The day after I took Charlie to the ER to deal with out of control high blood sugars, I fired off about ten emails to local and semi-regional businesses, asking for their support. Not one responded.
JDRF fundraising is tough stuff. You have to deal with lots of rejection and even worse – being ignored. I understand that not every company has charitable donations in their budget, but why not just say so. I would have no problem with the acknowledgement of my request and a response stating that they are currently unable to offer a donation. The act of ignoring my request completely and hoping I just go away, though? I’m not a fan of that.
Getting the word out and trying to fundraise on Facebook is also interesting. Posting a note on Facebook about Charlie and type 1 diabetes is about as popular as asking my “friends” to “Like” Jerry Sandusky.
We do have some things going on though. Next month we’ll hold our “Second Annual Longest Marshmallow Drive for Diabetes” gold fundraiser. We also have four supermarkets selling JDRF sneakers for the month of October. I do need a sponsor for our t-shirts which will be super cool this year if we can come up with the dough. Anyone? Anyone???
I wanted to hold a Hunger Games themed fundraiser event, but friends apparently felt that a cure for type 1 diabetes wasn’t worth dying for. Some friends they are.
A fundraiser I’m very serious about though, is organizing an alumni soccer match between my high school and our biggest rival – St. Joe’s. We hated each other back in the day. I’m trying to track down teammates I played with and guys I played against almost 25 years ago. I picture myself trekking all over the tri-state area in search of former players like Robin Williams in the movie The Best of Times.
Just one twist to the game. Everyone has a weapon and only one can survive.
Happy Diabetes Games!
And may the cure be ever in your favor!
