Do I have an Opportunity for You! {Plus Book Giveaway}
A few years back I found myself sitting next to a fellow University employee on an airplane bound for some cold Mid-western city.
“So what do you do for the University?” I asked.
“I’m in development.” said he.
Not knowing any better I assumed he meant some sort of international studies program, but no, he meant fundraising.
“So you ask people for money?”
“No, I offer opportunities.”
Apparently development is all about opportunities. Opportunities to connect, opportunities to educate and be educated, opportunities to share your love of learning and tell your ungrateful children that they’re out of luck when it comes that ton of money you’ve stashed away in Swiss bank accounts. I think the development folks are on to something.
I don’t have any money stashed away in Swiss bank accounts, but I have a healthy dose of passion concerning the injustices to the most vulnerable among us and perhaps a little verbal diarrhea. Microphilanthropy, of the sort Help A Mother Out is involved in, is putting such qualities to good use.
A couple of weeks ago I challenged my friends on Facebook in Help A Mother Out style. My daughter had garnered $150 in pledges for her first philanthropic event, Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona’s first Stroll & Roll. Could my friends help me match my daughter’s pledges?
In one week, after daily Facebook status updates on the state of the challenge and a promise/threat to wear a bumblebee outfit in broad daylight in a highly public place, we had raised over $400, and if the rest of the pledges come in, nearly $500. Now, my friends don’t have a bunch of money, but $10 here and $5 there, adds up. At the end of the challenge week and after the Stroll & Roll I posted the picture my daughter and I in our costumes to Facebook so they could all have a good laugh. The $400 will cover one baby’s bottom in a healthy change of diapers for four months. It isn’t huge in the grand scheme of things, but to some family or families out there $400+ worth of diapers is going to make a huge difference. I wasn’t so much asking for money as giving my friends the opportunity to take part in a competition and have a bit of a laugh at my expense and all using Facebook.
In a similar manner, my friend Julie over at TucsonMama threw together what we hope will be the first in a biannual kids’ clothing exchange at a local Tucson art gallery. The admittance to the exchange, five items of clean, nice kids’ clothing, and something for the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona. In return participants had opportunity to enjoy a few mimosas and some snackages, pick out some ‘new to them’ kid clothes, partake in some cool conversation with friends and newly found friends and all the while helping the Diaper Bank. This isn’t asking people for money, or even donations, it is providing opportunities.
With this in mind I’d like to ask what is the most engaging micro-philanthropic event you’ve been involved in? How did it raise awareness and response? What was the opportunity offered? Please leave a comment with the details.
Book Giveaway: Max and the Diaper Fairy
Given the general gist of this post it is only fitting that it be paired with an opportunity, not only to impart your wisdom, but also to win a signed copy of the new book, Max and the Diaper Fairy by Melissa Hart. It is a sweet picture book about potty training a reluctant toddler. Contained within its pages not only a message about potty training, but also a message about supporting diaper banks. So get those comments rolling, it can be something really small.
You’re an inspiration, RM!
Maybe this isn’t quite what you’re looking for, but last year, I helped my Junior Girl Scouts organize a collection of baby supplies for an organization in Sacramento that supports women in crisis pregnancy. Firstly, it impacted around 200 families who were helped by our donation. Secondly, I could see the amazing learning experience it was for our girls. They were stunned to hear the real need that exists in our communities (like babies who can’t be changed because their parents can’t afford diapers). It was also an eye opener for them in recognizing the difference that they are able to make in the world through their efforts.
I love the idea of having donations in lieu of birthday gifts for kids’ parties. It’s a great way to teach kids about philanthropy, and it saves paper/time=no individual thank you notes!
This is fantastic! I”m going to adopt the “opportunity” language, too!
Lainie, I love this too. I mean after all, how many more toys do we need? I wish I’d thought about the Diaper Bank when planning my husband’s fortieth. People actually went out and bought Depends as gag gifts. Now, knowing how expensive they are, and the desperate need, I’d approach it a different way. Hmmmmm, I’m past 40 now. Maybe, I could plan a 50th along such lines, or have a couple of parties to celebrate Menopause when it begins and ends? ALong with donations of feminine sanitary napkins!!! Perhaps, I’m taking this too far?
This is exactly what we’re looking for! Thanks for commenting and for involving the next generation in active philanthropy.
Whenever I used to do a public reading, I would ask for donations of books and then give them to the library system. It was an easy way for the literary types around here to do a little something each month.
[...] who submitted responses. Don’t give up, you also have an opportunity to win said book over at Help A Mother Out and at the same time have a good laugh at me dressed up in a bee tutu. You know you want to check [...]
I sponsored a friend in the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona’s first Stroll & Roll!
Until my son was born, I never gave any thought to diapers, but now I can’t imagine what I would do if I found myself without diapers and without the resources to get them. It’s a heartbreaking scenario.
I also did the same as a previous poster for my son’s 2nd birthday party last year (and we are doing it again for his 3rd birthday next week), requesting donations to the Community Food Bank in lieu of gifts. After the party last year, we took his photo on the scale at the Food Bank Drop-Off Center with more than 150 pounds of donated food (he has very generous 2-year-old friends), and we emailed the photo to all those who attended with a note of thanks. We plan to take a photo to send out this year, too. It’s especially important because his birthday is just two days before Christmas, and the Food Bank runs very low this time of year. I admit that prior to that, I’d never been to the Food Bank before, and the staff was amazing. One man told us that he had gone there for food during rough times and ended up working there.
In addition, we pick a gift, usually a family game (by request) to donate to the local Ronald McDonald House in honor of our son’s birthday, as he was born six weeks early and the RMH hospital volunteers gave us microwave popcorn, shampoo, socks, etc., when he was in the NICU. We will never forget how those small things were a big help. We also donate laundry supplies to them on occasion, along with boxes of microwave popcorn, for other parents who follow in our footsteps with a hospitalized child. We were fortunate to live near the hospital and that he had a short hospital stay, but many parents aren’t that lucky, being many miles from home for extended lengths of time. The comfort items — games for families to play with children undergoing chemo and staying at the RMH, laundry supplies for long-term guests to do laundry and microwave popcorn and a movie help provide a normal family atmosphere during challenging times.
The year before that, I sponsored a showing in Tucson of “The Business of Being Born,” as a fundraiser, donating the money to an organization that supports women in their pregnancies, births and early motherhood. Almost 200 people attended and it raised more than $700! In addition, it also provided the community with the opportunity to learn more about birth options available to women. Giving birth is the most profound experience in most women’s lives, and I believe that every woman needs to make and be supported for the choice that is right for her and her family, regardless of what it is, but knowing what choices are available is important.
And just last week, we bought toys to donate to Toys for Tots. My almost-3-year-old was very proud to walk up to the drop-off station and hand the gifts to a Marine in his dress uniform. While I am a pacifist, it was a striking image, to see my little guy confidently walk up to a Marine and hand him presents. We talked about the importance of helping others, and he participated in picking out the toys. He understood that they were not for him and that they were going to other little boys and girls and we thankfully had no resistance in parting with them!
At first, when posed this question, I panicked a little, thinking, what have I done that is philanthropic? What did it mean to others? But I think these things qualify. Sorry it is so long, but I’ve enjoyed thinking about it, and about what I can do next. You are an inspiration to continue to do so. Perhaps a visit this week to the Ronald McDonald house with some popcorn and Tide is in order.
PS I work at a University in Development. :-/
Yeah Elly! Congratulations you’re the winner of Max and the Diaper Fairy.
That’s great, thanks very much! I’m ‘looking forward’ to potty training our son next year so it is bound to come in handy…!