Getting Creative with Awareness

Sometimes in philanthropy or awareness campaigns you have to think outside of the box (or in this case, outside of the t-shirt).  Teens spent a whole day hanging t-shirts on a clothesline in front of a local business in their town to bring awareness to deaths caused by smoking.  Talk about visual impact!  

Check it out: http://www.lenconnect.com/photos/x872947881/Anti-smoking-project

Wouldn't it be cool to do something like this in your community?

• Pick an issue you're passionate about in order to harness your creative energy.
• Simple is the way to go.  Make sure you can explain your cause in two sentences or less.
• Don't do anything alone! Get your friends/family AND your community involved.
• Work within your financial limits (if you can't afford something, as for donations OR think of another way to spread your message.
• Get creative with everyday objects.  Place old toys in front of community buildings to bring awareness to child abuse; tape empty water bottles to a store window (with the store's permission, of course) to encourage people to recycle.  
• Create a tagline to explain your cause. For example: Beside a store window taped with many water bottles, post a sign that says “Imagine if you had to carry all the bottles you threw away with you while you were shopping.  Recycle!”