Hi,
I am a mom in Vernon Hills who recently went on a mission trip to Haiti. While the people there are some of the nicest and happiest people I have ever met, the poverty level is humbling. I recently read an article about people eating mud cookies (yes, cookies made with dirt) they do it not to feel full but to help stop the hunger pain. Since my trip in January, the price of food have doubled. Our team decided to do a walk/run to raise the funds in Libertyville. We have gotten several corporate donations, one of which is microsoft, they donated some x-box 360 games. My question to you is this, how do I use those video games to encourage kids to participate in the walk without taking away the very core of the reason why they should help? the idea is to encourage children here to help other kids around the world while gaining more appreciation for what they already have, not what they could get because they are helping. I have a moral delemma so please, be honest and let me know if it is o.k to use the games as incentive to raise pledges, winning a 50 yard race...
Thanks
Thank you so much for all of your responses.
All of you are in favor of using the x-boxes but you each offer different ways to do so.
I like the idea of auctioning them off or use them as raffle prizes. One of you suggested to reward the effort "of the child who brings the most awareness to the cause". These ideas are not mutually exclusive because I have three games.
1- I have decided to use two of the games for the auction and raffle, I may even open the bidding a few weeks before the event.
2- I would like to use one game as a reward to the child who brings the most awareness to the cause. I still have to find the best way to word and advertize the idea but I think it will require the child to learn about Haiti and share his/her knowledge with others. Please, help me brainstorm.
3-Some of you express interest in participating or helping. Thank you.
Hope for the Hungry Walk/run, May 31 8:00 10k - 8:30 5k at the Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, illinois. The event will benefit school and orphans in Haiti. The idea behind the walk is to make our children aware that there are other kids in many parts of the world who walk more than 2 hours each way to school in an empty stomach. Schooling is not free in Haiti, it is a priviledge enjoyed only by those who can afford to pay the high cost of an education. Often, parents have to forgo one or two meals a day in order to pay for schooling. We want to teach kids here that a little bit could go a long way-- for example, the cost of one family's participation in the 5k/walk, will help pay for the education of a child in Haiti for one entire year or it could pay or pay for food for needy families and orphans. For more information or to participate go to www.haiti-world.org or simply write me a note.
4- Lastly, I have received permission to invite my children's elementary school to participate. I need to put a letter of invitation together ASAP. I just need a little more help on perhaps a catch phrase to convey the idea of: "the child who brings the most awareness to the Haitian people's cause will win an x-box 360 game." Please help.
Thanks again,
R
I don't think that there is anything wrong with incentive. It is what makes the world go round. As long as you make it known what the fund raising is for, the kids know that they are doing something worth while. Don't sweat!
I recall from my child psychology classes in college that the way to reinforce the lessons you want to stick is to give unexpected rewards. I realize that in this case, you may have to use an x-box as an incentive to get kids involved. But maybe you can announce just one of them prior to the event, but then give the other ones for reasons like "raised the most awareness/money for Haitian poverty" or "best team player for x cause." You can make them public awards and downplay the race winning award x-box (not so low it hurts the winner's feelings of course), and really play up the unexpected, moral-based awards. And talk about the reason for giving the award first - not say "and this x-box is for John, who raised the most awareness for poverty" - otherwise all he'll hear is that he's getting an x-box, not the why. I would suggest saying something like "I would like to recognize the amazing efforts of John, who did x,y,z to raise awareness of Haitian poverty. As a reward he did NOT know he was going to get, I have another x-box for him!" I guarantee John gets more applause and excitement than the race winner. That would hit it harder for the recipient of the award and the kids hearing the announcement.
Good luck!
Mary-Claire
Dear R.,
First I would like to praise and thank you for your kindness, compassion, generosity, and your strong desire and commitment to be of service to those in need. I have just spoken the language of virtues! Please consider ways of using this way of speaking as you motivate children to join this effort. Call forth their virtues!
I agree with the idea of the game being given to a winner's favorite charity or community center. This whole effort is about giving to others - not what we can win for ourselves. If you feel you need recognition for the participants as they recruit and race, then consider award ribbons and certificates. Is there a way to encourage a pen pal program with the local schools and the area of Haiti that you send the funds to- perhaps a school there? That way this is more than a fund raiser but a way to connect with other people and with the world.
I have 2 suggestions. Both are to raise awareness in the kids. First you could set up some TVs with xboxs and let kids play the games for an alotted amoutn of time. when they are done give them a card with kid friendl facts on it. like in the last 10 minutes while you played xbox, x# of children went with out a meal, X# died, x# worked physical labor jobs to help their family pay for food ect.. These kids will never have an xbox or even own a tv, but you can help them by ....(donations, reducing your waste making cards or care pakages). For a bigger impact show pictures from your recent trip so kids can see that this is real. At the end of the day auction off the games announcing how you will use the money and a reflection on kids reactions to their "leisure"activity today.
If you can't make that work, go ahead and give them as prizes. You can't feel guilty about using what God has provided you with. Or just sell them and use the money for your event or donation. However you use them though make sure the receipient knows at it's for with a fact card and pictures.
I think I'd use the games for a raffel or silent auction that goes on at the same time as the race rather than a prize for winning the race. Two reasons, as a raffel/auction winning you encourage people to give more to the cause. But more importantly, if you give the games as a prize for winning the race then you end up with kids being disappointed that they weren't fast enough or good enough to win the prize. Kids will have more fun participating in the race if they don't have a material reason to feel bad about "loosing" something big. The kid who comes across the finish line first will feel euphoric about winning. He/she doesn't need a prize to feel great.
Another idea is to have kids raise get pledges to run in the race and have the games be a awarded as a random drawing for a child that participated. That way every child, regardless of running ability, has a chance to "win".
hi- first, i think this is a great idea. congratulations for organizing this. second, i live in vernon hills and would love some information about the event. third, i see your dilemna. maybe the kids could win the games and donate them to a local children's center or something similar. it could bring the need closer to home for the kids? email me if you want to discuss. warmly, A.
Hi, My name is Becca and I'm 13. My mom showed me this article and I totally see where you're coming from. I went on a mission trip over the summer to Mexico and I met some of the most amazing people ever. It was a very humbling experience. I think what you should do is say exactly what you're saying here. It is giving an incentive but the very most important thing is to raise money from some amazing people that need our help. I'd say use the x-boxes as incentive and maybe show a clip or presentation about these people and families. Allow pictures from your passed experiences to make an impact on the people participating so that the real reason for this walk isn't forgotten!
How about talking to the school. Give a presentation about this country and and its children. Our young kids are usually very compassionate about things like this and love to help. You can let them know about prizes after you have their interest. They don't have to know what the prizes are until they sign up. You could raffle the gifts off also. Get the parents $ in there also. There aren't too many families from your area that would "hurt" from contributing. GOD bless you R.
Hi R.,
Let me throw my two cents...I don't know all the details of your situation but by based on what I read the first thing that comes to mind is to maybe partneting with a church to do something, an activity where you could raffle those xboxes 1) to raise money for the cause and 2) to have people (families and kids) work together.
I'll keep thinking about it - see if I can come up with something different.
M. - Waukegan, IL
2 suggestions: whoever raises the most money gets the x-box 360, that would motivate my kids.
or, sell the xbox to the highest bidder on ebay and use that money for the Haiti people.
either way, great job on what you are doing and please advertise how,when you are doing this fundraiser. i will get my kids out to help as well.
I would use the games. Your main goal is to help the poor people who are eating mud cookies. If on the way you help just one child here become more caring you have made a difference. Display pictures of the people in Haiti and if possible send thank-you notes with a little about the children in Haiti and how much they helped by taking part in the fundraiser. Best of luck with your fundraiser!
Maybe instead off giving the games away to the child as a prize the actual winner gets to choose the charity that the x-box 360 will go to i.e. which hospital... You are inspirational! : )
