By Mikkel Hyldebrandt
This will be the third year of More To Love’s signature holiday event, Gag the Grinch. As always, the team behind the event is working diligently to put on a great party with plenty of eye candy, fun games and prizes, and, of course, the gaggy Grinch circling the crowd. David spoke to MTL founder Chad Wick about what to expect at this year’s Gag the Grinch
This will be the third year of More To Love’s Gag the Grinch. Please explain what it is all about for those who have yet to attend this party.
As part of More To Love’s mission, we strive to amplify and lift up other organizations in our community that are already doing amazing work. Gag the Grinch is our signature holiday event that will raise money for For The Kid In All Of Us to help children in the greater Atlanta area have a special Christmas. Our event is a nightlife event that combines a great party with a great cause that people really are getting behind. Gag the Grinch is all about immersing attendees in this alternate Grinch world and having festive fun for a good cause
How has the party evolved since it first started?
The first party was at the Hideaway three years ago, and we have kept a lot of the same elements in the years past, like a gaggy Grinch, sexy dancers, and lots of festive happenings. Over the years, we have added more and more elements and perfected the concept, but this year, we have definitely upped our partnerships with the community, like working even closer with the Eagle, having a Christmas market with amazing vendors, and our media partnership with David Magazine.
The party’s beneficiary is For The Kid In All Of Us – why did you choose this organization?
We want to amplify organizations that really have an impact in our community, and For The Kid closely aligns with that. Several MTL team members have been or are involved with the board of For The Kid, so they have experienced first-hand just how much of a difference their work makes in the lives of children all across Atlanta. We do try to mix up the recipients of our events, so we showcase a variety of others doing great work, all for different causes. Such other recipients have been Aid Atlanta, Lost-N-Found, and the Trans Atlanta Social Club.
More To Love doesn’t just throw the Gag the Grinch party – what other events and initiatives does the organization do?
While Gag the Grinch is probably our biggest fundraiser, we also host a summer event called Suds & Studs, which is a fun, sexy party with more outdoorsy activities and games like a dunk tank and a wet t-shirt contest. Throughout the year, we also do volunteer days with different organizations where we simply show up and help with a specific project or help meet a specific need.
More To Love is also in the process of becoming a certified non-profit organization. What does that entail?
Yes, we wanted to get an official 501c3 certification to make more out of the money we raise for our supporting organizations via larger donations and sponsorships. It’s definitely a process that we have started, and our hope is to have completed this next year.
Returning to Gag the Grinch: what can people expect at the party?
We have a lot of moving parts in this party, which includes a full holiday market with amazing vendors like Yeahbuzzy, Barking Leather, Alfons Dovana, and more. We’ll have a huge snow globe with hot dancers, DJ Kyle House on the decks, and reindeer games to play to collect raffle tickets to win amazing prizes like holiday liquor baskets, Grinch Gear, and more. And, of course, we’ll have a Grinch walking through the crowd spreading his special kind of cheer throughout the night. There will also be a special Grinch award for the person with the best gag-worthy outfit. So where outfits are not required, they are absolutely encouraged!
If someone can’t attend the party, how can they support More To Love or For The Kid In All Of Us?
This event is about raising funds for For The Kid In All Of Us, and all money raised will go towards supporting children within the greater Atlanta to have a special Christmas. So, for those who can’t make it, please go to forthekid.org/donate to make a direct donation. Just type in Gag the Grinch in the Memo so they know you’re part of this event
Where can you follow More To Love and get updates about future events and happenings?
Our social media accounts are always the best way to stay updated on what we do, so follow us at @moretoloveatl on Instagram and find us on Facebook under More To Love (ATLMTL).
Anything else you’d like to add?
Just thankful to be part of this team and this community. Putting on these kinds of events really gives you a sense of the goodwill in the community – people are there to have fun but certainly also to give back! I love my Atlanta community.
