Has anybody planned a benefit before?

**danimarie0820** · 10-13-2008, 08:00 PM

A group of us have decided to have a benefit dinner. My stepfather, whom has been the only father I have had, was suddenly killed in a car accident. Leaving my mother, brothers who are 19, 18, 13 and my 6 month old sister and I. We are planning on having a spaghetti dinner and raffling off some gifts. What kind of gifts do you suggest? What kind of advice do you have? Anything will help and I need answers asap if possible! Thanks so much!

**Buc-O-Mama** · 10-13-2008, 08:19 PM

You could ask local businesses to donate items to be raffled off. Things can be grouped together or raffled separately. The only problem you may run into in seeking donations from places is a lack of tax id number. It's worth a try anyway. Hugs to you and your family, I hope it's a huge success.

**Moor** · 10-13-2008, 08:32 PM

Are you planning on using the money to pay for the funeral?
If so, you need to let the company's know that.

Most of the big chain store's will not help you out. Go to the locally owned stores. Since they are in the community, they will be more willing to help out.

Do you have friends that would be willing to donate a service?
Say, a massage therapist-a free massage
a lawyer-free will or one free session for legal advice or something
a stylist-a free cut and style
a bookstore-coupon for some free books
a florist-a free arangement

Things like that.

**danimarie0820** · 10-13-2008, 08:40 PM

Yes, we will be using the money raised to help pay for the funeral.

**Moor** · 10-13-2008, 08:49 PM

Make sure that you talk to all of the local stores. Most big chains will not donate, as they have to contact corporate.

**starsapphire** · 10-13-2008, 09:07 PM

If you get donated items, if they are similar you could make up gift baskets with them to raffle off, like bath and beauty items, food and cooking items, etc. Or you could raffle items off one by one. More winners that way which is a good sales pitch when selling raffle tickets.

Have you thought about setting up a bank account for a memorial fund? People could also donate that way, if they can't attend the benefit dinner but want to help.

**danimarie0820** · 10-13-2008, 09:12 PM

We have set up a bank account for a memorial fund but I wasn't sure how to advertise/incorporate that. Any ideas?

**starsapphire** · 10-13-2008, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by danimarie0820

We have set up a bank account for a memorial fund but I wasn't sure how to advertise/incorporate that. Any ideas?

I would put it on the flyers if you're making flyers for the event, and if it would feel appropriate to you and your family I would put it in the obituary if it hasn't come out in the paper yet. And of course, word of mouth and emails.

I also wanted to say I am very sorry for your loss. I hope everything works out well for your benefit dinner. And I will say a prayer for your family.

**starsapphire** · 10-13-2008, 09:38 PM

Oh and don't forget to see what food you can get donated for the dinner, and things like paper plates, napkins, drinks/coffee, etc. Check with your local grocery stores. I have been involved with fundraisers before and we could usually find a grocery store who would donate soda or french bread or something. Every little bit helps.

Around here, McDonalds will donate orange soda in one of those big drink dispenser cooler thingies. You just have to make sure to bring the cooler back.

**rowdy35** · 10-13-2008, 11:13 PM

so sorry to hear about this loss. that is very tragic dani.

I am hoping that everyone will get through it ok. Is there a grief counselor in your area that will work with your family to cope with the grief?

I think you need to rely on church, family or friends right now to help put the event together. Do you have a support system there that can help you organize the event? Advertise on Craigslist for volunteers, also post it at the local churches. See who will assist and donate their time to cook and serve for the benefit. My best wishes in this sad time for your family.

**danimarie0820** · 10-24-2008, 06:00 AM

Thank you again everyone for your advice it has helped out so much! So far we have 4 pages of things that have been donated to us and we haven't finished asking others yet! JTM donated dinner (spaghetti, meat sauce, meatballs, and breadsticks for 200.) It is so amazing how generous people really are, especially times like this.

**Goodwin17** · 10-24-2008, 07:54 PM

I am so sorry for your loss, and I hope that the benefit turns out ok. Sounds like you are getting some great donations so far. You are in my thoughts.

**HappyMama** · 10-24-2008, 09:18 PM

I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you have had so many wonderful things donated. When I planned events we did the same as most above and did gift baskets, door prizes with raffle tickets, silent auction and auctions with the donated things. Silent auctions go over well with the gift baskets and donated items. Just put your bid sheets out and the time you are pulling the bid so people know when they can bid up to . Hope it goes well.

**Monroe on a Budget** · 10-24-2008, 09:54 PM

I work at a newspaper and my job includes getting charity, non-profit and fundraiser notices printed.

Some very critical information:

* If your fundraiser event involves FOOD of any kind, one of your first calls must be to the local health department or whomever in your jurisdiction handles food inspections. You might have to file a permit, or need to meet a deadline to get the non-profit permit rate. Don't assume that someone else has taken care of the details, get that information yourself.

* Start very early on the publicity to build up an audience. You are competing for time and attention with everybody else's fundraiser or special event. In my community, the marketing should start four to five weeks ahead of the event to take advantage of all the available free publicity outlets such as on-line calendars, getting noticed by bloggers and get into church bulletins or club newsletters. To get the best placement in my newspaper, a local event needs to be at my desk at least a week before the event or reservation deadline. I get SO FRUSTRATED with event chairman who drop off a notice a day or two before the event and expect a newspaper listing to help them recruit an audience.

I have page deadlines that are sometimes four days before publication, and there comes a point where no more notices can be added! Besides, the longer you wait to announce an event, the more likely your potential guests will have booked some other appointment on that date.

* Yes, it will be helpful to have an account set up at a bank and to state that the benefit is to help with medical bills or funeral expenses. Do list that information in your publicity materials. Potential donors are more likely to respond when they know exactly where the funds are going.

* You seem to have done well on donations, since it can be hard to recruit for any cause. Please don't take it personally if someone has to turn you down for this request, and be sure to send written, individual thank-you letters to anybody who does contribute so they have a record of what the donation went for. Many companies need approval from a regional office or direct their campaign efforts to specific causes that fit in with their corporate "mission." I also know of some businesses that set up a specific budget per year for charity events and when that fund is gone, it's gone.