Create diverse and sought-after prizes to increase participation in a Relay for Life raffle.
The Relay for Life is a national event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money for researching a cure. Participants traditionally run or walk along a track or course. If you are planning a Relay for Life in your community, you may be looking for additional ways to raise money at the event venue or at additional locations that will excite and engage supporters. You can make the event even more special by organizing activities that put the "fun" in fundraising. Engaging activities like carnival-inspired games and additional races along with great prizes help raise funds and increase interest in supporting cancer research.
Instructions
1. Organize a raffle to raise funds. Contact local business owners in your community and ask them to contribute to gift baskets and prize packages that people attending the event will want to own. These packages could be themed to promote further interest. For example, a spa package might include a gift certificate to your nearest salon, soaps, a robe and moisturizers. A sports package could include tickets to a game, sports-themed movies and gift certificates with a personal trainer.
2. Host a carnival-style event. Conduct games that have guests pay money to win small prizes, such as stuffed animals or baked goods. A dunk tank is always a favorite event at a carnival-style event. This tank puts a prominent member of the community on a seat above a tank. Paying guests take turns throwing balls at a trigger that releases the seat and sends the sitter plunging into the water.
3. Put together an event marathon. For example, organize a "bowl-a-thon" in which donors give a preset amount for each pin their sponsored bowler knocks down. Or, you can hold a real marathon. Donors can give an agreed-upon amount for each mile a participant runs.
4. Organize a community rummage sale. This event will bring the community together while giving families the chance to unload some of their unwanted items. Sell homemade baked goods and provide cold drinks for a small fee or by donation only. This is especially helpful on a hot day.
5. Organize a food cook-off. Whether you have a favorite recipe for chili, cheesecake, punch or barbecue, you can share the food you love to cook while raising money for a good cause. Host a cook-off where participants can share their favorite recipes. Tasters will pay a small fee to sample the different foods and choose which one is their favorite.
Tags: Relay Life, amount each, baked goods, carnival-style event, event will
