verAsking Friends to a Benefit

Like Tori said...$20 is way too low for something like this, It is great to invite people who appreciate what this is for. I always ask if they know of someone who would like to participate or that it may hit home for (sales person in me), I like T F.'s idea to sell the table of 8-10 guests.

I see nothing wrong with making EVERYONE aware of the event. Any and all help would be appreciated I'm sure. I don't think people feel obligated to attend/donate to these types of event, if they can help they will. Good Luck

I would assume the more people you invite, the more money you can raise! the point is not to have a private affair, but rather to put on a fun event that people can feel good about attending. I'm sure some of your friends would love to come and help, others maybe not. But it can't hurt to ask!

Of course you should ask! They can always say no and of course you should invite them in a non pushy way, but to be honest $20 is cheap for an event such as this and hopefully they'll jump on it! I hope you raise a lot of money!

Oh my, J., $20 is not enough to ask for. Have you sent out invitations yet? I hope not!

It is too much work to make such a small amount of money. And yes, invite friends and family. My gracious, they must not be left out!

I'm so sorry about your nephew.

Dawn

I would make an event on my FB and invite everyone. Then they would know about it and have the choice to donate the fee or not. Sometimes it hard to say no to a person that is asking face to face, it's much easier to click the not attending button.

If they haven't responded in a reasonable amount of time I might send them a message to remind them. I had clicked "might be attending" to a wedding invitation and they needed to know if I had made up my mind yet. I had seriously forgotten and had a performance come up with one of the kids and could not go to the wedding. I was glad to get the reminder.

If you don't do FB then send out a general group email. That way they get the information and can think about it then respond. A heart transplant is a big deal. Too bad the can't get the hospital to help through their social services program. It's hard enough needing the transplant and not knowing if you'll get it has to be hard on him.

Anyone invited should be aware that it is a fundraiser and for what reason. After those notices... It is up to the invitee to attend and participate

We routinely join in with friends for fundraisers which are large events in our area, large silent auction items, big name coming in to emcee, etc.

It is fun with a group for nice dinner, auction, etc and overall benefit for the reason you are fundraising.

Don't come across as " obligating" someone to join. It's easier to make a hit dinner party out of it. Sell tables of 8-10 , etc.

Good luck

I would be insulted NOT to be asked as a friend of the family (aka you).

Furthermore, if your space can accommodate it, allow for 'open invitations'/ tables to be sold. My mum goes to a couple of these a year. She rarely spends less than $500 and often spends as much as $5-10,000, as do most of her friends. These are ALL events that are put on where she has never met the family in need, but hears about them through word of mouth. Typically the 'goal' of most of these silent auctions is 25-100k, 10-20 tables of 8-10 apiece.

The Children's Hospital the child is at is always linked to the invite, so that auction attendees (or their lawyers) can call and verify that they child actually IS a patient of theirs (scams do happen).

When children are seriously ill, it's not just medical bills to be paid, but also rent/mortgage and childcare and groceries and bills that all need money... when suddenly one or both parents is now unable to work. These auctions are usually set up so that the family has money for their living expenses as well as medical cost, so that they don't lose their homes, can afford to eat, dress their other children, and worst case scenario have $ for headstones and funerals, ALL ON TOP of the actual medical expenses.

My son being in and out of the hospital for 6mo this year cost us 8 grand in copays, and apx 15k in lost income/added expenses and we live 5 MINUTES AWAY (aka not paying for plane tickets, driving for hours, etc.), only have 1 child so don't have added childcare expenses for other kids. Which is peanuts compared with transplant kids' families, esp when one parent has to quit their job entirely, family may have other kids, etc. Hugely difficult for us, financially, but not impossible. Versus my friends I made there, who their fully insured stays end up costing them 50k+ easily. Even double and triple that. The worst hit, being those that are underinsured. Middle income families who don't qualify for state aid, or charity aid, until they've lost everything. These auctions and benefits are trying to STOP that from happening at best, or to out and out pay for STUPID copays (like when you have to put 100k down for a transplant, or 20k for a surgery, because they're underinsured).

People in the benefit community GET that, and they come with their checkbooks at the ready. They won't hear about it, though, unless you REALLY get the word out there. Which means let EVERYONE know, and have them tell all their friends. Also, Talk with the hospital, they'll often have benefits (from yardsales to silent auctions) listed, which can get even more people involved.

Absolutely ask every one you know. I would want to be included even if it were a distant friend, someone I went to church with, worked with, etc. People really do want to help one another, and so often we don't know how to. You will be giving them a good opportunity to help someone, and have some fun in the process.

I think you can see from the other answers that we are very positive about asking all your friends. When you do, try to word this as an opportunity to be helpful, not apologizing because you may inconvenience them. Whether they can come or not, that's ok. My best to you all.