When it came to selling opportunity drawing tickets for be.group foundation’s June be.festive gala, Royal Oaks resident Ruth Greife wanted to make a game of it.

Although she wasn’t sure how she’d pull it off, Ms. Greife figured that she could make a go of it with the help of Director of Philanthropy Jill Hammer, Royal Oaks Executive Director Melody Mitchell and a Tiki hut. The hut served as an attention-getter, set up behind a card table decorated with pictures of all the potential drawing prizes.

As residents strolled by the table on their way into the dining room, Ms. Greife gave her pitch about the gala and the drawing, touting their chance to win everything including an iPad 2. She also let them know that they could help their favorite Royal Oaks employee win a separate grand prize by selling the most tickets in that individual’s name.

“I made some residents and staff laugh, but I told all the residents that they could decide who they wanted among the staff to get credit for the sale,” says Ms. Greife. “That was the game, and it took off.”

Ticket sales at Royal Oaks totaled more than $1,000—more than at any other be.group community. Ms. Greife didn’t personally make all the sales, but it was her generous spirit that helped motivate residents to participate. In the end, all gala proceeds came in at more than $147,000.

The real benefit, Ms. Greife says, is how even small efforts like this ultimately support her neighbors and their community. “That’s really what it’s all about,” she says.

Volunteer efforts like this are part of Ms. Greife’s routine. At the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, she works on special events and has arranged flowers at its historic Queen Anne Cottage. She also helps organize the mailing of the monthly newsletter. On Mondays, you can find her at the cash register of a thrift shop that supports the Philanthropic Education Organization, which promotes educational opportunities for women.

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