Special Telegrams
Special Telegram
Unbelievably simple, this fundraiser will provide your group with an equal amount of publicity as well. A special telegram is always appreciated and is very flattering for the recipient. For a flat $20 fee, you can raise a mountain of funds.
The Special Telegram can take on the form of many holidays or anniversaries that you wish to promote. It is great for New Years Eve, Christmas, Valentines, Independence Day, Super Bowl Party, St. Patrick's Day, and Secretaries Day.
Promotion Of Your Fundraiser
Try talking to businesses about passing out flyers to their employees or placing small flyers in their check envelopes. Contact your local utility company about placing a small one paragraph description of your fundraiser on their customer billing statement.
Be sure to contact your local television stations, cable access channels, and radio stations with press releases about your Telegram Fundraiser. Also, ask the media to actively promote your Special Telegram Fundraiser with a 15 second advertisement.
What's Special About It
Your telegram must be special, unique, and fun. You want to raise money, but you must also make a lasting memory in the minds of your customers and the recipient of your telegram.
Are you a semi-pro football team, little league baseball team or college soccer team? Then you must show up in full uniform.
Are you a Boy Scout, American Heritage Girl, or Girl Scout? Have your Eagle Scout or Gold Award Scout show up in uniform with all of your merit badges and pins.
Are you an Order Of The Arrow member or Native American dance group? Then show up in full Indian regalia.
If you are a Shriner, then think about having a couple of clowns show up to deliver the message. If you are a church youth group, then think about a couple of hand puppets deliver the telegram.
What The Recipient Receives
Take the recipient's picture with a member of your group. Bring a Polaroid camera for instant shots, offer to send it to them later or scan and send via the internet. Since you should be traveling in pairs (youth with accompanying adults), then it's easy for one of you to take the photograph.
Create a coffee cup or Coca-Cola souvenir glass full of various candies with bright paper or cellophane wrapping paper to create a wonderful looking gift. Think of homemade goodies, if you really want to make an impact.
If you belong to a baseball team, also include a ball signed by the entire team for an added feature. How about a football signed by the team members, if you are a semi-pro team. A hockey team can try a puck signed using a fine ink marker.
Make It Memorable
Offer a silly "Proclamation" ( Hear Ye! Hear Ye!.By order of <customer's name> it has been decreed that .) from customer to the recipient as your official telegram. You may want to create several quick certificates or "Official Proclamations" for this purpose for the recipient to display later. Please make it tasteful, although it may be silly or serious.
That's all there is to it. You can conduct dozens of telegrams in a given day with the potential of generating thousands of dollars before the day is done. The bigger your group, the better the results.
So what are you waiting for? Go out and tel-a-bunch of people about your new Special Tel-e-gram Fundraiser.