Is It Worth Attending a Shortened Charity Event?

[esavvymom]

I signed up to do a booth this coming Friday. It is for a charity organization who is providing backpacks of school supplies for kids. It's their first event (how do i keep finding those?). It was supposed to be from 12-8pm and was $40. Sent my money, she cashed my check, I emailed her yesterday to confirm and ask a couple basic questions (attendance, website for org, etc).THEN She replies that the event has changed to be 2pm-6pm. They are expecting 300+ for the backpacks, and it's their 1st year doing this. At first, I was ticked because she has cut the time of the event in HALF but not offered any of my money back! I'm not sure that's even legal...I applied for this based on one thing, and they changed it on us without notification or offer of money back. I wanted to shoot back an email asking for half of my money back then! But I didn't. I slept on it......:indif:Now I'm thinking (1) the money is probably what they are using to fill the backpacks for the kids and if they had just ASKED, I probably would have just donated the extra fee for the cause, (2) this could be an opportunity for recruiting and sharing what we have to offer to families in need! One of the reasons I started my business was to help families save money on their food expenses and maybe find some extra income! I should print off my commission check statement from last month (2 shows) and blow it up next to a "help wanted" sign. So now I'm approaching this as a great recruiting benefit- not a "buy stuff from me!!" type of vendor. My recruit and I will be working the event- we had planned on sharing because of the length and me needing to have childcare...but that's not an issue anymore. So I'm going to go for it.(Any tips would be appreciated though!)

 

[chefcharity]

Have your calender ready to go and set appointments and shows up right there! Have thank you postcards ready to go so you can drop them in the mail for your shows when you leave the booth that way they get it in a day or two.......

Should you have some coloring sheets printed and crayons for kids to keep busy while you talk to parents? since it is a kid function. Just a thought...

 

[PCMomto4]

The recruiting approach sounds good because my first thought is if these families are here to get free back to school supplies it is probably because money is very tight.

 

[pamperedpals]

Have your calender ready to go and set appointments and shows up right there! Have thank you postcards ready to go so you can drop them in the mail for your shows when you leave the booth that way they get it in a day or two.......

Should you have some coloring sheets printed and crayons for kids to keep busy while you talk to parents? since it is a kid function. Just a thought...

What a great idea.

 

[esavvymom]

The recruiting approach sounds good because my first thought is if these families are here to get free back to school supplies it is probably because money is very tight.

That's what I thought too.

And great idea on having something for the kids!

 

[Saturday Gourmet]

Someone on here eons ago mentioned doing some glitter or confetti in the Family Size Pitcher. I thought that was such a cool idea. While you're talking to parents, kids will get a kick out of stirring all this up. (Probably a few adults too).

I would also definitely have some type of DCB flyer there. Let them see some of the yummy stuff that can be made in a fraction of the time and cost. I had a really good one, but am on DH's computer right now so I can't attach. I'll try to later if I can remember.

Good luck!

 

[BlessedWifeMommy]

Don't be surprised if the only contacts that you get are the volunteers of the charity organization. I agree with the recruiting angle. You never know who will come by.