An on-mountain party that has been held every Christmas Day since the mid-1980s used to be the place for holiday orphans – those without family or friends to spend the holiday with. Today, the Martini Party about making a difference in the community.
Packy Lennon is credited with starting the first Martini Party… Joe Butterfield has been involved in the last decade and took over in the last five years, after Lennon’s death. He puts together a core crew of about 4 who haul up shovels and pack out a 20 foot snow bar--tucked up away in the trees and away from the crowds. Butterfield purchases the beverages and then asks for donations from those who come by…
These days of virtual banking mean no excuses – everyone gives something as Butterfield now accepts both Venmo and Paypal.
For those who know about the party it’s always a good time. For Butterfield, it’s about helping those less fortunate.
“It was never about hundreds of people or making money – or any of that" Butterfield said. "It was just friends and kinda morphed into us trying to make a difference.”
On Friday, Butterfield and his crew delivered almost $8,200 to the Peace House. Peace House Director of Development Sally Tauber told KPCW they gave the crew a tour of the newly opened campus to show them where the money will go…
And it really added up and it’s so meaningful – it really, really is," Tauber said.
Butterfield says it’s important that children are involved in their annual cause and that the money is used for the kids, not CEO salaries.
In 2018, the proceeds of the Martini Party went to the Ronald McDonald House. Butterfield says they raised about $4,000 – all in small bills…
“We went down with this stack of ones and fives and tens and it’s one of those things I guess that makes us feel really great about giving to people.”
Butterfield adds that it’s not about the party – it’s always been about the people…
