Fundraising News From Around the World

Welcome to the January 2017 issue of Fundraising News From Around the World. It contains summaries and photos of fundraising activities by other groups such as yours. Some are traditional, some are unusual, and some are totally bizarre! We hope that you will find each issue interesting. You can subscribe at the bottom of this page if you would like to be notified each time a new issue is published. If you later decide you no longer want monthly notifications or if you don't find our newsletter helpful, just click on the unsubscribe link at the end of each notification. You will stop receiving newsletters immediately.

Clinton, NC - Robert Stroud and Ray Boyette had a vision. From that vision, to help the children of the community, the annual fundraising event, Shaggin’ for Santa, was formed. Now held on New Year’s Eve, the annual event is entering its 16th year and continues to raise money for the Family Caregiver Support Program which was designed to help grandparents and kinship relatives who are raising their grandchildren and other family members.

Netherlands - A little boy suffering from brain cancer in the Netherlands has turned his focus to helping others this holiday season, and managed to raise over a million dollars in the process. Six-year-old Tijn called his local radio station as part of Serious Request, a fundraising event for the International Red Cross, and asked everyone in the Netherlands to paint their nails and make a donation. His challenge asks participants to either paint their nails and donate a Euro to Serious Request, or to donate 10 Euros if they decided not to paint their nails. After the call went viral, Tijn topped a million Euros ($1,045,750) with his paint-your-nails challenge, the most that one individual action has ever raised for the event.

Kilgore, TX - The third annual East Texas Burn Run netted $60,000 during its first foray in Kilgore this fall. Sponsored by the Brother’s Keepers Motorcycle Club, the fundraising event drew an estimated 2,500 people to Kilgore City Park - many on two wheels, many on four - for food, riding challenges, vendors, games, live entertainment, classic vehicles and more. The proceeds, co-organizer Jimmy Kinsey said, have already been turned over to Dr. Kevin Sitting, director of Camp I’m Still Me in Scottsville. With those locally-raised funds, Kinsey said, young burn victims will have the chance to spend comfortable, easy days with other flame-scarred children next summer.

Fremont, NE - It was unexpected. The annual “Cocoa & Carols” fundraising event was coming to a close and producer Mike Spies was standing before an audience of about 600 people on Wednesday evening. That’s when a little blond-haired boy in a gray sweater ran up and tugged at Spies’ arm. The musical fundraiser had netted just under $2,300 for The Banquet, a program that provides no-cost meals to the community on Thursday nights. Spies looked down at the boy, who was probably about 6 or 7 years old. The child held out his hand. He had a quarter and a dime. “I want to give this to The Banquet,” he said handing the 35 cents to Spies. It was a touching donation. The child’s donation was just one of several memorable moments at an event which included puppets and Pathfinder Chorus members, treats and tunes - and even a Christmas carol sing-along - all at First Lutheran Church in Fremont.

Fort Wayne, IN - Area Family Video locations are hosting a “Fill the Sleigh” fundraising event for victims of the Gatlinburg wildfires. According to Chad Rice, manager of the East State location of Family Video in Fort Wayne, the store canceled their “holiday bizarre,” a large community event, to dedicate their time to help the victims of Gatlinburg. Rice said the East State store does a community event every few months but decided to expand that for the victims of Gatlinburg.

Shelburne, VT - With the help of over 700 community volunteers, including many individuals from Shelburne, and student groups from CVU and Shelburne Community School, The Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation raised $130,000 in its 15th annual fundraising event, The Polar Express, held earlier this month. The Polar Express is VCTF’s largest fundraising event of the year. The VCTF makes grants to community-based prevention programs for children and families throughout Vermont.

Covington, KY - The Point Arc hosted its 46th annual JOY Miracles on Pike Street event on Saturday at the Northern Kentucky Convention center. Momentum excelled in November in preparation for their largest fundraising event, “JOY.” After six months of scheduling, planning, gift gathering parties and many late hours, Linda Grome, Chair and Jill Disken, Co-Chair and their JOY committee made this fundraising event among the Point Arc’s best, despite attendance being down over 100. The theme of the 46th Annual Joy was “Miracles on Pike Street.”

Dyersburg, TN - Early Friday morning, Burks Beverage representative Sherry Seratt drew the name of Dyer County resident Betty Smith as the third winner of Transitions’ 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser. Smith will receive an oil change and tire rotation at Lake Road Service Center, a $100 gift certificate to Bailey’s Boutique and Monogram, a holiday gift provided by Sunpoint Pool & Patio, and a hydrotherapy massage from Cole Chiropractic. Daily winners of the seasonal fundraising event will be announced on-air daily from now until Dec. 24 on WTRO 101.7 FM or 1450 AM radio stations.

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Fairfax, NZ - Have a drink in support of the Kaikoura region's recovery effort this Christmas eve at the fundraising event, Kegs for Kaikoura. The mini beer festival, organized by the newly formed group Good Beer Collective, will be held at Two Thumb Brewing Co. Everything from the kegs to the wine, cider, food and the porta-potties have been donated by 20 local breweries and supporting businesses; meaning every dollar spent on the night will go directly to the earthquake affected community.

Lawton, OK- Creative Imaginationz held their 2nd annual Winter Wonderland fundraising gala at Salt of the Earth Ministries Unity Next Building on Saturday. The organization is geared toward helping those in need. The event included live performances by the local artists and various youth groups along with special presentations and a fundraiser to provide book bags full of supplies to give to children in foster care.

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Riverton, WY - Central Wyoming students raised money throughout the year to help students make their studies more exciting. Art students will hold a chili bowl fundraiser Thursday to showcase their art and gain money for a more creative future. CWC professor of art Nita Keho said, “All of the money goes towards deferring some of the cost towards the lab fees so maybe if there’s some really interesting glaze that’s expensive or some chemistry then they don’t have to have that out of pocket it comes out of that fund.”

Baltimore, MD - Senior Legal Services, a joint program of the Bar Association of Baltimore City and the Baltimore Bar Foundation, held its third annual fundraiser and volunteer recognition event, Cabaret and Cabernet at Westminster Hall in Baltimore. Approximately 80 people attended and the event raised more than $3,000 for the Bar Association of Baltimore City’s Senior Legal Services program. Members of the bench and bar, as well as friends of the program, performed Broadway show tunes to keep the guests entertained.

White Bear Lake, MN - The holidays are a time to bake and eat sweets, but for those don’t have the time to bake or can’t anymore, attending the Gethsemane United Methodist Church’s annual fundraising cookie walk has become something like a tradition. About 20 people waited in line to purchase gourmet holiday cookies as part of Gethsemane United Methodist Church 25th annual cookie walk on Saturday. About 45 different members of the church baked 81 different kinds of cookies, which were sold by the pound. Attendees filled up multiple plastic trays and buckets with holiday treats such as marshmallow truffles, ginger bread cookies, peppermint spritz, tarts, macaroons, rosettes and peanut brittle.

Devil’s Lake, ND - A fun fundraising event that gets the local school district and community involved while helping out area individuals in need. That is what a local charity basketball game has been all about since its inaugural event was held in 2012. The fifth annual Devils Lake Charity Ball is set to be held Thursday at the Sports Center. Featuring a variety of activities, the fundraising event has become a big hit each year. This year's event kicks off at 6 p.m. with carnival games for young children as well a bake sale, supper and silent auction. The basketball game tips off at 7 p.m. with a three-point contest at the half and a 50/50 drawing in the fourth quarter.

Royston, UK - A charity performed a flash dance to raises awareness for an upcoming fundraising event. Staff and volunteers from the Garden House Hospice in Letchworth, performed a surprise dance routine on Royston High Street outside the hospice shop on Saturday. The flash mob was organized to raise awareness for the Muddy Mayhem 5km obstacle race, which is taking place at Knebworth Park in March. Cathy White, 49, event manager for Garden House Hospice, said: "It was really, really good fun. The idea was just to try and raise awareness of the event in a fun way and try and encourage more people to take part."

Phoenix, AZ - The RE/MAX Omni Consultants group is hosting the black-tie-optional Winter Gift of Giving Gala Saturday to benefit pediatric hydrocephalus research at the Phoenix Children's Hospital. The event will begin at 6 pm at BLK Live in Scottsdale with mingling and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a silent auction and charity blackjack and roulette games. A three-course dinner and dancing to live music will round out the evening.

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New York, NY - On Wednesday Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York star Dorinda Medley co-hosted a holiday party with Celebrity Page TV at Bagatelle, a restaurant in New York City, which honored celebrities giving back. The event featured a silent auction in support of the two-year-old, anti-trafficking non-profit Beauty for Freedom, in which 100 percent of the proceeds were donated to the organization.

Avalon, NJ - Hurricane Matthew destroyed churches in Les Cayes, Haiti, structurally, but not spiritually, Roman Catholic Cardinal Chibly Langlois told a sizable crowd at a fundraising event at the Icona Golden Inn Sunday. While the need is serious, the $100-a-plate event was not, with an extensive buffet, an auction and a display of friendly rivalry between Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi and Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio. Both men presented the cardinal with keys to their cities, although Desiderio said his actually worked, and would allow for free parking at meters and free beach access in Sea Isle from September to May.

Auckland, NZ - A flock of giant owls will swoop down into Auckland in a brightly-colored charity fundraising event. The Child Cancer Foundation has settled on the Big Hoot, modelled on a similar event in the UK, to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2018. The 1.6m-tall fiberglass owls will be displayed on a trail around central Auckland and surrounding areas from March to May 2018, in a project with Wild in Art, a British events business and supplier of figurines. Artists will be invited to submit ideas to sponsors who will pick the designs for translation onto blank owls. Schoolchildren will also take part, with 90cm miniature owls. After the owls have adorned Auckland, they will be sold at a charity auction.

Topeka, KS - If you like a hearty breakfast buffet and fundraising for a good cause, the 24th annual Red Stocking Breakfast on Saturday will give you a chance to do both. The breakfast, which raises money for Kansas Children’s Service League programs at Carlos O’Kelly’s. “arlos O’Kelly’s donates all of the food and the venue, so 100 percent of the proceeds to directly to benefit the children and families that we serve here in Topeka.

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Godfrey, MI - Each year, Freer Auto Body works magic with its various Community Christmas fundraising activities. David Freer, now deceased, started the business several years ago and his favorite charity was Community Christmas, a United Way annual campaign for the needy during the holiday season. He died in a tragic crash in 2008 and the family has carried on the tradition since that time. Thursday, the family will host another of its toy collections and fundraising events with Cookies And Cocoa for Community Christmas at the auto body shop on in Godfrey.

Lake Havasu City, AZ - The River Cities United Way is exploring a new way to drum up some foot traffic when it comes to its donors while fundraising during its inaugural 2016 Holiday Hunt, which began Dec. 1. “For me, one of the appealing things was, that one of the hardest demographics to break into is the mom and pop businesses, there are cost barriers for them sometimes when donating,” said Lyn Demaret, president/CEO of River Cities United Way in Lake Havasu City. The Holiday Hunt features 28 prizes from local businesses. “Everything donated is a gift of some sort,” Demaret said. “There are items, gift certificates for services and food, indoor and outdoor accessories, and clothing.”

Newry, ME - It may be his busiest time of the year, but even Santa Claus needs time to unwind. As many as 180 red-suited Santas hit the ski slopes on Sunday as part of the 17th annual Santa Sunday fundraiser held at Maine’s Sunday River Resort, near the state’s border with New Hampshire. To participate, each skier or snowboarder donated at least $15 to the Sunday River Community Fund. In exchange, they received two free lift tickets - one for Sunday’s event and a second to be used later this month.

New Iberia, LA - Support for the Angel Paws Adoption Center was strong for the 15th annual “Paw-T” fundraiser held Friday night at Cypress Bayou Casino • Hotel. Angel Paws manager Rocky Gates estimated that approximately 500 people attended the fundraising event, dined on catered food and competed for silent and live auction items. Preliminary numbers indicate $45,000 gross was raised Friday, Gray said. Nearly 90 silent auction items adorned tables near the entrance to The Pavilion, where Paw-T-goers perused the selection and penned in their bids.

Kahilu, HI - The Kahilu Theatre will hold its annual fundraising event - Kahilu Holiday Party - A Benefit for the Arts on Sunday. It is the Theaters first Holiday themed event. The party will feature hosted libations, culinary delights, performances by Kahilu Performing Arts students, sing-along music, a live auction, and dancing in the Mike Luce Studio. Proceeds will benefit Kahilu Theatre’s arts education programs, which include shows, classes, camps and partnerships under the organization’s Arts Ed @ Kahilu brand.

Oshawa, ON - It takes more than the technical expertise of barbering to be part of the team at Johnny Cuts on William Street in Oshawa, where community fundraising and events for customers are an important part of the business. Recently, the shop hosted a “Beers and Beards” event for two hours in the evening, where customers enjoyed beer and cigars while product specialists demonstrated the latest in men’s grooming products.

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Enid, OK - Lushes with Brushes, a Creative Arts Enid fundraiser, is set for Saturday. Guests will be able to follow an instructor in a step-by-step painting class at the downtown studio where they will create a 16x20 painting titled "Merry and Bright." Tickets are $35 per person, and all funds raised will be matched by Park Avenue Thrift. “Thanks to our friends at Park Avenue, these monthly fundraisers have allowed our studio to purchase more supplies for our ongoing classes,” Creative Arts Enid Executive Director Lisa Magyar said. “As a nonprofit, we need the community’s support, and with our unique painting classes, it’s never been more fun to support the arts.”

Livingston County, MI - It’s cold outside and both walkers and supporters are again being sought for an event that warms homes and hearts. Fundraising has begun and teams are already forming for the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency’s 27th annual Walk for Warmth. The indoor walk-a-thon is a fundraising event that not only keeps people safe and warm in their homes, but ensures that the most vulnerable populations are kept healthy amidst the challenges frigid Michigan winters bring. The Livingston County event will take place at Hartland Educational Support Service Center and 100% of proceeds go to OLHSA’s Emergency Utility Assistance Program.

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Sedalia, MO - Arrow Rock’s Lyceum Theatre is exploring the idea of opening the theatre to new art venues this coming year. Kicking off this plan is a New Year’s Rockin’ Eve fundraising party with the Memphis Misphits. Award-nominated blues bass guitar player Willie J. Campbell, of Marshall, organized a group of fellow well-known musicians to keep the night rocking. The Lyceum wants to offer music and art but also expand events and venues outside of the theatre and into the streets. Audience members will get to know each musician and the band will then play songs from each of the men’s backgrounds.

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Fundraising News From Around the World is published monthly by the Fundraising Ideas & Products Center, 1328 Fairway Village Drive ~ Fleming Island, FL 32003-8398.