Why’s it so hard to fundraise?
Reader Input
Next time you run into a homeless person be sure to ask where he keeps his large flat-screen T.V. Seems everybody has one. Or so some nice church ladies say. This is one of the responses my busy little wife gets, as she tries to peddle a bunch of tickets to the local churches, as part of The Gathering Inn’s annual fundraising drive (they gather in the homeless at local churches). As part inducement to make this charitable contribution, they’re having a drawing for a big flat-screen T.V. Big mistake! A lottery? Egads! You’d think she was unloading stolen watches. How do you say, “Fundraiser?” Fundraiser, fundraiser, fundraiser. Like you need money to buy food for these folks. Yeah, we know money is tight because of the rotten economy. As a matter of fact it’s producing more homeless, and it’s even tougher on them. It’s a fundraiser, folks, in a good cause. The ticket is evidence of a donation; even the IRS understands that. Ask your pastor for a couple of tickets, and if you accidentally win that big, flat-screen T.V. you can always donate this unnecessary second one to some homeless person who doesn’t already have one — if you can find one. Pious platitudes don’t fill empty tummies. ARNE CELICK, Auburn
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Arne: Are you on the "Sarcastic PR Committee"?
I'm not sure... I'm just guessing here... But I think that coming out attacking people is not the way to get them enamored with your particular charity.
Most people use the old "Sympathy" approach, rather than the "You are a selfish idiot if you don't donate" approach.
Just my two cents.
How much are the tickets? Maybe they are priced high for most... many times I will donate a buck or 2.
Everybody and their brother has a "worthy cause." I think in today's economy, people have less money to give and are becoming choosy. Everyone has the right to support whatever cause or fundraiser they think worthy.
And this time I agree with Y-S. You are sarcastic. Why don't you go help the little woman instead of writing snarky letters to the paper?
Personally, I think we are all fundraiser'd-out (a new word?). I think we all want to help, but there are just so many groups out there looking for money right now. We all are now being more selective and even just holding onto our pennies altogether.
Yet there is so much money to keep the insurance lobbyists and casinos donating to those Republican politicians.....
Arne. I sold tickets for the same event - no problem. I also attended and it was so crowded you could hardly move. I think that a lot of tickets must have sold, especially considering that many Auburn folks bought tickets just to donate, not attend.
OK, so Jayber was there. It was well attended, people donated. So what is your problem Arne?
CR, Have you ever donated to anything worthwhile? You are a total case of being a broken record.
I think part of the problem is that the event is located out on Lonestar Boulvard in Roseville and doesn't really appeal to most of us up in beautiful Auburn. Of course the promoters work hard to promoted the event and why it will be great, so the cause itself might inadvertanly and unintentioanlly get downplayed. When I sold the tickets at my church, I emphasized that this was the primary fundraising event for Gathering Inn, and that it was the perfect chance to contribute. I did not really push the event at all, knowing that most of the older people would not be interested in driving to an unfamiliar location at night. The churches support the Gathering Inn by providing food and shelter every night of the year, so it's not that the "little church ladies" aren't interested in helping. Many of us fund the meals ourselves when we cook - about $150 per go. I realize that Gathering Inn cannot exist without funding and it is vitally important that we all contribute. I hope that Arne's publlic scolding does not backfire and reflect poorly on Gathering Inn. They are an exemplary organization that I am happy to support.
yes, fourgen, I just try not to make a big announcement about it to make you sad that your misconception was blown.
GailBegin; I use "donation saturation"