Spreading Holiday Cheer

Inspired seasonal appeals draw gifts and attention to charities

Sometimes one simple, offbeat idea can make a world of difference to a charity’s fund raising. Coming up with a novel solicitation approach instead of following the crowd — especially at year’s end, when competition for gifts is brisk — can do more than increase donations. It can set the charity apart, draw attention to the organization, polish its image, and attract a whole new pool of donors.

SEE:

Train Exhibit Delivers for Children’s Charity

Letters to Santa Claus Produce Gifts for Food Pantry

Card Shops Are Open for Charity

Minister’s Challenge Inspires Creativity, Camaraderie Among Church Members

Foundation Helps Small Shareholders Turn Their Stock Into Gifts for Charity

Architects Collect Canned Goods by Design

Celebrity Cards Help Group Ring Up Sales

The charities on these pages have done just that. A model-railroad exhibit in Jacksonville, Fla., for example, has raised more than $100,000 in each of the last two years for the Ronald McDonald House. By creating a display that appeals to people of all ages, the charity has started a holiday tradition for many local families and ushered in new donors.

A minister drew inspiration from the biblical parable about a man who gave each of three servants money; two invested it well, but the third just hid it away and got nothing for it. The minister gave small amounts of cash to parishioners, then asked them to spend the money on a project that would bring in funds to help the church build a new steeple.

In another case, a woman who was frustrated that there was no place to shop for charity greeting cards organized shops so that dozens of charities could sell Christmas and Hanukkah cards.

And six years ago, an office administrator at an architectural firm thought of a way to call attention to the work done by hunger-fighting charities: a competition in which architects and engineers use cans of food to construct buildings, sculptures, or just about anything. When the structures are dismantled, local food pantries are the beneficiaries.

Each idea succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations — and several have gone on to become traditions.