The winter has come with a bang! As the cold weather settles in, we want to warm the hearts and homes of those in need in our communities.
In the winter months particularly, charity organisations struggle to make ends meet and are more dependent on the kindness of donors than ever. Doing something small to contribute to the betterment of our society is easier than you think. Holding a charity fundraising event is one of the most rewarding ways to uplift the communities in which you work and live. From cake stalls to garage sales – the charity fundraising options are endless. So round up your family, friends, colleagues or community and get involved in one of these great charity fundraising ideas.
Football fever: Get everyone in the office to bet on a team to win the world cup. Donate the money to an organisation that helps develop young sporting talent in underprivileged communities.
Plan your 67 minutes: Remember that we celebrate Madiba’s birthday on the 18th of July by contributing 67 minutes of our time to a worth cause. Get ready in advance and get your company to buy into an event now – get sponsored colleagues to cycle for 67 minutes on the day, collect 67 blankets, donate 67 tins of milk formula – the possibilities are endless.
One day fast:Be sponsored to go without food for a day and donate the money you would have spent on food to a feeding scheme. There are many worthwhile charities that provide food to schoolchildren – you’ll be surprised that your R100 could feed an entire family for a few weeks!
Quiz night:Test teams of your colleagues’ knowledge with a fun night out. You can even persuade your company to help by donating a percentage of the takings from the quiz night to your cause.
Coin collections: An oldie, but a goodie. Collect silver or gold coins at your workplace and ask customers, suppliers or friends and family to do the same – every coin counts!
Sweet treats: Everyone likes something sweet – especially if it costs only a few rand. Sell sweets or baked treats around the office. If colleagues can’t come to you, walk around the office and go to them.
Blanket drive: The homeless are particularly vulnerable in winter – collect blankets help to keep a few people warm this winter.
Auction:Do something positive with those unwanted gifts, or persuade your workplace to donate an item for auctioning.
Coffee morning:In stead of the usual boring office coffee, you could surprise your co-workers with some good coffee and home-made cakes or rusks. At a price of course!
Colour your days: Get everyone at your work to dress in a particular colour for a day – a red day for the Heart Foundation, a green day for environmental fundraising or a pink day for breast cancer. You’ll raise money, create awareness and lift the morale of your company at the same time.
Dog walk: Grab your favourite pooch and get some exercise while raising money at the same time – these initiatives are great if you’d like to contribute to animal charities such as the SPCA.
Donate an hour’s salary:Enough said!
Drop those Kilos: Need a little bit of extra motivation to lose that extra kilogram or two? Why not do it for a good cause? Get sponsors to pay per kilo you drop.
Try these easy ways to raise a few rand – it is worth the effort. Our small contributions can make a huge difference to those in need.