Shredding Events: A Unique Charity Fundraiser

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged:

Effective fundraisers know how to grab people’s attention. The next step—convincing people to donate money—is often the easy part.

When donors benefit in some way from their contribution, this often encourages donations.

Shredding events are fundraisers that meet this criteria. Donors bring bags of paper and documents to be shredded, donating a few dollars per bag.

Sometimes, banks or offices run shredding events to raise money and awareness of identity theft. An upcoming shredding event in New York will raise money for the A.J. Anderson Foundation, funding research to cure Tay-Sachs disease.

Cupcake Camp

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, ChildFund International

“Cupcake Camp” is an event where a large variety of cupcakes are baked and enjoyed. Different flavors, frosting, sprinkles, chocolate chips—this is a tasty and fun way to build community.

Often, “cupcakes camps” are organized as programs for schools, camps or friends.

The city of LA has taken the concept of “Cupcake Camp” farther, turning it into a fundraising venue. “Cupcake Camp LA” is a unique charity event where hundreds of bakers of all skill levels gather to bake delicious cupcakes!

The event includes a cupcake decorating station, among other activities. Family-friendly and fun, this activity is a good way to enjoy yourself while raising money for charity!

Tug-of-War Tournament

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The 2019 Pull for Puppies event combines creativity, charity and fun.

The event involves a tug-of-war tournament between three teams—men’s, women’s, and coed. Tug-of-war tournaments are fun and competitive– all for a good cause.

Participants must be at least 18 years old; spectators of all ages are encouraged to attend.

The event is a fundraiser for the Pets for LIFE pet shelter. Tickets to this event are transferrable but non-refundable.

If you’ve always wanted to adopt a dog, this is your chance! During this event, dogs from Pets for LIFE will be available for adoption.

Best Charity Apps

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Digital charity makes giving charity easy and convenient.

Several apps make the donation process even easier. One app—InLieu—was developed by Texas resident Kathy Terry to fill a specific need.

On her way to a holiday party, Terry realized that a token gift—wine, scented candles, chocolate—weren’t needed by her hostess. She wanted to give a gift to charity instead of a gift, but the logistics—finding an online charity, setting up an account, notifying her hostess of the gift—were daunting.

“As time passed, it became clear that there were many opportunities to make donations in lieu gifts, but I couldn’t find an easy way to do it,” Terry explains. “I finally got sick of waiting for someone to build my little app so I decided to do it myself.”

The InLieu app allows users to donate money to a charity of their choice and notify others of the donation that was made in their honor.

Donations are tax-deductible.

The New Bake Sale

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Bake sales have always been a good way to raise money, but the concept has evolved in some communities.

In California, New York, and New Jersey, bake sales continue to raise money for schools.  However, instead of selling baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes and brownies, healthy foods—organic fruits and vegetables from local farms– are sold.

Rebecca Matthews, of Berkeley, California, started a “fruits and vegetable sale” to benefit her children’s elementary school. She was able to raise several thousands of dollars through a company called Farmigo, which sells and delivers fresh produce.

Many parents are enthusiastic about the program. They appreciate the convenience of being able to buy healthy food during carpool time, all the while supporting their school.

Yoga and Charity

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Maintaining emotional equilibrium is important for all people, regardless of their individual circumstances. This equilibrium can usually be achieved by a combination of positive habits and by engaging in stress-reducing activities.

The Give Back Yoga foundation is a charity that funds yoga programs to promote healing. They train instructors and provide different forms of yoga to those in need.

They offer the following innovative programs:

  • Eat Breathe Thrive uses yoga as a tool to support people struggling with eating disorders
  •  Mindful Yoga Therapy is a program that helps military veterans deal with challenges such as PTSD
  • Yoga for Cancer works with cancer patients and survivors to boost health and ease anxiety
  • Prison Yoga Project teaches yoga to prisoners
  • Yoga of 12 Step Recovery helps people struggling with addictions regain control of their lives

Practicing yoga during challenging times can help bring healing and peace.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation

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Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation is a charity that raises money to help cure childhood cancer.

Its main focus is on funding research. Although 700 children worldwide are diagnosed with childhood cancer, childhood cancer research receives less than 4 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s annual budget.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand was founded by Alexandra Scott, who passed away from cancer in 2004. When she was just four years old, Alex set up a lemonade stand in her front yard and raised over $2,000. Alex raised one million dollars before her death in 2004.

Best of all, setting up a lemonade stand and donating the proceeds can be done by anyone, adults and children alike.

Helping Sick Moms to Make Memories

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If you live in the Texas area, you should know about Ally’s Wish. This is a non-profit in Dallas that provides a last wish for young, terminally ill moms with small children. Their goal is to help each family to create a lasting memory.

On November 3 they are having a 5K Family Fun Day at 2300 Lakeside Parkway in Flower Mound, Texas.

Here are some of the moms’ stories. It’s worth the read and definitely worthwhile to read more about this organization and what they do for moms.

“Shannon was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2016. She had to quit her job as a bus driver due to the tumor in her spine. According to Shannon, her wish was an easy decision. She picked the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to spend some quality time with her husband and 2 children. They stayed in a beautiful cabin in Pigeon Forge and planned some fun days at Dollywood.”

“Doralee is a wife and mother of 7! She was diagnosed in 2015 with renal cell carcinoma. She lost one of her kidneys and the cancer has since spread to her lungs. We worked with Doralee for over a year trying to find the best wish for her family. She has 4 children still at home and some other health problems in the family. Her family also moved, and once they got settled she decided that it would be great to have a pool in their backyard so they could make happy memories this summer, and she can just relax in the pool. They got an above ground swimming pool they all get to enjoy! Her wish was granted in June 2018.”

Yassin’s Falafel House Gives Back

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Here is a great story about immigrants, giving back and hope. It’s well worth the read and here are a few quotes to read about Yassin Terou and Yassin’s Falafel House.

“Terou, who now employs 30 people at his two locations, has also hired ex-convicts, people struggling with drug addiction, and women fleeing dangerous situations. The local YWCA, which provides shelter for 58 women who are overcoming addiction and other difficult situations, is right across the street. One of the biggest obstacles to recovery and independence is having a job that provides dignity and an income.”

“Yassin’s Falafel House has also held fundraisers for community causes, donating a percentage of the profits of each falafel sold. When fundraising for Bridge Refugee Services, the line was out the door and around the block; Yassin’s ran out of pita but didn’t stop selling food for the cause until everyone had been served.”

Read the whole article and see how one person can make such a difference.

The Bucks for Bras Charity Getting Underway

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The Bucks for Bras charity event at Borrowed Bucks Roadhouse in Bismarck, North Dakota is worth checking out. This will be the 8th annual event on October 24th at 5:30pm. Last year’s fundraiser brought in $50,000 for the American Cancer Society and the Bismarck Cancer Center Foundation. They are hoping to bring in $55,000 this year.

The event started when Borrowed Bucks manager Brad Erickson wanted to honor his breast-cancer survivor wife, Cammy. The event is a wonderfully creative night that includes a silent auction, games, appetizers, desserts and drinks. It also includes a live bra auction that includes local models showing off one-of-a-kind bras that have been custom-made by artists in the community.

There will be an online auction as well and tickets can be purchased for $20 (or for $25 at the door).

Check it out and get excited today!