LLL in the USA WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK CELEBRATION

FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Auctions

Donations: Easier Than I Thought
by Jen Shipp, Topeka, Kansas LLL

The quote in the LEADER’S HANDBOOK, page 155 (third edition) has helped me as I went about asking for donations for the Topeka LLL World Walk for Breastfeeding. “LLL’s purpose is to help breastfeeding mothers and babies, not raise money, but it does take money to accomplish our goal.” I have never been comfortable asking for donations from people, especially from businesses. But I really wanted our Walk to be successful, and I knew that local businesses could provide our Group with donations to be used for door prizes and as silent auction prizes. How was I going to get over my aversion to asking for donations so I could help LLL?

I thought about LLL’s mission, how important it is to our community, and what was the worst that could happen. I prepared a script from which I practiced to make my donation calls. Yes, I practiced before I made that first call because I was nervous. It was like my Preview before I became a Leader. I even wrote the script on paper so I could read it when I was on the phone.

I didn’t go to the businesses; rather, I called them. I pulled out my phone book and made a note card for each business I planned to ask, with their name, phone number, and address on it. I decided to take notes while I was on the phone so I could jot down some information: who the manager or owner was, what their policy about giving donations was, and if they agreed to give a donation or not. This way I would have my note cards for next year, making my job even easier! Here is what I said to each business:

First, I asked for the manager or owner. Usually they were the one answering the phone. Then I said “Hi, my name is Jennifer Shipp, and I’m a La Leche League Leader here in Topeka. La Leche League is a support group for breastfeeding mothers. Since August is Breastfeeding Awareness month, we are celebrating by having a Walk in Gage Park (date and time). We were wondering if (your place of business) would be willing to donate a gift certificate or an item that we can use for our silent auction?” That was it! And surprisingly to me, most said yes.

Once I started getting positive responses, it began to get easier. Our Group ended up with 30-40 donations! The easiest businesses to call were ones that didn’t lose much by giving a donation. For example, we were able to get a few hotels to donate rooms. Their only expense would be cleaning, so they were happy to give them to us. Some other businesses that donated items to us were diaper services, dry cleaners, movie theaters, restaurants, and pizza places. Some businesses asked for a written request before giving a donation. We had that done and reviewed by our DA beforehand so we could give it to them right away. The note cards made sending thank-you letters easy. We also made an “Acknowledgment for Donations” sign and placed it at the Walk.

All it took was an afternoon to make my calls. I was able to call at nap time when it was easiest for me. The hardest part was actually picking up the donations, but with the help of my co-Leaders, it was possible. Some businesses were even willing to mail their donation!

It was easy. I was afraid that the business would reject my request but that was misplaced fear. In a small way, this was outreach to the community because businesses that had never heard of LLL were now aware of LLL and its mission to help mothers breastfeed. It really was much easier than I thought.