Walk-A-Thons For Charity

October 12, 2010 by Leave a Comment
An effective way that schools can help raise money for charities is to hold a walk-a-thon. Many students are familiar with the walk-a-thon concepts because many of their schools hold this type of event on a yearly basis. Usually held at the beginning of each school year, the walk-a-thon asks that students get pledges from family and friends and then after walking a specified number of miles, the people who pledged, fulfill their pledge obligation. The proceeds of many school sponsored walk-a-thons frequently go back into the school for equipment, books or other supplies, and sometimes even go for repairs that the school needs. Sometimes, however, the pledges that are generated go to various charities.

Because kids are naturally social, and because they typically enjoy giving, walk-a-thons are a perfect activity for them. The benefits of a walk-a-thon are many and include getting the kids out in the fresh air, exercising, and providing a different from of social outlet for them. The combination of these benefits, plus knowing that they are doing something for a great cause, builds self-esteem and gives the students a sense of accomplishment. Most students also like the fact that in addition of the fund raising aspect of the project, they are allowed to wear relaxing clothes such as sweatpants and shorts to school.

Sometimes, even a prize or points are given to those students who get the most pledges, or who earn a specific amount of pledges. These prizes can be in the form of a cash prize to the student, or can result in a free day off from school. Most students look forward to the walk-a-thon and enjoy walking as much as they can to increase the amount of pledges that they bring in. After submitting a permission slip from their parents, allowing their student to participate, the student can then work on getting pledges.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Charitable organization, Charities Tagged With: , ,

How to Avoid a False Charity or Donation Scam

August 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Money (reais)
Image via Wikipedia

No matter what you do, there is always going to be some dishonest person trying to get your money. This is why it is especially important to be careful when you are donating money to a seemingly worthy cause. There has been a trend recently for people to claim they are working on behalf of a charity and then keep the money you donate instead of using it the way they told you they would. There are a few measures, however, that you can take to ensure you are not getting scammed and that your money actually is going to charity.

Many charities use telemarketers, the Internet, and door to door representatives to raise money; the problem is that many people involved in charity fraud use the same methods. Even if someone claims to be working for a charity that you have heard of, you should still ask certain questions to make sure they are who they say they are. It never hurts to be a little extra cautious, especially when it comes to your money.

Always ask for the charity’s name and contact information, as well as a flier or other type of written information about the charity. If the person is unable to produce the proper information, don’t be afraid to say no. You can also go online and check the reputation of the charity or go to the National Association of State Charity Officials for more information. If people really are representing the charity they claim, they will be able to give you any information you ask for without excuses.

There are also some warning signs to look out for when asked to donate money to a charity. If you are given a high pressure sales pitch, or the representative makes you feel uncomfortable, just tell them you are not interested in donating money at this time. Also avoid giving large cash donations, as there is no way to trace where the money will actually end up going. Use your head and only work with well-established charities to avoid having your money used in unethical ways.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Charities, Charity Scams, Donations, Society Tagged With: , , ,

How to Plan a Charity Dinner Event

July 20, 2010 by Leave a Comment

A charity dinner event is a great way to raise money for a worthy cause. It can be difficult to plan the event though, because there is so much that goes into it. One thing is for sure – you’ll need lots of volunteers to make it successful. Start by getting those you know to help you with the planning. It is easiest to plan a charity dinner event when a team or committee is formed.

Hold a committee meeting to discuss everything that needs to be done for the event and make assignments. It is a good idea to make a checklist too to make sure everything happens on schedule. The committee is a great place to get ideas and make sure that the event runs smoothly.

The first thing you need to do is find a venue to host the event. Some places may be willing to let you use their facility for free since it is for charity. Try to find some place that already has tables, chairs, and other equipment that you are allowed to use, as this will save you a lot of money. Your decoration budget should be minimal, so a nice looking facility is best.

You will also need to find a caterer and plan the menu. It’s best to offer guests only one or two options and charge one price per plate. This keeps overhead costs down so the charity can get more money in the end. People are usually willing to pay more for a dinner since it is to benefit charity, so charge at least double what a restaurant would charge. Some facilities have their own catering services and may be able to help.

There are other ways to make money at a charity dinner event other than charging for the food. You can have local businesses donate items to be auctioned off. If this is not feasible, you could have a community yard sale where all of the proceeds go to a charity. Be creative in the ways you raise money for a charity and you’ll be surprised how generous people are.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Charities, Current Needs, Society Tagged With: , , ,

Ways to Get Involved with a Charity

July 8, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Most people want to help their community but they do not know how to get involved. It is actually quite simple to find a worthwhile charity foundation or social service program to get involved in. A simple search on the Internet can return hundreds of volunteer opportunities and other ways to help a cause. People can volunteer time, donate money, and encourage others to participate as well.

1. Donate Money or Raise Funds

One major way to get involved in a charity is to donate money. Non-profit organizations need a lot of help financially to stay afloat and help people in need. Most charities will accept any amount of money, no matter how small, because every little bit helps.

Another way to help a charity is to do fundraising for their cause. Whether it is just asking others for donations or selling something to make money, all charities will be glad for the effort. There are many different fundraising opportunities available, so it is easy to get involved.

2. Volunteer Time

Charities love when people volunteer to work. It costs a lot of money to keep a non-profit organization running, so volunteers play a big part in the process. Whether it be one hour a month or several hours per week, charities are usually very accommodating to schedule restraints and willing to work with people who have busy schedules.

There are many different ways to volunteer time to a charity. Some people choose to work with children, while others collect items for those in need. Each charity has different needs and will know how a person can best volunteer their time and talents. People should seek out charities and volunteer opportunities that they are best suited to help. Charities always have a need for volunteers.

3. Encourage Others to Participate

One person can make all the difference when it comes to getting others involved. People are more willing to help charities when they see their friends serving others. Encourage friends at work, school, church, and the community to get involved in any capacity they are able. Charities have a big need for volunteers and financial contributions.

Filed Under: Charities, Donations, Green Giving, Society Tagged With: , , ,