Fundraising News From Around the World

San Jose, CA: Ballet school holds un-gala. Supporters asked to stay home instead of getting dressed up for an expensive soiree and donating the money they saved by staying home; Mooresville, NC: Racing personalities participate in ‘Legends Helping Legends’ fundraiser to benefit legendary crew chief who is in declining health; Valdosta, GA: Church hosts Homeless-4-A-Night fundraiser to raise awareness and funds for the homeless. Participants, who came in teams of four, could only have the clothing on their backs and a sleeping bag; Roswell, GA: City announces “Green Hair” challenge. Residents encouraged to vote for the elected official or city management employee they would most like to see with green hair. Each vote costs $1.00, and the money raised to go towards purchasing compact fluorescent light bulbs for a light bulb exchange as part of Roswell’s efforts to “go green. The top vote getter must then wear green hair on April 20, 2009; Statesville, NC: Fire department holds "Womanless Beauty Pageant" as fundraiser for student diagnosed with leukemia; Savannah, GA: American Diabetes Association sponsors Kiss-A-Pig contest featuring community leaders who want to help support diabetes awareness and research. Whoever raises the most money “wins the right” to kiss a pig at a special gala; College Station, TX: College students promote duct tape fundraiser to support animal rescue. Animals that are behavioral-tested and up-to-date on their vaccinations wear t-shirts covered with duct tape so that people can stick money on them. Participating animals included dogs, cats, tortoises, lizards, ferrets, rats and rabbits. During the event, people are allowed to play with the animals as well as take pictures with them; and Pittsburgh, PA: Non-profit holds "Run for the Gowns" prom dress fundraiser. The donated gowns, which originally cost $250 to $3500, were sold for $50 on the first day with the price decreasing $10 each day.

Skratchers was developed to overcome many of the problems associated with traditional fundraisers, such as cumbersome order-taking and deliveries, consistently less value for the supporter, and the need for more profit. We have worked hard to ensure that Skratchers is superior to other traditional fundraisers and that it beats out all other scratch card programs. A Skratchers fundraiser is hassle-free, and provides high profit, great value, high quality, free shipping, quick delivery, and won’t spoil or melt. Get a free sample and learn more at Skratchers.com or call toll free 888-800-9506.

Do-It-Yourself Fundraiser Of The Month

Topless Car Wash: This is run just like a regular car wash. Advertise that it’s a “Topless” car wash and set up the car washing area behind a business where it can't be seen from the street. People will flock to it out of pure curiosity! Designated hunks and "hunketts" lure people to the car wash.  When the driver pulls into the wash area they find that a "Topless" car wash means 1) the bottom of the car is washed free but a donation of $X is required if they want the top washed; 2) the entire car is washed except for the roof for $X and for an additional $Y you wash the top; or 3) convertibles with the top down (topless) get a free wash! Pick the option you like best. Folks are generally pretty good natured and appreciate the ingenuity.

Entertainment® Coupon Book: There’s never been a better time to try the Entertainment® coupon book fundraiser. Here’s why … did you know that 86% of households are now using coupons? You can use this to your fundraising advantage! Each Entertainment® Book is packed with over $5,000 in coupons. Our fundraiser has lots of appeal, is easy to sell and just makes sense. Plus, there’s no upfront cost and you earn up to 50% profit. Click here for your free personalized fundraising kit and make this your best fundraising season ever!

Non-Profit In The Spotlight

Operation Iraqi Children is a grass-roots program founded in early 2004 by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand who created OIC to give concerned Americans a way to reach out to war-stricken Iraqi children and support American troops in their efforts to assist them. Since its inception, OIC has delivered to Iraq over 200,000 school supply kits, along with more than half a million toys and thousands of Arabic-language books, shoes, blankets, backpacks and sets of sports equipment, all of which have been distributed to Iraqi children by our troops. While our focus remains on Iraq, OIC has extended its reach, sending shipments of school supplies to Afghanistan and the east African nation of Djibouti, where American troops are distributing them to children in need. Whether you would like to make a simple monetary donation-100% of which will go to purchase supplies for children and offset shipping costs-build and send school supply kits yourself, or start a school supply kit drive in your community, you can help our troops foster goodwill between themselves and the communities they work in, and bring brighter futures to children in desperate need.

“Love That Smell” Candles: Free shipping and complete fundraising start-up packet for your school, church, team, individual fundraiser. Premium quality, triple-scented jar candles to max out high profits. Order brochure sales or risk-free 30 day “consignment” plan includes return of any unsold candles for 100% credit. “Easiest fund-raiser my students have ever done.…so very easy to work with. I would highly recommend this as a fundraiser!! Wonderful service!!” (Sandra-Sullivan South High School) Call: 866-379-8493 or visit www.lovethatsmellcandles.com.

Holiday Facts

The origin of April Fool's Day is obscure. Most think it was first celebrated soon after the adoption of the Gregorian Calendar, when the observance of New year’s Day was shifted from the end of March to the first of January. According to popular lore, some folks -- out of ignorance, stubbornness, or both -- continued to ring in the New Year on April 1st and were made the butt of jokes and pranks on account of their foolishness. This became an annual tradition which ultimately spread throughout Europe. April Fools' Day or All Fools' Day, although not actually a holiday, is celebrated in many countries. One of the most notable pranks was committed by the BBC in 1957 when it broadcast a program showing the Swiss harvesting spaghetti from trees. They had claimed that the despised pest, the spaghetti weevil, had been eradicated. A large number of people contacted the BBC wanting to know how to cultivate their own spaghetti trees. Similarly, in 1998, Burger King ran an ad in USA Today, saying that people could get a Whopper for left-handed people whose condiments were designed to drip out of the right side. Not only did customers order the new burgers, but some specifically requested the "old", right-handed burger.
 

  BAKE & Co. Fundraising: USA-made quality since 1993 for non-profits, all types & sizes. Presale brochures or direct-sell items for schools, sports, cancer awareness: Spring bulbs, your group name on rubber flip flops, fun hand soaps, tees, coffee; $1 items and much more. Printer-friendly all products brochure. Brenda 1-800-535-2253 PST

 Fun Pasta Fundraising: New, unique, fun! Pasta in fun shapes like cheerleaders, music, holidays, collegiate logos, etc! Up to 50% profits. Free brochures, free samples, posters, envelopes, bags, DVD, and free shipping! Great prize packages include Itunes gift cards, IPod shuffles, and IPods. Click pasta fundraising, or call 1-800-247-0188 x205

  Kids' Korner Gift Shoppes®: The Original Kids Holiday Gift Shop at your service since 1989. (Often imitated, but never duplicated). Over 100 regional service centers. Our program is the best, what’s why 'we dare compare! Gather everyone’s Holiday Shop information, compare and you too will agree. Great fundraiser.

  Cedar Creek Fundraising: See how our complete personal consultation, and over 50 different products and programs, matches your group with it's perfect fundraiser, from MEGA brochures to our famous "Lollipop Central". Small groups receive the same personal attention! Call 1-877-424-4231.