Here are several ideas for families, schools and other organizations to thank our troops by raising money to provide scholarships for their kids and spouses. These activities will raise awareness for the program and, maybe most importantly, they may be a fun learning experience as well.
Please consider these ideas as "thought starters" and note that even small donations can make a big difference. Also, please contact us to share your experiences and results with us.
Here are Kelsi and Rachel's top ten favorite ideas:
- Neighborhood Idol! Instead of sitting in front of the TV and watching someone else sing, recruit some judges, grab a microphone, and show your friends and neighbors how much underlying talent you have. Ask them to cast their vote with dollars or charge an entrance fee.
- Pay it forward! Donate to ThanksUSA on behalf of someone you care about. Tell that person, but ask them not to pay you back, but to pay it forward by donating on behalf of another person. Keep the spirit of giving going forward.
- Calling all bakers! Ask your friends to bake their favorite dessert and then sell them to your neighbors.
- Summer Block Party! Ask your parents, friends and neighbors to organize a neighborhood party to "Thank the Troops and Their Families." Help prepare the meal and ask everyone to consider a small donation.
- Cans for cash! Collect and turn in aluminum cans and glass bottles. You'll make money for a good cause and help beautify our country!
- Car wash! Grab your buckets and your friends and have a "free" car wash, but ask drivers to make a donation to thank the troops and their families.
- Walk/play with dogs! Ask your neighbors if you can walk or play with their dog. Tell them that you are not charging for your service, but asking them to make a donation to ThanksUSA.
- Neighborhood flea market! A bonus project because your parents will be happy if you clean out your room and you can raise funds for the scholarships by selling those items you no longer use to someone who can.
- Write your senator or congressman! Ask them to support the ThanksUSA scholarship program.
- Be a Good Neighbor! If it is hot and humid where you live, then mow the grass, pull weeds or offer to water your neighbors lawns and plants. Not yet warm and sunny where you live? Perhaps you could help your neighbors by shoveling sidewalks or driveways. Ask an elderly neighbor if you could do their grocery shopping for them. Contribute any tips you receive to ThanksUSA.
Last June, because the fellow refused his command to pull over, Don Nevins ended up being run over by a motorcyclist, who smashed up Don's left foot. If he's fortunate, life will be back to normal by January. After neighbors collected $764 to help with medical expenses, Nevins -- a police officer in Connecticut -- decided to donate that sum to ThanksUSA. Lauding our scholarship program for military families, and explaining how thankful he is at the prospect for total recovery, he said: "They're the ones who really deserve the recognition. Not me."
Sarah Ing and Kathryn Bailey's Third Annual Labor Day Lemonade Stand was a big hit when they told customers they were going to contribute all their proceeds to ThanksUSA. Friends, family and neighbors were generous. But Sarah and Kathryn are following their own tradition: In 2005, they contributed their proceeds to the needs of those hurt or dislocated by Hurricane Katrina. In 2006, having heard about ThanksUSA through their friends Rachel and Kelsi Okun, they wanted to do something to help families impacted by the Iraqi war.
And they have -- this past Labor Day, they raised $1,000!
Speaking of U.S. enlisted personnel in tough overseas situations, Great Falls jeweler George Adeler said: "They are fighting for us -- for all of us; for our freedom, our rights and our comforts. They are given an order and, as professionals, they do it. It is the job of all of us to help." Adeler moved to the U.S. from Argentina in 1971. His experience and beliefs prompted him to custom-assemble a treasure chest worth $100,000, right after he saw a local newspaper profile of ThanksUSA originators Kelsi and Rachel Okun. "I wanted to help turn their dream into a reality. We always say 'what can I do?' These girls are telling us -- you can do a lot."
Last fall, a five-member family from Wisconsin "took action" in a way both novel and delightful -- they organized a neighborhood carnival! It was a mix of community concern and FUN...
For the second year in a row Sarah Ing and Kathryn Bailey donated all the proceeds from their annual Labor Day lemonade stand to ThanksUSA.
Their 2007 Labor Day lemonade stand raised $750. Thank you for your contributions again this year, Sarah and Kathryn.
The Pennbrook Middle School is located in North Wales, Pennsylvania – a suburb of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The students put on a spring musical – entitled If All Else Fails – and followed it up with something equally impressive: The cast, crew and pit band collected money to donate to (you guessed it) ThanksUSA! See what they wrote to us below...
We'd like you to meet a few of the people who -- through newspaper coverage, classmates of the girls, or friends of friends -- heard about ThankUSA's mission to help military families with the gift of education. These people resolved to take some action, and they "just did it." We appreciate their ideas and help very much!