   
2. Employees Who Have Run, Walked, Swam, Rowed or Skied

Sports-related competitions often attract teams from an organization or company. If your team takes the first-place trophy in, say, a cross-country ski event, sponsor a ski clinic with free lessons. Ask for donations to groups that teach people with disabilities how to ski.   
   
   
3. Employee of the Year

If your organization honors an Employee of the Year, a company open house would be a nice tie-in. Invite the community, and provide refreshments. Does the employee have a favorite charity?

Pitch the story to your local business journal, local bloggers and industry bloggers. 

4. Volunteer(s) of the Year

Does your nonprofit choose a Volunteer of the Year? Honor him or her—or all of them—at special awards ceremonies.  The Hospice of Palm Beach sponsors an annual luncheon for volunteers. Look on the left side of this page, where visitors to their website can contribute without attending. 

5. Honor Local Heroes

What a great community service this would be! Decide what types of heroes you want to honor. Consider asking the community to nominate their favorites.

Invite the heroes, as well as their families, to the event. 
   
If you have other ideas for similar events, I’ve reserved a spot for you in the Comments section below.