Fundraising Information

Rotary fundraising efforts boosted by big bull

2009-01-04T06:20:00.000-08:00

A GIANT bull was the subject of a fundraising competition held by Burnham Rotary in aid of the charity SURE. 'Field Marshall', owned by Highbridge farmer Arthur Duckett, has been crowned Britain's biggest bullock and it was brought out for the Rotarians' charity drive.
Members organised a guess the weight competition at the Fatstock Market in North Petherton with Field Marshall the guest of honour.

The super-size bullock weighed in at 1,520kg after piling on 500lb in the past year and is still growing. Burnham Rotary club said that despite hundreds of guesses nobody managed to get Field Marshall's hefty weight right.

'X'ceptional Scrabble Games Anchor Fundraisers

2009-01-04T06:19:00.002-08:00

It's definitely not your grandmother's version of Scrabble.In a fundraising event later this month, teams of Scrabble players will work together to create the highest possible point totals.

But along the way, worries about how many tiles actually bear the letters "J" or "Z" will melt away. In this version, teams will be able to bribe some "very bribable" judges to buy extra letters, sneak a peek at a dictionary and get a lock on a word like "Jazzercise.""It gets really wild," said Vicki Ronald, executive director of the Literacy Council of Benton County. The council will host this year's Scrabble Wars on Jan. 24 at Doubletree Guest Suites in Bentonville. Last year's inaugural event raised about $18,000 for the council; organizers have set a $25,000 goal for this event.

Bon Jovi in "final" Clinton fundraiser

2009-01-04T06:19:00.001-08:00

Hillary Clinton's presidential bid may be over, but that isn't going to stop Bon Jovi helping her campaign out.

Ms Clinton spent much of her Democratic primary campaign against Barack Obama Livin' On A Prayer and she eventually lost out to the Illinois senator.Her defeat proved costly, as she was forced to wipe out $13.2 million of funds she had personally loaned to her campaign.The Hillary Clinton for President campaign remains $6.4 million in debt, however.

Asian Indians begin fundraising drive for Performing Arts Center Eastside

2009-01-02T13:12:00.000-08:00

Asian Indians make up a growing segment of the Eastside immigrant population, with many coming to the area in search of high-tech jobs and the American dream. Now a group representing that same community is working on a different type of vision – one of giving back.

Indian Community Eastside (ICE) formed earlier this year with a mission of raising $1 million for the proposed Performing Arts Center Eastside (PACE) by the summer of 2009

NCSS employees give generously to local United Way fund

2008-12-30T11:17:00.001-08:00

Despite the current economic woes, Newton County School System employees continue to show their generosity and support for our local community by pledging over $150,000 in donations to the United Way in 2009.

Although individual schools and employees support many local charitable organizations, for many years the school system has chosen the United Way as its one system?wide cause for fundraising purposes as all donations stay within Newton County.

United Way of Jamaica to Benefit from Billion Dollar Fundraising Campaign

2008-12-27T12:55:00.001-08:00

The Jamaica Minnesota Organization (JMO) has partnered with United Way of Jamaica to undertake a global billion dollar fundraising campaign to support a range of programmes being undertaken by United Way.

The funds raised will assist at-risk youth and the mentally and physically challenged, and provide skills training, employment generation and conflict resolution programmes. In addition, proceeds will be invested in education and healthy lifestyle initiatives.

Learn more about our NEW, FUN and EASY Fundraising program at: http://www.fundraisingrewards.com

Diana Krall steps into fundraising spotlight to help blood cancer patients in B.C.

2008-12-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

B.C's own Diana Krall is returning to thefundraising spotlight with a team of legendary performers for a cause that isclose to her heart: helping patients with multiple myeloma, leukemia and otherblood cancers. On February 16, 2009, Diana will be joined by Elton John,Diana's husband Elvis Costello, and James Taylor for a private,invitation-only, black tie charity benefit at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

An Evening with Diana Krall - Elton John, Elvis Costello and James Taylorwill raise funds for VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation in support of patient careand pioneering research at B.C's Leukemia and Bone Marrow Transplant Program. "My family and I will always be grateful for the wonderful care ourmother Adella received from the doctors and nurses at VGH," said Diana Krall."Helping the team find cures for multiple myeloma and other blood cancers isthe ultimate tribute to her. We are proud to play a part in providing care,comfort and hope to patients and their loved ones from across our province."

Learn more about our NEW, FUN and EASY Fundraising program at: http://www.fundraisingrewards.com

This fun new program is sweeping the nation and earning thousands of fundraising dollars for schools, hospitals, medical centers, sporting and other non-profit groups. This easy to do and high profit program will guarantee income for years to come for your group. With a 100% return, it is the highest fundraising return ever presented and already is currently active in hundreds of communities’ nation wide.

URGENT Corporate Fundraising Manager, Eden Brown

2008-12-17T06:47:00.000-08:00

A fantastic opportunity to join a high profile national Children's Charity in North London, in the newly created post of Corporate Development Manager/ Corporate Fundraising Manager.
My client's Fundraising Directorate has a team fundraising target of £3 million from corporate partners in the next financial year, and this role will play a key part in delivering this strategy by identifying, winning and developing strategic partnerships with companies.
You'll support their newly appointed Head of Corporate Development and the team in implementing the fundraising strategy and business plan as well as manage cross-departmental projects, which will improve best practice across company fundraising. In addition, you'll establish and maintain long-term relationships with companies to maximise new income opportunities.

Learn more about our NEW, FUN and EASY Fundraising program at: http://www.fundraisingrewards.com

This fun new program is sweeping the nation and earning thousands of fundraising dollars for schools, hospitals, medical centers, sporting and other non-profit groups. This easy to do and high profit program will guarantee income for years to come for your group. With a 100% return, it is the highest fundraising return ever presented and already is currently active in hundreds of communities’ nation wide.

Moose Lodge Breaks Christmas Fundraising Records

2008-12-17T06:39:00.000-08:00

The Christmas spirit kicked into overdrive Sunday as the Marion Moose Lodge 1705 and Chapter 1428 hosted deserving families from all over McDowell.Sunday marked the 55th annual Moose Lodge Christmas Party.

The event was started, according to Moose Lodge member Charles Bumgarner, by Loretta Buchanan when the lodge was founded. "They benefited – I think it was – six families that year," he said. "And it's grown to all this."And grow it has. The party had the dining hall at the lodge packed full of families, happy kids and members serving meals. Linda Haynes, the Christmas committee's chair, said the fund-raising process began with a Labor Day motorcycle show. Since then, they have held an auction, fish fry, turkey shoot and raffles "just to name a few of the activities," she said. The payoff was a new fund-raising record. This year, the lodge garnered $11,000, exceeding last year's total by about $1,500."We sponsored 135 children and 50 families this year," said Haynes. "Each family gets a queen- and twin-size blanket and a food box with a ham, and each child gets a gift."

For charities, fundraising has become a nonevent

2008-12-17T06:34:00.000-08:00

Forgoing the usual gala dinners and lavish luncheons, some Long Island nonprofits are instead turning their annual fundraising dinners and dances into nonevents this year to save money.

Long Island Cares in Hauppauge canceled its annual Harry Chapin Humanitarian Award Dinner, opting instead to send out an invitation that appealed for donations.Robin Amato, director of development, said that tough economic conditions caused the nonprofit food bank to think twice about holding its usual elaborate event."The overall feeling is we made the right choice," Amato said. "In some cases, people were happy not to go to something. They were happy to write a check."

Learn more about our NEW, FUN and EASY Fundraising program at: http://www.fundraisingrewards.com

This fun new program is sweeping the nation and earning thousands of fundraising dollars for schools, hospitals, medical centers, sporting and other non-profit groups. This easy to do and high profit program will guarantee income for years to come for your group. With a 100% return, it is the highest fundraising return ever presented and already is currently active in hundreds of communities’ nation wide.

Money winners of 2008: Barack Obama, king of fundraising

2008-12-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama became the king of fund raising in 2008, having received a record amount in donations for his presidential campaign in the neighborhood of $750 million, and finishing with over $100 million in the bank. These contributions factored into a winning, grass-roots campaign strategy.

Actually he used a two-prong approach that enabled him to tap into the existing Democratic fund-raising machine attracting large donors through various traditional means, such as banquets and A-list parties. At the same time he was able to play the role of outsider and underdog to rally his grass-roots support among the young and commonly disenfranchised, handshake by handshake, and through a very adept use of the internet. The internet provided a constant source of connectivity with his followers, and allowed his team to respond to any news item with immediacy. Now, president-elect Obama will be hoping to continue to amaze as he is tasked with guiding a devastated economy on the brink of collapse back to some semblance of equilibrium.

Learn more about our NEW, FUN and EASY Fundraising program at: http://www.fundraisingrewards.com

This fun new program is sweeping the nation and earning thousands of fundraising dollars for schools, hospitals, medical centers, sporting and other non-profit groups. This easy to do and high profit program will guarantee income for years to come for your group. With a 100% return, it is the highest fundraising return ever presented and already is currently active in hundreds of communities’ nation wide.

Inaugural used for Democratic fundraising

2008-12-15T04:56:00.000-08:00

Georgia political fundraisers have been called back into action, weeks after the the last ballots have been cast.

But this time, it’s the Presidential Inaugural Committee reaching out for donors to help fund the activities in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Letters went out today from area fundraisers offering event packages for up to $50,000 — the cap that Obama has set on individual donations — for tickets to the official inaugural ball, among other events.

“Without the fundraising for the inauguration, not as many people would expernience quite as much,” said Georgia Democratic Party secretary Stephen Leeds, who was tapped as one of Georgia’s fundraisers.

WIMRA Fundraising

2008-12-15T04:55:00.000-08:00

The Women’s International Match Racing Association (WIMRA) has been very active since it’s revitalization in 2007. We have been actively pursuing the goals of the organization: promoting women’s match racing world-wide and supporting the inclusion of women’s match racing in the Olympic Games. As the recent sailing headlines confirm, the second goal has been successfully achieved and we will be seeing women’s match racing in the 2012 Olympics. We have also been advancing with our first goal through teaching clinics in 12 countries with over 200 participants and helping regatta organizers with their events. These activities will be ongoing and we need your help!

Would you like to help WIMRA keep working towards our goals?

You may now make tax-deductible contributions to WIMRA by visiting the WIMRA site (www.wimra.org), logging in using your Username (your email address) and password, and clicking on the "Donate to WIMRA" tab on the top banner.

United Way Ahead of Last Year's Fundraising Pace

2008-12-15T04:54:00.001-08:00

Mason City, IA- A tough economy isn't keeping people from opening their pocket books for charity.

The United Way of North Central Iowa is reporting it’s ahead of its fundraising efforts from last year.

They say record flooding and an economy in recession have made this year difficult, but people are still willing to help those in need.

"We've seen a real increase need in applications for things like housing assistance and heating assistance, unemployment, food banks and areas like that, North Iowans are really recognizing a need there and stepping up with their donations and we can't thank them enough," said regional coordinator Alex Kuhn.

World AIDS Day - Fundraising update and thanks.

2008-12-15T04:53:00.000-08:00

£11,000 raised for LGB and HIV good causes...so far.
Fundraising across Manchester helped to raise over £11,000 for LGB and HIV good causes through the cities initiatives for World Aids Day.

Manchester’s HIV Candlelit Vigil on December 1st, and street collections throughout the city centre over the weekend raised over £6,000 which will be distributed between The Lesbian and Gay Foundation and George House Trust.

The Lesbian and Gay Foundation, raised a further £5,000 from events in the gay village with more monies still coming in. Emma Peate LGF’s Fundraising Manager said: “We’d like to thank everyone who bought a red ribbon, held fundraisers, put money in our collection tins and supported the charities over World Aids Day.” “It’s heart warming to know that people have been so generous during these particularly hard financial times, and that World Aids Day is as important to our community now as it ever was.”

THE MUSKEGON CHRONICLE: NEWS

2008-12-12T05:26:00.002-08:00

With its 100th birthday approaching in three years, the Muskegon Museum of Art is not slowing with age.

In fact, staff at the museum are gearing up for a busy few years, following the direction of a strategic plan recently adopted by the Muskegon Museum of Art Foundation Board of Trustees.

That includes getting ready for a major fundraising campaign with the goal of raising nearly $18 million over the next 10 years. They also are looking at everything from changing the museum's name to improving its collection and finding more space for public education.

Senate Dems plan fundraising bash tonight

2008-12-12T05:26:00.001-08:00

Boston, Mass. - Senate Democrats, who will retain their 35-5 advantage over Republicans in January, go back to the well Tuesday to raise more campaign cash, just a month after the election and two weeks before Christmas.

If the event looks anything like the powwow held two years ago, the cash will rain on Senate Democrats from a long list of moneyed special interests, including prominent Beacon Hill lobbyists, consultants and attorneys, public employee unions and others with extensive business before the Legislature.

Powerhouse grad to lead fundraising

2008-12-12T05:25:00.001-08:00

The University of Western Ontario announced yesterday a heavyweight alumnus will head its fundraising campaign with the hope of raising $500 million for the school.

London native Geoff Beattie was introduced at a news conference yesterday as chairperson for the massive campaign.

Beattie heads Woodbridge, a private investment company controlled by the Thomsons, Canada's wealthiest family. He engineered a merger between Thomson and Reuters to create a global information giant.

"The students of today are getting ready to walk into a world that's very, very different than the one that I was fortunate enough to enter after I graduated in the early 1980s," Beattie said.

Holiday tea becomes fundraiser

2008-12-12T05:24:00.001-08:00

When friends Rosey Bell and Vicki Laidig McCuish decided to host a "high tea" to celebrate their successful battles against cancer, they had no idea what they were getting into.
The party, held in 2004, was inspired by Bell's memories of yearly Christmas teas shared with her mother years ago.

But it was a tree and some pink envelopes that set this tea apart.

Bell had asked her friends to make a donation to the Wellness Community Foothills, a Pasadena- based organization that provides support for cancer patients, family members and caretakers.

She provided pink envelopes and pink ribbon, and before Bell knew it, the donations had topped $2,300.

"We walked into the room after and saw the (Christmas) tree covered from top to bottom in pink envelopes," Bell said. "It was overwhelming."

Today, the tea has evolved into a yearly gift boutique and has become a critical addition the Wellness Community's fundraising efforts.

Champion fundraiser goes to No 10

2008-12-12T05:16:00.000-08:00

A boy who has posted 400 parcels to British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq met the Prime Minister before receiving an honour from Prince Harry.

Keaton Peppiatt, 10, from Bexhill, East Sussex, has won the Young Fundraiser title in the Woman's Own Children of Courage awards.

He fills boxes with sweets, crisps and toiletries which Army chaplains then pass on to soldiers in the Middle East.

He recently sent 50 special boxes filled with individual Christmas cakes.

"I started when my mum saw an ad in a lift to send boxes and thought it would be a good idea," he said.

Atlantic Avenue LDC To Hold Fundraising Event

2008-12-09T06:55:00.000-08:00

ATLANTIC AVENUE — The Board of Directors of the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC) will hold a special celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 10 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the New York Transit Museum to honor Candace P. Damon and Ian L. Kelley.

All are invited to attend this festive event and enjoy special musical guests and a delicious array of hors d’oeuvres and drink provided by the fine restaurants, specialty food and spirit purveyors of Atlantic Avenue. Tickets are each “Friend” $50, “Donor” $100, and “Patron” $250.

Fundraiser nets $350K for repairs to church

2008-12-09T06:54:00.001-08:00

To some people, the First Presbyterian Church in Iowa City looks like an ark, the Rev. Sam Massey said.

So it made sense for church members to name the fundraiser "Save Our Ark" because it is designed to help the church relieve its water-related problems.

The Save Our Ark campaign for the First Presbyterian Church, which has raised $350,000 in money pledged and received, will fund improvements involving the roof, gutters and basement, Massey said. Once improved, the basement will be used for educational space, he said.

Water has been a problem for the church since the beginning of the building, he said.

Salazar begins fundraising for 2010 Senate bid

2008-12-09T06:53:00.001-08:00

Democratic Sen. Ken Salazar already has nearly half a million dollars in the bank for his race, even though he doesn't face re-election for two more years.

Salazar held his first fundraiser for 2010 last week in Denver, and his staff reported Monday that he raked in more than $400,000. About 450 people attended the bash at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, including former Denver mayor Frederico Pena.

If Salazar faces a rigorous challenge in two years, history suggests he'll need to raise much more money. This year's contest for retiring Sen. Wayne Allard's open Senate seat saw Republican Bob Schaffer and Democratic Rep. Mark Udall, the eventual winner, raise more than $17 million combined.

Richardson holding Washington campaign fundraiser Thursday

2008-12-09T06:51:00.000-08:00

Bill Richardson, the incoming Secretary of Commerce, is planning a fundraiser for his still-active presidential campaign committee this Thursday at the Georgetown home of a former business lobbyist who led the fundraising effort of a third-party group that attacked Barack Obama in the Democratic primary.

William A.K. Titleman, along with his wife, Maria, will play host to the Georgetown waterfront reception, at which donors can give up to $2.300 per-person.

Richardson's last FEC report showed just over $150,000 in outstanding debts, and a source close to

Udall, Schaffer set Senate fundraising record

2008-12-09T06:50:00.000-08:00

Democrat Mark Udall raised $12.6 million in his successful bid for the U.S. Senate, while Republican opponent Bob Schaffer raised nearly $7.4 million.

But Schaffer ended the campaign debt-free, while Udall still owes $231,177, according to campaign finance reports released Monday.

Udall and Schaffer set the record for the most money ever raised by a Colorado U.S. Senate candidate from their party - no surprise, given that each U.S. Senate campaign is more expensive than the last.

Udall's take includes $1.26 million he transferred to his Senate campaign from his congressional campaign account.

Pet rescue short of fundraising goal

2008-12-09T06:42:00.000-08:00

Friends for Life, a local nonprofit animal rescue group, was unable to meet its fundraising goals over the weekend. But the group is still taking donations and offering memorial ornaments for now-deceased family pets.

According to Friends for Life board member Louanna Phillips, the fundraising effort garnered about half of the group's goal of $5,000 during the Humboldt County Animal Shelter annual open house Saturday.

Phillips said that because the shelter is a county organization, the agency is unable to raise funds for itself, and needs groups like Friends for Life to help support its pet placement programs.

YMCA close to fundraising goal

2008-12-09T06:40:00.001-08:00

The Ozarks Regional YMCA is close to its goal of raising $200,000 -- enough for three years of a YMCA in the Buffalo- Dallas County area.

The organization has raised $185,000, according to a news release.

The new program center will be located next to Woods IGA.

YMCA programs include Health and Wellness, Youth and Adult Athletics, Childcare, Teen Programs, Active Older Adults programs, Arts and Humanities, Education, camping and special events.

Fundraising to trek USS Pennsylvania's guns to Pa.

2008-12-09T06:38:00.000-08:00

PITTSBURGH - A fundraising campaign is under way to bring a pair of 66-ton gun barrels removed from the USS Pennsylvania battleship to a central Pennsylvania museum.

The 53-foot barrels sat for decades in a field at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Dahlgren, Va., waiting to be melted down, until the Navy approved a deal to send them to the Pennsylvania Military Museum in Boalsburg, Centre County.

Built in 1915, the USS Pennsylvania survived Pearl Harbor and a Japanese torpedo. The gun barrels, once capable of hurling a 1,500 pound armor-piercing shell 20 miles in less than a minute, were removed in 1945 during an overhaul and were not on the ship when it was scuttled in 1948.

The 14-inch diameter gun barrels, large enough for a sailor to crawl inside, will be mounted on a concrete cradle built this year with $200,000 in state money.

Fundraising Muscle Warriors

2008-12-09T06:36:00.000-08:00

Michael McGrath and his team of muscle warriors have completed an army assault course to raise money for a muscular dystrophy charity.

Click here to view Fundraising Muscle Warriors Video.

UFC Fight Night for the Troops fundraising

2008-12-09T06:35:00.000-08:00

I’m heading to North Carolina this week for the UFC Fight Night for the Troops, which should be a pretty cool event. It’s a free card on Spike on Wednesday night tied in with fundraising efforts for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

The fund is designing and building the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, an advanced facility dedicated to research, diagnosis and treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI).

I spoke with Spike TV president Kevin Kay about the event and he acknowledged the sagging economy could affect the fundraising goals but stressed that fans should give what they can.

Michigan state senator pitches GM-Renaissance Center fundraising idea

2008-12-05T09:04:00.001-08:00

A state senator from Detroit says the Michigan state pension fund should consider buying the Renaissance Center from General Motors Corp. and then leasing it back to the automaker.

Sen. Hansen Clarke, a Democrat, says it would help GM raise money at a crucial time for the automaker. Clarke says in the long run the move could boost the fortunes of the state pension fund for retired state teachers and civil servants.

General Motors spokesman Dan Flores said Thursday the automaker would be willing to discuss potential financing options related to the RenCen with the state.

Governor-elect Nixon breaks Missouri fundraising record

2008-12-05T09:03:00.002-08:00

Democratic Gov.-elect Jay Nixon shattered Missouri's gubernatorial fundraising record en route to his Election Day rout of Republican Rep. Kenny Hulshof.

Nixon, the attorney general, raised $17.3 million during his multiyear gubernatorial campaign — doubling Hulshof's $8.5 million, according to an Associated Press analysis of finance reports filed Thursday and in past months.

Nixon's dollar dominance was so strong that he gave away $260,000 to help other Democrats in the final days before the Nov. 4 election while simultaneously flooding the airwaves with his own ads. By contrast, Hulshof, the U.S. congressman from northeast Missouri, had to sharply scale back his TV ads several weeks before the election as he started to run out of cash.

MANATEE FAIR: Regents get creative, sadistic in fundraising

2008-12-05T09:03:00.001-08:00

In addition to the 25 percent tuition increase for the 2009 spring semester, the Board of Regents is getting creative in their effort to simultaneously raise funds for the university and bend over and financially sodomize the collegiate community.

The new efforts, recently added to today’s Regents meeting agenda, will incorporate new blood-sucking measures focused on UNLV students and faculty including pay toilets, classroom admission fees and a campus air tax where patrons of the university will be required to pay for their usage of oxygen while on campus.

“We weren’t sure if the 25 percent increase was sending the right message,” Chancellor Jim Rogers wrote in a recent Facebook message interview. “We don’t want to just pull the carpet out from under students, we also would like to metaphorically beat and starve them, insult their mothers and then top it off with a round of waterboarding.”

Obama fundraising close to $1 billion

2008-12-05T09:01:00.000-08:00

Reporting from Chicago -- As President-elect Barack Obama hosted a gala for some of his earliest and most loyal financial supporters Thursday evening, his aides released new information showing the magnitude of their feat: They raised nearly $1 billion for his campaign and other election-related efforts.

The total includes already recorded and estimated fundraising for his campaign, the national convention, his transition and his upcoming inauguration.

That sets a new and dramatically higher bar for future presidential candidates, radically changing the financial definition of a serious bid for the White House.

United Way fundraising and Angel Tree adoptions in Sevier County in dire need

2008-12-05T08:31:00.000-08:00

In Sevier County many children face not getting presents this year and agencies that help others may be taking big cuts.

Fundraising for the United Way and adoptions of angels in the Salvation Army's angel tree program are both being extended.

Both agencies are putting out an urgent plea for help as the united way stands at just 45% of their million dollar goal and only 150 of close to 600 angels have been adopted.

Tom and Arlene Hetrick picked an angel off the Angel Tree at the Salvation Army in downtown Sevierville.

"We just don't have any children at home anymore. All our children are grown and we feel like we need to share Christmas with the children," says Arlene Hetrick.

Fundraising dilemma for Aspen schools

2008-12-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

ASPEN — Should donors to the Aspen School District have the opportunity to shape programs or curriculum? Or, should they be able to name a building if the gift is large enough?

To iron out the district's guidelines concerning directed giving, the Aspen School Board and the Aspen Education Foundation met Wednesday.

Tension can arise when public institutions accept private funds, acknowledged Cindy Kahn, the new executive director of the Aspen Education Foundation (AEF), the nonprofit fundraising arm of the Aspen School District. A former major gifts officer with the University of Wisconsin, Kahn said she has become “incredibly familiar” with the issues that can arise when a public institution accepts money from private donors.

“I understand that this has been a thorny issue in the past here,” she said.

Women's Center tops fundraising goal by $100k

2008-12-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

CARBONDALE - About eight months after they moved into their new location, officials at the Women's Center say the fundraising drive to pay for the facility has been a success.

Women's Center Director Cathy McClanahan said Wednesday that the center actually exceeded its goal of $1.5 million by raising $1.6 million.

"It's a little over $1.5 million so we are excited about that," she said. "It was amazing. We went public (with the campaign) over a year ago. A year later, the shelter was built."

The center serves as a shelter to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse and their families. It also provides a long list of other support services including a transitional housing program, victim counseling, victim advocacy and crisis intervention.

Civil rights leaders declare fundraising success for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

2008-12-05T08:28:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON — Civil rights leaders gathered Wednesday to declare that they had finally overcome their money obstacles and raised more than $100 million to build the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial near the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall.

The group, headed by St. Louis native Harry Johnson, unveiled an elaborate design of the long-delayed memorial, which will include a 30-foot-high granite statue of the slain civil rights leader.

"We're doing everything within our power to get this built," Johnson said. "Once the memorial is built you cannot take it away."

Robin Hood Honors Five New York City Heroes

2008-12-03T04:16:00.000-08:00

Robin Hood, one of the city's leading poverty-fighting organizations, today hosted the 19th annual Heroes Award Breakfast. The breakfast honored five New Yorkers for their dedicated commitment to improving the lives of under-privileged New Yorkers and the local community. The morning event was held at the recently re-opened Plaza Hotel.

Organizations recognized this year include Uncommon Schools, Year Up, Community Access and Food Bank for New York City. Each organization was presented with a grant for $50,000.

Lyons firefighters undress for fundraising calendar

2008-12-02T07:20:00.000-08:00

Members of Lyons Volunteer Fire and Rescue take their role in public safety seriously.

A 2009 calendar featuring the town’s firefighters shows they don’t necessarily take themselves too seriously.

The “It Takes All Kinds” calendar features the firefighters in various states of undress, ranging from two topless men with fire extinguishers in a duck blind to a firefighter in an apron flipping pancakes.

“It all went back to those English ladies who did it,” said Ron Daberkow, firefighter and superintendent of the city of Lyons. “Other fire departments have done it, so we figured why not?”

Jamie Ferguson’s husband appears in the calendar, but she was quick to admit it wasn’t a “beefcake”.

CCCL fundraising in Abu Dhabi

2008-12-02T07:19:00.001-08:00

A fundraising Gala dinner was held at Emirates Palace Hotel, on Thursday November 27, 2008 to help the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL) to treat children with cancer.

Around 800 guests who took par in the event, including Emirati families and Lebanese and Arab residents in Abu Dhabi were entertained by Arab singer Assi El Hallani.

Thos who attended the event include Salim Zeenni (Chairman of the CCCL Board of Trustees), Issam Makarem (Cashier of the Board), Nora Jomblat (Chairperson of the Gala Committee), Salwa Salman (Member of the Board), Sallama Al Sayegh (Member of the Board), and Dr. Cesar Bassim (Member of the Board); Nassib Nasr, CCCL International Outreach Director, and Maria Mamlouk, CCCL Projects Manager. Zeenni addressed the attendees in a speech highlighting the significant role the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon is playing within the Arab region and thanked all the CCCL benefactors for their generosity.

Leverage Inc. Announces a National Fundraising Program

2008-12-02T07:17:00.000-08:00

SANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Leverage(R) Inc., a leading provider of online gift card services, today announced a national fundraising program that provides charitable organizations with a cost-free turnkey solution to generate revenue through gift card sales to supporters. The new program enables consumers to support their favorite charitable organizations simply by making their gift card purchases online at LeverageCard.com.

The fundraiser is simple to launch and easy to market. Leverage provides each fundraising partner with a customized marketing kit including materials needed to publicize the program both off and online to their supporters. Organization websites can display a banner which directs consumers to a personalized LeverageCard.com landing page where they may purchase a gift card from a selection of over 200 leading retail brands. Fifty percent of the net profits of gift card purchases made by an organization's supporters through the site will go directly to that charity. Once the supporter has designated their charity of choice, the net revenue generated from that supporter's gift card purchases over the entire year will automatically go to their chosen organization.

State sends out organ donor information

2008-11-30T06:15:00.000-08:00

OLYMPIA -- Drivers getting their license renewal notice from the state Department of Licensing will see something new in the envelope.

The department is including a special insert from the Living Legacy, the fundraising arm of LifeCenter Northwest, the Bellevue organization that runs the organ donor program in Washington, Alaska, Montana and northern Idaho.

The insert asks for money to promote awareness of organ donation.

After a three-month test with the flier, the Department of Licensing says it may allow other public service inserts in its mail.

There is no provision in the nonstitution prohibiting fund raising by donation - PDP

2008-11-30T06:09:00.000-08:00

Amid criticism about its proposed N10 billion fundraising for its National Secretariat, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it will not allow disgruntled politicians to distract it.

The National Publicity Secretary of PDP said, “We are also gladdened that the event was successful without recourse to public funds as mischievously reported in some sections of the media.

“The PDP as a political party that believes in the rule of law, accountability and transparency will not allow its attention to be diverted by some disgruntled politician. There is no provision in the 1999 Constitution especially Section 225 which covers Finances of political parties, prohibiting fund raising through donation by a political party."

“Under Article 18(c) of the registered Constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party, donation is one of the sources of Funds for the party. That provision is not in conflict with any provision of the 1999 constitution or the Electoral Act, 2006. In fact, it draws inspiration and support from them.

Fundraising Through Games

2008-11-30T06:07:00.000-08:00

Vancouver, Canada, November 29, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The JW Inglis Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee and Starlit Citadel (www.starlitcitadel.com); an online board games store are working together to hold a fundraising evening of board games on Wednesday, December 3, 2008 at JW Inglis Elementary School.“This is a brand new fundraising venture for the school and one that we are very excited about. We love the idea of selling games as a fundraiser as it is not only an educational past-time, but it also encourages family and social interaction,” said Jennifer Greenwood, Vice-President of the JW Inglis Elementary School Parent Advisory Committee.

“We look forward to seeing the children and their family members at this combined games night and bake sale.”“Introducing board games to children encourages critical thinking and math skills at an early age. Furthermore, it is an environment that emphasizes interaction and competition which an entire family can participate in,” said CEO Tao Wong of Starlit Citadel.“Supporting the JW Inglis Elementary School’s Game Night is a great way to give back to the community through the introduction of these popular board games and the encouragement of this traditional past-time. We look forward to working with JW Inglis and any other schools that would like to hold a fundraiser of this form.”

Holiday fundraising events

2008-11-30T05:37:00.000-08:00

Restaurant event funding holiday toys Dave's Dockside restaurant in Murrells Inlet will hold a fundraising party at 6 p.m. Monday for Help 4 Kids, a local nonprofit agency that assists local children in need. The $50 cover charge, which covers all you can drink alcoholic beverages and all you can eat, will go to buy Christmas toys for local kids.

Please call manager J.P. Watts at 602-1641 for information.

Christmas Murder Mystery Dinner 6 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Tidewater Community Amenity Center, on Little River Neck Road in North Myrtle Beach. Proceeds benefit the Horry County Literacy Council. $40 per person ($20 tax deductible), and include cheese and crackers, salad, a catered Italian dinner, beverages and Christmas desserts. 910-280-4929, or e-mail nana2nmb@sc.rr.com.

Christmas Charity Gala 6:30-11:30 p.m. Dec. 8 at Pete's Landing at Dock Holidays, North Myrtle Beach. Gala includes dinner, dancing, a silent auction and prizes, and entertainment by Richard Hubbell and Mark Roberts and Breeze. $50; reservations due Monday. 222-0686, 450-8412 or 267-6554, or www.fandbfof4charity.com.

UNCSA Fundraising

2008-11-30T05:35:00.000-08:00

The UNC School of the Arts faces significant fundraising challenges, as a story last Sunday by the Journal's Ken Keuffel made clear. Chancellor John Mauceri will have to use all his organizational skills to ramp up the school's fundraising. He'll need plenty of support to ensure that the school, a gem of the City of the Arts, continues to improve.

At least two significant problems complicate fundraising at the performing-arts school. The first one concerns the fundraising staff. Four positions at the heart of the school's fundraising operations, including alumni director, are vacant. Two have been put on hold for budget reasons. An alumni director is expected to be hired next year. The school needs to find the money for the best alumni director possible, and fill that position and the others soon.

Mauceri has done a good job in his first couple of years as chancellor, and he knows that a big part of the job of any college head these days is raising money. The school's opera program is facing especially tough financial challenges, but all the school's programs need adequate financing. The school needs more money than the state, its main source of financing, can provide.

Madonna's Raising Malawi Fundraising Event In February Still Raises Questions

2008-11-28T04:32:00.001-08:00

New York, NY (CNS) - It's more than nine months since Madonna's successful fundraising party for her charity Raising Malawi, but controversies still plague the event.

Media reports have criticized the pop superstar's use of the U.N. building in New York for the event. Bloggers questioned why the fundraising affair was held in the historic building for her charity, which is administered by the Kabbalah Center in Los Angeles.

It also seems like the "Material Girl" just used the event, which was attended by some of Hollywood's top celebrities, as a front to promote Kabbalah and luxury fashion house Gucci, its major sponsor.

Gucci paid for the event, claiming that all the money raised would be split between the non-profit organization and Unicef. However, critics have pointed out that the star-studded bash was tied into the Friday opening of Gucci's Manhattan flagship store.

Coalition Challenges Utah Fund-Raising Law in Federal Court

2008-11-28T04:19:00.000-08:00

A Utah law that requires out-of-state fund-raising consultants to register with Utah authorities has been challenged in federal court.

The lawsuit was filed by American Charities for Reasonable Fundraising Regulation, a coalition of fund-raising consultants and nonprofit organizations, and Rainbow Direct Marketing, a fund-raising consultant in Highland, N.Y.

The complaint said the Utah requirement is burdensome, unconstitutionally stifles free speech, and is unnecessary because it duplicates federal rules.

The lawsuit said many consultants that support the court filing are required by Utah to register and pay annual filing fees because charities for which they perform services send mail solicitations and educational materials to residents of the state.

Knott's Berry Farm Rings in New Year with Uplifting Rock and Family Fun at Praise 2009

2008-11-28T04:18:00.000-08:00

BUENA PARK, Calif., Nov 25, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Knott's Berry Farm will blast into the New Year with a contemporary Christian entertainment celebration with the hottest musical headliners taking over the theme park.

Praise 2009 combines a night of famous Knott's attractions such as Silver Bullet, GhostRider and the new Pony Express, with the biggest names in contemporary Christian music. December 31 headliners include chart toppers Kutless, Todd Agnew, Brandon Heath, Addison Road and comedian Thor Ramsey.

In addition, Rick Reyna will be presenting the Rallys for Christ Stage featuring Latin and hip hop performances by En Kairos, The Queens, Roca Firme, SOG, Devo, T-Bone and Aaron de La Cruz.

The rock quintet Kutless has landed three top singles on the Christian music charts, has sold 180,000 copies of its self-titled album, and 250,000 copies of its 2003 effort Sea of Faces. The group has toured with some of the top bands in Christian music and even performed at a Billy Graham crusade before an audience of 95,000.

Fundraising questions hamper effort to memorialize the Korean War

2008-11-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A non-profit group has been collecting donations for a decade to establish a first-of-its-kind national museum in Springfield honoring veterans of the Korean War. The group has raised more than $7 million in that time — most of it from veterans.

But the group has spent almost every dollar it raised. And all it has to show for it is a vacant lot in Springfield.

A Post-Dispatch investigation has found that the national project, billed as "the first museum devoted exclusively to the Korean War," has burned through millions for salaries, administrative costs and fundraising expenses, while the project itself has languished.

Fundraising goes off with a bang for Barclays staff

2008-11-26T06:42:00.002-08:00

A SPARKLING display of fundraising at a fireworks night has helped raise hundreds of pounds for charity.

Hospice of the Valleys could certainly bank on huge support from the staff at Barclays Tredegar who raised £726 to swell the charity’s coffers.

Bank staff Kay Yates, Julie Gough and Katie Turner put their noses to the grindstone, and the kettles on the boil, to provide refreshments at the fireworks display, and the bank matched the money they raised pound for pound as part of the Barclays Community Investment Program.

Kevin Davidge, community fundraiser for the Hospice of the Valleys, was delighted with the efforts.

He said: “We are very grateful to the girls for all their hard work and effort – the monies raised will be of great benefit to all the patients of the hospice.”

United Way fundraising campaign struggling

2008-11-26T06:42:00.001-08:00

The Fond du Lac Area United Way fundraising campaign is lagging behind last year's mark, yet another result of a sputtering economy.

The annual campaign began Sept. 11 with a goal to raise $800,000 for its 17-member agencies.

Through last week, United Way had raised 45 percent of its goal, said Executive Director Tina Potter. By the same time last year, the organization had raised 52 percent of its $800,000 objective.

She added that the United Way has received more than $700,000 in requests from local charities.

Donor’s $25,000 gift boosts Glove House fundraising campaign

2008-11-26T06:40:00.000-08:00

Spurred by a challenge from an anonymous donor, Glove House recently wrapped up a fundraising campaign that saw the organization raise $28,000.

As a result, the anonymous donor matched the original goal by donating another $25,000.

Each year, a gap remains between the costs of Glove House programs and funding received. In order to provide quality services, Glove House needs to attain some independence from external factors that affect the agency, like state and federal budgets, to ensure that it meets community needs. One hundred percent of all donations given to Glove House go directly to helping youths.

Fundraising firefighter to take on Kilimanjaro challenge in cancer sufferer’s place

2008-11-24T11:04:00.000-08:00

A FUNDRAISING fireman has stepped in to help cancer battler Bridget McNally after chemotherapy got in the way of her second hike up Mount Kilimanjaro.

Bridget, who lives in Blackwood, was due to climb the African summit for the second time in February to raise money for Cancer Research UK, but was forced to pull out when her cancer flared up for the third time.

Now, Bargoed-based firefighter Mike Hill has agreed to scale the Tanzanian peak in place of the mum of three.

Relay For Life Kicks Off South Fork’s Inaugural Fundraising Effort At SYS

2008-11-24T11:00:00.000-08:00

Southampton - When Diane Nicholson, the American Cancer Society community executive for the East End of Long Island, approached Southampton Youth Services Executive Director Scott Johnson about hosting an event, Sharon Wood, SYS marketing director, promptly volunteered to carry the torch. Wood has lost five family members - her grandmother, mother, mother-in-law, surrogate mother and grandfather - to five different types of cancer.

Event chair Sharon Wood briefs the audience on the goals of the
inaugural Relay For Life in Southampton.

“I feel like this was sent to me,” Wood said. “There’s a reason for everything. Cancer shows no mercy. Everyone here has been affected by cancer in some way.”

Bruised Barclays gets backing for capital plan

2008-11-24T10:52:00.000-08:00

Barclays Plc (BARC.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) won approval for its controversial 7 billion pound ($10.4 billion) fundraising, but the British bank was slammed by shareholders for ignoring their rights and favouring two big Middle East investors.

Barclays said on Monday about 87 percent of investors who voted had backed the plan, although approval dropped to 78 percent if abstentions were included. Barclays was expected to win approval from the 75 percent of voters it needed.

Many investors said they had been forced to back the plan and some voiced fury at a stormy meeting of about 310 investors.

National Hockey League and The Salvation Army to Launch Online Red Kettles During the Holiday Season

2008-11-23T06:51:00.000-08:00

The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced its collaboration with the Salvation Army to support the Salvation Army's 2008 National Christmas Campaign in the United States and Canada.
The Salvation Army's first collaboration in both the US and Canada will allow NHL(R) fans in both countries to donate in an exciting way through Online Red Kettles. Online Red Kettles are the Internet counterpart to The Salvation Army's traditional physical red kettles, which are stationed at retail outlets and street corners throughout the Christmas season. Both online and physical kettles collect money to help the Army to provide toys for kids, coats for the homeless, food for the hungry and countless social service programs year-round.

Obama Raised Half a Billion Online

2008-11-23T06:50:00.000-08:00

Barack Obama raised half a billion dollars online in his 21-month campaign for the White House, dramatically ushering in a new digital era in presidential fundraising.

In an exclusive interview with The Post, members of the vaunted Triple O, Obama's online operation, broke down the numbers: 3 million donors made a total of 6.5 million donations online adding up to more than $500 million. Of those 6.5 million donations, 6 million were in increments of $100 or less. The average online donation was $80, and the average Obama donor gave more than once.

United Way raises a record $40.5 million

2008-11-23T06:49:00.000-08:00

The United Way of Greater Kansas City announced this afternoon that it raised a record $40,529,036 in its annual fundraising campaign.
United Way campaign co-chair Peter deSilva said he was extremely grateful for the generosity of so many individuals and corporations.

"Although many are facing their own tough economic times, they responded by digging a little deeper, knowing so many families and individuals in our community really need a hand," deSilva said in a statement.

Terra starts fundraising

2008-02-19T16:39:00.000-08:00

Following a successful internal campaign, Terra Community College is prepared to embark upon the next phase of its major gifts campaign, "Investment in the Future."

A kick-off event at the college Thursday will begin to involve the community in the fundraising process.

The campaign, the first in a decade at Terra, is designed to provide needed support in two primary areas:

State-of-the-art instructional lab equipment for new and existing academic programs

Additional assistance to students through need-based scholarship awards
Faculty members estimate needs of more than $2 million to upgrade existing labs and develop new ones. Only $45,000 is available from the state each year for this purpose. In fact, state funding accounts for approximately 42 percent of the college's total budget, a decrease of 16 percent in the last 10 years.

"After we identified our needs, we conducted a broad-based feasibility study," explained Sue Babione, executive director of the Terra College Foundation. "We discovered there was strong private sector support for a major gifts campaign, so we made the decision to go forward with it."

The campaign began last spring with a "family" division involving Terra employees and board members.

United Way presents raffle winner

2007-11-28T15:06:00.000-08:00

GLADWIN COUNTY -- United Way of Gladwin County recently handed over the keys to a utility vehicle it was raffling.

United Way would like to again thank all those who supported the Husqvarna Utility Vehicle Raffle by purchasing tickets.

Thanks to everyone’s generous support they were able to raise $3,790 which will go to its 23 member agencies.

For those who did not get a chance to participate in the raffle, it is not too late to contribute to the 2007-2008 Fundraising Campaign, chaired by Glenn and Jane Smith of the Schumacher Insurance Agency in Beaverton.

United Way of Gladwin County has been serving the community by giving financial support to its member agencies for nearly two decades.

Ron Paul celebrates an online fundraising coup

2007-11-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

He may be pushed to the edge of the stage, literally and figuratively, when the candidates debate. He languishes in the low single digits in polls.

But Rep. Ron Paul is getting his moment in the sun in his long-shot bid for the Republican presidential nomination after this week's formidable online fundraising --a reported $4.2 million in a single day.

FOR THE RECORD:
Ron Paul: An article in Thursday's Section A about the $4.2 million raised by Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul in a single day called the donations "pledges." The funds have already been transmitted by credit card and check, according to the Paul campaign.

President's Houston visit highlights city's fundraising power

2007-11-12T15:10:00.001-08:00

President Bush has departed Houston after spending about an hour and a half at the River Oaks home of Richard and Nancy Kinder. It was the first stop on Bush’s two-city Texas fundraising tour.

The fundraisers, in Houston and San Antonio, are expected to raise about $1.3 million for the Texas Republican Party and the campaign of Sen. John Cornyn, who is likely to face democrat Rick Noriega in 2008.

F1 Race Factory to Support Andrea's Closet Holiday Fundraising Efforts

2007-11-05T16:09:00.001-08:00

F1 Race Factory, the nation's largest indoor kart racing facility, announced that for all corporate group events booked at F1 Race Factory prior to November 22nd, a donation of 20% of the package price will be donated to Andrea's Closet. Andrea's Closet is dedicated to providing toys to children in medical facilities who are facing difficult medical treatments.

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) November 3, 2007 -- F1 Race Factory, the nation's largest indoor kart racing facility, announced that for all corporate group events booked at F1 Race Factory prior to November 22nd, a donation of 20% of the package price will be donated to Andrea's Closet.

Andrea's Closet is dedicated to providing toys to children in medical facilities who are facing difficult medical treatments. More information is available at www.AndreasCloset.org

Scott Sanders, F1's President commented, "The holiday season provides an excellent opportunity to help a great local charity such as Andrea's Closet. We are thrilled to provide a fun packed alternative for those that want to, "Get their race on" and help our community at the same time."

Romney lead in presidential candidate fundraising

2007-11-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

RACINE — Racine County is financially backing Republican presidential candidates more often than their Democrat counterparts.

About 62 percent of the total monetary contributions in the county are going to Republicans, according to the latest contribution information compiled by an online database.

According to the PoliticalBase.com, Republican presidential candidates have raised $21,194 compared to their Democrat counterparts, who have raised $12,746 thus far.

"There’s an old saying that if you win Racine County, you’ve won the state. Racine is key to winning Wisconsin so it’s good to see Republicans doing well there," said Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. "It’s a good indicator of what we’ll see from the state as a whole next year."

Hillary Clinton fundraising scandal has a Utah connection

2007-10-29T15:39:00.001-07:00

WASHINGTON - The campaign finance scandal triggered by a federal fugitive raising funds for the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign has a Utah connection.
Clinton's campaign has refunded $9,200 donated by Salt Lake City couple James and Sherlene Dean. Their contribution was among the $850,000 refunded because of the connection with fundraiser Norman Hsu.
Hsu was arrested and charged as a scam artist who allegedly bilked investors out of $60 million.
He had been a fugitive for 15 years.
Hsu's company, Components Limited - which federal prosecutors say was a front for a Ponzi scheme - once paid a company controlled by the Deans, The New York Times reported this month, citing bank records obtained by the newspaper.
The Deans donated the maximum amount, $4,600 each, for Clinton's campaign in June.
Neither had given money to another federal candidate in the last six election cycles.
Sherlene Dean registered to vote last year as a Republican.
James Dean declined comment this week to a Salt Lake Tribune reporter who visited his home in the Federal Heights area of the capital city.
The couple's listed home phone number has been disconnected.

Sharon Stone Juggles Fundraising, Motherhood

2007-10-29T15:38:00.001-07:00

Although actress Sharon Stone was in Rome raising money for AIDS research on Friday, she was never far from her three sons Roan, 7, Laird, 2, and 17-month-old Quinn.

"They're with my sister in L.A. and I've been getting regular texts and updates all day,” Stone told PEOPLE at a benefit for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. "My two year-old just had his first shaving experience with the back of a toothbrush!"

Clad in Fendi fur shawl and dress, Stone was in town to host the benefit. She personally conducted an auction of, among other items, De Grisogono jewelry and contemporary art, charming and cajoling the VIP crowd.

"We're in for 35, back to you for 45… Don't flirt with me and not mean it, you know I hate that … I love that quiet talk but I can't quite hear you," said Stone.

Among the items sold were a series of nine sultry photos of the actress taken by photographer Mark Liddell, which went for $25,000.

Hopewell, McCann lead commission fundraising

2007-10-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

KALAMAZOO -- Kalamazoo Vice Mayor Bobby Hopewell may well have set a pre-election campaign fundraising record, and Commissioner Sean McCann has already out-raised his total 2005 election war chest.

Friday's deadline for candidates to file their pre-election campaign finance reports showed that other incumbent Kalamazoo city commissioners seeking re-election Nov. 6 are trailing well behind their comparable money totals in 2005.

With two weeks remaining in the final campaign fundraising push, Hopewell reported raising $20,548 through Oct. 21, nearly $1,000 more than the total he garnered in the entire 2005 election cycle.

McCann is also nearly $1,000 ahead of his final 2005 pace, according to the campaign finance report he filed with the Kalamazoo County Clerk's Office. He reported raising $12,110 through Oct. 21.

Arizona's Democrats lead GOP in fundraising

2007-10-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

Slightly more than a year out from the 2008 general election, two of the biggest electoral indicators are pointing to a decidedly Democratic year in Arizona.

The state's Republican Party has fallen far behind in fundraising, trailing Democrats by a more than 3-to-1 ratio so far this year.

Nearly the same ratio holds true for new voters signed up during the past year. Since October 2006, just one in every 10 new voters has registered with the GOP, a startling percentage in a state long dominated by the Republican Party.
"It's too bad right now our party's not energized," said Tucson car dealer Jim Click, arguably Arizona's biggest GOP donor. "You've got a lot of big supporters on the sidelines."

What's going on?

In many ways, it's a continuation of the Democratic momentum from the 2006 election.

The party won landslides in the races for governor and attorney general and gained seven legislative and two congressional seats, though the GOP still controls the state House and Senate.

Symphony helps Salvation Army with fundraising

2007-10-23T15:24:00.001-07:00

The Salvation Army is planning a benefit evening at the Marin Symphony to boost its holiday fund-raising campaign.
Tickets at $100 each are on sale for the Nov. 6 reception and performance of violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn playing Beethoven, Brahms and Mendelsohn on the legendary 1720 "Red Mendelsohn" Stradivarius that inspired the Academy Award winning film, "The Red Violin."

The film will be shown at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Rafael Film Center.

The Salvation Army will host a pre-concert reception where the public can meet board members, staff and other supporters of the charitable agency. "We want their friendship and their input," says Capt. Thomas Stambaugh, corps officer for Marin County.

The symphony benefit will kick off the Army's fundraising season. The goal this year is $75,000. Funds are used to help Marin families pay rent and utility bills and provide holiday boxes of food.

The annual kettle program, when bell-ringers solicit donations from shoppers at dozens of locations in Marin County, will begin Nov. 19.

Romney leads fundraising pack in Oregon

2007-10-23T15:23:00.002-07:00

If money talks, Oregonians are barely whispering in the debate about who will be the next president.

Campaign expenditure reports through three quarters (that's January through September) show Oregonians have contributed $1,467,117 to presidential candidates. The figure comes from The Center for Responsive Politics, which identifies itself as a nonpartisan, nonprofit research group that tracks political dollars.

Oregon comes across as ... mmm ... frugal compared with states of similar population.

Connecticut residents have contributed $10 million to presidential campaigns. Oklahomans have written checks for $1.9 million (proving that not every dollar goes to football in the Sooner state).

Still, this is pocket change compared with what's happening in other states. Californians have contributed more than $51 million. New York is next at $49 million.

Tharinger, Forde combine for nearly $50,000 in fundraising for Clallam commissioner

2007-10-23T15:23:00.001-07:00

Incumbent Steve Tharinger and challenger Bob Forde have raised a combined $48,909.96 in their quest for the District 1 position of the Clallam County Board of Commissioners in the Nov. 6 general election.

Forde, a Sequim Republican, has the largest single contribution, $10,000.

But his opponent, Tharinger, a Dungeness Democrat, counts among his donations $30 each from fellow Clallam County Commissioner Mike Chapman and his wife, Bobbi, of Port Angeles.

That's just one slice of the quieter but no less significant money race that parallels the stump speeches and political forums of the 2007 general election.

Because Forde and Tharinger raised at least $3,500 and accepted contributions of $300 or more this election season, they are required to file detailed lists of contributors and expenses with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Forde, the 62-year-old sales manager of Sequim Auto Sales, received $10,000 from the Clallam County Republican Central Committee, half his total cash and in-kind contributions of $21,320.30 as of Oct. 12, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Hospital race leads all Jefferson County campaigns in fundraising

2007-10-23T15:22:00.000-07:00

Retired pathologist Marc Mauney has the advantage of more doctors' endorsements and 10 times more money in his battle against Robert Bentley for an open Jefferson Healthcare hospital board seat.

But Bentley is trying to turn those into negatives in the Nov. 6 general election race for the six-year position.

The Jefferson Healthcare hospital board Position 3 race, and contests for open Port of Port Townsend and Port Townsend Fire District No. 1 seats, are the only Jefferson County races in which at least one candidate plans to spend more than $3,500 or accept individual contributions of $300 or more.

When they do what's called full reporting, they must file detailed lists of contributors and expenses with the state Public Disclosure Commission.

Here's a look at those races:

Public Hospital District 2 (Jefferson Healthcare)
Robert Bentley vs. Marc Mauney
Mauney, 52, has raised $10,290 for his campaign, more than twice as much as anyone running for any office in Jefferson County.

The Fundraising Race is on for 2008 Congressional Races

2007-10-20T08:13:00.000-07:00

New Hampshire's political elite may be focused on the presidential campaigns right now, but the state's congressional contenders have been busy in recent months trying to build their coffers for 2008.

Former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen announced her U.S. Senate campaign on Sept. 14, and has hit the ground running on the fundraising front. In two weeks, Shaheen pulled in $187,888, with 415 contributions of $100 or less, according to her campaign. Shaheen has pulled in an impressive amount quickly, but still has a long way to go to catch up to Republican U.S. Sen. John Sununu. According to his most recent Federal Election Commission reports, he has $2,106,793 cash on hand.

In the 1st Congressional District race, Democrat U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter will likely have to fight hard to keep her seat. She raised $148,864 in the third quarter and now has $376,691 cash on hand.

Shea-Porter received some criticism earlier in the year for he lack of fundraising prowess, but FEC reports show she has employed the services of D.C. fundraising consultant Scott Dworkin.

Edwards, Giuliani lead in Alabama fundraising

2007-10-20T08:12:00.001-07:00

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards leads Democratic presidential candidates in fundraising in Alabama, while former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is tops on the Republican side.

Quarterly fundraising reports show Edwards had collected $438,521 in Alabama through Sept. 30. Giuliani listed $270,650 in Alabama donations, the Press-Register reported Wednesday.

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, a late entry into the Republican presidential race, has raised $203,154 in Alabama.

Hillary Clinton Dismissed as a Defendant in California Fundraising Dispute

2007-10-20T08:11:00.000-07:00

A California state appeals court has upheld a previous ruling made in Los Angeles Superior Court which dismisses Hillary Clinton as a defendant in a civil lawsuit over the financing of a 2000 Hollywood fundraiser for her first senate campaign that was to honor the tenure of former President Bill Clinton. But the appeal judges also ruled that the plaintiff in the case may still be allowed to depose the former First Lady once discovery in the matter commences.

The plaintiff in the case, North Carolina businessman Peter Franklin Paul, had filed a civil suit in 2004 against Bill and Hillary Clinton and her 2000 New York U.S. Senate election committee to recover over one million dollars in expenses he claimed he incurred when putting together the event in Los Angeles which was billed as a 'Farewell Salute to President Clinton.'

McCain, Clinton lead state fundraising

2007-10-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton and Arizona Sen. John McCain outraised their presidential primary rivals in the state during the third quarter.

McCain, a Republican, raised $347,000 in Arizona during the third quarter, according to the Federal Election Commission. That is more than his GOP presidential rivals.

New York Sen. Clinton raised $281,000 in Arizona during the quarter ahead of Democratic contenders Illinois Sen. Barack Obama ($97,000), former North Carolina senator John Edwards ($27,000) and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson ($73,000).

McCain raised more in his home state than former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani ($103,000), former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney ($155,000), Texas Congressman Ron Paul ($52,000) and actor Fred Thompson ($60,000).

Both McCain and Clinton enjoy financial support from business interests including banks, financial houses, corporate law firms and investment funds, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.

A recent Arizona State University polls gives McCain a narrow lead over Romney, Giuliani and Thompson among state Republicans and Mrs. Clinton dominating the Democratic field.

McGill launches massive $750-million fundraising campaign

2007-10-20T08:08:00.000-07:00

Montreal's McGill University will announce one of the largest fundraising campaigns in Canada this morning, aiming to bring in $750-million in donations.

The drive, which will get a kick-start with the announcement of three major gifts today, comes at a time when universities across the country are tapping alumni and wealthy individuals for cash like never before, individuals familiar with the sector say.

"You can no longer only rely on public funding. You've got to supplement that. You have to fundraise," a veteran of university campaigns said yesterday.

McGill's announcement places it in a small group of Canadian public institutions that have embarked on sizable campaigns. To date, the largest drive at a Canadian public institution was the "great minds" initiative at the University of Toronto. That effort, unveiled in the late 1990s, began with a target of $400-million. It was eventually raised to $1-billion and exceeded that amount when it concluded in 2003.

Treading on thin ice
Why U.S. won't remove Arar from no-fly list
ONE DEAD, TWO INJURED AS TROUBLED AIRCRAFT FALLS FROM THE SKY
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In the United States, by comparison, there are more than 30 billion-dollar university campaigns now in progress or recently completed.

While fundraising has become a key part of the strategic plans at many universities, some schools have moved away from the traditional campaigns and targets, in part because of competition with other formal drives.

"We are living in a world of perpetual campaigning," said David Mitchell, the recently appointed vice-principal of advancement at Queen's University. Mr. Mitchell said most universities do not wait for a formal initiative to hunt for funds, although a public announcement such as the one today can raise the profile of an institution and give momentum to a cause.

Iowa State announces $800 million fundraising effort

2007-10-20T07:50:00.000-07:00

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa State University has announced an $800 million fundraising campaign that president Gregory Geoffroy says will transform the school.

Iowa State officials have been conducting the campaign privately since July 2003 and have received more than $500 million in gifts and commitments.

The money raised will be spent on four key areas: students, faculty, academic and out-of-classroom programs, and campus buildings.

Top Presidential Candidates for Fundraising in Alabama

2007-10-20T07:46:00.002-07:00

The road to the White House runs straight through Alabama, and so does the fundraising effort.

So far former North Carolina Senator John Edwards leads democratic presidental candidates in fundraising efforts in Alabama, raising more than $400,000.

As for the GOP Presidential Candidate; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani raises the fundraising bar in Alabama, bringing in just under $300,000.

McCain-Led Group Active Abroad

2007-10-20T07:46:00.001-07:00

Republican John McCain can claim the most eclectic overseas portfolio among presidential candidates: He has ties to a Cambodian reality TV show, a Bolivian law-and-order guide and rock concerts in the former Soviet Union.

McCain seldom mentions his role as chairman of the International Republican Institute. But it has provided a forum to make him known to world leaders — he addressed top European Union officials in Brussels, Belgium, last year on trans-Atlantic issues, for example — and a way to observe firsthand the politics of other countries. It's the kind of foreign policy expertise McCain says his GOP rivals lack.

The group, funded by taxpayer and private money, is active in dozens of countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

The institute was created in 1983 during the Cold War and made the Arizona senator chairman of its board in January 1993. McCain has said U.S. foreign policy should promote democracy abroad.

"He's a big history buff, and I think he thought that it was a good idea that there be proposed in these countries an alternative to what the Soviets were offering," says institute president Lorne Craner, a former State Department assistant secretary whose father was a prisoner of war in Vietnam with McCain.

Fundraising 101 at 'Obama U'

2007-10-20T07:42:00.000-07:00

Gathered in a Chicago hotel ballroom, the 100 or so students had come from across the nation to learn from some of the top names in the business: Solomont, Kearney, Barzun.

While not household names, they are some of the top players in the presidential money game, where the bundling of contributions by elite fundraisers is an essential part in financing the growing cost of national campaigns.

The three instructors, plus others, spoke at "Obama University." The training program is designed to expand an already massive fundraising operation that raised $79 million during the first three quarters of the year for Sen. Barack Obama, keeping him competitive with Democratic frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

With titles like "Hunting vs. Farming," "Segmenting your Donors," and "Four Ways to Raise Money," the sessions offered tips of the trade for bundlers, who ask friends, family and business associates to contribute to their candidate. They also were briefed on Obama's central speaking points, as well as upcoming fundraising initiatives like one called "Project Give Again."

The Tribune was offered an exclusive glimpse inside the one-day session earlier this week. As the veterans spoke to the rookies, it at times felt like a motivational meeting for a sales group, sort of Amway goes to Washington.

Noam Scheiber: Mitt Romney's adequate fundraising haul

2007-10-08T07:24:00.001-07:00

Overall, I think the Romney campaign can feel okay about the way this quarter's fundraising numbers shook out. Granted, everyone in the GOP is concerned that their candidates are getting lapped by the Democratic field. But, among Republicans, Romney was probably close enough to Giuliani to call it a wash (nearly $10 million to around $11 million). And, of course, Romney kicked in $8.5 million of his own to ensure that he could hold his own in cash on hand.

Had Romney not gotten so close to Rudy in contributions from people not named Mitt Romney, I think the Giuliani people could have begun to argue that their opponent's campaign was only being sustained by his own bank account. But, as it stands, Romney can argue that he's doing everything Giuliani is, fundraising-wise, plus going the additional step of making an "investment" of his own.

Giuliani Campaign Outraises Republican Candidates in Third Quarter

2007-10-08T07:23:00.002-07:00

Reports Over $11 Million Raised, Over $16 Million Total Cash on Hand

New York City - The Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee announced today that for the second quarter in a row the campaign leads the Republican field in dollars raised. The campaign showed another strong quarter, totaling over $11 million raised and over $16 million total cash on hand. The campaign reported raising over $10.5 million in primary dollars this quarter.

This quarter's numbers also reflect the donations from supporters from over 1000 grassroots house parties that took place across the country in September. Contributions have been received from all fifty states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

Edwards Tells Rural Crowd To Ignore Polls, Fundraising Horse Race

2007-10-08T07:23:00.001-07:00

COLUMBUS, Ky. (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards urged a crowd in western Kentucky to ignore polls and fundraising numbers that show him lagging in third place.

Edwards said events like the one where he spoke in Columbus, Kentucky, showed an untapped well of support for his platform of paying attention to rural America.

Several multiples of the city's population of 229 attended the event, about 45 miles southwest of Paducah.

The former North Carolina senator blamed pundits for giving too much weight to campaign contribution totals inflated by money from lobbyists that he refuses to take.

Edwards said electability goes beyond money, and his campaign will not be limited to New York and Los Angeles and Chicago.

Clinton's GOP Fundraising

2007-10-08T07:22:00.004-07:00

The RNC has now sent out its third mailing this week focused on Hillary. She really is the GOP's last best hope for 2008. Money quote:

The Hillary Clinton fundraising juggernaut keeps on rolling.

This week, the Clinton campaign announced that they have raised $27 million over the last three months, putting Hillary's total campaign cash at $90 million for the year. She is on pace to raise much more than $100 million by the end of the year.

Democrats and left-wing special interest groups are raising hundreds of millions of dollars to put a liberal like Hillary Clinton in the White House and expand their majorities in Congress. Your secure online contribution of $1,000, $500, $100, $50 or $25 to the RNC today will help keep our campaign programs on track. Thank you.

MSU Record-Breaking Fundraising Campaign

2007-10-08T07:22:00.003-07:00

Michigan State University has just wrapped up a record-breaking fundraising campaign, money university officials say couldn't have come at a better time. The capital campaign began five years ago. The goal was to raise 1.2 billion dollars. They've actually raised 1.4 billion dollars. MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon tells us what this money means for the school. MSU president Lou Anna Simon says raising over a billion dollars for Michigan State, at a time when the economy's in a slump, is no easy feat.

Lou Anna Simon, President of MSU: "It's an extraordinary accomplishment for team MSU, and shows that people around the world have recognized the momentum of the institution."

And Simon says this money from private donors comes at a critical time when funding from the state government isn't reliable.

Romney Releases Fundraising Numbers

2007-10-08T07:22:00.001-07:00

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney raised $10 million from donors in the third quarter and transferred $8.5 million of his own money to his presidential campaign, bringing his third quarter fundraising total to $18.5 million.

That's a slight decrease from the second quarter, when he raised $21 million, $6.5 million of which was his own money. Romney has now raised a total of around $62 million, including $17.35 million of his own money.

Rival Fred Thompson raised in excess of $8 million in the third quarter, and Sen. John McCain is expected to report having raised more than $5 million. Rep. Ron Paul also hit the $5 million mark for the quarter. Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, meanwhile, has yet to release his fundraising figures.

Radio on the Edge draws a crowd; group gets closer to fundraising goal

2007-10-08T07:21:00.001-07:00

Yes. This dream can really happen.

That was the mood at Newport's Café Mundo last Sunday afternoon. In spite of the wet and windy weather, the pledge-raising party for Radio on the Edge drew an estimated 200 participants. The project to bring full-power community radio to the central coast took a giant leap forward, raising more than $10,000 in pledges toward meeting the financial goals required by the Federal Communications Commission for a successful radio license application. Additionally, Radio on the Edge volunteers were delighted to receive a donation of studio space for the radio station from Greg and Laurie Card, owners of Café Mundo. Support for this project is pouring in from all over the region and beyond, organizers said.

Tripp Sommer, news director for National Public Radio station KLCC in Eugene, braved the storm to join the party. Sommer spoke about the importance of community-owned radio and the exciting prospect of bringing this new media outlet to the coast. Later in the afternoon, Amy Goodman of "Democracy Now!" called in from New York. Goodman stated the whole nation will be inspired by the way in which the central Oregon coast community has rallied around the process, working so hard and contributing so much to bring noncommercial educational radio to this area.

Local musicians also contributed their time and talents, including the June Rushing Band, Sea Change, and African drummers from the Ashay Rhythm Troupe, while party-goers enjoyed food prepared and donated by Radio on the Edge volunteers. Performance poet Andrew Rodman acted as MC. Rick Bartow, of the Siletz Tribe, concluded the gathering with a blessing.

Laughter and fundraising

2007-10-08T07:20:00.001-07:00

A large crowd attended the variety concert on Saturday, 29 September in Cayman Brac put on by JamBrac to raise funds to aid Jamaican Bracker Gregory Ebanks with medical expenses for an artificial leg replacement.

Some of the funds raised would also go to the Jamaican charity, the Granville Place of Safety for girls, the organizers said.

The night’s entertainment included a dance and medley of folk songs from the JamBrac Choral.

Mrs Cunningham recited two dramatic poems in dialect, one about going to St Thomas (in Jamaica) to do ‘science’ on someone and the other, written by Joan Andrea Hutchinson, in which she played a schoolgirl picking on a classmate.

There was a hilarious performance by Jamaican comedian ‘British’, whose stories of true events of people living on the Brac had the audience in fits of laughter. The masters of ceremonies, Quincy Brown and ‘Blessed’, also performed at the variety show.

Stamford Hospital launches website for Dream Ball fundraiser

2007-10-02T16:58:00.000-07:00

For its third annual Dream Ball fundraiser, Stamford Hospital has launched a satellite website (www.dreamball.org) that gives the community a chance to bid on nearly 40 silent and live auction items featured at the Nov. 10 event.

The auction items listed on the website cater to the dreams of individuals with a wide range of interests including wine, art, travel, aesthetics, entertainment, interior design, sports and careers. Among some of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences are opportunities to:

· Host a private tour and wine-and-cheese party at Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan .

· Visit a chateau in Frasac , France for a unique wine tasting session, straight from the barrel before the first bottle is corked.

· Play golf with a sports celebrity in the 2008 John Starks Celebrity Golf Classic at the Old Oaks Country Club in Purchase, N.Y.

· Spend a week in a nine-bedroom, beach-side mansion on the Outer Banks of Corolla, N.C.

· Invite 14 friends to indulge in an evening of chocolate tasting, truffle making and more at the Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Stamford .

For its third annual Dream Ball fundraiser, Stamford Hospital has launched a satellite website (www.dreamball.org) that gives the community a chance to bid on nearly 40 silent and live auction items featured at the Nov. 10 event.

The auction items listed on the website cater to the dreams of individuals with a wide range of interests including wine, art, travel, aesthetics, entertainment, interior design, sports and careers. Among some of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences are opportunities to:

· Host a private tour and wine-and-cheese party at Philip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan .

· Visit a chateau in Frasac , France for a unique wine tasting session, straight from the barrel before the first bottle is corked.

· Play golf with a sports celebrity in the 2008 John Starks Celebrity Golf Classic at the Old Oaks Country Club in Purchase, N.Y.

· Spend a week in a nine-bedroom, beach-side mansion on the Outer Banks of Corolla, N.C.

· Invite 14 friends to indulge in an evening of chocolate tasting, truffle making and more at the Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Stamford .

Fundraiser to help Dare to C.A.R.E. continue saving lives

2007-10-02T16:57:00.000-07:00

Mary Wilson, an associate math professor at Anne Arundel Community College, waited impatiently for her widowed mother's Dare to C.A.R.E. appointment to arrive.
Her mother, Cornelia Tenie, 74, who lives in Bucharest, Romania, had already been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm. No Romanian doctors could help her, they only had stents for heart and brain aneurysms, her daughter said.
Ms. Wilson, an only child, flew to Romania and traveled with her mother to a renowned specialist in Germany. He told the women it would take two months to order and produce the stents needed.

Big gift helps U. of C. meet $2 billion fundraising goal

2007-09-24T16:02:00.001-07:00

The University of Chicago today announced a $25 million donation for faculty hiring, pushing the university over its $2 billion fundraising goal.

The university is the seventh U.S. campus to raise at least $2 billion during a capital campaign.

Taking liberties with one of Shakespeare's most well-known writings, university trustee Paul Yovovich told staff during a celebratory luncheon Monday, "2B or not to 2B is no longer the question."

The university's 5-year fundraising campaign, the "Chicago Initiative," originally had been set to end earlier this year, but officials moved the end date to June 2008 after a sluggish start.

Concern raised over illegal PTO fundraising

2007-08-26T09:56:00.001-07:00

It seems some parent teacher organizations may be conducting fundraisers illegally. To remedy the situation according to Guam Education Policy Board chairman Peter Alexcis Ada, the organizations must first register with the Department of Revenue & Taxation before going out and fundraising for the schools.

Ada says he wants to make sure that organizations are following the current procedures set in place, saying, "There's too many schools doing fundraisers and only to find out that they're not even authorized to do fundraisers. So we're working on having some protocols that must be followed in order for this to take place."

Pigeon Point fundraising slow moving

2007-08-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

An ongoing campaign to restore the second-tallest lighthouse in California is slowing because only $500,000 of a needed $5 million has been raised while the recently passed state budget offers no help either.

The 135-year-old, 115-foot Pigeon Point Lighthouse has been closed for six years after a lightning storm caused chunks of rock and metal to plummet from its 115-foot tower. In 2005, the U.S. Coast Guard announced its intent to transfer the station and its famous tower to California State Parks. At the same time, the State Parks Foundation announced a $5 million fundraising campaign to retrofit the lighthouse.

UM passes $100 million fundraising goal, aims for $120 million

2007-08-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

Five years ago, University of Montana President George Dennison convened a meeting with the UM Foundation Board of Trustees.

At the time, financial support from the state Legislature was less than generous, and higher education, Dennison feared, was becoming even more out of reach for average Montanans.

Average tuition and fees increased more than 300 percent from 1990 to 2004 - and the state was funding only 16 percent of the educational budget, compared to the 75 percent it funded in 1975.

Private donations, Dennison knew, were about the only way for his campus to become a quality place of learning in the 21st century, and he needed the foundation's help.

With the board of trustees full attention, questions were asked: What do we need? What are our priorities? How much should we raise?

After much discussion, some hand-wringing and lots of conversations with potential donors, the decision was made to embark upon a historic $100 million capital campaign called “Invest in Discovery - Connecting People, Programs and Place.”

Debra McWhinney, the national campaign chairwoman, said she was optimistic about the bold venture when the campaign had amassed $72 million and transitioned from its private phase to a public phase in 2005.

Cheesefest offering fundraising run

2007-08-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

SHULLSBURG -- The Shullsburg Cheesefest will offer an opportunity for people to enjoy some exercise with a purpose.

Participants in the Cheesefest Run/Walk can honor or memorialize a loved one or simply maintain their own healthy lifestyles. They may choose from a 5K or 10K run in the country, or a 1-mile walk in town. The event will take place at 9 a.m. on Oct. 6, starting in downtown Shullsburg.

Pre-registration will be available until Sept. 15; $20 per person includes one T-shirt, and $40 per family includes two T-shirts. Registration forms will be available at all Lafayette County banks. On-site registration of $10 is available, without a T-shirt.

Fundraising with a fiddle

2007-07-18T18:55:00.000-07:00

NORTH SYDNEY — As a result of increasing operational costs, St. Giles Presbyterian Church in North Sydney is taking a more creative route to raise funds.

The church’s usual method of fundraising is through suppers or ticket sales. But that all changes Saturday, when Canadian open fiddle champion Scott Woods from Fergus, Ont., and his band will perform a benefit concert at St. Giles.

“Scott performs at various churches as part of his personal ministry,” said St. Giles pastor, Rev. Ritchie Robinson. “We are very fortunate to be able to bring him here. It’s an honour for us to be able to bring in someone of his calibre. He is a true entertainer and his show is a family show for all ages.”

Squadron fundraising can be fun

2007-07-18T18:54:00.002-07:00

HURLBURT FIELD, FLA - The 1st Special Operation Communications Squadron booster club has found a wonderful way of raising money for squadron functions.

They have teamed up with the Contemporary Services Company, a nationwide company contracting staff for entertainment events around the country, to work events in the local area.

Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Wagner, 1st SOCS mission systems flight superintendent, is the point of contact for this program. He said the program is easy to get into.

"All you need is a quick training session with the CSC representative and then you're cleared to work any event," Sergeant Wagner said.

The training is only held every couple of months and can accommodate 20-60 people.
"We just had a training session July 6, so it will probably be August before we have another," he said. "But that's still in time for the start of football season and fall concerts."
Training sessions include information on clothing requirements, customer service and a brief history of the company.