Team fundraising is the way to go

September 11, 2017

St.Amant has great staff and volunteers, who are engaged in the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives. A perfect example of this is our CHERing the Rainbow team that has been raising funds as a team since 2009.
They have already exceeded their fundraising goal and doubled what they raised last year! We approached them to get some information and advice:
How did you come up with the team name?
We wanted a name that reflected all of us; CHERing is all of our values put together and our original team was 7 and there our 7 colours in the rainbow. We also wanted to showcase the diversity and unity that each of us brought to the group and from there CHERing the RAINBOW was formed…
Why did Volunteer Services decide to start this team and how does it benefit you and your volunteers?
Three of our original group members were affected by cancer and we came together to show our support for each other in another fundraiser. Soon after we decided to continue on with this name.
We have fundraised for many organizations including St.Amant; the first time we fundraised for St.Amant we would get together on weekends and sell hot dog specials at Rona and Dakota Foods. After that first year we have done some other creative fundraising activities such as a bake sales, garage sale, BINGO bowl, Fishing Bowl, Open Mic Comedy and Music nights and most recently we are hosting two paint parties.
What would you say to someone who is thinking about maybe putting in a team for the Festival?
It is more fun with a group; keep it open and allow anyone to join as we all bring different talents and ideas; from there your group will grow. Having a large team allows you to be creative and crazy and to feel like you are making a difference. If your fundraising efforts don’t bring in what you thought it would, don’t give up and don’t let it hinder the next creative idea!!
Any words of advice for other teams?
Keep communication open and have FUN! Try different things, use your social media and contacts, and get involved. Even if you can’t make it to the event your fundraising efforts count and in the end, we are doing this for those we love and support, for the community and for ourselves.