Fundraising for World Youth Day 2005
Whatever fundraising you plan to undertake please keep in mind that it’s not all about the money and that you are embarking on a holy pilgrimage, so act like a pilgrim! Have an attitude of grace, thanksgiving, and servitude. Remember, whether you are asking for donations from local organizations, providing a service in exchange for donations, or sacrificing to save on your own do not forget the WYD 2005 theme “We Have Come to Worship Him” (Matthew 2:2). Like those before you, remember, your fundraising activities are on the path to pay homage to Christ.
With that in mind, remember to include your family, friends, parish, and secular community. No matter what your fundraising activity entails, inform your donors exactly what cause they are giving to—World Youth Day, 2005 in Cologne, Germany. Community members are more apt to give if they know what their generosity supports. Tell them what it is: “A pilgrimage and international gathering of Catholic young people.” Share with them why this pilgrimage is important to you. Speak about the historical tradition of pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Magi in Cologne. Joyously wash a car and tell your patron the theme of WYD 2005, Matthew 2:2. This will be especially interesting to other Christians.
Lastly, as you raise money, remember those in your parish and community that will not be traveling to Cologne with you. We encourage you to include them on your pilgrimage through their support of you. In consideration of the tradition of a pilgrimage to Cologne, bear in mind that financial support is the least of your necessary resources in preparation of your journey. Most important to this spiritual exercise of pilgrimage preparation are the prayers of a community that supports you both in thought and deed.
Regular Car Washes: Wash cars on the same day each week at a designated time or two Saturdays/Sundays a month—weather permitting. Include signs that read “Send Us To Cologne” or “We go to worship Him.”
Garden/Tree Planting: Contact civic associations and businesses and offer to do landscaping work in exchange for donations. Call nurseries to ask if they would be willing to donate flowers, plants, or trees.
PILGRIM + AUCTION = WYD 2005
Rent-a-Pilgrim: Many clubs, sports teams, and other organizations auction off their members to raise money. Decide what services each of your group could offer and be specific. If you feel that a certain amount of money ought be donated in return, then don’t be afraid to start the bidding at a set sum of money. Please be creative, imaginative, and come up with your own reasonable services to auction off. Some suggestions are:
Babysitting or Lawn Mowing—which could be a one-time service or a weekly, long-term fundraiser. A pilgrim might go for a higher rate if they offer babysitting services once a week for a month. (This is easily marketable as “Spend quality time with your spouse and send us to Cologne.”) Or lawn mowing on Saturdays for June and/or July, etc.
Household Chores—offer a set number of hours of cleaning or specific sweep, dust, mop, vacuum, silver polishing, or laundry options.
Special services (If you choose do use this part of your auction, make sure that pilgrims know what their doing as pilgrims would be involved with donors’ personal belongings!): Can a pilgrim or a pilgrim’s parents offer their specialized crafts and talents? Mend or hem clothing; Change car oil or other less complicated auto or mechanical services; Program or work on computers; Tune pianos; Landscaping; Offer swim, dance, instrument, sports, or academic tutorial or lessons.
Pilgrim Chef: Auction pairs or groups of pilgrims off with optional menus (example: Lasagne, Salad, Bread, and Brownies, or Tacos, Rice, Beans, and Cake) that the group
will make and deliver to families at their home at a chosen date and time.
Penny Saved = Penny Earned Plan activities as a pilgrimage group, such as watching movies on a Friday night, potluck dinners or have everyone sign up for a night that they make dinner for everyone else in the group. Invite friends that support your spiritual endeavors or help with fundraising activities that will not be traveling to WYD 2005. Have a “Koln at Home” night and watch German movies together and eat pizza. Donate the money to the group fund that pilgrims would have spent had they done other activities.
Brush up on your Catechism and Catholic Social teaching. Reflect on stewardship and the Church’s views of consumerism and consumption. Pledge to bring lunches, to-go mugs and thermoses instead of buying out all the time. Encourage each other and/or pledge to abstain from eating out or going to Starbucks for a month to raise awareness about one’s own spending habits—this can easily help each pilgrim to purchase his/her own plane ticket to Cologne. (For the season of Lent this “penny saved” option would be especially appropriate.)
Thanks to Mr. Michael Theisen, Youth Director of the Diocese of Rochester for sharing this fundraising packet with us! Although it is written with an NCYC trip in mind, the ideas are can be adapted for groups traveling to Cologne: http://www.dor.org/ec/youthministry/images/2005%20NCYC%20Fundraising.pdf
Or view in HTML:
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:C8ZLo_7gBjQJ:www.dor.org/ec/youthministry/images/2005%2520NCYC%2520Fundraising.pdf+fundraising+youth+groups+ideas&hl=en
Interested in what Australia’s young adults are doing to raise money for their WYD 2005 pilgrimage? Check out the Australian Catholic Bishop’s Conference’s WYD site: http://www.worldyouthday.com.au/fundraise.html
101 Fundraising ideas from FreeTheChildren.org:
http://www.freethechildren.org/youthinaction/101_fundraising_ideas.htm
Some great ideas that the Mennonites used for raising money for their national conference a few years ago: http://stlouis99youth.mennonite.net/fundraisingideas.html
Ideas for youth and young adult fundraising from the Orthodox Church in America: http://yya.oca.org/TheHub/Activities/20SomethingWays/Fundraising.htm