Monday, August 10, 2009

Looking For Ideas!

Hi friends :o)

Some of you may remember me telling you about this.... my brother, Paul, has later stage cancer (melanoma) and has been in a brave battle with it for almost a year now. He has been through every chemo treatment you can think of, radiation treatment, and is working his way through a few of the experimental treatments too. He's hanging in there, though a LOT thinner and minus some hair--worse for the wear and tear--but not ready to give up the fight!!!!


The big problem he is facing now is financial. Paul is a laborer...he worked for a mobile home company and did set-ups and repairs, siding, roofing...you know, physical things. He has been unable to work since this started (it started with surgery to remove some lymph nodes under his arms). They had some money in savings and sold some things to help make ends meet and have the belt tightened as tight as it can get. They are running on fumes right now.

Soooo, we (some of his relatives) have decided to do some fundraising for them...what I wanted to ask you guys for is some IDEAS and things you have seen others do that have been successful. I know there are a lot of creative minds out there!!!!

We are going to have a big rummage sale at a local community center to start with...get donations of items from friends and family. That should provide them with some quick cash to pay their mortgage and insurances.

Then we are thinking of doing the traditional Spaghetti dinner, auction, and raffles and such. Here's where we could use some creative suggestions!

Also, I was thinking of maybe doing some sort of online fundraiser. Who has seen anything like this done...how was it done...what are people's general opinion of things like that??

I sure appreciate any help you can give!!


xoxo Karen

15 comments:

Lisa said...

I've seen online fundraisers with artists donating their works. I also remember a fundraiser for the Pierotti's (I think that's the right spelling). It was a click through box and people could donate as much or as little as they wanted, through paypal or with a credit card.

Do you have a local band that might donate a concert?

Good luck! It's so good that he has loving friends and family who show so much support.

Betty said...

I would be happy to donate something towards a fundraiser Karen! You could have a button on your blog and then link to the story of your brother's cancer. Maybe an online sale or auction? I know there are lots of us out here that would want to help.

Marilyn said...

Karen, I would also be more than happy to donate something for a fundraiser. I'm not much on good ideas, but will help in any way that I am able.

Lisa said...

Hi Karen,
I'm not close by but I would be honored to make a donation for a fundraiser for your brother. Family means evrything!

CEDAR JUNCTION said...

Pancake and spaghetti suppers are great fundraisers also. Advertise big time. Coordinating a fund raiser could also be a good Eagle project for a boy scout. I would also be happy to donate something if you want to do an online auction.

I'll keep your brother and his family in my prayers.

Smiles,
Teresa

Jenn Maruska said...

Karen - please contact me if you decide to do an online auction.

Best, Jenn.

Attic Clutter said...

Hi Karen
OH I don't know how they actually do the online fundraiser ..maybe on here or on Facebook put out a plea for donations an tell his story.. I feel so bad for you and your family and ofcourse your dear brother..
(:(

I can just see you with your handheld dustbuster

(:) .........blessings ..hugs and I send you HOPE(:) Patty

iSew said...

I'd like to donate to the sale too, if I may. When is it? How much time do I have to get to the post office?

I think an online sale/auction is a great idea if you can get the word out somehow.

Kristi said...

I participated in this fundraiser:

http://www.etsy.com/storque/craftivism/love-is-a-movement-the-cora-project-3450/

It was a huge success and a joy to be a part of. Could you start something like this? I could make more little items to sell in my sunnykristi store. Headbands, tissue cozies, flowers etc... people seem to like to buy the smaller things for fundraisers and I'm willing to make them. Let me know if I can help. There are others out there that may be willing to donate other services, such at organizing, graphics to make a button and so on.

Rosemary said...

Hi Karen!
Thank you!!
I think an online fundraiser or auction might be good. Also I have seen bakesales, garage sales, pizza nights etc.
Rosemary

Leigh said...

I am saying a prayer for your brother.

You may want to check out the NieNie auction/fundraiser that took place last year on ETSY.

Please let me know if I can help, donate, etc..

Love ya!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Hi Karen ~ do you remember the online auction that was held last year for Nie? Perhaps you could do one like this. I know there are so many of us who would donate something for your brother. Have you contacted your local newspaper or TV station? Sometimes they like to feature such a cause. Hanging signs up will spread the word as well.

xx
becky

Pieceful Bits said...

Karen,
I would be more than happy to donate some glitter goodies towards a fundraiser and mail to you!

My sis held a spaghetti dinner benefit once and had a Chinese Auction. Local businesses donated items and family members donated items and we made baskets up for it.
She held it the Eagles and the bar there donated quite a few bottles of alcohol. Those seemed to be popular;)
(~~)
Julie
skybluecrayons at yahoo dot com

backhomeagain said...

I'd be happy to donate something Karen. You let me know and it's yours. We could all offer an item in our shops, promote it via our blogs and etsy, ebay or whatever strikes Mrs. Kwitty's Fancy and we could send the money to an account via paypal. You let me know what you need. A brother of yours is a friend of mine!

LuAnn

backhomeagain said...

If you wanted to do something locally, you could ask your church to help you with an auction fund raiser. We could all send our items directly to you to put in the auction. I did this once for a family in Ohio that was really struggling. My bag raised $80 for that family and that was an amazing feeling. Really, you just let me know...

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