Tough Times For Fundraisers (duh)

I know this does not count as a news flash:  Times are tough for everyone.  In this uncertain economy, we're all suffering in one way or another.  Many of us have lost our jobs, or we wonder if our jobs will be there tomorrow.  Things like basic services, fuel, and certainly health insurance (if we are lucky enough to have it) are more expensive, and yet we are making less and less money.  In my case, I'm self-employed.  But my volume of work has been cut drastically back, I'm spending a lot of money on professional development, fulfilling continuing education requirements, and networking, all the while searching for more work in my highly specialized niche, and I have much-needed house repairs that are waiting to be done and quarterly taxes that need to be paid.  I feel a bit ridiculous for writing this -- this is news to no one.  None of us is feeling terribly flush or secure these days. 

So it comes as little surprise that people who previously had no trouble raising big amounts of money via the blogs are not having the same success this year.  Claudia was the number one fundraiser for the MS Society bike-a-thon for the last two years.  

I copied this from her fundraising page:

Knitters Against MS

Last year, knitters all over the world generously supported my ride and this charity to the tune of over $32,000 and were the NUMBER ONE FUNDRAISERS in the entire ride! Last year I also heard from knitters all over the world who are struggling with this disease, which among other badness can compromise their ability to knit. NO! UNACCEPTABLE! How about we kick some more fundraising ass for them?

But so far she is quite short of her goal.  Her page is here.

Claudia is not the only one riding for MS.  Isela is also!  Her fundraising goal is far more modest and thankfully she's closer to reaching it.  Here's her page.

In addition, for another cause, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk For The Cure, Jessica is having a difficult time reaching her goal.  Click here for her page.

I don't know about you, but you know I calls it as I see it.  I get really tired of people knocking on my door and calling my home and sending me emails asking me for money.  And yet, soon I too will be one of them.  I will be asking for your help in supporting my favorite cause, the Red Scarf Fund for the Orphan Foundation of America.  I know from personal experience that it is not an easy thing to do, this fundraising thing -- and in the case of Claudia, Isela and Jessica (and probably others I'm forgetting about or don't know about), they are doing big things and expending big energy -- getting blisters and sore muscles and spending endless hours training -- to earn the money to donate to their favorite causes.  Last year, because Claudia's eyesight is bad and she needs to ride a tandem bike with someone in the front to be her eyes, she had to scramble to find a riding partner because her husband, also her biking partner, broke his ankle.  A wonderful knitter and fellow bike-racer, Michele, came to her aid.  Now that is commitment, people!  Lazy me, I just fly to D.C. to do a little networking and consulting, have lunch with some teenagers and a couple of good friends, and then ask for your generosity. 

How many hundreds of thousands of members are there on Ravelry now?  (I couldn't find the number on the Ravelry pages last night -- I used to see it all the time, but now it's not there...but suffice it to say ... A LOT.)  I was thinking.... if each person just donated a dollar, or the cost of one skein of yarn -- even Red Heart -- even on sale!.... I know, right?!

Anyway, in support of my three good friends -- Claudia and Isela and Jessica -- I have pledged to give up my usual almost-daily Starbucks this week (unless a sweet friend decides to treat me or something.  I'm not stupid.) and instead of buying my lunch/dinner, I will pack it the three days I have classes this week.  Not big sacrifices.  They are small things, but they do add up.  I've donated the money I might spend on those "luxuries," plus a bit more, to my three friends' rides.  And, at Seanna Lee's suggestion, I plan to make 10 jars of rose petal jam.  If you are one of the first ten people interested in the actual jam, rather than just a chance at it (this ensures that the people who get the jam are actually interested in the jam), and would like to make a donation to any of the causes I mentioned -- the amount doesn't matter -- just let me know and I will send you a jar.

Thanks for listening, and thanks for considering it. 

EDITED TO ADD:  The response has been wonderful!  Thank you, everyone, and keep it coming!  The 10 jars of jam are spoken for. 

Comments

[Jennifer]

Great post. Well said.

[elizabeth a airhart]

dear norma -i will be red scarfing this year too
i started my scarfs early-i was so late
last year and postage was so high -i did send
a wee something.

i am a breast cancer survior on line petions
koman can be done on line with out money
the hunger site is a good one -the sponsers
pay as you click kids and learning rain forests
pets breast cancer etc click a day saves lives

i send cards to sick kids and knit love red scarf
not bragging at all its hard out there really hard
here it is 2009 and once again its brother can you
spare a dime i wish you all well i trully do

[Carole]

Great post, Norma. I was just noticing today that Claudia's donated amount is way down. I'm hopeful that people are waiting until the deadline to donate.

[margene]

We can all do more and we must all do more. Nice post, Norma.

[SUE]

Thanks for the reminder - starting up a business in this economy has me pinching pennies everywhere - even in ways they don't need to be pinched. I've never had rose petal jam and would love to try it. I'd even send you a treat back.

[Jean E.]

I would love some jam and I will donate! Also, I would like to remind people that many of these donations are tax deductible.

[Doug Sprei]

On behalf of the Orphan Foundation of America, thank you very much, Norma, for doing so much to spread the word about our mission and programs to your ever-widening knitting circle.

[jessica~]

Thank you Norma, you are awesome.

[Geri]

I've made my donations this morning. Also, I'm forwarding the info on the Red Scarf project to my daughter in CO. Her Stitch n' bitch group is looking for a service project. This is perfect! I too will participate in the scarf project as well. Tomorrow morning I'm off to my LYS to get the yarn!

[marianne]

Does a bear shit in the woods? I'll be making a donation today and email you! Rose petal jam? (I'm about to wet my pants, sorry)

[Carol]

Yikes! I've been remiss in getting over there to donate. Thanks for the reminder. And I'm totally into the rose petal jam! I don't have any rugosas so haven't tried it. Sounds yummy!

[claudia]

Thanks Norma! You are the best.

(Actually, I just typed "bst" but corrected it since there would be varying ways to interpret that).

[Isela]

Thank you Norma for helping us out. Thank you to all the knitters, crocheters, fiber enthusiasts for helping us. Together we can all make a difference. It is the small things that count. Thank you. Thank you.

[Rachel]

366,136
It is on the log in page, right under the log in box :)

[Imbrium]

Did you say rose petal jam? Will it survive being shipped to Colorado? Because I'm all over that.

I mean, yeah, I was gonna donate anyway, but if I can get jam in the deal.... :)

[Michele]

Thanks for the mention. :) I'd really like a jar of the jam and I'll definitely be donating to Claudia's ride this week.

[Elizabeth D]

Hey, Norma -- I already clicked for Claudia, and my sister and her younger daughter are doing the 3-day down here in Philadelphia, so I donated to them. And a red scarf is in progress. . . don't need the jam, but just so you know stuff is happenin'

[Kris]

I donated to Claudia last week - can I still qualify for the jam? :)

[kmkat]

I noticed yesterday that Claudia's total seemed awfully low, but (duh) didn't attribute it to the economy. I have already donated, both cash and a couple prizes. Thank you for bringing this to your audience's attention. I hope they listen and cough up ;-)

[Rachael H]

I won't have any spare cash till Friday, but will be making at least a small donation to Claudia's ride as I've been meaning to for a couple years and have yet to have spare money at the right time (college student's budget without taking the classes). Also, if I'm not too late, rose petal jam? Yet one more reason to count me in!

[Rosemary McNutt]

Just gave a "shawl" cost to Claudia and to the Red Scarf project. Hope it helps and Mr. J. gets a really good belly rub for it. Oh, I do love jam.

[Cookie]

Thanks for the wonderful reminder, Norma.

I'll be in the naughty corner if you need me.

[Lynn]

My Red Scarf (actually a shocking hot pink) is done. I have wanted to donate to this for several years, but could never complete the scarf on time. This year it is done, done, done!

[Barb]

And here I am wondering what to do with all this russet red yarn. Thanks!

[cari]

Already donated to Claudia last week, but alas no jam for me ;)

I'm gearing up to ask people for money, too. Kind of dreading the chirping crickets sound to follow.

[Sarah]

I sometimes feel frozen when I think about all the need. Then I shake it off and do something.

[minnie]

i had to wait until i got paid from my new job (thank god!) beforei could donate, but i did donate to claudia's ride a few days ago. do iget at least a chance at the rose petal jam? (remember pear butter?)