Fantastic Fundraising ideas from Veteran Family Teams: Team Cogoli, Parent Talk, and Journeys of Hope

Worcester's TEAM COGOLI is doing a Benefit Dinner and Raffle at the Rutland Sportsmen Club on April 27th, 2012 at 7pm. "What we are doing is since we have so many connections to local businesses in our area, and are members of so many organizations we decided to try to have a fun night fundraiser.  We asked around for some donations, and were able to accrue quite the lot of baskets for our raffles! We have Boston Sports Auctions coming out at no cost to do a Silent Auction for us.  They will be bringing signed Patriots, Bruins, and Red Sox artifacts.  We will be having a spaghetti dinner which our team will be cooking, and we have dancing and fun due to Blackout! A band that my fiance Sean works with! They are offering up their talents for the night because they have a connection to us from Jacob's birth.  We are really looking forward to a great event."  This is a fun and effective way to raise money for a family team!

Cogoli Family

For the 2nd year, Boston's PARENT TALK is doing a fundraiser at Not Your Average Joes in Needham. Below is the email that Parent Talk team captain, Jodi Rooney, sends out each week to remind friends and family:

Our team is having a fundraiser at Not Your Average Joes (NYAJ) in Needham every Tuesday in the month of April. I am emailing to ask you to come out to enjoy a delicious meal at NYAJ. You can eat in or take out (lunch or dinner), but you must show the attached certificate in order for NYAJ to donate 15% of the bill to our team. If at all possible, would you also pass this along to all of your family, friends, and colleagues that may live in the area and want to help support the cause? NYAJ also takes reservations, so no waiting for a table! (If you live in the Needham area, you can downlaod the certificate on the right.)

The Rooney Family

Worcester's JOURNEYS OF HOPE team captain, Megan Turcotte is always thinking outside of the box with her fundraising. Here are some of her ideas:

1. Bake sale. Many stores will allow a table set up outside business
2. Spaghetti Dinner night at church or school, etc.
3. Raffle, have team members and businesses donate an item to raffle
4. Yard Sale
5. Many restaurants (Applebee’s, Friendly’s, etc.) will hold a night where 20% (or other amount) will be donated to you for anyone who comes in with a flyer, or card, or mentions, etc.
6. Craft night for kids. Each table is a different craft $5 per child.
7. Scrap booking night. $10 per adult $5 per child.
8. Know any musicians? Have them hold a concert for you, or ask for donations.
9. Make a tribute video. One true Media for example allows you to edit a video with effects for free, with more available with membership, it can be loaded to Youtube from there.
10. Send Pledge letter’s
11. Ask businesses to have a donation jar for you
12. Know any good cooks? Hold a dinner at home night where for a certain amount (factor in the cost of the food) a home cooked meal is cooked for you.
13. Ask local Theater to hold a night where 10% of ticket sales go to your team.
14. Have office pay for dress down day/week. “Blue Jeans for Babies”
15. Use your friends/families abilities. Do you know a photographer? Crafter? Artist? Organizer? Have them Auction off their talent/item.
16. SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!!!!!!!! Telling everyone your mission and your story is the most important tool you have. Have them Connect with your reasons for walking/raising money.

The Turcotte Family