Fundraising ideas and help...

[Guru-In-Vegas]

Ms. Guru is going all out to help her friend out in a pretty crappy position.  So far she has the help of a really outgoing co-worker of hers and together they are accomplishing some pretty extraordinary things.  I've decided to jump in and help out in whatever way I can.

Here's what we have come up with...

- We have these booklets full of coupons that are for fundraising and we're targeting strangers around workplaces and school.  These donations are about $2.00

- The girls are organizing a function to where people who have donated about 50-75 dollars will attend an auction at the Planet Hollywood Casino (maybe).  At this auction they are planning to give away a bunch of gifts ranging from dinner for 2 at a bunch of different restuarants to bottles of champagne even a one dollar bill autographed by Mike Tyson...lol.

So what I'm asking you guys for help in is if any of you have any experience in fund-raising.  Any knowledge or ideas will be awesome.  We are all first timers in this and need some ideas for this function. 

Something like:
     - Ideas how to attract a notable speaker to give the function appeal and who would be good.
     
     - What would be big gifts for the auction itself?

     - Networking ideas
     
Anything you guys share would be awesome and benefit Ms. Angela Boudreau

She is a single mother raising 16 and 12 year old boys.  On January 19th, she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.  Then on February 1st, she had the mastectomy (affected breast removed).  Immediately after surgery it was learned that the lymph nodes were affected.  Chemo treatment was started immediately.  Remarkably she has held her head high and has had an extremely positive outlook on it.  However, after her second treatment, her insurance cap had been reached.  She needs 6 treatments plus radiation. 

This is pretty exemplary on how crappy the US medical system is (For one shot she pays $7,000!).  But anyways that is not the point.  Each chemo treatment is about $14,800, not including meds.  So were trying to get as many people together as possible to at least give this woman a fighting chance.  She's got the spirit, the money is the issue.  What sucks is that the only charities for breast cancer here in Nevada are directed to institutions not individuals such as Angela.  Ms. Guru has written to Oprah and Ellen and to a BUNCH of companies around town and we'll see what kind of response she gets since a lot of them boast their charitable work.

She's only a server in a restuarant, so she's obviously not rolling in money.  With 2 kids it makes it tough too.  It sucks but we're doing everything we can.

* On a plus note, we've had some big donations already such as an "annonymous" donation for 10 grand!  Also a doctor gave 2 grand (he doesn't even know her)...some companies such as Ms. Guru's liqour distributors have donated a lot of product to make the event more appealing and exciting.  Also a catering company has donated food and services for the event...Pretty cool!

Again, any ideas would be freaking awesome!

[SportsChick]

I don't have any ideas, but good luck. Mrs. Guru's friend will be in my thoughts.

[StL FinFan]

Start contacting every celebrity you can think of that resides in the area with her story.  Write letters like crazy.  More than likely some sympathetic people will donate something for the auction and/or show up.

[Guru-In-Vegas]

^ Thats a pretty good idea!  I'm going to tell the girls to not stop at Oprah and Ellen.  I'm sure one of the celebrity locals would contribute in some way. 

Its really wierd because we might take this thing further and create a 501c3 and permanently have something to help out people in shitty situations here in Vegas.

[Brians Stalker]

In my experience with fundraisers, people fricken love silent auctions.   They have them here all of the time, and I think that more people participate in them.  It is a good way to keep people at the fundraisers too and they spend more money on food/drink while they are waiting to outbid someone on pack of potholders.  The last one that I donated for, the lady put a post out on the local version of Craigslist asking for help/donations for the silent auction and they made out like a bandit.  There were tons of homemade things there. Good luck with it!

[Guru-In-Vegas]

That sounds great.  I'm donating 2 years worth of timeshares.  Hopefully that will bring in something good.  I've never been to a silent auction.  Also I don't really know what would be a good level to set the timeshares at.   Its up to 2 weeks worth of hotel, pretty much anywhere they want. 

[Guru-In-Vegas]

The Planet Hollywood Casino really wants to get involved big.  They are willing to donate "something big" to the largest donor.  No details yet but its seems to be coming together nicely.  Our event is on the 18th of May. 

Thanks "K" for taking some interest in this...