When she was five years old, Julie (Juliana) Villanueva first stepped into a KidWorks’ classroom as a preschool student. Now a freshman business major at Orange Coast College, Julie overflows… Continue Reading
KidWorks has a new take on this wonderful childhood tradition through “Friendraising.” It’s a way that you can help raise funds for KidWorks on your birthday (or any special day that has meaning for you, such as a wedding anniversary, retirement, christening, baptism, bar/bat mitzvah, Christmas, Hannukah—really any cause for celebration).
Here’s how it works: KidWorks will help you set up a birthday fundraising campaign via social media (such as Facebook), email blast or even at a virtual party and you share it with your friends.
And while birthdays are all about fun, “friendraising” has a serious side: Dollars raised are supporting KidWorks after school programs and other initiatives on behalf of the hundreds of students we serve. Equally as important is that you are connecting your friends to KidWorks.
Several KidWorks supporters attest to now much fun it is to help KidWorks’ students and families as part of a birthday—and introduce others to KidWorks.
Just ask Jeff Garell, a KidWorks board of directors member and President & Founding Partner of Silversage Advisors. Jeff hosted a birthday party that raised almost $1,500 through his network of friends, family and business associates.
KidWorks worked with Jeff to set-up a giving page, which that he emailed to potential supporters. Not only did this help raise funds, some friends continue to support KidWorks after learning about our programs. He shared:
I think many people come to a point where giving back intersects with not wanting more stuff. While birthdays at older ages generally don’t involve as many gifts as when we’re younger, those occasions provide an ideal environment to involve friends and family with the inspiration in our hearts. In my case, I felt really good about notifying those celebrating my 50th birthday (that my wife had arranged) that the best gift they could give me was to make a donation of any amount to help KidWorks continue the great work in our own community. We set up a site to make it easy, we raised a nice amount, and had fun together. Friends helping friends. Best present I could ask for.
We invite you to include KidWorks part of your birthday—or any other special occasion. You’ll be a big part of our “friendraising” outreach. Now, that’s real cause for celebration.