Spreading good will around the holidays can be an earful, a mouthful and a handful if you follow some of our suggestions for winter holiday fundraisers. We’ll show you how to make merry music that sells, bake sweets that teach and send cards that deliver a new point of view. Visit often this week to get the step-by-step details, and if we inspire new ideas, please share them in the comments. After all, ‘tis the season for sharing!
Winter Holiday Fundraising, Idea 1—Karaoke Beats Caroling
Forget walking around with candles door to door singing traditional holiday songs. Think “American Idol” gone elf happy. What student wouldn’t pay to hear their history teacher belt out “Jingle Bell Rock?” (And pay to store it on CD or computer for years to come.)
- For your December fundraiser, invest in a karaoke machine—you can get a decent one for around $100—and book a local hall or your school’s gymnasium.
- Next, enlist some crooners, especially the unexpected ones (with at least moderate amount of talent.) The school’s quarterback can sing? How about the class president? Maybe even the cafeteria crew! Enlist 20 to 30 singers to ensure a good 2 to 3 hours of entertainment.
- Promote your event with the promise of spotlighting these surprising stars. Charge a nominal admission fee ($5-$10).
- Have people request the songs that participants sing, and let the attendees vote for the top 10 winners. Sell votes for a modest sum ($.50 to $1) to get big participation.
- Record the music for a “schoolhouse rock” CD or download that students, parents and faculty alike can purchase for gifts (and to have on hand for reunion parties.)
- To extend the fun (and the fundraising), sell singing telegrams and have the winners volunteer to deliver them throughout the season.