Seeking Help on Organizing a Fundraiser in North Huntingdon/Irwin Area

I hate to say it, but I agree with Rebecca. My sister-in-law and her husband went through IVF several times to have their son and twin daughters. It was their decision and they took out loans to cover it. It isn't a hardship like illness or fire (something you have no control over). It might not be receieved well by friends and family, but I could be wrong. My husband is adopted, so if IVF wasn't working, they should have gone that route (sorry, I just don't tolerate the argument that people have that their children must be genetically related). Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hi there - I hope this isn't poorly received, as I fully appreciate and understand what her mom wants to do. That being said, I think this is a touchy issue. Choosing to pursue IVF was a personal decision that they shouldn't have done if they couldn't afford it. I think it's wonderful if people want to quietly make donations on their own, esp those who are aware of the situation. But I would be *very* put off if I were asked to donate towards someone's elective medical expenses, especially given how many folks out there are struggling with medical bills for terminal conditions for themselves or their children, and/or given the pressing needs for funds to help hungry/homeless/abused children, etc. Again - I understand the pain of infertility, I understand them wanting to pursue any possible treatment. But I think that hosting a fundraiser is supremely tacky and poor form. Sorry if I'm the only wet blanket, but I just had to weigh in....

Hi A.,

Though I think this is a very sweet and thoughtful idea... as someone who went through multiple fertility treatments, (we are one of the lucky ones that IVF worked for) you have to be very careful with this, as does your coworker's mother. Infertility is a very personal, private, and unfortunately often times very painful experience. We were pretty open about our situation, as that is what felt right to us, but I know several people who are extremely private about theirs... what works for each person is different. Even being open about it, if the financial end of things had been a huge burden, (again- one of the lucky few whose insurance covered all of our procedures) I really don't think I would have liked this idea for us, personally, as much as I would have appreciated the thought. It would mean bringing our pain to the attention of so many people... and I would have felt obligated to go and participate and/or thank people... just keeping that pain alive instead of dealing with things on our own and being allowed the time to grieve, which is very necessary. I can completely understand and think it is wonderful that you and her mother want to help, and think maybe a good alternative would be to speak with any close friends/family that you know are aware of the situation, and maybe come up with some funds or some kind of idea to privately help out the couple somehow. Just keep in mind how sensitive this issue is in dealing with it.

Hi A.,
I just attended a benefit for a young girl with an in operable brain tumor which seemed to be a huge success and very well organized. Although, your co-worker's situation is a different one that is a little more sensative to respect that it is not a life threatening health issue for this couple. It may be received a little differently and therefore should be handled a little differently. The benefit which I attended did a pasta meal which included pasta with butter or sauce, salad and roll and our local Girl Scouts made and had donated all the cakes for the dessert. They also had a bake table and a basket auction which went over big. The set up was great with much help. As you came in you paid $8 for an adult meal and $5 for a child 10 & under. They gave you a paper to fill out at your numbered table with which pasta you want with salad (dressing bowls were on all the tables with rolls& butter already) hand the person your paper with table # on it and your meal was ready & delivered in seconds. Desserts were brought around on large trays to select from. All people working the event had on name tags so that you knew who you could ask for anything. There were live Christian bands playing throughout the 12 -6 pm. time and the tickets for the auction were done in sequential order so that you didn't have to put your name on all of your tickets (which is very time consuming). They gather all your information when you purchase your tickets-name address & phone so all you do is put those numbers assigned to you in the boxes for what ever basket you like. It kept things moving and not becoming conjested. They also had Girl Scouts painting faces for the kids. Maybe some of these things will help you in your fundraiser. All the best to your co-worker in her quest for children. God Bless!
~D. M~

Dear A.,
You didn't specify what part of fundraising you wanted information about. In terms of ideas our church does car washes, bake sales, sub sales, pretzel sandwich sales, etc. In terms of the money once it's raised, you'll want to set up a single account in THEIR name. Your best bet would probably be to try to find out which bank they do their banking with and have an additional account set up there for them, as that will be most convenient for them. God Bless!

My first thought when I read your post was that I found it heartwarming that you want to help out your co-worker. I can't imagine what it must be like for her and her husband to struggle with these issues.

Unfortunately, my second thought was that I probably wouldn't participate in a fundraiser unless I was a close, personal friend of her/her family. They had to know upfront the high cost of these treatments and made a decision to incur the debt. Had they thought about how they were going to pay off the debt? If others feel the same way, you are not likely to have a successful fundraiser.

I'd like to offer some alternatives to the fundraiser. 1) Contact her family, close friends, church to see if they can help in any way. 2) Suggest they look at www.prosper.com. It has been on the network news programs recently. It is a website that hooks up people who need money with others who are willing to give out personal loans. Perhaps they can use this to help efficiently manage/payoff their debt. 3) Check out the following website which offers grants and free medical services for IVF. I don't know what the qualifing criteria are, but if they haven't considered this option, it is worth a look. http://www.inciid.org/article.php?cat=&id=239

Good luck with however you choose to pursue this. I hope everything works out for your friend.

If you do want to help raise money, what about a gold/silver party? I don't know if you have heard of them, but basically a jeweler comes to your house and your friends/co-workers etc bring their old, outdated, broken or old boyfriend's jewelry.
I recently had a party and as the host, I got %10 of the money they gave out. I made $500 and I only had 10 people show up. Two of my other friends had them with more people and they made around $1,000. It was an awesome party because all the guests were sooooo excited to walk away with money. It's a win/win for everyone involved. I really thought it was a scam at first, but it wasn't! The only hard part is finding someone who does it in your area. Maybe look under gold exchange?

AprylD,

Besides the fact that this was a choice for your coworkers daughter and not a uncontrolled situation, You have to keep in mind that the couple may not want other people to know their business or want the attention that till will create. You may want to check out how they would feel if you can get this up and running. Good luck to all involved.

I totally agree with Rebecca T. I understand wanting to help your friend, but IVF is something that a lot of people take issue with. I am sure that infertility is something that is very hard to deal with, I can't even begin to understand what they are going through. BUT they made the decision to go that route and they knew going into it that it may not work and how much it would cost. I'm just not sure how many people would be on board with coughing up cash in this situation.

What a wonderful idea. The best thing you can do is have some sort of meal, a Pancake breakfast, buffet dinner, Spaghetti dinner. Try to get local business to kick in some of the funds for the food or the food, deserts or drinks. Any time I do a fundraiser FOOD is what will bring the people in. And of course 50/50 raffles. Another idea to add to the dinner Casino night. Have a casino group come set up games and charge for the chips, in the end you cash your chips in for raffle tickets. So no money is given out, its simply a chance to win a raffle item. This will take far longer to gather the raffle items from the community but may be a good one! A group I did this with raised 64,000 this way.
Good luck!

A.,
I would talk to the manager of a local bank and ask them to help you set up a fund.

I would contact the organization that Brooke Shields is part of (I forget the name). When my IF doc was going to give me Clomid (I ended up not needing it), he gave me a pamphlet on all kinds of IF treatments, and they were all by this organization with BS as the cover person.

Anyway, they stated that members of their program (which, supposedly, 3yrs ago, could be joined at any time during IF journey) would get coverage for every 3rd procedure when the first two were paid out of pocket.

There's also a hospital or dr. office in DC who offers the same type of assistance.

I'm sorry I don't remember the names.

Good Day A.,

My name is I. B. and I'm the Mother of 4, married to my best friend.

I think it is wonderful that you want to help your friend.

I have a highly profitable home based business with a very highly profitable fund raiser. My website is:
www.trisharaycandles.scent-team.com
If you would be interested in hearing more about a fund raiser kindly send me an email from my website. Briefly I will state that I offer the 16 ounce jar candles for $18.00 your fund raiser will receive $6.00 per each 16 ounce jar candle sold. There are no hidden fees. I pay the tax and shipping of these candles. the Gourmet candles are a veg/soy bees wax base.
I hope this helps!
I. B.

hello i love helping with these, i held three of my own and made local news my friend since has passed from cancer, i started a team, i put a add in the paper to call if they wanted to help, i called local merchants the donated whatever, juices, chips,tickets, hair coupuns, i called local delis to make and donate food for the day,, i then got crafts together, and i had a free dj , games, well what i did was set up for a tricky tray, had people pay like 5.00 for 10 tickets, played bingo 1.00, had food charged 5.00 a plate all this was donated. i had shirts made up with staff on the back and the front said cliffs day at the park, i also had walkie talkies info booths for the day, i had basketball tourtements 25 dollars a teamm, i had more people involved than i could imagine, i also was soooo pleased with the team , we raised 7000.00 and it was a blessing, i also did for the troops while my boyfriend was deployed i held a kids halloween dance, cake games home items, limbo, free dj, drinks everyone paid a donation witch pd for the shipping of items, i then had them bring a item for the troops, we sent over 4 big pakages, i did theis for katrinai also. u really neef a team, and okay it with the faimly first, they more than likely would love to help. any questions please ask, best of luck