An idea to all the folks who want to help school kids in the DR. I've done fundraised at my workplace for several years during the holidays. I work with two local homeless shelters, and this year I added Dominican Dream's wish list as an option. All you do is connect with a non-profit organization, get gift suggestions, and then send out e-mails to your co-workers with gift suggestions, asking them to donate directly with you and you will deliver the gifts.
There are a lot of holiday gift-giving programs, but my coworkers participate in the one I coordinate because:
1. It's easy, they bring their gifts or cash to work.
2. They trust me and know it will be going to needy kids. I provide them with a receipt.
3. They are giving in the name of their workplace (this will often earn you a bonus with the boss, bosses will especially like to contribute so they can say "this year, we helped blah blah, blah.)
I just sent out an e-mail last week and have already gotten $50 in cash donations that I will spend on school supplies for Dominican kids, and 6 local homeless kids that got "sponsored" (homeless shelter provide me with names and gift requests). A fun part for me is I get to take the cash donations and do the shopping. We have about 40 employees, and by the end of December, I will have collected over $500 in cash and gifts.
YOU will get a big reward. You'll be amazed at how coordinating a holiday gift-giving program will keep you (and your friends and co-workers) centered on what the holidays are about, and how fortunate we are. Not surprisingly, it is always the lowest-paid people who give the most. Of course, this program will only work if your co-workers actually LIKE and TRUST you.
Ho, ho, ho (of the santa-clause type)
There are a lot of holiday gift-giving programs, but my coworkers participate in the one I coordinate because:
1. It's easy, they bring their gifts or cash to work.
2. They trust me and know it will be going to needy kids. I provide them with a receipt.
3. They are giving in the name of their workplace (this will often earn you a bonus with the boss, bosses will especially like to contribute so they can say "this year, we helped blah blah, blah.)
I just sent out an e-mail last week and have already gotten $50 in cash donations that I will spend on school supplies for Dominican kids, and 6 local homeless kids that got "sponsored" (homeless shelter provide me with names and gift requests). A fun part for me is I get to take the cash donations and do the shopping. We have about 40 employees, and by the end of December, I will have collected over $500 in cash and gifts.
YOU will get a big reward. You'll be amazed at how coordinating a holiday gift-giving program will keep you (and your friends and co-workers) centered on what the holidays are about, and how fortunate we are. Not surprisingly, it is always the lowest-paid people who give the most. Of course, this program will only work if your co-workers actually LIKE and TRUST you.
Ho, ho, ho (of the santa-clause type)