In the meantime, this is the email I sent out today:
Dear Friends,
Truly the success of such an event as we had this weekend cannot be measured simply by the numbers. Many of you were touched by the spirit of giving, as were some of those we sold to. I could feel the energy and excitement in our neighborhood and community as so many people contributed by baking, donating, transporting, working, and purchasing. And I am thrilled to think of the little mouths that will be fed as a result of this group effort.
But I have to admit that the numbers themselves are pretty darn awesome:
- 35 families or businesses contributed goods or equipment (tables, baskets, etc)
- 9 families helped transport goods
- 8 families helped to work the sale (including a number of super-cute kids)
- Walgreens experienced an 11% increase in sales from Friday before Mother's Day 2010 to this past Friday and invited us to hold a bake sale there anytime!
- Friday we raised $715.42
- Saturday we raised $1059.08 (including $232 for the Silent Auction table, average of $29 per item)
- Average sales per hour: $147.88
- Online donations: $380
- Grand total: $2154.50 (With a few others who have told me they will be donating online but have not yet done so.)
And we were featured on the local news!
What's next? At the end of the month we will start a series of blog posts highlighting service. Watch for:
- Tuesday Tips, including tips on service...how to's regarding involving kids, working it into your schedule, deciding where to serve, hosting your own bake sale or other fundraiser, etc, etc,
- Friday Feature, including spotlights on individuals, families, and organizations that have given significant service, and
- Sunday Stories, including heartwarming stories about those who have been blessed by giving or receiving service.
We would LOVE to have your input on these posts, so if you have something to share that would fit please send it in. Know of a friend or organization that does a lot of good? Do you have a positive experience with service that you'd like to share? I'm hoping for plenty of guest posts, so please send in your thoughts!
Our next big project will be a drive for school supplies. Watch for an email with details about the specific items needed for the school supply kits. The drive will run from July 15th-September 1st, focused intentionally on the time of year when school supplies are on sale.
Thank you so much to all of you who contributed with goods, time, donations, and even your thoughts and prayers. We feel so blessed to have been able to participate with you, and thankful for your help and for the cooperating weather.
Have a fabulous week!
Dave, Kristin, and the kids
