Danny Boy,
I'm not sure if I can get regular donations, but I will give it a try. Her are a few ideas for others who are unsure about doing the regular monthly thing, but still want to help. I sent explanatory letters and
donation envelopes to many family and friends last Christmas. I don't know how much was donated, but I know it was over $300. I also pointed out in my letter that this was a qualified tax deduction.
I also took some extra T-shirts from the VA walk to my family reunion and "sold" them. I just laid them out on a table with a jar for donations, after I made a little speech explaining what it was about. I think I raised about $140 and I know some people donated without taking a shirt. I plan on doing the same at another family reunion coming up later this month. No shirts left, but will be putting out a jar.
Another idea for those that have gift exchanges at work for Christmas. Perhaps you could suggest that you skip the exchange this year and donate the amount you would normally spend on the gift to OCF.
Believe me when I say I am not a "salesman" and generally hate asking for money. I used to hate even taking fundraisers to work for my kids when they were in school. I absolutely HATE asking people for money. But for such a good cause, I bit the bullet and did it. So I figure if I can do it, anyone can.
Also, a reminder for our members that it is a nice gesture to donate to OCF when we lose one of our members. I just found out about Lowanne losing Jack, so will be donating in his memory. I have done this for several lost members this year. Maybe some of you remember that I said I was going to do this either until there was a cure or I went broke. Well, I'm not broke yet and I only donate $25 each time, but so far this year that has added up to $175. At first, I posted every time I donated as a reminder to others to do the same. I stopped doing that though, because I thought it sounded too much like I was tooting my own horn. Perhaps it's not such a bad idea though to give people a reminder at times like that. I know not everyone can donate $25 each time, but if 50 people can donate even $10 each, that would add up to a nice amount for the year.
As for the buttons that Brian sends, I agree with Connie. The first time is nice, but it is not necessary each time I donate. Connie, I sent Brian a private e-mail telling him this. You may want to do the same. I did give some of the buttons to family members who donated. And I am going to take some of them to local dentist offices to see if I can get them on board the early detection education and awareness program.
And although there are numerous good charities out there that deserve our $$$, may I suggest that you all consider the fact that most of those generate tons of money each year. They have paid staff that do nothing but solicit funds. OCF is basically a one-man operation - no paid staff, just one man who has devoted his life to this cause. One man who is running himself ragged trying to keep up with all that needs to be done.
May I suggest that those of you who donate to other causes, please consider donating the lion's share to OCF. I still occasionally donate small amounts to other causes, but there is no other charity I know of that needs the money more and that uses more of the money for the cause.
Your money goes directly to support this cause. It does not go to pay an inflated salary. It does not go into sending out labels, cards, calendars and other stuff that generally is not wanted and often not used. I personally receive more address labels than I could use in a lifetime and I don't even donate to the charities that send them. But they keep sending them anyway. How many $$$ are being wasted on that kind of stuff? Why send your money to a charity that uses only 75% (or less!) of it to actually help the people? Send it to OCF and you know it is all going to be used wisely.
I hope someone can use these ideas for their own
donation campaign. Now I need to get my
donation made in Jack's memory before I forget. Hint! Hint!
Rainbows & hugs,
Rosie
