Right Around the River Blog
Massey on the River Rocks Rocketts Landing
Post Date: 09-27-2012
Last weekend, Richmonders dressed up and partied down to support cancer research and care at the 3rd Annual Massey on the River at Rocketts Landing. We were thrilled to host the event along the banks of the James River for the first time -- and over 800 people came out for the fun while raising money for VCU Massey Cancer Center.
With river views and Rocketts Landing as the backdrop, The Massey Alliance entertained guests as they wined, dined and enjoyed lawn games and live music throughout the evening. According to Lauren Kiger, assistant director for development events at VCU Massey Cancer Center, they had the highest attendance to date -- part of which Lauren attributes to their new location at Rocketts Landing.
“We moved the event this year to a more public location in Rocketts [Landing],” explains Kiger. “The new space allowed us to grow the event, change the event layout and really maximize the ability to host an event ‘on the river.’”
In addition to mingling and dancing, guests also took part in a silent auction, bidding for their chance at prime “experiences” (as Kiger refers to them), such as an Ultimate Outer Banks Vacation, an All-Inclusive Homestead Getaway, a VMFA Private Tour & Cocktails and many more.
According to Kiger, one of the event’s highlights was The Massey Alliance Tribute Board. Sponsored by our own Rocketts Landing community, the Board invited guests to write names of people they knew who had battled cancer and post them on an 8-by-30-foot-long billboard. They were also able to write and post tribute letters. Throughout October, VCU Massey Cancer Center will proudly display their Tribute Board on the hospital walkway.
“It was a touching way to pay honor to 10 years of the Massey Alliance, a decade which saw more than 52,000 cancer patients treated at Massey,” says Lauren.
And as a fundraiser for the Center, the event rocked! Not only did the silent auction raise over $18,000, Massey on the River brought in over $50,000 to support cancer research and care at the Center — an event record, according to Kiger.
As a community advocate, we were thrilled to play a part in Massey on the River’s success and can’t wait for the fun in store next year at Rocketts Landing.