LLL in the USA WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK CELEBRATION

FUNDRAISING IDEAS

Walks/Runs

Fundraising Idea From Alaska
by Wanda Fulton, LLL Dillingham, Alaska

Here in Dillingham I think of the walk more as a fun thing for the nursing moms and moms with young children. It does more for breastfeeding awareness than it does for fundraising.

We meet at a church located at the end of our community’s bike trail. We amble down the trail for a half mile or less and then come back. I get sandwich fixings donated from the local store and serve sandwiches and juice after.

I raffle off “junk” items like books, tote bags, water bottles, post-it pads, key rings, etc. The stuff is junk I’ve collected through the year. Sometimes I’ll get a couple small businesses or the Tupperware consultant to donate a few items. WIC always co-sponsors our walk and chips in with goodies too. Every child always wins at least one item. This is extremely popular with the kids and of course the moms are happy to see their kids so thrilled over winning.

I also have two or three activity stations set up. Bubble blowing: I mix a big batch of bubbles and put out pipe cleaners for kids to form their own bubble wands with. Paper Airplanes: I set out paper and make a couple airplanes to get them started. Balloon shaping: one year a mom and her eight- year- old brought balloons twisted and shaped. They also made some and handed them out to the kids. One time I bought the LLL balloons and a local store donated the helium to blow up the balloons. I gave those out to all the kids who participated. Those were a big hit, but I’ve never gotten my act together enough to do that again and I plan to for 2004 if LLL balloons are sold.

It is a combo of walking, eating, visiting, and playing. I guess you’d say it is a walk/picnic.