NJ GKTW Fundraiser Planning

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The Elks and the Firehouse look really nice.

Alfonso's looks nice, holds 80 people. I'm sure we don't need a venue that holds more than that.
Cafe Picasso looks nice too!

so it all depends what everyone is thinking of,

would have to get a caterer for the firehouse, and clean it up afterwards.

The Elks provides food, "intimate" room holds 150.
 
Any venue is something we can consider. Linda did look into Maggiano's and it was booked for the dates we were looking at in the spring. Perhaps we should revisit the dates and try again?

Linda, Matt, and I were thinking it'd be nice to make this a two day event and, with Maggiano's being right across the street from the Bridgewater Marriott, it would be convenient for people to stay over.

I live five minutes from Maggiano's and know the area pretty well. Green Knoll might be another option; I didn't even think of it. Is anyone available to make some phone calls to find out costs and availability? It's next to impossible for me to do so because I'm teaching all day.
 
Hi everyone! :wave:
Sorry I have been AWOL, but life has been hectic!!!

I was working on a venue when, as Nikki said, Sandy hit, then snow, then Thanksgiving, then PCC4.0, then Christmas and New Year's!! Plus a little thing called "my job"!!! Whew- it's 2013 already!

I have a little time tomorrow to start investigating again.

Maggiano's was fine for a Friday evening dinner- but not for our whole day event.
The hotels cost too much money- we're trying to do a fund raiser after all!! Plus they require that you also purchase/cater all the food from them- so even more money.

I prefer a venue like a fire house or Elks Hall or KoC. If they have a kitchen- all the better. We can cater in, keep things warm. And of course we'd need set up and clean up crews for such an event.

The plan was to do this over the course of a weekend. One day is fine for people who just want to do that. But to entice people to travel a little- we are hoping for a group rate on a local hotel, a group dinner on Friday evening with some fun games or auction. Then Saturday would be the Main Event- activities to be decided. On Sunday a breakfast/brunch and maybe another small activity or local sightseeing.

There are more ideas in 'the pot'- and of course it goes without saying that all ideas are welcome to be thrown in and help put together a great event to raise LOTS of money for GKTW.

But my main focus is for the money people spend to go primarily toward GKTW, and not for expensive meals and hotel rooms.

I love the venue ideas being shared. Keep them coming. And if anyone has personal contacts we could work through- all the better.
I will attempt to find and contact Green Knoll fire House and the Somerville Elks- and other similar places in that area.

I will do my best to be more present here on the boards with updates.

We were hoping for a date in mid-late April, so as to be after the Easter rush, but before it gets too close to the end of the school year.

Anyone have any other ideas? Please share here...
 


parrotheadlois said:
While I'm able to make some phone calls at work, the problem becomes that answering the phone is also part of my job, and I might be in the middle of a discussion and have to put the person on hold for a bit. But if no one else can do it, as long as you tell me the info I need to get, I could do it.
Click to expand...

Thanks Lois- that's a huge help!
I am working at home tomorrow, with only one planned phone conference at 11. So I should have time to make calls tomorrow (fingers crossed).
 
wdwscout said:
I prefer a venue like a fire house or Elks Hall or KoC. If they have a kitchen- all the better. We can cater in, keep things warm. And of course we'd need set up and clean up crews for such an event.
Click to expand...

I like this idea. Seems like we could have a bigger (and yet somehow more intimate, if that makes any sense) event at this type of venue than we could at a restaurant.

I can help with the Tricky Tray or whatever auction event, decorations, name tags... whatever we need.

What dates did you guys have in mind?
 
I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes. I have no experience soliciting donations, and I thought if we could obtain donations of gift cards (like from Target, Starbucks, etc.) they could be included in the tricky-tray gift baskets (could have a theme - coffee lovers basket, etc.).

I read an article online indicating sometimes the company has no problem doing so, but for their records would like something on the charity's letterhead, which would probably include a tax id number. I sent off a brief email to GKTW to see if they had experience with that. I hope to hear back from them. Are any of you familiar with that??

I live near the Mars Corporation (makers of - among other goodies M&Ms, etc.) I thought I could ask them for a donation of some of their products. Crayola is also nearby, a similar request could be made. What do you all think??
 


parrotheadlois said:
I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes. I have no experience soliciting donations, and I thought if we could obtain donations of gift cards (like from Target, Starbucks, etc.) they could be included in the tricky-tray gift baskets (could have a theme - coffee lovers basket, etc.).

I read an article online indicating sometimes the company has no problem doing so, but for their records would like something on the charity's letterhead, which would probably include a tax id number. I sent off a brief email to GKTW to see if they had experience with that. I hope to hear back from them. Are any of you familiar with that??

I live near the Mars Corporation (makers of - among other goodies M&Ms, etc.) I thought I could ask them for a donation of some of their products. Crayola is also nearby, a similar request could be made. What do you all think??
Click to expand...

That all sounds good. When we had our meet this past August in NYC, a lot of people who attended donated things for the Tricky Tray, too. I did a coffee basket, someone who lived near Hersheypark did a chocolate basket, someone else did a makeup collection, etc. Just a thought.
 
Lois- yes- GKTW world does have experience with that. I have been in touch with Leah in their donations area. There is even a packet for fundraisers they offer! (which I have)
I will be speaking with her once again when we have a date and a venue.

They have definite rules about when you can use their name and when you cannot.
We are having a fundraiser to raise money FOR GKTW, It is not a GKTW fundraiser. Subtle, but very important difference!

We have to be very careful with any promotional materials, letterhead, etc that we use, so as not to let anyone think we are GKTW. We are just raising money in support of GKTW.

I know you are not stepping on toes, but I think we need to have just one contact person for this event to speak with GKTW.

Also, as far as getting donations from businesses- many have a budget for donations and are happy to do so. But they go fast. Starbucks, for example, can often make a donation of gift cards, or goods- but they have an allotment per month (or quarter?). Once it's gone, it's gone. Vera Bradley is similar. So I suggest, check with your local stores for their guidelines and ask when you can solicit and what they need in the way of documentation.
 
GOTCHA!

If I hear back, I'll tell them you've been in contact with Leah.

I know you have more experience than I do doing this - I'll follow your lead. ;)
 
I have already been putting stuff aside for silent auction/door prizes.

One thought I had for a silent auction item is..what if we try to contact someone at Once Upon a Time (maybe through their facebook page) and see if we can get something autographed for the auction?
 
I work for a community center and could probably get a room rental cheap or or possibly free..however it is in PA. It would be centrally located between Phila and North Jersey...but 45 min to an hour from either direction. Let me know if you guys get stuck with your first choice venues. Also in the same area is the Sands resort and Casino. They have an artsquest builidng which is really nice and I know they rent out areas and cater. If you'd be looking to make a weekend event out of it...it would be gorgeous place. They turned Bethlehem Steel into this resort area.
Anyway...let me know if I can help. I also sell Avon so I would be willing to donate a basket if you want.
 
Hi All,

Just want to give a heads-up that we have secured a venue. More details to come soon. :)
 
Hey Guys.....Congrats on planning another meet/fundraiser. Unfortunately, our family vacation to WDW is in April/May, so I won't be able to attend.

We had a meet here in Nova Sotia last year. My husband, son and a couple of buddies played music for and hour and my husband wrote a song "Give Kids The World". We sold CD's of 4 of their songs plus the GKTW song. GKTW has the song and we were told that it "would probably appear in the next public service video. I would love to donate a couple of the CD's if you guys are interested.
 
hockeymomNS said:
Hey Guys.....Congrats on planning another meet/fundraiser. Unfortunately, our family vacation to WDW is in April/May, so I won't be able to attend.

We had a meet here in Nova Sotia last year. My husband, son and a couple of buddies played music for and hour and my husband wrote a song "Give Kids The World". We sold CD's of 4 of their songs plus the GKTW song. GKTW has the song and we were told that it "would probably appear in the next public service video. I would love to donate a couple of the CD's if you guys are interested.
Click to expand...

Most definitely! Thank you!
 
I'm going to close this thread so all information stays in the official event thread that is a sticky on the top of the page. Check there for news! :)
 
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