Cake Anyone?

I'd like to share a quick, simple, and PROFITABLE fundraiser that we did at our team meeting this past week. My grandmother, who is an amazing baker, made her famous Red Velvet cake for us to "auction" off at our team meeting. Before the meeting, we told the team captains and attendees to bring dollar bills to participate in the fundraiser. The object of the auction is to give the last dollar and you'll win the cake. First, we set the timer for five minutes, and we started collecting dollars. As we collected each dollar, we said, "Now it is Heather's (or whoever is gives the dollar) cake. Who wants the cake now?" And then we'd go to the next person. Whoever gives the last dollar during the time limit, wins the cake. This fundraiser was extremely successful and in five minutes, we raised $76 from one red velvet cake!

Try it and see how much you can raise :)

Give the Gift of HOPE and FUNDRAISE!

Hey Everyone! Sorry that it's taken me a while to post something new. I just thought that I'd get your creative juices flowing with a simple fundraising acronym for HOPE. Remember, you give cancer patients HOPE by FUNDRAISING!

H: Handyman for a Day – Shovel snow, rake leaves or mow your neighbors lawn and donate your “fee” to your Relay For Life.

O: October Festival – Celebrate autumn and the fall bounty by raising funds for Relay. Have pumpkins, straw bales, dried corn stalks, colorful gourds and bright flowers for your decor. For the main attractions you may want to consider the following activities: a dance, pumpkin carving contest, apple bobbing, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, bake sale, and a scarecrow decorating contest. Charge an admission fee and sell other goods and services at your festival.

P: Pot Luck Lunches at the Workplace – Name every Wednesday “Relay For Life Pot Luck Day.” Team members take turns preparing foods, salads, desserts, etc. and offer to employees at the workplace at a set price or donation.

E: Envelopes at Restaurant Tables – Teams generate donations by placing a Relay For Life envelope at every table, stating “Please Support Our Relay For Life Team and the American Cancer Society.” Waitresses check envelopes after each seating.

Happy Fundraising :)

Goal Setting and Planning

Before you start fundraising, there is one key element that you cannot forget...

 GOAL SETTING!

Here are some simple steps to figure out your Fundraising Goals:

Deciding on what type of fundraiser is the first step.  Next you’ll want to set a goal for how much money you would like to raise.  When setting your goal don’t forget to take expenses into account. For example, you are hosting a neighborhood movie night and would like to raise $300.  You estimated your expenses are going to be around $50 which will cover popcorn, soda, candy and the new release movie rental.  So in order to net $300, you actually need to raise $350. You’ll also want to break down the goal to determine how many people you will need to attend in order to raise that $350.  If the Goal is $350 and you charge $10 a person to attend, 35 people are needed in attendance to raise $350.  Once you subtract out your expenses, you will have reached your $300 goal.

Hope this makes Goal Setting and Planning a bit easier :)



Why Do You Relay?

Hello Everyone! Hope the blog is helping spark some fundraising ideas that you and your team can use to raise lots of that green stuff for this awesome cause. There is one thing that I (Kelsey) would like to remind every one of. This one little thing is more important than any fundraising you can do and is the whole reason you're involved with this life saving organization. It's the reason you Relay! As you're writing letters and talking to people about Relay, don't forget to tell them your story! Every single one of us has been affected by cancer in some way, and it's time to tell the world why you Relay!

Now, don't be shy, because your story can inspire others to join the cause and find a cure for cancer! So get out there and share your story!