6 Fundraising Lessons Shared
This month, we share with you insights from the #StandleyStrong Benefit and tips to help your next fundraising efforts.
When Adel Auto Parts/NAPA owners John and Lorindalearned of her Ovarian Cancer diagnosis, their son suggested a fundraiser to help with medical bills.
John and Lorinda Standley
The stoic couple resisted for two years until Pete Irwin, a longtime friend and veteran employee of Adel Auto Parts, began suggesting the idea. Soon, a small group of friends and family was formed, consisting of Pete and Tami Irwin, Chris and Rachel Standley, Van Van Buren, Randy Judge, and Jason Zeliadt.
The development of this group was quintessential for John and Lorinda. As community supporters, they had seen their fair share of poorly managed events.
Both insisted that the benefit organizers consist of those with a positive attitude and desire to serve a greater purpose, with professional backgrounds focused on teamwork.
John also wanted to reach out professionally to NAPA, the business he chose to partner with more than 20 years ago because of its commitments to community service and volunteerism.
Randy Judge of NAPA explains, “Part of our business consists of a bunch of independent stores like John’s. They’ve made that choice to be a partner with NAPA. We have always thought of John, Lorinda, and owners as part of our family. They travel on vacation with us, we’ve gone on business trips together as well. There becomes a personal attachment. I’ve been at the distribution center for 26 years; the relationships I have are more personal than professional.
“Typical to people like John and Lorinda, they are great community members. They believe in their community, their church, and what’s going on. They are the first ones to volunteer to help anybody. I can say that about the NAPA family- that’s pretty standard procedure for all of our owners.”
“We feel we need to be involved in this because we’re part of this community as well. Its a privilege to help- not something we have to do. We want to be part of it, we want to help.” Randy Judge, NAPA
Joined together by a common goal, the group then set to the task at hand.
“I have to tell you, based on being a retired business executive from IBM and two Texas hospitals, my perspective is that this group has accomplished a great deal through not only Chris’s organization, but through group dynamics that would be enviable in the corporate world. Everyone has ideas, which generates more ideas. They all contribute and feed off each other to create a result that Lorinda and John deserves!” Van Van Buren, Organizer
The group started by talking with John and Lorinda about their vision for the event.
“1. To set an example for how an event like this is to be operated. From the people selected to be part of the organizational team to taking the time to make sure everything is right before released and implemented. And allowing enough time to work through all things that come up.
2. To make sure the event is a fun, professional evening for all while donating to a good cause.
3. To raise awareness of the only Doctor approved website for cancer which is www.Cancer.org and raise awareness of the resources from American Cancer Society.
4. A personal goal to raise $5,000 for the American Cancer Society.
5. To set an example for how to thank and recognize volunteers and donors.
6. To share our insights with an article to allow people to go, “Wow, that was done right!” John Standley
Their marching orders in hand, the group got to work. Rachel Standley, Chris’ wife, began researching fundraiser ideas. There are hundreds of ways to raise funds, each appropriate for different styles, settings, and groups. The benefit organizers brainstormed options that fit their theme of “fun and professional” while balancing the amount of time and expense each would require before settling on a benefit dinner and auction. <<<Find even more ideas for your fundraiser!>>>
Everyone agreed that a stellar Master of Ceremonies would be needed to keep the night fun, festive, and focused on the cause. Jason Zeliadt of NAPA offered his experience and infectious spirit for the event.
“I met John and Lorinda through NAPA. John and Lorinda were always very involved in the community, and they would hold events for some of the children’s groups in town to raise money. It was always a great job, and they were such nice folks that I volunteered to come and help out at those events. After that, I was able to work with John a number of times and meet him at various NAPA activities. I left our Distribution Center in NAPA Des Moines a number of years ago to work with our stores in Minnesota before recently coming back home. When it was announced, John was the first person to reach out to me and welcome me back. I would be trying to fill some big shoes from my predecessor, who was so beloved by our owners, and so I was a bit nervous coming back, but John’s message put me at ease right away. For that, I am very grateful, as it made me feel much more welcome back home to Iowa.”
“I have never known John or Lorinda to ask for anything for themselves; they have always seemed focused on what they can do for others. I have been impressed at the focus of the benefit organizers and at how at every meeting we would hear and incorporate great ideas from everyone there. Everyone truly had something they added to make the event better. Chris and Rachel have done so much good work putting this altogether. I have been impressed with their creativity and drive.”
“The group has done a great job of structuring the auction items so that there are items for everyone and making sure there is a solid plan for reconciling with our winners after each auction. My career with NAPA has afforded me opportunities to MC a number of customer events from races and product expositions to a yearly auction to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes, a wounded veteran charity organization. My plan was to keep things moving and exciting through a mixture of personal stories showcasing why we are all there that evening as well as getting some friendly competitions started amongst the folks for the auction. I really want to showcase to people that not only can they get a great prize they will love, but the added value of the money going to a really good cause.” Jason Zeliadt, NAPA
At this point, the community started to get involved. Kendra Kasischke, owner of the Country Lane Lodge in Adel, heard the group needed a location and helped the benefit organizers to make it work in their budget. This was a blessing on many levels. The Lodge offered plenty of space, a stunning atmosphere that required little decoration, table linens, lighting, and a sound system, which eased several budget line items. The location already had a liquor license, bartenders, and an approved list of caterers.
By selecting the location first, many of the planning steps fell into place. The benefit organizers worked with Kue’d Smokehouse in Waukee who offered advice about pricing meal tickets, how much food to purchase, and the best way to serve at the event. The Black Hat Heroes, a local cover band and friends of the family, offered to be the entertainment.
The benefit organizers tackled each new problem together: the need for a dedicated bank account, research into accepting credit card donations, determining the rules and regulations of a raffle. Through their diverse background and experience, the group negotiated their way through the planning process with ease.
A date and location secured and much of the troubleshooting done, the group started to get the word out. They created a Facebook Event and began inviting friends online. Pro Tip- make sure the Facebook Event is marked as “public” so that friends can invite their friends, too! The benefit organizers reached out to friends with advertising skills to create flyers and tee shirts for sale. The group opted to ask business owners to hang the flyer, rather than solicit donations, which was important to Lorinda and John.
John then reached out to his media contacts. After sitting down with the Brocka family, publishers of DiscoverAdel.com and longtime friends of the Standley’s, it was agreed that a series of articles would be written to help promote the event and their goals as well as thank guests after the event. The benefit organizers met again to share their story and insights about the event.
“It was really important to us that we help John and Lorinda by promoting the Benefit. These two care so much- about Adel, about our future, about what really matters- there was simply no question in our minds. We had to do right by John and Lorinda, we just had to.” Chris Brocka, Publisher
The #StandleyStrong Benefit took place July 26th, 2019 and was attended by nearly 200 people. A representative of the American Cancer Society joined the event to share her experiences with guests. Children played games and caught fireflies in the large grass field outside while the adults conversed inside and kept an eye on silent auction bids.
More than 100 auction items were donated, including a customized $1300 NAPA Tool Box, complete with a cancer ribbon decal. In addition to the dinner and auctions, guests participated in a raffle of donated prizes, along with a 50/50 Cash Raffle that raised approximately $1400.
“The team used their skills and contacts to help get the large amount of excellent auction items. They also drew on the same to have plenty of volunteers the day of the event, so everything went smooth and everything was taken care off in a timely fashion.” John Standley
After months of planning, the benefit organizers were very happy with the reception, and very exhausted by their efforts. But it wasn’t time to take a break yet. The group first sent out a thank you to the Facebook Group and their friends online who had supported them. They then took to the task of handwriting. Thank you cards that they mailed to all those who donated and volunteered. As a final thank you, the group shares their number one tip for those planning a similar event.
“People don’t realize how much work goes into it. I will admit I underestimated how much work this would be. We originally had a short time frame, about 60 days to plan. In the end, we had 90 days to pull it off. For an event like this, 90 days seems like a long time but its not. I can certainly say, don’t underestimate how much work is involved.” Chris Standley, organizer.
