Fundraising

ugh. I'd rather run a marathon.

I wasn't even the type to ask my parents for money when I was a teenager. But here I am, 8 years past teen-dom, sending out letters to all my friends and family, trying to collect money to support my year of voluntary service in Denver. According to this letter, here's my situation: "The Dwell program provides housing, groceries, insurance, emergency medical grants and travel reimbursement. It costs them $14,000 a year per volunteer. Part of my responsibility is to raise $6,500 of the total. The remainder of the cost is covered by the agency I will be working with (DenUM) and the partner denominations. "

That's right, folks. Six thousand, five hundred dollars. I could try to convince six and a half people to donate $1,000 each. Or maybe thirteen people to donate $500 each. Or maybe I could find 130 people to donate $50. I really don't expect people to donate more than $20, but that would mean I need to find 325 people that are willing to do that. I only have 416 friends on Facebook, and many of them are former campers and staff and under the age of 21. It seems less likely that they would have an extra $20 lying around . . . .

I am very thankful to my church for helping support a great majority of my fundraising process. It cuts down the number of needed donors grately. I am also very thankful for some of the groups that have made contributions on my behalf.

So far in this process, I have been blown away by the generosity of my friends and family. My hope for $20 has been a much bigger reality. Inspite of my hesistance to share, I have been overwhelmed by the generous financial support and the emotional supportive as well! (I speak very generally of "people" here.) When people ask what my plans are, the eager eye contact and thoughtful follow up questions prove that their intrigue is more than just a social chit chat. (I also see a glint of wishful thinking as they picture life in Denver.) It has been humbling and very honoring as well. I am touched and thankful.

This is not to say that my fundraising is done. Not so much. If you are interested in joining my network of supporters, you may do so by going to the DOOR website (http://www.doornetwork.org/) and clicking on the "Donate" button. Please put my name and "Denver" in the description or designation line.

To summarize my thoughts for the night ... People want to help. You just have to give them a chance.