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!” 

Summertime Philanthropy (contd)

Thirsty for more ideas on how to serve your community this summer?  No worries.  Like your favorite sunscreen, we’ve got you covered.  Here’s a list of simple ways to give back (and rack up community service hours while you're at it):

- Find a community garden near you and offer to de-weed or plant new seeds (be sure to take a floppy hat to protect your face and head from the sun!)

- Round up a few of your fellow YAC members to distribute fans to those at ballgames

- Gather small bottles of soap, shampoo and other personal hygiene products to donate to local jails or homeless shelters

- Volunteer at your local food bank by restocking shelves or delivering nonperishable items

- Write “thinking of you” letters to a nursing home (make sure you call to get a headcount of all the residents so you have enough cards)

Put the “Fun” back in “Fundraising!”

Tips to Remember when Fundraising:

-          Set a goal: Fundraising is most successful when you have a concrete goal to work toward.

-          Appreciate small as well as large gifts!  Offer a range for giving (for example: $5-$100) so that anyone can give to your cause. Let them know that their contribution is important no matter what they give. 

-          Ask as many people as possible – the more you ask, the more “YES” answers you’ll get!

-          Thank everyone who gives.  People like to know that they are appreciated.  They gave their money/time; give them some love! (An example of “giving love”: Keep a list of each donor and send thank you cards or make a personal call to thank them.)           

Creative ideas to get you going:

An A-Z list of ideas:

http://www.fundraiserinsight.org/ideas/

You don’t have to hunt for loose change under the couch for these ideas:

http://www.ehow.com/info_8085784_inexpensive-creative-fundraising-ideas.html

A few of our favorites:

Sponsored Shaving

Break out the shaving cream!  Ask people to fundraise you to go through with shaving yourself!  You can shave heads, beards, backs or legs— the possibilities are endless… well, we wouldn’t suggest shaving eyebrows, but it’s your call.

Dog walk

Get some exercise and raise money at the same time. Offer your services as a dog walker and charge per dog or per walk.  Don’t forget the doggy bag.

Aerobic-a-thon

Break out the leotard, sweats bands and the 80’s aerobic video your mom has stashed in her closet!  It’s time to get physical. Get sponsored for every five minutes of aerobics you can manage.

Creative Service Projects:

Looking to spice up your service days? Look no further…


Use your talents to help youth in your community! Keep in mind that your YAC should do a needs assessment— a measurement of what your community needs most— every 3 years for your community. Ex: Does your community struggle with teen pregnancy? Volunteer for or set up abstinence/sex education classes. Consider using your strengths as a YAC. Does your YAC have a lot of artists? Maybe your group could host a "mural painting party" at a nearby park for kids of all ages to attend.  The possibilities are endless!


Here are some web sites to help!


A list of small ideas with a BIG impact:
http://www.examiner.com/college-admissions-in-washington-dc/10-creative-ways-for-teens-to-volunteer-their-communities


Examples of what youth in various cities have done:
http://circle.adventist.org/files/jae/en/jae199154014601.pdf


Looking for specific categories? Try this site:
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/serviceideas.shtml