Get Creative

“Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.”
-Hank Rosso

This year, LBBC is not just hosting the 7th Annual Yoga Unites® for Living Beyond Breast Cancer; we are also getting involved on another level by starting our own fundraising team in honor of our Helpline volunteers. While the team began with only one member, it has now grown to 21 members. It gets even better: LBBC’s fundraising team has currently raised $5,378.00, exceeding our goal of $5,000!

You may be wondering how we’ve achieved this goal; the answer is through dedication and lots of hard work. Each team member has come up with a fundraising strategy. Some are raising funds in honor or memory of a loved one affected by breast cancer. Others are reaching out to local business owners or enlisting the help of yoga studios or fitness centers to hold special, donation-based classes. Many are using Facebook to help them raise funds by posting status updates about how much they’ve raised so far and by providing a link to their personal donation page. You’d be surprised at the incredible impact of social networking!

Make sure to let people know they can make a secure donation online through your personal fundraising page. Don’t be intimidated by the thought of setting up your own page—it’s really simple, and it will help you send personalized emails to your friends and family asking for a donation. People can either donate directly on your page, or they can print out a form and mail it in with a check or credit card number. Fundraising has never been so easy!

The bottom line is that each team member is raising money in his or her own way. There’s no specific way to raise funds, and that’s the nature of this collective event. While fundraising can seem like a daunting task, there are plenty of ways to go about it. Think creatively. Ask for help. Despite the economy, people are willing to do what they can. Ask them for small amounts, like $5 or $10. You’ll be surprised how much that amounts to! And the most important piece of advice is to do what works for you.

For fundraising ideas or to get involved, visit our Web site at http://yoga4livingbeyondbreastcancer.org/flash.html or email yoga@lbbc.org. And when you do come up with creative fundraising ideas, let us know by posting it to our Facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=21121710246&ref=ts. We’d love to hear them!