Can I get some ideas on how to deal with a request from our church?
Asked by
Darwin (
21867
)
March 23rd, 2009
Last Sunday the preacher asked that everyone who is willing should come forward and pick up an envelope. Inside the envelope could be anything from a piece of scripture to a handwritten card to money. We are supposed to pray to find out what we should do in relation to the envelope’s contents. Mine contained a 3×5 card with the words “Living Water International” written on it. I know what this organization is (it builds wells to provide clean water to villages in Africa), and my first response was “Well, that’s easy. Send them some money.” But I would like to figure out something else to do. For one thing, we don’t have a lot of extra cash. For another, that is the easy way out. I’m not interested in debating the existence of an invisible deity up in the sky. I just want to do something to help others.
Anyone got any good ideas?
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10 Answers
How about instead of sending them cash, organizing a fundraiser? I know times are tough for everyone and donations are hard to come by, but @girlofscience raised $770 for her animal rights organization in the last few weeks, so it can be done!
And whatever you decide, good luck!
NPR had a story recently where the minister passed out $50 bills and told the congregation that their instructions were to come up with a way to invest that money to make more for charity. Some folks had bake sales, dog washes, yard sales, pancake breakfasts…..any number of ideas to turn the money into a greater resource. Maybe something along those lines?
Make up a flier publicizing their cause on your computer, and post it in appropriate places around town.
Make sure everyone in your town has access to clean, safe water by researching water quality and making sure the homeless have access to water for drinking and bathing.
Contact the charity directly, and ask them how you can best help them in lieu of a monetary donation.
All above are good ideas. I was thinking yard sale or bake sale also. I like your ministers idea. Very thought provoking and in this manner you will be able to send more than you couldv’e on your own.
We just did a yard sale for a family in need and I asked a few people for stuff, well they asked some more people and we ended up making $400, it was like turning 5 fish into 5000…I like the yard sale idea and it let’s other people learn about this cause when you explain why you are doing this.
What about organizing a group to donate stuff that the organization might need, rather than money? Like supplies, food, stuff like that. I’m thinking along the lines of care packages that people send to the troops. Would that work?
I liked augustian’s suggestion-contact them directly, and see if there’s anything you can help with “in lieu of monetary donation” as it was aptly put.
I think you should commit a weekend to fast and pray for the organization.
I like nikipedia’s idea of a small fundraiser.
Of course, that would assume that the people you know are not all donating to the charities they found in their envelopes.
Our church does a lot of fundraisers, so I think I would have to tap a different segment of the population. Besides, much of what I would have for a garage sale is already promised to the high schoolers at the church for their rummage sale so they can pay for summer camp at Glorieta.
Augustlan’s idea has some possibilities, though.
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