Community > Misc Advice, Help & Support

Topic: Anyone Have Any Experience With Fundraisers
Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Tue 08/25/15 02:07 AM
As most of my Mingle family knows a Marine and Law Enforcement Officer and friend was shot and killed in the line of duty last week saving a woman and three children and his fellow officers. This man went down as a hero, he really did. He leaves behind a wife and four young kids. I was thinking with my political event experience why not put together a fundraiser for the family? Has anyone on here ever done anything like that? Any input or advice? My thoughts were try to find a local business like a bar and grill with a large parking lot, I know a couple of local bands and DJ's, maybe a silent auction, car show? How do you approach businesses and companies to donate? I will finally admit this is one time I am out of my league, but I want to do something and I know the community will come together. I do have a little bit of experience with fund raising due to youth sports leagues I was involved with It the tragic case like this, I would approach the VFW or American league post ( as I have done in the past). They will bend over backwards to help out. Local businesses will to, In on case where we were raising money for a needy family. We asked a local electronics company if they would donate a T.V. for the cause. They were happy to. We then printed raffle tickets ( local printer donated them as well) and we sold the tickets at a Bar B Que we had.. at the VFF facility. We sold food too.. all donated or made by the neighborhood folks. We didn't have a license to sell raffle tickets.. and no one cared. The cops brought tickets too. As a matter of fact... everyone asked did. We could have sold more, given more time. We raised over $15K and our costs were nothing. But it was the sentiment as much as the money that went a long way Again, in the case of a military person.. the VFW or American Legion will do everything in their power to help. advertising was easy.. posters in local stores, face book, twitter, local newspaper.. word of mouth. billboard at the VFW hall Good luck Devil, aren't you a Marine?

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Tue 08/25/15 05:08 PM
I took your advice and called some of the people I know for donations. I got a response from Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (members of the band Nelson and sons of Ricky Nelson) that they will be sending memorabilia for the silent auction! Also looks like I got a great venue out of it as well! I guess it never hurts to ask!

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Thu 09/10/15 09:34 PM
ell, I have been in contact with actor Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds main character, the Godfather 3 and the Last Don 1 and 2 supporting character and of course Fat Tony on the Simpsons) to maybe be a guest speaker. I know the guy does a lot for members of the military. I was also in touch with Donald Trumps executive assistant hoping for a donation to get this thing going....... But it seems like I keep hitting a brick wall.

Ladywind7 Joined Sun 04/08/12 Posts: 7833	Thu 09/10/15 10:40 PM
What do you mean? Can we all help you to brainstorm whatever problems you are having?

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Fri 09/11/15 12:19 AM
What do you mean? Can we all help you to brainstorm whatever problems you are having? Basically

Belizeandada Joined Fri 09/11/15 Posts: 1	Fri 09/11/15 02:09 AM
hey

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 09/21/15 11:50 PM
What do you mean? Can we all help you to brainstorm whatever problems you are having? Actually we got a lot locked down. I used my political contacts and it paid off. I was hesitant at first, I hate asking for support. Also I was in contact with actor Joe Mantegna who is very big on supporting our troops and veterans and since he is busy filming Criminal Minds, the Simpsons and his gun show he wont be able to make it but is making a tribute film for the event we can play which will be really cool. I am also waiting to hear back from Gary Sinise's personal assistant, I spoke with him today to get some support. Got a 100 acre ranch, a stage, 5 bands with three more as a maybe, audio equipment, a DJ, people to cook, some items for the silent auction and raffle. Need to come up with more money makers........

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 10/05/15 12:55 AM
Well it went off perfectly! Just finished it up earlier today. Criminal Minds and Simpsons star Joe Mantegna appeared via video link, and I had to do that presentation, a little nerve racking to say the least. We had a silent auction, face painting, pony rides food and straight donations, Karaoke and 7 bands including a major band Lavish Green! The best thing was we make up one of the horse stalls as a jail cell and people could pay $10.00 to have me or one of my security guys arrest someone and they had to sit in the cell until someone bailed them out for $10.00. We made a lot of money on that. It was an awkward situation in some cases though because the people who were arrested didn't know in advance. I would walk up, shake their hand and introduce myself and as I shook their hand I handcuffed them catching them off guard lol. It was funny because the sitting Sheriff was there and well someone paid to have him arrested. None of us wanted to do that one lol so I got suckered in. I thought I was going to get shot lmao. I've known the guy for years and I walk up to him to shake his hand and he goes hey Don and click. You should have seen the look of surprise on his face! It was funny as hell. I will try and upload some pictures that were taken. With Lavish Green Arresting the Sheriff Getting ready to announce Joe!

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 10/05/15 01:01 AM
Ugh, why do only half the photos work?

Ladywind7 Joined Sun 04/08/12 Posts: 7833	Mon 10/05/15 01:52 AM
Awesome Lypdon. Wish I was there. I hope the widow finds some comfort with this show of support. We are so proud of you for doing this kind thing

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 10/05/15 02:01 AM
Awesome Lypdon. Wish I was there. I hope the widow finds some comfort with this show of support. We are so proud of you for doing this kind thing Thanks! It was a fun event for all. There were some tears shed though especially when Joe spoke via video. The widow and his father was there.

Ladywind7 Joined Sun 04/08/12 Posts: 7833	Mon 10/05/15 02:06 AM
Awesome Lypdon. Wish I was there. I hope the widow finds some comfort with this show of support. We are so proud of you for doing this kind thing Thanks! It was a fun event for all. There were some tears shed though especially when Joe spoke via video. The widow and his father was there. You must live in a lovely community.

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 10/05/15 02:34 AM
Awesome Lypdon. Wish I was there. I hope the widow finds some comfort with this show of support. We are so proud of you for doing this kind thing Thanks! It was a fun event for all. There were some tears shed though especially when Joe spoke via video. The widow and his father was there. You must live in a lovely community. Some of it is.

Ladywind7 Joined Sun 04/08/12 Posts: 7833	Mon 10/05/15 02:39 AM
So you are the one in the dark glasses Mr Incognito???

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 10/05/15 02:18 PM
So you are the one in the dark glasses Mr Incognito??? Yup, the one handcuffing the Sheriff lol

tulip2633 Joined Tue 07/07/15 Posts: 2415	Mon 10/05/15 02:35 PM
Congrats to you and the family!!! Thanks for posting the photos. You look like a secret service bad @ss! Rock on!

Ladywind7 Joined Sun 04/08/12 Posts: 7833	Mon 10/05/15 02:49 PM
So you are the one in the dark glasses Mr Incognito??? Yup, the one handcuffing the Sheriff lol Smooth....

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 10/05/15 02:52 PM
Congrats to you and the family!!! Thanks for posting the photos. You look like a secret service bad @ss! Rock on! Thanks but hardly lol. People really didn't even know that besides being a coordinator of the event I was head of security

Lpdon Joined Thu 02/25/10 Posts: 18772	Mon 10/05/15 02:56 PM
So you are the one in the dark glasses Mr Incognito??? Yup, the one handcuffing the Sheriff lol Smooth.... I always wear dark colors. Easier not to stand out in a crowd.

NoCatfish2 Joined Thu 09/10/15 Posts: 107	Mon 10/05/15 03:05 PM
I didn't see the thread until today, but I gotta say, "well done, Lpdon." Good on ya, brother.