The Binding Agent
In any group of volunteer event organizers, you need forward-facing people, those folks who handle everything from cheerleading within their given communities to taking center-stage when needed. Think Nolan Ferris of the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run in Clayton, N.Y., which is set for July 19-21 and is sold out at 115 boats. Great one-on-one and even better with a microphone in his hand, the ever-charismatic Ferris is the perfect public face for the nonprofit event that raises money for Make-A-Wish of Central New York and the River Community Wellness Program at River Hospital.
Every all-volunteer boating event needs an Alexandra Buduson, but only the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run has one.
But you also need those people who work entirely behind the scenes and get administrative things done. For the 1,000 Islands Charity Poker Run organizing team that includes Bobby Cantwell, Renee and Ken Lalonde, Courtney Rutherford and Ferris, that person is 32-year-old Alexandra Buduson, who in her day job is the events coordinator for the Clayton Chamber of Commerce.
“Alex is the glue behind what we do,” said Cantwell, who co-owns OVIA Insurance Agencies and is, like Buduson, a Clayton local. “She is the key conduit between our committee and the community of Clayton, New York. She is one of those Millennials who is top-notch at everything she does and she is a key piece to everything that happens during our event. And she is the most humble person.”
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