ST. LOUIS, MO. – Many have been in confusion over whether or not stl250 is still active since executive director Erin Budde decided to take a full-time position with United Way St. Louis.
The answer is this: stl250 is stronger than ever.
“It has been in the plans all along,” Budde said. “It started out as a completely volunteer-based organization, but we decided in 2013 that it needed someone to organize the volunteers for the major events. I was that person.”
Budde explains that for three years, stl250 had been planning events and initiatives in order to give St. Louis the biggest birthday present ever.
“Once we got through the really wonderful events that happened in February over the anniversary weekend, [stl250] switched from being an event producer, to an event promoter,” Budde said.
Budde sat down with the board of directors and looked at the future stl250 activities and decided it was time to switch back to a completely volunteer-based organization.
“We really do have a great structure in place and hundreds of folks still involved,” Budde said.
Throughout the remainder of 2014, stl250 and its volunteer leaders will continue to engage St. Louisans and visitors to celebrate the 250th anniversary through Cakeway to the West, promotion of hundreds of Official Celebration Partner events, as well as its K-12 Education Innitiative and St. Louis Serves volunteer program.
“Two-hundred forty cakes are on display now, and the rest will be put up in just a matter of weeks,” volunteer Linda Gurney said. “Be on the look-out, because Erin [Budde] and the volunteers are still working hard.”
For more information on how to volunteer, or to check out HEC-TV stl250-based curriculum, visit www.stl250.org.
Christina Chastain
Marketing and Strategic Partnerships Coordinator
