Fundraising has lately been elevated to a new status within the charity community. Professional fundraisers are headhunted and special events can be either swathed in secrecy until the big launch so that no-one else can steal the idea or the high profile personnel involved in the activities or the information is constantly fed to us to make sure we are aware of the big event when it comes and feel left out if we are not part of it. These are the notions of professional strategists and current thought hails them as moneymaking marvels.
However, organizations like the American Red Cross appreciate any and every event arranged by supporters who endeavor to raise vital funds. Small, simple and old-fashioned yard sales, home made lemonade stands, sponsored silences, spelling bees or fireside quizzes, swimathons, marathons, triathlons whatever-athons – as long as they are supported by the public and the money raised is donated to the charity, the ARC appreciates it.
One of the regular fundraisers is the car auction when you donate your car and its sale brings in much needed cash to the ARC. Something like a car donation is simple and effective. When you donate your used car, even if it seems a closer cousin of the scrapheap than the showroom, your vehicle donation could be useful for spares. There’s nothing terribly glamorous about auto donation – you call, they collect and the vehicle is sold. Again, something simple that anyone could do or recommend for others to do.
Another fundraiser is the ‘appeal’. This may be broadcasted so that the caring and generous public can ring, text or ping their cash to the crisis of the moment. It’s the modern day equivalent of can shaking though the ‘kerching’ has been lost and the collections are silent now. Don’t be put off by glitzy campaigns or guilt-filled emotional blackmail attempts to get your money – different people respond to different stimuli whether it be fear of failure or a desire for success and for many, the ends justify the means. Any small effort is welcomed and all the little things add up to a lot.
