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Fundraising
What reunion doesn’t need money? There are many ways to raise money if you don’t just divide all your costs and assess everyone equally. Consider some of these ideas and share your ideas with our readers. E-mail us.
Paying for the reunion
Fundraising and sharing the cost
Rosemary S. Wolfe, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, uses a thermometer in their newsletter to document growth of the Simonic Family Reunion Fund. Wolfe reports that family members have been very generous to help the fund toward over 50% of its goal after just one mailing. They've also established reunion fees of $20.00 per adult and $15 per child 11 to 20 and children 10 and younger free. Fees cover an enormous ethnic menu reflecting the family's Slovenijan heritage, drinks, games, prizes, music, dancing and souvenirs for everyone.
How about this unique way the McConnell Family Reunion has to make the cost of reunion acceptable to everyone. Their family is divided east and west of the Rockies which meant alternate reunions east and west for many years. But as children grew older and larger families are concentrated in the midwest and east, their reunions were planned closer to those families. Since "west coasters" have increased travel costs, "east coasters" pay for all rental expenses incurred by the reunion. They split the cost of food bought within an established budget.
"Oregon or Bust" is the goal of the 1999 Mock Family Reunion. Organizer Donna Mock Jackson, Richland, Washington, set up reunion "actions" including: make something for the raffle. She explains, "Making handcrafted items is part of our heritage. Raffle items have included pillowcases, dishtowels, afghans, crochet items, bird houses and wooden toys." Jackson encourages a variety of items to build excitement and says there'll be many winners. When raffle numbers are drawn each person chooses a prize from remaining items. All money goes to defray extra reunion expenses and members are happy to have treasures to take home.
Garlene Layne reported that the highlight of the Layne/West family reunion at Raccoon, Kentucky, was an antiques auction. Members brought family antiques or items they'd purchased. Proceeds went to reunion expenses and help for their quarterly newsletter. One item that went for a smashing $65 was a picture frame that held ten individual photos. The one who brought this item had taken some of our oldest family ancestor photos and inserted them into the slots. It was fantastic! The bidding was often fierce! Some of the other items were dishes, soda bottles, kitchen utensils, dairy cans, and handmade crafts. More money was made from the auction than we made in donations last year. It was also a way for treasures to be shared with other family members and new treasures to be made.
Yvonne McCree-Johnson hosted her McCree-Jackson family reunion in Alexandria, Louisiana. Coca-Cola contributed to the reunion. The family produces its own phone directory and has compiled a coloring book for younger members. Reunion highlights included a banquet Friday and Louisiana-style barbecue Saturday before an evening casino trip.
Families put their heads together
Reunion with a mortgage
Some of the 400 Klessig Family Reunion members toured Saxonia, a 17-room house/inn built by their ancestor, Ernest Klessig. Saxonia, built on 77-acres in 1855 in Fillmore, Wisconsin, was an inn, post office and store. They later added a brewery which became the center of social life. When Klessigs toured the house it was for sale and of interest to developers. Family members wanted to buy and restore the house, but as individuals they didn't have the money. According to Paul Williams, Janesville, Wisconsin, "if you put everybody together, then we do have the money."
They formed Friends of the Saxonia House, Inc, achieved tax-exempt status so fundraising could begin and had their offer to purchase accepted! Now they are trying to raise the money for purchase and initial restoration. They are counting on the over 800 persons with connections to Ernest Klessig. They hope their goal to create a living history museum will also interest the large German-American community. There are thoughts too of restoring one of Saxonia's original businesses as a bed and breakfast and restoring the brewery.
At the ecumenical reunion worship service, Klessigs were inspired to their new task by Pastor David Jerger. "What we are and have, has in large measure come from those of past generations who settled this land, contributed in pioneering this country and left us a heritage ..." For information contact Friends of Saxonia House Inc, 20 S. Main St, Ste 5, PO Box 8066, Janesville WI 53547-8066.
from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Raising family funds
Layne/West
Garlene Layne, Kimper, Kentucky, organized the Layne/West Family Reunion at Raccoon, Kentucky. She was striving to make her reunion more than "just a good to see you/haven't met you before/good to finally meet you reunion." The highlight of the reunion was an antiques auction. Most members brought a family antique or an antique they purchased for the event. The antique "star" was a frame with twelve ancestor pictures in it. Money raised paid reunion and newsletter expenses.
Calendar connection
Franklin Willis, Los Angeles, California, writes that one way his family stays connected between reunions is the Willis Connection 2000 Millennium Calendar. Conceived as a fundraiser, selling for $10, the calendar leads off with a full-color portrait of reunion attendees. Inside, important family dates such as birthdays and anniversaries throughout the year are highlighted. A simple key also links members to their branch of the family tree. Seasonally-themed graphics (tulip and maple leaf, school bus and Christmas tree) and easy-to-read type create a user-friendly reminder to those who may want to send cards, make phone calls or wish to just stay connected between reunions. All in all, a nice job. Well done. JP
Special ideas from the Franklin Family Reunion
"For several years we have been doing what we call a blind auction. Each person brings something to be auctioned. Some will wrap their item, while others leave theirs unwrapped. Items may include baked desserts, homemade jams and jellies, tools no longer needed, framed family pictures, household items. Last year our highest bidder was a notebook filled with our family tree, which included birth, death and marriage certificates and photos. A cowboy hat reappeared two years in a row and each time it made money for the reunion. We start bidding low so everybody will have a chance, sometimes the children will use their own money for bidding on something they want.
"We also have a 50/50 drawing that everyone enjoys. We sell tickets for 25¢ each, 4/$1. We start right after dinner and we have a door prize for signing in. The newest baby receives a certificate and a $50.00 savings bond, in memory of our mother and uncle.
"In the past our reunion funds went for miscellaneous dinners expenses; table service, ice, tea, lemonade and charcoal." Funds grew faster than they realized. Back in the '30s, their grandparents lost three small children and were unable to buy headstones. As reunion funds grew everyone agreed to buy headstones for family members graves. By the end of the day, they had more than enough money to buy a simple headstone for one of the three children.
"Our family is really looking forward to this year's reunion. It feels as though our family is a little closer now than ever, because along with the joy of being together, we feel like we have a purpose." The day after the reunion they will have a short service for Glen "Buddy" Franklin at the cemetery.
reported by Terry Bullock
Breen reunion
Patty Breen Homan, Manheim, Pennsylvania, wrote that her Breen Family Reunion holds a raffle after Saturday supper. Tickets are sold ahead of time. When ticket numbers are called the winner chooses from the raffle table of contributions from family members." Raffle proceeds help pay for anyone who has financial difficulties and might otherwise not be able to attend the reunion.
The feature event for Saturday evening depends upon what the family in charge arranges. For example, this year Homan and her sister and brothers devised competitions for the Breen Olympics 2000 – Very Special Olympics. Sunday morning always includes meetings of the first and second generations to review the weekend and discuss what worked and what didn't.
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