Network Signature Events - Family Promise



Network Signature Events

The highly personalized and local response to family homelessness that affiliates embody is reflected in their creative and enterprising fundraising events. Below is a categorization of kinds of events. While the list is quite thorough, it is by no means exhaustive—but it should give you a lot of ideas of how you can create your own unique, and profitable, event.

Cook-offs and Food Challenges

Participants in these events compete to have the best dish, for prize money and more often than not, bragging rights. The choice of food varies from affiliate to affiliate (Pasta, Sausage, Soup, etc.), as do the pool of participants. Some cook-offs are open to anyone, and others are limited to a certain category of people. For example, the Comfort Food Cook-off in Bryan-College Station, TX is a competition between host churches to see who has the best main course (but anyone can enter dessert cook-off). The Pasta Challenge in Mobile, AL is open to anyone, but the pasta dish prepared must be a host congregation recipe (found in the network’s cookbook). In Montgomery, AL, the Hogs N’ Hens Cook-off pits corporate sponsors against each other. They cook and serve ribs, chicken and Boston butts, competing to win first place trophies in each category. Tickets range from about $10 to $25, and activities can be added to make the event more appealing to all ages. The Sausage Cook-off in Baldwin County, AL is held at a local farm and includes children’s activities, horseback riding, a dunking booth, and musical entertainment to add to the fun. In Chattanooga, TN, a Mother’s Day themed cook-off honors moms and challenges community cupcake bakers. At Mom Takes the Cake, individuals purchase the cupcake samples, rather than a ticket, and cast their vote for Chattanooga's best cupcake.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Little Rock, AR; Monroe, LA; Mahoning Valley, OH; Knoxville, TN; Lake Houston, TX.

Other Fun Competitions

Aside from food cook-offs, many affiliates have capitalized on human competitiveness by developing other kinds of fun contests.

← Art for the Hungry in Houston, TX challenges participating groups to create a themed structure using a minimum of 1,000 non-perishable food items.

← At the Dancing with the Clergy event in Mobile, AL, clergy members from within Interfaith Hospitality Network congregations compete in a dancing competition similar to the television program “Dancing with the Stars.” Tickets are $25 each or $200 per table of 9.

← The Lafayette, IN network organizes a Battle of Praise Bands where six praise bands compete for a $500 prize. The admission fee is $2 for anyone over the age of 10, and there is also a silent auction.

← The Columbus and Gwinnett County networks in Georgia hold an annual Bed Race. Five-person teams transform a bed into a race “car” to compete for prizes; the race is held at the town square or other highly visible location. Teams are divided into different categories, such as High School, College, Church, and Civic/Business. There is an entry fee of $100 and awards are given for: fastest bed, most original bed, funniest bed, and a merit award for biggest fundraiser. Other fun activities are also included for spectators, such as raffles, inflatables, face painting, etc.

← If racing beds sounds like fun, try racing rubber ducks. At the Reedy River Duck Derby in Greenville, SC, participants adopt “ducks” to “race.” The rubber ducks are released on the Reedy River and the first to float past the finish line wins. Each duck costs $5 (a Quack Pack of six ducks, costs $25) and offers its adopter a chance to win prizes, including a grand prize of $2,500. Children’s activities also take place throughout the day, and admission is free. Concessions booths are set up as well.

Tasting and Sampling Events

Similar to a cook-off without the competition, “Taste of [insert here]” and other sampling events are successful fundraisers. Taste of South Jersey (Gloucester County, NJ) and Taste of Sugar Land (Fort Bend, TX), sample the specialties of local chefs and area restaurants at a dinner-like event including live entertainment and auctions. Some affiliates have themed events, sampling a particular cuisine or course. A Chocolate Affair in Baldwin County, AL showcases decadent desserts and hors d'oeuvres prepared by local chefs, along with live entertainment and a silent auction. Similarly, Just Desserts in Sarasota, FL is a sampling of sweet concoctions by Sarasota’s finest culinary artists. Tasting and sampling is not limited to food. Some affiliates have held cocktail parties (Charlotte, NC) and wine tasting events (Uncork the Promise in Bryan-College Station, TX), as well. Tickets to tasting and sampling events are usually $20 or $25, but can depend on what is being served and what other activities are included.

Box City Events and Sleep-outs

Individual or team participants spend the night in a cardboard box to raise money and awareness for the homeless. They may be sponsored to donate the minimum entry fee themselves, and may be eligible for prizes. In Rochester, MN, for example, there is a grand prize for the most “rent” dollars received. In Cabarrus County, NC, individuals purchase tickets for the Night Under the Stars event, rather than paying a registration fee or collecting sponsorships. The evening also includes entertainment to pass the time, such as: live music and a “box parade” in Bozeman, MT, carnival games and a Guitar Hero Tournament in Cabarrus County, NC, a scavenger hunt and game show in Rochester, MN, etc.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Baldwin County, AL; Mobile, AL; Montgomery, AL; Wasilla, AK; East San Fernando Valley CA; Coeur d’Alene, ID; Lewiston, ID; Muskegon, MI; Brainerd/Cambridge, MN; Minneapolis, MN; Billings, MT; Las Vegas, NV; Reno, NV; Seacoast, NH; Nashua, NH; Monmouth County, NJ; Sussex County, NJ; Forsyth County, NC; Mahoning Valley, OH; Warren County, OH; Indian Valley, PA; Natrona Heights, PA; Chattanooga, TN; Lake Houston, TX.

Golf Tournaments and Marathons

Participants or teams obtain sponsors and spend the day golfing. An entry fee is charged and prizes are awarded, usually at an end-of-the-day dinner. For example, the Athens, GA network awards trophies to those with the lowest gross score and the lowest net score, as well as prizes for the longest drive and closest to the pin. To incorporate non-golfers into the event, affiliates often add other activities to their event, such as lunches or dinners, auctions or chances to win prizes. The Gainesville, FL network adds a walking component to their Golf/Walk Challenge. During the late afternoon, walkers, who have also obtained sponsors, walk the 3.5 miles cart path around the golf course. This year in Spartanburg, SC, there will be a grand finale Ball Drop raffle for $10,000. 2,010 golf balls will be dropped from a helicopter, hot air balloon, or crane and the ticket holder of the ball that lands closest to the designated hole or inside the hole wins. Each raffle is $25 (or 5 for $100) and only 2,010 will be sold.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Mobile, AL; Greeley, CO; Augusta, GA; Gwinnett County, GA; Goshen, IN; Johnson County, KS; Lawrence, KS; Covington, KY; Lafayette, LA; Grand Rapids, MI; Reno, NV; Gloucester County, NJ; Salem County, NJ; Guilford County, NC; Cleveland, OH; Mahoning Valley, OH; Springfield, OH; Warren County, OH; Lorain County, OH; Greene County, OH; Ambler, PA; Indian Valley, PA; Greenville, SC; Austin, TX; Memphis, TN; Conroe, TX; Fort Bend, TX; Roanoke, VA.

Walk-A-Thons and Marathon

Participants pay an entry fee and obtain sponsors for their walk to benefit the homeless. Some affiliates, such as MetroWest, MA (Walk Away Homelessness) and Toledo, OH (Give Them Shelter) organize their own Walk-A-Thons. Other affiliates tap into existing marathons and seek to be one of the organizations that benefit from sponsorships, donations, and publicity. For example, the Homeward Bound walk in Fort Wayne not only benefits the IHN, but other shelters and service agencies dealing housing and homelessness. In Fort Bend, TX, the Telfair Charity of your Choice Walk allows participants to choose the charity they want to raise money for by walking. Affiliates may also add activities to increase exposure and attract a greater number of people to the event. The Shawnee, OK network organizes the walk in a popular downtown park and includes a children’s run, booths, a health fair and health foods, free inflatables, music, the Mascot from the Oklahoma City Thunder to sign autographs and take pictures, and speeches from the Mayor or another city officials. Hunterdon NJ has had a local high school incorporate a walk-a-thon as a yearly event.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

San Mateo, CA; Kailua, HI; Southbridge, MA ; Worcester, MA; Nashua, NH; Gloucester County, NJ; Monmouth County, NJ; Ocean County, NJ; Summit County, OH; Warren County, OH; Chattanooga, TN; Roanoke, VA.

[Insert here]-A-Thons: Other Fun Marathons

Family Promise affiliates show that anything can be turned into a marathon to raise money for the homeless:

← The Denver, CO and Lorain County, OH networks organize a Bowl-A-Thon, where participating teams raise at least $300 and spend an afternoon bowling to win prizes.

← A few affiliates run Bike-A-Thons, such as Worcester, MA. In the Savannah, GA Tour de Kids, children secure up to $50 in pledges and ride a closed course around the perimeter of a local park. They also enjoy carnival-style activities in the park at the conclusion of the ride, as well as an event T-Shirt and water bottle (included in the $10 registration fee). In Muskegon, MI, Pastor Gil Boersma biked around Lake Michigan, at his own expense, while collecting donations for Family Promise (Pedaling Pastor).

← The Memphis, TN and Somerset County, NJ networks benefit from motorcycle marathons with the Motorcycle Fun Run and the Fall Motorcycle Cruise, respectively.

← “Breaking the Cycle” Poker Run in Greeley, CO is a motorcycle event (cars, vans, and other vehicles can be used as well) where five “draws” are set up at five different locations. Each participant receives an Event Card at the start point listing these locations. At each stop one card is drawn so that the last stop the participants will have a “Poker Hand” to compete with. Prizes are given to Best Hand and by random draw. The registration fee is $15 per bike, and $5 for an additional passenger/hand.

← A Rock-A-Thon might sound like a crazy concert tour from the 80s, but in Nashua, NH it is a fundraiser in which the retired Sisters of the Presentation of Mary living at St. Joseph’s Residence are sponsored and “rock the day away” in their rocking chairs.

← In Cape May County, NJ, Share the Weight – LIFT UP a Family is an all-day event where participants are sponsored by the hour and spend the day exercising. Instructors from local gyms are available to lead classes in Yoga, Zumba, etc. and participants receive a special t-shirt for the event. An outside organization is hosting the event, but all proceeds go to Family Promise.

[Insert Here] Sale: Bake Sales, Garage Sales, and Beyond

Most affiliates organize the sale of goods and services to raise money. The following are some examples of what they sell:

← The Birmingham, AL network collected donations of jewelry, old or new, real or fake, broken and knotted or in good condition. These items were then sold at a Jewelry Sale.

← The Denver, CO network sells copies of its Warmth of Home Cookbook, a compilation of almost 200 delicious recipes from volunteers, including super bowl bread, baked potato soup, chile relleno casserole, and many more.

← Affiliates in South Palm Beach County, FL, Volusia County, FL; Nashua, NH Middlesex County, NJ organize Rummage Sales, which are also called Yard Sales, Garage Sales, Flea Markets. At the Junk in Your Trunk flea market in Warren County, OH, sellers can rent a parking space for $25.00 and shoppers must contribute a monetary donation upon entry. The Lubbock, TX network combines a Garage Sale and Cookout to provide free hamburgers and hotdogs, along with a free bag of clothing, for families in need. Items are also sold to raise money.

← Affiliates in Volusia County, FL, Monmouth County, NJ, Cabarrus County, NC, and Lake Houston, TX organize bake sales. The Temple, TX network takes advantage of the higher number of shoppers on Texas’ Tax-Free Weekend to sell sausage rolls and other baked goods at the Wal-Mart.

← There is a Fresh Lobster Sale in Johnson County, KS.

← The Lafayette, LA network cooks briskets at mass ovens and then holds Brisket PoBoy Sales.

← In Seacoast, NH, the Pumpkin Shack sells pumpkins, Indian corn, corn stalks and gourds of all kinds. Shoppers can also participate in contests to win prizes from local merchants.

← There is a Mum Sale in Springfield, OH.

← The Memphis, TN organizes Pecan Sales.

← During the holidays, the Greenville, SC network sells Carriage Rides through downtown Greenville.

← In Lancaster, SC, handmade house plaques are on sale for $20 each. There is a standard design, but the colors, font, and saying (Home Sweet Home, Bless this Home, Friends Welcome, etc.) can be personalized.

← During the Interfaith Quilting Bee in Houston, TX, community members are invited to create quilts that will benefit IHN and other charities.

← The Blount County, TN network sells its services rather than goods by organizing a car wash.

Other “Shopping” Events

← Several affiliates (Birmingham, AL; San Mateo, CA; Covington, KY; Salem County, NJ) set up Gift-wrap Booths, where volunteers wrap gifts at a local shopping center during regular mall hours and accept donations for Family Promise.

← In Rochester, NY, local stores donate a percentage of profits to IHN during the Shop Til You Drop Event.

← In Cincinnati, OH and NW Philadelphia, PA, the Ten Thousand Villages (a non-profit organization that provides fair income to Third World craftspeople by selling their high-quality wares and telling their stories) allows patrons to shop for holiday gifts among beautiful handicrafts from around the world and help the homeless at the same time. 20% of sales go toward IHN.

Concerts

From gospel to jazz, affiliates have organized concerts and other musical events to raise money for their program. Some networks cater to a specific genre: Savannah, GA and Gloucester County, NJ hold Festivals of Hymns, Metrowest, MA and Conroe, TX hold Gospel Shows, Albuquerque, NM and Ambler, PA hold Jazz Festivals, etc. Other networks offer a variety of ensembles and music styles. The Grateful Alive Concert in Denver, CO, for example, showcases choirs, instrumental groups, dance teams, soloists, and more. Yet other networks combine music with other events. Rochester, NY hosts A Snazzy Jazzy Sunday Afternoon, which couples a Jazz Band Performance with a silent auction, appetizers and desserts. Some affiliates partner with individuals or organizations in the community to benefit from outside events. In Union County, NJ, performers at the Coffee with a Conscience Concert Series donate proceeds to local charities. Ken Medema has also performed at many affiliates, including Spartanburg, SC.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Mobile, AL; Bradenton, FL; Gainesville, FL; Jacksonville, FL; South Palm Beach County, FL; Athens, GA; Rochester, MN; Middlesex County, NJ; Plattsburgh, NY; Guilford County, NC; Raleigh, NC; Lorain County, OH; Greenville, SC; Roanoke, VA; Seattle, WA.

Beyond Concerts: Other Kinds of Shows and Performances

Events can showcase much more than local musical talent. Some affiliates focus on theater. The Sacramento, CA network hosted a musical and the Washington, DC network hosted a play. There was a Mario the Peddler Performance, based on The Poet, The Count, and The Peddler, in Loveland, CO and in Cape May County, NJ, a Performance of “Gift of the Maji.” The latter affiliate also hosts a Charity Fashion Show and Luncheon and the nearby Warren County, NJ network organizes a Comedy Night. For the Fireproofing Your Marriage in Blount County, TN, actor Kirk Cameron explained the biblical principles for building a strong marriage, using his personal experience and examples from his movie Fireproof. Shows can also be less about performance and more about other skills, such as:

← Restoring and preserving antique cars;

o “Cruisin’ Bob’s” Classic Car Show in Hunterdon County, NJ

← Baking or craft-making; and

o Cozy Cottage in Forsyth County, NC, a craft show to benefit Family Promise

o The Hobby Lobby in Kingsport, TN includes a craft fair and bake sale

← Designing and maintaining a garden.

o Home and Garden Show in Colorado Springs, CO

o Garden Party in Des Moines, IA

o Tour My Southern Garden in Lafayette, LA is a weekend of flowers and fun starting with a dinner event on Friday night that includes a silent auction and live music. The main event is Saturday, with tours and talks, boat rides, refreshments, music, art, and ballet performances throughout the day. On Sunday, individuals can enjoy a quiet stroll through the gardens. Tickets are $100 for all of the weekend activities ($150 for couples), or $15 for Saturday/$10 for Sunday.

Themed Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners and other Parties: From BBQs to Soup Bowls

Though traditional breakfast, lunch, and dinner events can be successful, a creative theme makes the affiliate stand out. The more fun and imaginative the theme (especially if well publicized), the more interest will be sparked in Family Promise. The theme can focus on a type of food, such as the Spaghetti Dinner in Albuquerque, NM and the Wild Salmon Feast in Coeur d’Alene, ID. The Pancake Breakfast is a popular event. In Denver, CO, Volunteers make pancakes and sausages and the breakfast includes entertainment, contests, a mini auction, and “celebrity” flippers. A few affiliates also host Barbeques, such as the Chicken Bar-B-Q in Volusia County, FL and the Rib Feed in Brainerd/Cambridge, MN. At the latter event, Gregg, “the rib man,” provides dinner: smoked BBQ ribs, BBQ beans, coleslaw, and corn bread for $10 ($5 for kids under 12). The event also includes a meat raffle courtesy of the local Lions Club.

A few affiliates focus their lunch and dinner events on soup, such as Springfield, OH and Indian Valley, PA. For the Empty Bowl Project in Goshen, IN (similar events in NW Philadelphia, PA and Lorain County, OH), patrons purchase a handmade pottery bowl (donated by the Clay Artists Guild or other local potters) filled with choice of delicious soup for $15. Other sides are included, and local bands provide musical entertainment. Themes are not limited to the type of food, however. For example, the San Mateo, CA network hosts a holiday-themed event for Valentine’s Day and the York County, SC network hosts a Summer Picnic.

The following are other fun events involving food and parties that affiliates have come up with:

← The La Table' Ladies Luncheon in Athens, GA involves having a table hostess decorate a table for 8 and inviting others to join her at her table.

← For the Progressive Dinner in Lewiston, ID, a three-course dinner is served, with each course at a different congregation (all within walking distance from eachother). Tickets are $20 and include the schedule for each course. Some congregations have musical entertainment, while others show a short Family Promise Video or hand out brochures.

← In Cape May County, NJ the Full Moon Cruise offers a 2-hour tour around the island with a buffet dinner, raffles, door prizes, a silent auction, and live musical entertainment.

← At the Dinner with the Authors event in Houston, TX, Ron Hall and Denver Moore, authors of Same Kind of Different as Me, shared their stories in person at this dinner event.

← During the Summer Solstice Series, members of the greater Denver community can turn their next party into a mini-fundraiser for the IHN. Hosts ask guests to donate instead of bringing gifts. The event is registered with the IHN and the host receives a kit with information about email invitations, tips for hosting, and materials to help tell guests about the IHN.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Wasilla, AK; Greeley, CO; Washington, DC; Augusta, GA; Lewiston, ID; Cabarrus County, NC; Fort Bend, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Madison, WI; Seattle, WA; Spokane, WA.

Galas and Dinner Dances

Some affiliates host formal dinners with higher priced tickets (anywhere from $50 to $200) that usually have an underlying motive or theme. The motive can be to celebrate an anniversary, as they do in Sacramento, CA, or to honor volunteers, as they do at the Stars and Angels Gala in Phoenix, AZ. The following are examples of some themed Dinners, Dances and Galas that affiliates have organized.

← The Old Time Square Dance in Bradenton, FL is a night of fellowship and fun, featuring a dance caller, bonfires, snacks, etc. No square dancing experience is necessary.

← The Moonlight Gala in Gwinnett County, GA is a night of dinner, dancing, and music with a beach resort theme. Live and silent auctions are also included.

← The Houston, TX network chose a fashion/jewelry theme for their Jeans & Jewels Gala. The gala features a jewelry raffle and the pre-event luncheon (tickets sold separately) features a fashion show.

← The Ruby Slippers Dinner Dance in Knoxville, TN is a night of big band music, dinner, and dancing. The Professional Competitive Dance Team and the Ballroom Dance Instructor Teams from Academy Ballroom Knoxville are present to offer their services.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Wasilla, AK; Goshen, IN; Monmouth County, NJ; Durham, NC; Wilmington, NC; Monroe County, PA; NW Philadelphia, PA; Spartanburg, SC.

Silent Auction Events

A silent auction can either be an event in itself, or part of a larger event such as a gala or dinner/luncheon. The Modesto, CA network organizes an Art Show and Silent Auction, for example, while the Santa Rosa County and Volusia County networks in Florida host dinner dances. In Des Moines, IA, the Garden Party and Auction includes a silent auction, appetizers, samplings of wine and beverages, musical entertainment and wonderful gardens. To make a silent auction more fun when it is the main event, some affiliates have decided to make them themed. The Greeley, CO network incorporates a James Bond theme to their All Things Bond auction event. Items for auction all involve daredevil or “Bond-like” experiences, such as bungee jumping or renting a Mercedes Benz for a day.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Birmingham, AL; Colorado Springs, CO; Jacksonville, FL; Southbridge, MA; Ann Arbor, MI; Brainerd/Cambridge, MN; Rochester, MN; Seacoast, NH; Cape May County, NJ; Gloucester County, NJ; Sussex County, NJ; Cabarrus County, NC; Forsyth County, NC; Moore County, NC; Hillsboro, OR; Pittsburgh, PA; Kingsport, TN; Longview, TX.

Raffles and Other Kinds of Auctions

← The Somerset County, NJ network organizes a 50/50 raffle called Have a Heart for the Homeless, where the winner gets half of the prize money collected.

← The Penny Party in Cape May County, NJ is a raffle event where patrons have the opportunity to win a number of prizes. Raffle tickets cost from one penny to one dollar each and are purchased during the event. There is no limit as to how many times a person can enter to win or how many prizes they can win.

← In Forsyth County, NC, the “No Dirty Dishes” Raffle offers winners a dinner for two at one of several area restaurants.

← Ebay it Forward is a new New Year's tradition for Ebay aiming to “re-gift” the items and stories that meant the most to people during the year. Participants select an item that they treasured during the year, take it to the designated eBay Pavilion and place it, along with a story, in the display. eBay's Giving Works lists the items for sale and buyers around the globe are be able to receive both the item and the story that makes it special. Family Promise of Salt Lake City, UT was the recipient of all proceeds in 2009.

← The Savannah, GA network organizes an Art Auction for art-lovers in the community.

Sporting Events

Some affiliates reach out to local sports teams (professional or school) for more than just event sponsorship. For example:

← The Sarasota, FL network gets permission to host a Tailgate Party event on the Polo Grounds before the game. For $25, patrons can enjoy a New Orleans style meal and beverages, jewelry vendors, free chair massages, raffles and other giveaways, and a private tent and bleachers at the polo match.

← The Coeur d’Alene, ID network joins with the high school baseball team to host Homeruns 4 Homeless. Patrons attending the game can participate in a food and clothing drive, a 50/50 raffle, homerun sponsorships, and direct donations to Family Promise.

← For the Night Out with the Lake Erie Monsters event in Lorain County, OH, a portion of every ticket for a particular hockey game goes back to Family Promise.

← Other networks that have partnered with pro sports teams (both major and minor league) for “Family Promise Night” include Somerset County NJ, Gwinnett County GA, Minneapolis, Biloxi MS and others. Also consider non-team sports, like NASCAR (Johnson City TN, Kingsport TN, Cabarrus NC).

Restaurant Events

Many affiliates have also reached out to local eating establishments in the development of signature events.

← For the Celebrity Server Event in Montgomery, AL, four or five local “celebrities” invite twenty friends to make reservations at one of four restaurants on four different nights. Guests pay for their meals and celebrities give their tips to Family Promise.

← The Blount County, TN network collects and distributes coupons for restaurants like Chili’s, Uno Grill, and the Marble Slab to donate a percentage of the table’s meal to Family Promise.

Day Center Tours

Some affiliates use tours or open houses of their day center to not only foster potential donors, but to make friends in the community while raising awareness of homelessness and how Family Promise helps meet the need. For example, an Opening Doors Tour in Minneapolis, MN recently inspired 9 people to get involved with Family Promise. Tours are usually about an hour long and may include a light lunch. The Lubbock, TX network hosts a very light lunch from noon to 1:00 pm on every third Wednesday of the month. These Third Wednesday Lunch events help community members can get a better understanding of Family Promise and the challenges that Lubbock faces with homelessness. The Union County, NJ network goes a step forward with the Faith, Home and Charity Family Fundraising Event by providing a light lunch and educational sessions (rather than just a tour) on issues related to homelessness and poverty.

Other affiliates to contact for more information:

Essex County, NJ; Cincinnati, OH; Lake Houston, TX; Salt Lake City, UT; Madison, WI.

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