I’m gonna get myself…

I’m gonna get myself…

I’m gonna get myself connected.

Last night was the launch of the third annual ‘Connect With…‘ effort, a collaboration of over 40 non-profit organizations in St. Louis. The event took place at Lush, St. Louis’ newest nightclub/bar on near Olive/Compton. The turnout was fantastic, both the bottom and top level were packed with those interested in how to engage themselves in the community. I was ‘in charge’ of the River City Professionals table, and I quickly realized that after taking a significant step back from frequenting every event known to man, I had suddenly become a bit socially awkward. I was out from behind the confines from rBar for once and was essentially expected to have normal and informative conversations with people again. Shit.

Well…I figured it was nothing two and a half complimentary Belvedere martinis couldn’t fix and suddenly the conversation was flowing. Unfortunately, so were other things. A certain couple of Connect With… board members (and fellow bloggers) and I found it necessary to distribute glow in the dark bracelets to the crowd below. I’m still blaming the vodka, but in my defense, I was aiming at people who were actually asking for the bracelets (comparable to the Fredbird girls with the t-shirts…right?), while others were chucking them with no real rhyme or reason. I hope someone apologized to that tall guy near the bar who was beaned in the head…

But in all seriousness, the Connect With… kick-off reminded me just how much opportunity there is out there to get involved, and that I don’t have to kill myself to go to every event under the sun, yet instead to concentrate on things that are near and dear to me.

To get the ball rolling (and in collaboration with Connect With...), rBar is kicking off ‘Serving a Cause‘, a fundraiser benefiting a different charity and/or non-profit group each month. Each group will provide two ‘guest/celebrity’ bartenders for two hours and all cash tips will go to the non-profit group. For October, ‘Serving a Cause‘ will benefit the Animal House Fund. This Friday, October 5th from 8-10pm, things will kick off with our very own Scott Lapp (RCP; Undercurrent) and Sarah Kramer (Pfizer) serving up some drinks, with rumors swirling that St. Louis Cardinal Brad Thompson will be tending bar next Friday!

So head out to rBar on Friday to support our furry friends and, of course, give Scott a little bit of hell behind the bar.

side note: Anyone interested in getting a charity involved with ‘Serving a Cause‘, please get in touch with me at Leighanne@rbarstl.com. Be sure to act quickly…the months are filling up fast!

side note2: if animals and guest bartending aren’t your thing, be sure to check out www.connectwithstlouis.com to figure out how you can get connected.