Toys for Troops Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser
October 23, 2011
Esquire Lounge, Champaign, IL
4:30-9:00 p.m.
Spaghetti provided by Minneci's Italian Ristorante
Music by ThreeBird Acoustic Trio
Raffle Tickets with great door prizes, & 50/50
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Toys for Troops' last all-out fundraising event was in 2007. I intend to write about what is involved in putting this fundraiser together.
First in order was securing time, date, venue, spaghetti, and music. I was nervous, but the hurdles were mental—the first 3 people I approached said, in this order, "Yes," "Yes," and "Yes." Whoo hoo!
Next on the agenda is spreading the word.
It's amateur-hour on the advertising front. I am frugal with this organization's money. I've designed and written all of the literature. I hacked out a newsletter that friends proofread for me. Bright green paper for $12, ink for $40, and 500 posters were printed at home. I had credit on the books at a discount printing house, so postcards were printed for next-to-nothing. I own my own laminator, and will take care of that with my own money. Gas and hours are on my dime too. I put this out there so that you know, for sure, where your donations are going: To Support the Troops!
I also tell you to reiterate that I can't do this without you. With a minimal advertising budget, our success really does depend on your help and your word-of-mouth. If you can tack up a poster, make a donation, spread the word to someone who can donate a gift certificate, I need you.
Posters have been printed. If you would also like to hand out or post a poster, contact me!
Postcards for vendors/donators are being delivered today, to use as a calling card when I go door-to-door, asking the nice people of this community to donate a gift certificate or two to the cause.
There are some that I'll have to tack a stamp to, but I'd really rather look you right in the eye and ask.
I also like to remind you: It doesn't matter where you are. Whether you're right by my side in this town, or if you're on the other side of the country, you can help. Email me at ljstewart@gmail.com if you want to know how, or if you have any questions. I'll try to do frequent updates here!
Yeehaw, we have work to do, people!
