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People buy tickets to enter the site. For example, $5.00 per person or
$20 per family. You might also charge a small fee to participate in
activities and have the chance to win prizes (donated, of course). For
example a $10 fee for each tug-of-war team or a buck to participate in
the toilet seat horseshoes contest. Another
fundraising model is to make the event free, but ask for donations for a
large, donated draw prize, such as a weekend trip.
If you want a larger scale fundraiser, you can solicit sponsors
for each of the contests. Sponsors pay a fee, provide prizes, then get
their name attached to the event. For example, the "Smith Motors Mud Pit
Slide." You can also charge vendors to set up food and merchandise
stalls and even bring in musical performers and comedians who will
charge a fee for entrance to their performing venue.
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Atlanta, GA: What started off in 1996 as a goofy way
to raise money for charity has evolved into a nationwide phenomenon.
Back in 1996, Atlanta was going to host the Olympics and a lot of
jokes were being made about a bunch of rednecks hosting the
Olympics.
As legend tells it, a host of volunteers put
together a ridiculous schedule of “Redneck Games” for locals to
compete in. They expected a small turnout, some decent weather, and
a few laughs. What they got was a
little slice of Dixie magic. The first year, they expected 500
people to show up. They got 5,000 instead.
Since then, the Redneck Games have expanded into an annual
major event. Over the last decade, roughly 95,000 individuals have
attended the one-day extravaganza.
There’s the Hubcap Hurl, the Bobbin’ for Pig’s
Feet Fest, and Redneck Horseshoes — in which toilet seats are the
objects thrown. Each individual event has its own legion of fans,
roster of popular competitors, and history filled with tradition.
People still talk about the 12-year-old boy who played the Southern
ode “Dixie” with his underarm and palm back in 2000, everyone
recognizes that Melvin Davis is the Babe Ruth of Bobbin’ For Pigs’
Feet, and it’s common knowledge that the Games don’t begin until the
Ceremonial Grill is lit. Like SEC football or hating Jeff Gordon,
the Redneck Games, too, have become a favorite pastime for Southern
sports fans. |
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Over the years, the Games have become a bit of a media darling as
well. Like Dakota Fanning or Fruit Rollups, everyone seems to love
them. The press coverage has been international. “Good Morning
America, Life, Maxim, MTV Road Rules/Real World Challenge, The
Tonight Show, ABC, NBC, CBS, BBC, and FOX. The list goes on and
on.”;
All profit — every last cent — from the Redneck
Games goes to local charities. The East Dublin Lions Club look to
place the money in areas that need the most help.” In essence, it’s
like a grandiose bake sale — only with butt cracks and hubcaps
instead of brownies and pie. It’s not about the money.
All in all, the Redneck Games are just a silly, good time.
Though it’s gradually expanded in attendance and in popularity over
the past decade, the yearly tradition is still as wholesome and pure
as it was back in ’96. Everyone and their butt crack is welcome —
even Yankees.
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We have included a number of do-it-yourself fundraising ideas in this
section such as a Redneck Games
that offer a break from traditional product
sales. They were developed by groups just like yours in an attempt
have a little fun with their fundraiser. Some of them are tried and true
while others show a lot of creativity ... and even wackiness in some
cases. All of them are obviously not appropriate for every group,
but sometimes, with only a little modification, your might find some
fund raising ideas that are perfect for your group. If you have an idea
for a do-it-yourself fund raiser you are willing to share with others,
please send it to us via email at  .
Include anything
and everything you would want to know if you were hearing the idea for
the first time. |
