Hi, Not new, but when I was putting out those first white P for P cans here in the SF Bay Area, I accummulated some input from store managers: My experience was they are not always crazy about cans at the register, and it is highly competitive as to who gets to be there, and for how long. Many really big ones have long-standing committments to established charities, or some, big and small, are worried about theft. I managed to get cans at chain stores with many registers per store, but it was a lot of work for the amount I got for April PD awareness month. In the course of this effort, I talked to some district managers who said if there were more lead time, that we could put in a request to become one of their charities to which they give a small percentage of the receipts. If they balk you might try to persuade them by asking for a limited time period or special shopping day or weekend. Maybe they'll do it for a longer period later. Ask for a trial period on anything they balk at. Also, the Peninsula Parkinson's Support Groups of which I'm a board member, did a Macy's shopping day event for a large group of charities, where your group sells tickets with a minimum quantity to qualify for a certain amount and, in addition, you get a percentage of the day's take (or something very similar--can't remember the exact details) there was also a drawing involved. Macy's San Jose and perhaps others has done this for years. It's good PR and advertising for them to have a special shopping day for a charity. Now that PD has really made a splash in the media, with MJFox etc., PD has more notoriety. Merge it with another local, regional/cultural/historical, or seasonal event or time--you mentioned hearts--Valentines day is coming up, and then Easter: hearts, eggs, flowers. Any chance you could sell advertising on those hot-air balloons? Offer miniature balloons for merchants to display saying they sponsored you at the festival? I don't have all the machinations worked out exactly, because I don't know anything about the event. But the raw idea is to jump on some bandwagon going your way. Leverage. Also, I just sent an html page about a list server that has an event service--it's called seeUthere or something. I've never used them; just saw them on my list server, OneList, that one of my little PD e-mail groups is part of. This isn't much help, but if I think of anything more I'll let you know. I would do one myself if I weren't already trying to do a local fundraiser. I'll do what I can in spreading the word to my groups and contacts for the Alliance's latest effort that is emerging, I guess after I hear from our local contact person. Thanks to all in the Alliance for the hard work, and past and promising rewards. Good luck! Charlotte Mancuso Dale Severance wrote: > I have an opportunity to discuss a fund raiser with a representative of a > 60 store supermarket in my area. I would like to present to him at the > meeting a fund raiser idea that is new or novel. I have seen the stand in > front of the door with a table and collection can and the selling of an item > in exchange for a donation. i.e. a heart of cordboard for the Heart > association. > > IM am looking for any new ideas or experiences that you may have. > > I also have the same problem with a hot air balloon festival to be held in > the latter part of the summer. Any ideas? > > e-mail me thru the list or privately at > [log in to unmask] > > Thanks > Dale Severance (59/13) -- Charlotte A. Mancuso *************************************************** For advocacy, medical, and other PD-related material, go to: http://www.onelist.com/subscribe/CurePD-NorCal