Salesian Missions Hit Hard in Port-au-Prince, Frantically Working to Provide Aid as Humanitarian Workers Become Victims and Among Missing

The Haiti earthquake personally touched Shoestring Creative Group and their client Salesian Missions.

In the wake of the earthquake that devastated Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Salesian Missions is working around the clock to pull together emergency response teams and fundraising efforts to assist in the relief efforts. Among those in need of assistance are Salesians and missionary workers, and at least 200 students are believed to be buried in the rubble of the renowned “National School of Arts and Trades” operated by Salesian Missions.

An emergency response team is headed to Haiti from Dominican Republic via helicopter. Salesian Missions has initially approved $80,000 from its U.S. office for a disaster relief fund for Haiti.

More funds are sought from the public and corporations.

Funds are needed for:

- emergency relief kits for the survivors ($40 will provide a relief kit)

- bottled water

- food

- tents

- clothing

- medical items

- satellite telephone to re-establish communication

Salesian Missions not only operated schools for thousands of students in Port-au-Prince, but services of all kinds for 25,000 of Haiti’s poorest children. Specializing in sheltering, educating and feeding street children, the humanitarian aid organization has its work cut out for it as all children in Port-au-Prince are now street children.

Safe on-line donations can be made At Salesian Missions website.

I'm with Coco Helps Haiti

The NBC late night mess has people picking teams - Team Coco (Conan) or Team Leno. I have to say, for me it's a no brainer, Team Coco all the way! There are a couple ways to show support for Conan and one even helps the earthquake victims in Haiti.

1. Join Team Coco's Facebook page.
2. Purchase an official "I'M WITH COCO" t-shirt by Mike Mitchell for $18.00. $1.00 from the purchase of each shirt goes to PlantingPeace.org.

Planting Peace, one of Haiti's largest relief organizations, is a progressive nonprofit organization founded by Aaron Jackson and John Dieubon in 2004 for the purpose of spreading peace in a hurting world. Even though the organization operates on a global level, they emphasize the power of one; the ability that each person possesses to make a difference in the world.

Planting Piece is raising funds for the Haitian earthquake victims. With the funds Planting Peace will be purchasing and passing our food and water to the many effected by this earthquake. They will also be seeking alternative shelters for those in need.

If you'd like to make a donation without purchasing a t-shirt, you can do so here.

Compared to the mess from the earthquake, the Late Night mess is no mess at all! How quickly it is all put into perspective. Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in Haiti and everyone connected to Haiti in some way.

No matter the tragedy, life does go on. It's nice to know that a silly Late Night mess can turn into a positive and help those who really need it! I'll be purchasing my Team Coco t-shirt today! Hope you will do the same.

The Power of Peanut Butter

Did you know that every Wednesday in January is Pack a Peanut Butter Sandwich Day for kids? That's right, all this month Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Feeding America is encouraging kids to help fight child hunger and one of the ways to do so is to pack a peanut butter sandwich on Wednesday (using Peter Pan Peanut Butter of course) and donate your lunch money to Feeding America through the Peanut Butter website. Although, finding the donation link is not easy since it is buried deep into the cartoon slide show. Here is a direct link to the giving page.

The campaign made an imPRession on me because while it is a cause-marketing campaign for adults it is directed to children from the cartoon that let's you personalize it by adding your child's name to the messaging. Some other ways kids are encourage to help fight child hunger are (all with parents help):

• Share food - by donating to a local food bank
• Share time - by volunteering at a local food bank
• Tell friends that hungry kids need their help
• Spread the word - Join a social media group like Facebook or Twitter

Peanut Butter and Feeding America are smart in planting the philanthropy seed early. What's the philanthropy seed? By getting your message to the kids now, and by letting them make a difference now they become personally connected to the cause now which will take root and carry over into their adult lives. It's a great way to grow life-long supporters.

New Client: Family Promise of Delaware County

A few weeks ago I gave a presentation to the board of Family Promise of Delaware County. This week I was hired to do a small marketing and PR project to help this chapter get started.  I will be working on the "Four M's": 

• Messaging - creating local key messages
  
• Marketing - creating an updated brochure or marketing postcard
  
• Media - creating some awareness in traditional press and social media
  
• Means - creating a few fundraising/sponsorship tools
  

Family Promise is a national organization with 150 affiliates nationwide.  They are an interfaith hospitality network for homeless families. Congregations and volunteers help connect homeless families with services and support like shelter, meals child care, and career training.  

Currently Delaware County has nine host churches, five support churches and a day center signed up and ready to help.  This network will serve as host and will provide meals and overnight accommodations to up to 14 people for a week. They provide beds, transportation, and a day center where families will spend day hours receiving counseling, doing job searches and preparing to move into permanent housing.

In Delaware County the homeless family count is rising.  To help combat this growing problem Family Promise of Delaware County was developed with the assistance of homeless advocacy group, Concerned Citizens Against Homelessness.

Family Promise of Delaware County is in the process of raising funds and accepting in-kind donations for the development of the Network.  They hope to open their doors by the end of summer and will reside at 35 N. Washington Street, Delaware, OH.  Be on the lookout for their local website coming soon.  In the meantime, you can check out the national website here.

Non-Profit Walk Season

Nice weather is upon us in the northern half of the country and outdoor activities are in full swing. For non-profit organizations it means the walk season is about to begin.

If you have a spring walk, you should be deep in the planning phases but if you have a late summer or fall walk you might just be starting.  If your event falls into the latter part of the season here are some things to consider or include in your planning:

1. Branding - If this is a first year event brand your event with a name, logo, key messages, purpose, etc.  If the event has been around for years, consider refreshing with a new look.
2. Sponsorship:  There are plenty of sponsorship opportunities in a walk event (paying and in-kind).  Start with securing media sponsor(s) - Radio, TV and Print act as inventory to entice other sponsorship types so go to local media outlets for sponsorship first.  Next look for a title or presenting sponsor, mile marker sponsors, beverage sponsor, celebration sponsor, starting line and finish line sponsor, etc.  Try to obtain sponsorships as early as possible.  Sponsor logos on brochures, posters and signage is also inventory and entices sponsors to become involved.
3. Logistics - Location, How long is your walk, are runners allowed, what is the route, what are event goals, budget, fees, authorization, food, entertainment, emcees, staging area, etc.
4. Committee - Do you have a core of volunteers to assist in creating event, volunteers pre-event, volunteers day-of, roles and responsibilities, meetings.
5. Walk teams - recruit corporate, school and individual teams. How many make a team?
6. Marketing & PR - save the date, brochures, posters, signage, pre-press, day of press, post press, e-blasts, newsletters.
7. On-line - Can you create an on-line walk page, collect donations, sign-up teams. Include sponsors as this is another form of inventory and a benefit.
8. Stewardship - capture all data, thank sponsors, walkers, volunteers.

As you can see there are quite a few elements to include when creating a walk.  But with a clear timeline and an organized checklist you should be able to achieve success for your organization. 

Need assistance on your upcoming walk?  columbus imPRessions can help.  I have over ten years experience with walk events - Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run, Make-A-Wish Walk for Wishes, Crohn's & Colitis Take Steps and Epilepsy Foundation Stroll for Epilepsy.  Email info@columbusimpressions.com or call 740.816.3251

Granting Wishes Touching Lives

Thanks to PR Sarah Evans, yesterday I came across the an organization I wasn't aware of. Sarah added a Design-Her Gal to her Facebook page.  I thought it was cute, it caught my attention and I checked out the site. Through their site, I found the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation.

Being involved with a wish granting organization in the past, I was thrilled to learn that Making Memories granted wishes too.  Except this wonderful organization grants wishes to women with metastatic breast cancer.  Their mission is to provide these women with an opportunity to have a dream or wish fulfilled by providing a special time of "Making Memories" together with their family.

Making Memories needs help granting their weekly wishes.  Some ways to help are through the Pink Envelope Project, Brides Against Breast Cancer, or Diamond for Dreams to name a few.  For more information on their fundraising programs click here.

Another way to help is through the cause marketing promotion with Design-Her Gals.  Create a gal avatar and start shopping.  A portion of the proceeds goes to raising funds to grant wishes. I shared my avatar on Facebook.  Check her out here.

Just spreading the word and creating awareness for another great organization.

Spreading the Word: Mid-Ohio Foodbank & Columbus Foundation's PowerPhilanthropy Match Day

Today at 2pm, you can donate to Mid-Ohio Foodbank through the Columbus Foundation's PowerPhilanthropy Match Day, and they will match $0.50 to every $1 you give.

For their public match day, donors have put up $100,000 in designated match funds. Minimum gift is $20, but there is no maximum gift amount. All donations will be matched until the funds are exhausted. Twenty basic needs organizations are eligible for match funds, and you can designate your gift directly to Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

This is a great chance to help feed families in need in central and eastern Ohio. So many new families are turning to our pantries, and this is a perfect time to help.

Here's how to do it:

1. Sign-up for an log-in on the Columbus Foundation's PowerPhilanthropy website.http://www.columbusfoundation.org/login.aspx

2. Visit their site right at 2pm on February 26th (today) to make your gift. Columbus Foundation Match Days generate a lot of excitement, and the funds could be used up fast.

You may contact p2@columbusfoundation.org with any questions about how to sign up or use PowerPhilanthropy. 

Help spread the word. This is a really exciting opportunity to help a lot of families struggling to make ends meet.

Ways to Have a Charitable Valentine's Day

Give a gift that is truly from the heart.  Charities all over are feeling the economic pinch so why not help ease their burden this Valentine's Day. Here are some ways you can share a little piece of your heart with those who will truly love you for it:

1. The holiday of love sparks thousands of wedding proposals.  Getting married?   Why not register through the I Do Foundation.
2. Not engaged?  You can still get engaged in your community.  Columbus' City budget has been slashed.  That means, rec centers and senior centers are closing.  Why not look into ways to help the children and elderly who will be loosing the places they've come to enjoy.
3. Will you be my Volunteer?  Sign up to volunteer for a non-profit organization.  You can find volunteer needs at Volunteer Match or The Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio needs volunteers for their Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras event.  Details here.
4. Spring Cleaning is just around the corner.  Why not start a little early and donate old clothes to The Salvation Army or Goodwill.
5. Need to buy flowers or a Valentine's gift for your loved one?  Why not shop on-line through Good Shop where the charity of your choice will receive a percentage donation from the sale.
6. Even though the environment is green, show is a little red and love the environment. Start recycling, pick up trash on the street, conserve water and electricity.
7. Give Blood.  There are plenty of blood drives in Columbus Valentine's week.  Find out where here. 
8. We all love our four legged friends.  The Paws to Party event might be sold out, but you can still adopt an animal at the Winter Adopt-A-Thon at the PetSmart Stores on Polaris Parkway and Sawmill Road.

These are just a few ideas to show support and love for non-profits in our community.  Any other ideas?  Send us a comment, we'd love to hear them.

It All Starts With a Playgound

I know it is freezing in the Midwest right now and most kids are sledding not swinging.  But spring is just around the corner and soon playgrounds near and far will be filled with children.

That brings me to KaBOOM!  I came across this really cool non-profit on Facebook.  Not a Facebook group, (although they do have one and we just became a fan), but in SuperPoke. Yes, SuperPoke. 

The Facebook SuperPoke application recently added a causes section and KaBOOM has a SuperPoke where you can build a playground with KaBOOM.  Very smart and fun viral marketing. Watch out Facebook friends, you will be receiving a KaBOOM SuperPoke! from columbus imPRessions sometime today!

KaBOOM is a national non-profit that empowers communities to build playgrounds.  They create playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities.  They believe that play is crucial to a child's well-being.  A belief that is very important to us and the work of some other non-profits we have helped, like Camp Fire Central Ohio Council.  Getting kids outside and away from TV and computer is so important for so many reasons.

Columbus, Ohio has four playground projects in the planning stages.  Check them out here. Want to get involved?  They have LOTS of volunteer opportunities, funding options and side projects.  Visit their informative web site here.  

Great organization, great mission and 89 cents of every dollar goes directly to the program. A four star rating (highest rating) on Charity Navigator. Not many non-profits can report numbers like those.

Hey 30 Rock Fans

Love 30 Rock?  Like Jane Krakowski?  You can vote for which Nicole Miller dress Jane will unveil at the Women's Day Red Dress Awards February 11th.  Place you vote at the site here.

For every vote Campbell's will donate $1.00 to the American Heart Association Go Red For Women Campaign.  This is through the Campbell's adDress Your Heart cause marketing campaign. 

Wanna join Our Stroll Team (or make a donation)?

If you haven't noticed the numerous mentions, Michele and I have been  working with the Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio on promoting the Stroll For Epilepsy.  But today's post isn't about our marketing and PR efforts, it is an opportunity for our blog readers to help enhance the quality of life for those affected by epilepsy.  There has been a lot of talk about this disorder recently, and we are fortunate to have the chance to work closely with the local Foundation.  We have gotten to know a remarkable family, the Raineys, whose six-year-old daughter Amanda has suffered from seizures since she was six months old.   She is the honorary ambassador for the Stroll, taking place January 31st at Polaris Fashion Place.  Everyone is welcome!  And if you can't make it.... please take a moment to make a donation to our team.  Just click here to donate- any amount you can give is incredibly appreciated.  

Thank you!

On-line Fundraising Building a Kintera/Blackbaud Site

Our client, the Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio is finally live with their Stroll event on-line fundraising site!  

Because we were hired to do all marketing and PR for this event, we assisted the Foundation by working with Kintera/Blackbaud on creating the Stroll on-line fundraising site - providing key messaging, logos, sponsorship placement and consultation.  

Due to some restructuring within the organization, the site went live a little later than we suggested (in a perfect world on-line event sites, especially walks, should go live 3-6 months before the event). The important thing, however, is the site is now live and is ready to take on-line donations, sign up teams, and use the "friends asking friends" model Kintera/Blackbaud is known for.

Non-profits using on-line fundraising can sell this as inventory/benefits for corporate sponsorships.  Sponsors do see the benefit of having their brand on-line with a charitable organization.  Like us - check out our logo on the sponsor page.

Click here to check out the site. 

Stroll for Epilepsy Facebook Application

The Epilepsy Foundation of Central Ohio needs your help!  Next month is the Stroll for Epilepsy at Polaris Fashion Place on January 31, 2009.

To help create awareness we created at Facebook application.   If you're on Facebook become a fan and help us spread awareness for the event.

Over 100,000 people in central Ohio were touched by epilepsy this year and the Foundation was there to help.  In order to continue their mission of helping prevent, control and cure epilepsy as well as help people with epilepsy through services, education, advocacy and research, they need community support.

Consider forming a walk team, donating to the event or becoming a fan and spread awareness of this neurological condition through this event.

Can't Find the Right Christmas Present?

We all have that one hard to buy a Christmas present person.  You know, the person who either has everything, is picky or wants nothing. Well, we found a 501(c)(3) organization that just might be the answer . . . 

Changing the Present.  After all, it's the thought that counts (and it's easy).  Choose and purchase a donated gift from the on-line catalog, select a personalized card announcing a donation was made in that person's name, then give them the card.  You and your friend/family member/co-worker changed the world one present at a time and that hard to buy for person is happy.

Some great present/donation ideas we saw are (but there are so many more):

• For $50 you can buy a child a guitar and one year of lessons at an underprivileged school
  
• For $25 you can adopt a dolphin
  
• For $20 you can supply 10 farmers with seeds to promote food and farming
  
• For $50 you can plant an araucaria tree in Chili and save an endangered forest
  
• For $25 you can buy board games or DVD for girls at a shelter house

According to the sites FAQ, all donations are tax-deductible and 100% of the donation (minus a 3% credit card transaction fee and 30 cents).  Non-profits receive grants at the end of each month.

They are on Facebook too.  Send $1.00 Facebook gifts to help the cause.  We became a fan!

  The word present has a few meanings:

1. A particular place
   
2. Occurring now
   
3. A gift
   

We like how this organization uses this multiple meaning word as a play on their brand.  

So this holiday season why not purchase a present from this wonderful organization. All you need to do is be present in front of your computer, make a donation and change the present.

End of Year Giving

The holiday season is upon us.  If your non-profit hasn't made its holiday ask you still have some time.  There are some quick ways to send out your ask without the formal direct mail letter.

1. Send an e-blast and offer a direct link to your on-line donation page.
   
2. Mail a holiday card and include a small postcard detailing a desperate need and an example of how donor funds can help right now.  Add instructions to give on-line or include an envelope for remittance.
   
3. Start a cause on Facebook and collect on-line donations.

Whatever way you choose, make sure you add a key messaging line about end of year giving tax benefits.  Something like . . .

"Your generous gift enables you to receive tax benefits if it is postmarked or otherwise delivered by December 31, 2008."

You'd be surprised at how many donors need that reminder.  Once they get it, they'll be making a donation.

Happy Holidays!

Columbus Foundation Match Day

Power Philanthropy Match Day 2.0


An online stimulus plan created to match gifts to PowerPhilanthropy organizations and raise $1 million in 48 hours to support local needs in our community.

Non-profits get the word out to your donors and supporters. November 18th and 19th are the days to give!


How it works:

To participate, log in to PowerPhilanthropy during the dates and times listed below to make your matching gift.

Columbus Foundation Donors with donor advised funds and supporting foundations:

• Beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 18, the Foundation will match online grant suggestions in the amount of 50 cents of every dollar contributed, up to $2,500 per fund or foundation, while matching funds last.
  

All other Foundation donors and the public:

• Beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, the Foundation will match all public donations in the amount of 50 cents of every dollar given online with a credit card* through PowerPhilanthropy, while funds last.

More Than Just Monkey Business

Yesterday I was helping my daughter with a school project.  She is writing a report on Jane Goodall, the primatologist who spent over 45 years studying chimpanzees and a number of years interacting with them in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.  My daughter had to create a magazine cover and it only made sense that she called it Gorilla Fancy.

Anyway, I've heard of Jane but never really knew much about her other than the movie Gorillas in the Mist was about her life.  My daughter's report peaked my curiosity so I did a little research and came across the Jane Goodall Institute.  

There I learned that chimpanzees are on the brink of extinction and the JGI is working to correct that.  You can make a donation and become a chimpanzee guardian to help. Or if you'd rather donate through ecommerce you can get a really cute chimp stuffed animal or a cool t-shirt for $15.00, among other things.  Sixty percent of merchandise sales goes to the program. Jane Goodall also has a line of chocolate bars and coffee for purchase.

Who knew.  History lesson over.  Just interesting stuff I just wanted to pass along.

Move Over Evite We Just Found Pingg

'Tis the season to get invited to parties.  In just the last two weeks I received an Evite to a jewelry party, a Thirty-One party and a birthday party.  I even used Evite myself to send out an Evite for a purse party I had this past weekend.  Sending an Evite is free, fun and easy.  But we just found out about another free online invitation option that offers so much more and we wanted to share.

Introducing Pingg.  Pingg is a free stylish online invite that you can personally create reaching guests via email, SMS, web, print, Twitter and Facebook.  We love the way you can customize your pingg invite uploading your personalized photos, as well as the pingg feature that allows you to display a registry of the charity of your choice so guests can make an on-line donation in lieu of gifts. Guest can RSVP and make a donation at the same time.  

Very cool.  Next time we have a party you bet we will be using Pingg.

Right Action for Women

Christina Applegate is one of my favorite actresses and every Monday night I tune in to watch her show Samantha Who.  I was surprised to learn of Christina's battle with breast cancer this summer.  Luckily she caught it in a very early state and is a survivor.  Watching the Tonight Show last week Christina was a guest.  She spoke of her battle and the foundation she created - Right Action for Women.

Right Action for Women provides aid to women who are at an increased risk for breast cancer (due to genetics and family history) and who do not have insurance or the financial means to pay for these expensive tests.

Love it when Hollywood puts their celebrity to good use.  Want to help? Click here to make a donation.

Happy Holidays . . . What?

We know summer is not quite over and the leaves haven't started falling off the trees.  So why the title of the post you ask?  After all, the holidays are easily three months away.

Well, for a non-profit organization the end of summer usually means holiday campaign.  Has your non-profit organization started creating strategies for your end of year ask?  If not, now would be a good time to start.  

Typically, the holiday season is the time of year that generates the most donations. After all, holidays are when people feel very generous focusing their attention on giving.  Plus, major gift donors tend to squeeze in one last gift before the tax season ends.

There are several ways to capitalize on this time of year but starting now is key.   How do you want to connect with your donors?  Is it a viral campaign, direct mail campaign, cause marketing campaign or end of year event?   Whatever way it is, now is the time to prepare. 

Need some assistance?  Not sure what to do?  columbus imPRessions can help.  We have years of experience with holiday giving campaigns. For a free consultation, email us at info@columbusimpressions.com for more information.  Let us put our experience to work for you.