Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Putting the FUN in Fundraising


For many family teams, the biggest challenge of participating in the March for Babies is fundraising. The last few years have hit so many families so hard, and it makes us hesitant to go back to the well year after year, asking friends and loved ones for donations. Even when we believe in a cause as passionately as we do the March of Dimes mission, the idea of approaching people for money can be really daunting.

This year, when I was planning my own team’s fundraising, I took the advice of many of my fellow mission moms, who were thinking of doing different types of fundraiser events or parties. To be honest, I’ve always hesitated to undertake this type of event in the past, because there have been years I’ve barely gotten my act together to SHOW UP to the walk, let alone to plan a whole separate event. But when we discussed different ideas, I realized that…I didn’t HAVE to throw some kind of gigantic gala event in order to raise a decent amount of money.

All I had to do was something I already love doing…have a lia sophia jewelry party! My good friend (and former manager – I used to sell lia sophia) Kara McKeown is renowned for her awesome fundraiser parties. As hostess, I’m doing exactly what I would be doing any time I have a lia sophia party – just tell Kara who I want to invite, and she goes from there. Then, on the day of the party, I just get a few snacks together, and Kara shows up with her fabulous jewelry. We have a fun evening of chatting and bling gazing, and at the end of it, Kara shares her profits with the March of Dimes. VOILA. I have a great donation to a special cause, and I didn’t even have to beg my family for more money. Win-win!

I’m not really sure why I didn’t try this sooner, to be honest with you. I think I was in a fundraising rut! And this year, I’m shaking it up…and updating my collection of jewelry to boot! How can you beat that?!


Written by: Lindsay Atherton, Mission Mom and Guest Blogger 

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