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While working on a sock collection project recently, I
called a local homeless shelter to ask how many
pairs they could use. The volunteer coordinator was
overcome. "We can use as many as you can collect,"
she said, noting that many of the kids they serve were
going to school each day without socks. This story is
not unique. Many organizations have needs that can
be filled by anyone willing to organize a collection. As
you'll see, it's a fun, easy family activity that can
improve lives.
Jenny Friedman, Executive Director
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Plan a Collection Drive for your Cause |
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Make a Difference...
Organizing a collection can be a great family project --
whether you decide to collect cereal for a food pantry,
cat or dog toys for a humane society, diapers for a
crisis nursery, books for a family homeless shelter or
anything else needed by a local nonprofit. Remember,
talk with the agency to be sure they can use your
collected items before you start collecting.
Set a goal (how many items do you hope
to collect?) and set a deadline (when will the
collection be complete?).
Decide whom to involve. Think about
collecting in your neighborhood, among your friends,
or in your school or workplace.
Advertise! Ensure success by sending
emails and making phone calls to family and friends,
writing letters, making posters or fliers, posting on our
Facebook page, or putting an ad in your local paper.
Make it as easy as possible for potential
contributors to donate. Decide whether folks are
responsible for dropping off the items or whether
you'll do pick up. Be certain you have a place to store
the items.
Take a camera along when you drop off
the items at the agency, then send the photo to
everyone who participated, thanking them for their
donations. Tell them how much you collected, too.
Also email us
(mail@doinggoodtogether.org) and share your
collection drive experience.
Note what you learned and what you'd do
differently. Then plan your next collection drive!
Photo: Mar
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Exploring Ways to Meet the Needs of Others |
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Talk About It...
Talk to children about the needs of others and about
what some people do without, whether it's toys,
clothes, books or food.
Let your children help decide the focus of
your family's collection, keeping in mind their interests
and ages.
Talk about the needs that exist and how
your collection might have an impact. ("Did you know
that some children don't get a gift for their birthday?
How do you think our toy collection will help?")
Go together as a family to deliver the items
you collected. If possible, ask for a tour of the facility
(shelter, food shelf, humane society) to learn more
about the organization's work.
Ask agency staff what other ways your
family might help out, or other items they badly
need.
Learn About It...
Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed
by Emily Pearson; illustrated by Fumi Kosaka (Gibbs
Smith, 2002). Ages 4-8. When a very ordinary little girl
named Mary decides to pick some blueberries for a
neighbor, one good deed sets off a chain reaction that
affects people all over the world. Ordinary Mary's
Extraordinary Deed demonstrates the power of a
single random act of kindness and proves that you do
not have to be extraordinary to have an extraordinary
impact on others.
Photo: Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily
Pearson
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Inspiration |
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"The fragrance always remains on the hand that gives
the rose."
--Mahatma Gandhi
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News From DGT |
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If you would like to learn more about our organization
while enjoying the company of others interested in
raising compassionate children through family
service, please join us for
A CELEBRATION FOR DOING GOOD TOGETHER
Friday, November 20, 2009 6:00-9:00 pm
50 South Sixth Street 15th Floor Atrium (offices of
Dorsey & Whitney, LLP) Minneapolis
Convenient parking in the 50 South Sixth Street
ramp for $5.
This celebration is a fundraiser for Doing Good
Together, however, no minimum donation will be
requested.
Featuring:
Hors d'oeuvres, desserts and wine
Live auction
Big wall of wine raffle
For further information, including descriptions of the
live auction items and raffle prizes, click here.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Wednesday,
November 18, 2009, to
rachel@doinggoodtogether.org
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