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Our clients work on a variety of fundraising events, mainly for non-profits other than Perseus House. Our main annual charity event is the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life each summer, but our clients have chosen other charities to work with, as well. Two groups went above and beyond at the holidays, but our clients have to continue working for others in a variety of ways.
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Christmas:
In the spirit of the holiday season, the clients at our Boys RTF program thought of an innovative way to give something back to the community:
"We raised money to help Gifts For Kids.
We
had fun doing it and showing other people
that we
care about them...not just ourselves."
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(Thomas, Boys RTF) |
The boys held two bake sales at our Central Office facility, working with staff to make a variety of treats, manning a booth, and making all the sales transactions. In the process, both the boys and our staff learned a lot – about themselves, about being a productive member of the community, and about showing charity to someone in need. In just a few hours, the boys earned over $230.00, which they decided to present as a donation to Gifts for Kids.
fter recognizing the success our Boys
RTF clients had in raising money with their charity bake
sales, the Boys ITP decided to try a similar event. The boys worked with
facility staff to make a variety of treats to sell. They then used $150.00
that they had earned to purchase items for the Humane Society's Wish List.
The boys visited the shelter on December 28th
and brought kitten and puppy food, cat and dog toys, rawhides and bones for the
dogs and a scratching post for the cats, as well as hand sanitizer and towels
for use at the facility. During their
trip, the kids walked through the shelter to see all the animals that will
benefit from this generous donation. The boys had an opportunity to learn what the Humane Society does for animals in
need – they saw a “before” picture of a dog that came to the shelter starved
and abused, then got to meet the dog - who is now happy and healthy and ready to
be adopted!
The boys were very proud of their work and their donation to help such a worthy cause. They even decided to make the Humane Society "their" place for future fundraisers.
Relay for Life
All of the clients and staff at Perseus House have worked together
to raise money for the annual Relay for Life, and the kids and
staff take turns walking at the event. Some of the life lessons
taught through these experiences are "self-efficacy" and citizenship.
These lessons generalize for our clients the idea that "When
I work hard for others, I get results."
Last year, the girls at Florence Crittenton decided to try holding the first of many bake sales to raise money for the Relay for Life. Staff and clients worked together and created a huge assortment of baked goods. They first sold a selection at the Central Office, then decided to branch out into the community.
Last spring, the girls held a community bake sale at Wal Mart
on West 23rd Street in Erie. They also crocheted purses and
scarves for the event, so they had a nice variety of things
for sale. Unbelievably, they earned $310 from just one afternoon
of sales. Then Wal-Mart matched their profits. This sale was
our best fundraiser for the Relay, and also peaked our clients'
interest - it really helped them see what they could do for
someone else with just a little time and effort!
The girls have another sale scheduled for this summer - we will
provide more details as they become available.
The Boys RTF has been working on the Relay for Life 2007 for quite some time. After their holiday bake sales, they began learning about woodworking, and decided
to raffle their finished projects to raise money for the Relay.
Their first birdhouse was displayed at the Central Office for a few weeks,
then the boys visited staff members to sell chances to win. They raised
over $80 for this first effort, and will continue fundraising right up until
the Relay!
| "We are trying
to find many different ways to raise money for Relay for Life. We
made the birdhouse and were going to sell it but then we figured we would make more
money by having a drawing. [The raffle] made us eight times more
than if we would have just sold it! Now since this worked, we
are making more birdhouses and we are planning to do the same
thing."
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(Mike, Boys RTF) |
The boys recently made and raffled a second birdhouse. This
time, they displayed their work at the Life Space Crisis Intervention
training held at the Central Office. Attendees had an opportunity
to purchase a raffle ticket for one dollar, and the boys then
offered raffle tickets for one day only at the Central Office.
They managed to make $35...and Mr. Petrarca from the Perseus
House Charter School of Excellence won a really nice birdhouse!
The most recent fundraising effort for the Boys RTF was an Easter
soap sale (also to benefit the Relay). One of their counselors
asked if the boys would like to learn how to make soap, and
they decided to try something new and sell a different type
of product. They promoted an April 3 sale at the Central Office
and got to work, molding a variety of soaps in different colors
and fragrances. And when the boys weren't available to finish
a day of soap-making, their Facility Director rolled up her
sleeves and completed the task on her own!
They again set up their table at the Central Office. The whole
lobby smelled fresh and clean...and through their newfound skills
in sales, the boys made $45 - with a top price of just $1 per
item (some sold for as little as 25 cents). They did have some
soaps left, which will be on sale at the charter school.
With events like these, our fundraising days have just begun!
The Boys RTF is currently planning another soap sale for Mother's
Day, and their total fundraising efforts for the American Cancer
Society to date equal $177! |
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