Kinda OT but need some help from all you wonderful disboards people!

[aamob]

DD was given a dollar at church yesterday with a challenge to use it to raise funds for bible sticks to send to our military. She thought about a bake sale and DH thinks she should go door to door with info on bible sticks and ask for donations.

Anyone have any suggestions for a quick way to raise some funds other than those? DD is only 8 I should add.

 

[mrsklamc]

What's a Bible stick?

 

[LoriKutchey]

Our church raises money for these also.

Here is an example:
http://www.faithcomesbyhearing.com/bible-stick

 

[robinb]

What's a Bible stick?

... and why would our military want one?

 

[shoney]

How much money is she supposed to raise?


I was going to suggest collecting cans/bottles for deposits, but after a google search, it appears PA doesn't have bottle/can deposits.

but what I did read...you can collect cans and take them to a place that buys aluminum. A girl scout troop claims to have made 8 cents a lb and raised lots of money. Maybe something you could look into.

My recyclables are only picked up every 2 weeks, so I would gladly get rid of them sooner!!!

 

[aamob]

A bible stick is a digital media player that soldiers can listen to scripture anywhere without carrying a bible around.

She doesn't have a set amount, they are just supposed to see what they can raise.

 

[LJSquishy]

I had never heard of Bible sticks before...interesting.

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend going door to door when it comes to making donations related to a specific religion. I am open to all religions but I absolutely get ticked when someone knocks on my door for a religious purpose. I just think it is not the proper way to "spread the word", etc. Also, it is so hard to get people at the right time door to door...it's not like it used to be when door to door was so successful!

I like the bake sale idea...food always sells! Right now it is Girl Scout Cookie time, at least in my area, so I'm not sure where you would plan to sell the baked items...or if you would need some sort of permit or clearance from whatever location you sold at. But, it's a great idea and something to check out!

Also, how about having a yard sale? If you live in a neighborhood, you can ask your neighbors for items to donate for you to sell to help raise money.

My last idea would be to hold a car wash for donations. Those are usually very successful and take minimal supplies. You would need to find a good location and get permission from whatever store/parking lot/etc. Maybe you could even hold it at your church?

Again, if you live in a neighborhood, maybe your daughter could make up coupon books for doing small odd jobs for your neighbors (if you know them) such as pick up dog poop, rake leaves, wash their car, etc...just simple things. Obviously she wouldn't do an "amazing" job...she's 8! but your neighbors would know that and would love to help support her I'm sure.

Hmm...this one may be sort of strange...but what about getting donations from people at work, neighbors, etc, and have your daughter pledge to volunteer a certain number of hours at a local animal shelter. A similar idea to all of the different "walks" organizations do. So, for each $X-amount donation she will pledge 1-hr. It will only work if you know a lot of people, but it could raise a lot of money plus help TWO great causes at the same time!

Depending on how much time she has to raise money, you could do several of these.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

I would give the $1 back to the individual and tell them to raise their own d*** money! What a crock... soldiers that wish have free access to bibles, and those that don't certainly don't want to have religion slammed down their throats! The only one making money in this whole proposition is the company that is selling the so-called- bible sticks in the first place.. it is a complete scam!
Separation of state and church, and the state is paying soldiers wages. Please do not try to impart your religions beliefs on our sons and daughters that give their lives for your freedom.
Steps off my non-denominational soapbox...

 

[LJSquishy]

Ooooh!!! I have one more great idea!!!

If you are willing to spend a little of your own money, go to a garden center (Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Fred Meyer, etc) and purchase the really inexpensive annual flowers such as Pansies, or even Strawberry or other Veggie starts and "sell" them for donations. You could probably sell each plant for a few dollars, or just ask people to donate what they deem appropriate. Maybe you could even pot up a few inexpensive planters with an arrangement of flowers (you can get a few pots at the dollar store) and sell those for a set amount $10 maybe? I bet folks at your church would love to buy flowers.

 

[robinb]

It seems to be that the Bible Stick is pretty limited. Can't the soldiers just download parts of the bible for free onto their iPods and other MP3 playing devices? I would hope that these Bible Stick devices are not meant to share with the surrounding population since that is against the rules in certain countries. I think it's cool that you and your daughter want to send things to the troops, but I would bet the farm that every soldier who wants a bible in MP3 format already has access to one.

 

[Samar]

I'm also against the door to door religious people, even from my own faith!

I vote to host the bake sale and raise funds that way.

 

[htmom]

Just my two cents. She was the one challenged. Her idea should be honored. Help her come up with things to make her idea a reality!

 

[englishteacha]

The Bible sticks look interesting, but I would also guess that most servicemen/women have an MP3 player and could download an audio version of whatever spiritual text they would like.

That said, was this a challenge issued to your DD's Sunday school class? If so, I think having a car wash and bake sale could be profitable if all the kids/families work together.

 

[sksjasams]

I think your DD could get together with another friend or two and put their dollars together. Buy a couple boxes of muffin or brownie mix, make a sign, set up a card table outside of church after service and sell the brownies/muffins.

I think this would be a great location and probably get lots of extra donations.

Door to door solicitaion is not a good idea, especially considering her age and the topic.

Good luck!

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I'm a religious ed director and have to say it's is a pretty tough challenge for 8 year olds to plan their own fundraiser without any more direction than a dollar? There should be a lesson/suggestion/plan to demostrate how they can use their gifts to help others. (Sow a seed make it grow, whichever parable you want to follow with it!)

Personally, I'd be talking to the powers that be on that and suggesting a group project would be a better idea. Our youth have made "stuff" (beaded bracelets, chili, apple pies {the last 2 our teens did}) and sold them after church. I think a bake sale with a few friends (and esp with the kids helping to make the items) would be an appropriate and productive way for them to learn about helping others. The children are currently collecting coins (suggested that they do extra chores around the house) to gather for Habitat for Humanity. Some are also collecting pledges for a walkathon for them next month. We've also done car washes (ask for donations vs charging a set amount= more money comes in!) If your child pools with a few others- they could buy a bottle of car soap.

In all these instances though, there is adult guidance and planning. Certainly great to brainstorm ideas with kids, but I don't like putting it all on them. You don't want them frustrated by the process that they miss out on being able to give.

I also agree that most military have access to some form of scriptures if they want them. Perhaps use the money to help troops in some other way?

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

Hmmm, I had never heard of a Bible stick. My hubby and I aren't religious but he has been deployed on 2 occasions so I asked him about it. In his experience the soldiers that are religious either have Bibles or most of them have it someplace digital (ie:computer, MP3 player, etc) Does she have to send Bible sticks or does she have the option to send something that everyone may appreciate, such as hygiene items, socks, etc...?

 

[melancholywings]

I hate the idea of using children as door to door salesmen as I feel it helps corporations get around child labor laws. It doesn't matter if it's selling greeting cards for school or asking for money to buy bible sticks - in the end the corporations are the ones profiting from the work of children. And they are not being paid a fair wage for that work.