This Suit Makes Money

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone, and as the year approaches its end, I’m grateful for so many things. My last event for the year will be on Friday, December 13th, and it’s been another year of significant growth for my company. I assess my life twice a year using a tool called “Batteries of a Balanced Life,” which is also included as a free resource in my newest book, The Little Book of Workplace Happiness.

Never underestimate the importance of your health. This time last year was tumultuous for my family and those close to us, as we were just weeks into the unexpected passing of my younger brother, Steve. My body and mind handled the grief poorly, as one might expect. Things I had never experienced before, like panic attacks and heart palpitations, surfaced, coupled with the deep emotional suffering, confusion, guilt, and anger common to the grieving process. The loss of my brother is still surreal and hard to believe, yet it is very, very real.

To be with my family, I missed out on emceeing a wonderful event last year, Flannel & Frost. I truly missed this event and needed it this year—every year, honestly, Flannel & Frost lights me up. I’m proud to serve on the board for the two Clubhouses in Bend. Because of this group of dedicated volunteers and staff, these Clubs are crushing it for kids. I’ve witnessed the subtle, profound, and occasionally monumental accomplishments of the leadership of these Clubs over the past four years. Others in our community are paying attention too. We DOUBLED our revenue this year, reaching $350,000 from this fundraiser. DOUBLED!

This very happy jackass in the blue suit is me, taking a selfie with the 300 people who came forward to show their support for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend. When I saw this photo a few days after the event, I roared with laughter and smiled so deeply, thinking about the evening. I’m grateful and touched. Being on this Board is one way of contributing to my community and to kids. This service gives me a sense of belonging, of mattering, and of uniquely contributing—things we all need more than ever in this over-connected digital world.

Two weeks later, I was back in another ugly suit, co-emceeing the “I Like Pie!” family fun run, which had 3,500 participants and raised another $40,000 for the Clubs. Thank you to Footzone Bend and the Cascade Lakes Relay Foundation for putting on another huge community event.

The snowflake suit made its first appearance in Georgia in December too. My favorite (tell Amy) sister, Rebekah, is the Executive Director for the South Enotah Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in northeast Georgia. CACs offer forensic interviews for youth, as well as therapy services, and I emceed their event this year. Their gala at Willow Creek Farms hosted over 120 people and raised more than $13,200 for Rebekah’s CAC. The President’s message was heavy and heartfelt, but the evening was a delight. I’m so proud of my sister for taking a leadership role in such an important mission.

And in 2025, I’ll be adding more fun (and likely suits) through my event production company, Humore.us Productions, with a new “comedy-forward variety show” called The Crazy Happy Silly Funny Nerdy Show. It was inspired by the Flagstaff Foundry and also by a simple, purpose-filled quote from a former Bendite, Dylan, who said, “I just want to create more cool things with my friends.”

Even very happy people can have hard times. And I still have so many good times. This past year has been a reminder of how life often has other plans for us. In a time when the present state of our society is confusing and the recent past still hurts, I feel a deep sense of belonging, contributing, mattering, giving, and receiving. I’m incredibly grateful for the gift of breath in this moment and for those with whom I share this path.

Happy Holidays!
Anthony Poponi