Fundraising News From Around the World

Welcome to the April 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.

West Chester Twp., OH - A local fundraising walk is honoring the lifelong contributions of canine caregivers. Bark for Life “is an opportunity for people to be empowered through their canine companion and to contribute to cancer cures through the mission of the American Cancer Society,” said event coordinator Theresa Baker, of Liberty Twp. “There will be about 12 local pet vendors there, dog contests, food and lots of fun.” The students of Lakota West Relay for Life helped start the local Bark for Life event last year. This year’s 5K non-competitive walk/run event will be by the lake at Voice of America MetroPark.

Kearny, NE - The Rae of Hope Foundation was formed by family and friends of McKenna Rae Johnson, a Kearney teen lost to suicide. The foundation’s mission is to prevent teen suicide by fostering awareness, resilience and social change. Changing the stigma of mental health and raising suicide awareness also is the momentum behind the Kearney-based foundation’s Rae of Hope Launch Party. Focused on teen suicide, this is its first major fundraising event and will include a concert, food trucks, kids entertainment and drawings for numerous prizes. The party will be at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds.

Bowling Green, KY - Organizers are bringing attention to Hobson House with a sold-out Hobson Hop fundraiser, which features a silent auction, dinner and a dance featuring the Ernie Small Blues Band. “We don’t have many historical buildings. It’s one of a few that’s truly historical,” said board member Judy Armstrong. “This is a good chance to get people to become familiar with the Hobson House and entice them to come see it.”

Goshen, PA - Across the state of Pennsylvania, volunteer fire departments struggle with two common problems - a lack of funding and manpower. Goshen firefighters are one local example - but even amid struggles, they have found ways to sustain. One popular fundraiser is the “Dinner for Donation” event that the department holds regularly. The community is provided with a meal and can give as much or as little money as they would like. Another popular fundraiser is the Square Dances. Kaschalk said the kids seem to really enjoy that one. Goshen once held a boot drive when there was a temporary traffic light in the township.

Fort Smith, AR - Fort Smith's premier fundraising event will delight with gourmet food, exceptional wines, a lively auction, an eclectic art experience and lively entertainment. The 23rd annual Wine & Roses Gala will be held at the Cancer Support House, and the black-tie optional event is like no other. The experience begins with valet parking and a "red-carpet welcome.” From there, guests should not expect to simply take a seat and watch the festivities unfold. Instead, they will want to experience all the sights, culinary delights and entertainment dispersed throughout the house, the 22,000 square feet of party space requires guests to engage.

Red Deer , AB - Whether you have had a hard day at work and need a way to blow off steam, want to prepare yourself for the Zombie apocalypse, have the coolest date night, or simply want to feel the zeal of flying steel, axe throwing is where it’s at. The Wood Shed is Central Alberta’s one and only urban axe throwing facility, and it will serve as the excitement for this fundraising event! The event will be fully staffed with individual coaching and "target practice" before taking part in a round robin and group playoff tournament. This fundraising event is supporting the MS Society of Canada, Central Alberta Chapter. Dollars raised from the event will go towards ground-breaking Canadian MS research and to programs and services integral to helping the lives of those affected by MS in the Central Alberta area.

Scottsdale, AZ - The Desert Foothills Land Trust annual fundraising event, Sonoran Stars, is preparing to offer guests a great evening on Saturday, while working to protect the landscape of the fragile desert. “We are looking forward to another exciting evening under the Sonoran Stars. This year we will be treated to a true wild-west experience with gun slinging lawdogs and outlaws,” said Vicki Preston, Desert Foothills Land Trust’s executive director, in a press release. “It’s sure to be a wonderful evening, celebrating our work to protect the desert we love.” The Land Trust’s conservation efforts play a vital role in protecting the Sonoran Desert landscape that supports the local community and businesses.

Bluefield, WV - A downtown building that was once the home of Bluefield’s municipal government will be the beneficiary April 1 of a fundraiser that will help to keep it maintained and open. The Bluefield Area Arts Center opened in 1924 as Bluefield’s city hall, Craig Hammond of the Bluefield Union Mission recalled. It remained Bluefield’s seat of municipal government until the late 1970s. The event will feature the Beach Nite Band, which plays 50s, 60s and 70s music as well as East Coast Beach Music. Tickets are $30 per person and includes hor d’oeuvres, and free drink ticket and the dance.

Welland, ON - While the middle of March with ice still on the water and snow still on the ground might not seem like the time to be talking about stand-up paddle boarding, Welland native Maddie Leblanc is doing just that. This summer, she’s hosting her fourth annual On Board fundraising event, which raises money for the Canadian Cancer Society and brain cancer research. At last year’s event, she said there were five paddlers and 50 to 100 people that showed up to show their support from the land. “I would love to see more paddlers out there,” Leblanc said. Although the event focuses on paddle boarding since that’s the kind of paddling Leblanc does, it is open to all kinds of paddlers.

South Bend, IN - If you have any spare change lying around, you can give it to our men and women in uniform. The St. Joe Valley Blue Star Mothers are hosting a fundraising event, Quarters for Care, to support veterans, the military and their families. The event will take place at the South Bend Eagles Lodge. Tickets are $5. The money raised will go toward projects like creating care packages to troops overseas.

St. Mary’s, PA - On Saturday night, the Elk County Humane Society’s Purse Bash was the culmination of over a year’s worth of planning by former board members who acquired all the prizes and organized the event, held at the Wine Cellar at Gunners. At the end of the night, this event raised well over the anticipated $5000 for the Elk County Humane Society. Boucher said that all of the proceeds will go to benefit the humane society, but about $1,500 will be specifically earmarked for the purchase of a year’s supply of disinfectant for the shelter.

Lexington, NC - The Life Center of Davidson County invites community members to attend its first ever Roast and Toast fundraising event this Saturday. Tickets for the event are $75 apiece, and the roast will be held at the Life Center. The guest of honor and “roastee” for the fundraiser is prominent member of the community and former United Way of Davidson County President Lee Jessup. Nina Smith, fundraising coordinator for the Life Center, said that Jessup’s commitment to nonprofits in Davidson County and his unique personality made him the perfect candidate for the roastee.

Gibraltar - As part of the charity’s Blue Week Fundraiser, children and office workers will be asked to dress in blue and donate £1 to Childline next Friday. A Blue Week Quiz will also be held on Thursday. Locals are also being urged to raise awareness about the charity’s freephone helpline number 8008. The community is asked to come up with imaginative way of presenting these numbers, then sharing it on social media with the hashtag #8008challenge.

Sault Ste. Marie, ON - In support of Kitten Season The Animal Assistance Group (TAAG) is holding a special fun filled adoption and fundraising event, St. Catrick’s Day, featuring some very wonderful kitties who are just waiting to find a loving furever family to call their own. There will be games and prizes ranging from $25 gift certificates off vet visits and adoption, shots UTD, a free spay neuter, a free adoption and more!!

Barrie, ON - When your child is sick, home improvements aren’t a top priority. This is why two youth charities in Simcoe County have teamed up to host the Home Sweet Home fundraising event at Tangle Creek Golf and Country Club. The live auction fundraiser targets parents who have a sick child, and anyone else who wants to support the cause, said Amber McAuley, founder of Move-it for Young Minds. Fifteen to 20 contractors have donated their services to the event’s live auction. All of the money supports Move-it for Young Minds and Robbie’s Rainbow.

Hagerstown, MD - With homage paid to the late Harry Houdini, along with an afternoon of magical feats, the 11th Comedy and Magic Spectacular got under way Sunday afternoon at The Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown. The show is a "keystone event" in the fundraising efforts for Safe Place, which helps investigate severe physical and sexual abuse of youths in the area, said Matt Schindler, president of the organization's board of directors, and Tracy Soffe, executive director of the group.

Muncie, IN - A local salon owner is going green - after seven years of hosting pink charity events for breast cancer awareness. 36-year-old Krista Sides, owner of Chameleon Salon Suites is turning her passion for hair styling and fundraising into a special St. Patrick's Day fundraising event benefiting St. Baldrick's Foundation, which raises money for childhood cancer research.Sides' event - "Green hair because we care!" - is appropriately on March 17 at Chameleon salon. Sides said "Green pops" were the first thing that came to mind when a client asked if she knew about St. Baldrick's and the foundation's head shaving fundraisers that take place around St. Patrick's day.

Albany, OR - A compound bow. A George Foreman-style grill for dog biscuits. A nail gun. A telescope. Roof racks for cars. All of these and more will be included in a massive garage sale that raises money for local charities as part of the Mr. and Ms. Spartan fundraising competition. Other items include baby clothes, computers, kitchen items, toys and games, televisions, house furnishings, bed frames and patio furniture. Claire Niemet and Nathan Campbell, Corvallis High School seniors who are organizing the event, said the Mr. and Ms. Spartan contestants are expecting to fill about eight storage units with items for the sale.

Chicago, IL - Marklund’s 21st annual Top Hat Ball fundraising event, “The Gatsby Ball” on Feb. 14, broke all past fundraising records for the nonprofit organization by netting $646,700, officials announced in a news release. The Top Hat event is the largest fundraiser of the year for Marklund, a nonprofit that serves children and adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities. Nearly 600 guests participated in the Roaring '20s-themed fundraiser, with one of the highlights being a dollar-for-dollar match offer – up to $100,000 – which was made by an anonymous donor during the live auction portion of the evening, the release stated.

Woodinville, WA - A new local nonprofit called Grapes, Paws & Hops Foundation is providing full service pro bono event planning and fundraising to area animal shelters and rescue groups. Grapes, Paws & Hops’ first fundraising event is a dog-friendly beer and wine festival at Marymoor Park. The event will benefit Motley Zoo Animal Rescue in Redmond and a local pit bull rescue, yet to be determined. Motley Zoo is not a shelter, but instead takes in animals and finds homes for them in foster care while they wait to be adopted.

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Huntington, WV - Marshall University’s chapter of Alpha Xi Delta will be hosting Hoops for Hope at the Marshall University Rec Center Thursday. Alpha Xi Delta’s Hoops for Hope will be a three-on-three basketball tournament in an effort to raise money for the chapter’s philanthropy, Autism Speaks, which, according to the organization’s website, works towards helping the needs of those with autism and their families. Alpha Xi Delta’s Philanthropy Chair, Lakin Hitt, said this one event will lead into the rest of the events in April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

Alpena, MI - Today WATZ hosted their first annual Christmas wreath toss in conjunction with the kick off of the Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce fireworks fundraising event. Taking place outside of the WATZ studios local residents were encouraged to bring in their wreaths and also participate in the toss for prizes. Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce President Jackie Krawczak said the wreath toss is a great way to benefit the 4th of July firework celebration for the town of Alpena to enjoy. Krawczak said the fireworks put on yearly at Michekewis Park cost over $22,000 and is funded completely by donations.

Cottage Hill, AL - Create a lasting memento for you, your child or grandchild – and contribute to the new playground at Cottage Hill Medal of Honor Park at the same time at this unique fundraising event! Hand print tiles are being sold for $15 and will be placed at the new playground. Proceeds go to help fund the new playground and a future splash pad at the park. This event takes place from Saturday – 9am-Noon, at the Connie Hudson Senior Community Center.

Rockford, CA - Hundreds are raising their spirits to help put an end to domestic violence. The Amanda Reed Foundation hosted its 4th annual Raise Your Spirits Beer and Wine Tasting fundraising event.. In addition to samples there was also a silent auction. 23 News Anchor Whitney Martin was the emcee for the night. Amanda Reed was suffocated by her boyfriend. Since her death Reed's family has been fighting to bring awareness to domestic violence.

Springfield, IL - Sparc is taking fundraising to new heights in Springfield – 157 feet to be exact. The nonprofit, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, is holding an event that will enable the first 100 eligible donors to rappel down the side of the 12-story President Abraham Lincoln Doubletree hotel. No prior rappelling skill or experience is needed, but participants are required to raise a minimum of $1,000. Denise Schainker, director of development at Sparc, said her group wanted to find a unique fundraising event that was new to Springfield, and they're pretty sure they've knocked it out of the park.

Holland - The Tulip Time Festival recently announced it has partnered with Holland Young Professionals to co-host a brand new fundraising event, Tulips & Juleps. Tulip Time will work closely with HYP to host the tulip-themed Kentucky Derby fundraising event, which will be held from May 6 at Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant, Holland. The event will include bourbon tastings, appetizers, games, south fare, silent auction and a viewing of the Kentucky Derby.

Corpus Christi, TX - This Friday, Mission of Mercy will hold their annual fundraising event, MASH BASH, aboard the USS Lexington. The casual medical-themed event will begin at 6:00 PM, and will give guests the opportunity to dress as their favorite character from the television show, M*A*S*H. Medical scrubs, military fatigues, nursing uniforms and camo outfits will be just a part of some of the imaginative costuming you can expect to see!

Alton, IL - Main Street United Methodist Church’s 2017 Honduras Mission Team recently announced that Just For Chicks V Fundraising Event will take place on Saturday from at the church. “The event is designed to celebrate the ladies of our community and give them a special day out,” team leader Greg Gelzinnis said. “The event will feature a soup and salad luncheon, ladies oriented vendors, a JC Penney style show, spa services, and an inspirational message from Sandi Brown – co-founder and morning show host of JOY FM Radio.”

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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.