Kirsten Torgerson shows a plaque made especially for a benefit for local musician Chuck Onofrio. Torgerson has organized several such benefits. Photo by Don Lee [Order this photo]

Almost everyone reading these words has seen announcements in the paper for benefits for the those who have lost their homes to fires. Eureka has suffered a series of these in the past year or so.

Kirsten Torgerson can tell you a thing or two about how those benefits happen.

Torgerson, 25, a Wisconsin native and Eurekan for seven years, has been the driving force behind several of them, starting with a simple door prize that raised $1,500 for the victim of a fire four years ago.

Although she had never been involved in fundraising, Torgerson quickly learned the ropes.

"'Never be afraid to try something new,'" she quoted. "'A lone amateur built the ark. A group of professionals designed the Titanic.'"

Persistent but not pushy

Torgerson said the secret to raising money for a charitable cause is to be persistent without being pushy.

"When something terrible happens, you need to have the benefit as close as you can to the tragedy that caused it," she said. "But it takes some time to put an event together. On top of that, you need to give people a little time between asking them to contribute to the event, and coming back around to collect whatever it is they're giving. You don't want to seem pushy."

Following her initial efforts to help friends in need, Torgerson streamlined and professionalized her efforts.

"I make up sheets explaining what happened, and below that a description of the benefit you're holding, and at the bottom of the sheet, a receipt. It looks very professional."

Professionalism key

Her professionalism extends to her appearance.

"The more together you look when you approach people," she said, "the more likely they are to help you out."

Torgerson's second effort was helping arrange a benefit for locals Rob Edwards and Angel Atkins, whose home burned last November. The community turned out en masse for the silent auction benefit at Mud Street Café.

"After the fire they were staying at a motel about three blocks from my house. Angel called me, and a bunch of us were running around gathering stuff together for them. My sister Caitlyn helped me a lot with that benefit."

Spontaneous giving

Often, she said, people spontaneously approach her with contributions.

"I was going up and down Spring Street from shop to shop before Chuck Onofrio's benefit, and I kept running into the same woman," Torgerson said. "It turned out she was a massage therapist, just like I am, and when she figured out what I was doing, she gave me a certificate for a free massage, for the silent auction."

Organizing events like these is a lot of work, and Torgerson cautions against overenthusiastic altruism.

"It's just human nature, I guess," she said. "I've noticed people are very willing to offer help, but sometimes less willing to follow through. I always say, 'Don't offer if you don't mean it!'"

Torgerson said she is torn regarding her future as a benefit organizer.

Organizing takes time

"Of course, I don't ask to be paid for the work," she said. "I'm volunteering my time. But sometimes that means missing work, so I lose money doing that. The thing is, the benefits just keep getting bigger and bigger! I know there are lots of people needing help, but unfortunately you can't do one every time. And it's hard choosing."

She said if anyone needed help or advice on how to make a benefit happen, she had all her previous work backed up on her computer.

"A stapler is your best friend," she laughed.

A little help from her friends

Torgerson said she wanted to thank so many people for their contributions and help it was hard to know where to start, but she especially wanted to mention Julie Ballance, whose own home burned in December, and who is currently breaking ground on a new place.

"She is planning framing and decking parties, and if you want to help you can call her at (479) 244-6864," Torgerson said. "She still needs framing and building materials. She'll be running announcements in the newspaper."

Torgerson also asked to mention the help of Stixx at Chelsea's, Anthony Gragg, Robert Beauford, Wendy La Fay, Jerri Stevens, Kevin Click, Caitlyn Torgerson, Katrina Pumphrey and Kadi Zelt.