This fundraiser is going to need to be done in stages. The get materials stage, the find a location to have the fundraiser stage, find sponsors to sponsor each a different country stage with foods, or items. It’ll be up to the host/hostess to find the materials about each country and have it on hand for the kids who participate in this Around the World Travel Adventure.
Getting the Materials stage: This would include dividers to section off each country from the next or curtains. Each section will represent a certain country and only that country. The kids will visit each section as if they were traveling the world. Having tables set up to house the information, objects, and foods from that country and whatever else might be found to be use.
Too, as each child comes into the area the event is located, hand them a passport of sorts to get stamped at each country they visit. Handing out a paper sack with handles would be nice as well, as it would give them something to store their information sheets in. The passports could be made up of white sheets of paper cut into small squares and stapled together to look like a passport.
You might see if you can get each person in charge of a certain country to be the one dressed in that countries clothing and have a snapshot taken with each kid who wants one to add to their passport later. Ask that they know a little bit about the country they are representing should a child ask them a question. They will need a camera and instant picture making device as the kids should be able to take that countries photo on with them.
The Location Stage is next: A community center, school gym, church recreation center or someplace large enough to house this fundraiser should be sought. Don’t hesitate to ask that the area be donated for the fundraiser, always relating it’s to raise funds for the school. Encourage their own kids participation in the fundraiser by taking part in all the fun and activities at no cost to them.
Finding Sponsors for the event: This is a great time to call on the communities supermarkets, ethnic stores, and cultural centers to find sponsors and volunteers to help out with your fundraiser. Let them know it’s to help raise funds for your school and by their helping it also educates the kids about different cultures and how other children live around the world.
Most business or groups love lending a hand to help their community and the school is one they’d be interested in for sure. This is so true too when they themselves have kids in school and know about the needs of money to keep things going in our schools today.
If you can locate foods which would come from those certain countries then by all means encourage your sponsors to bring that with them so the kids get to see and taste what our world offers on different continents. If they can’t afford to offer taste of foods, bring visuals of different foods for them to feel and touch.
Role of the Host/Hostess: It’ll be up to you to find the information about each country you include in this fundraiser. Put interesting facts on sheets about each, like their foods, population, language spoken, cultural facts and so on. This way your information fact sheet will be informative and educational.
You’ll need to be sure you find volunteers, perhaps other older students to oversee the donation boxes which will be set up through out the event, but at the front as they enter primarily. Their donation is what will get them into the arena floor to begin their tour.
Advertising: Put an ad in your local newspaper, hand out fliers, spread the word at church or any way you can within the community. Make this fundraiser the highlight of the kids summer.
Be specific when stating that a donation will be required to enter the fundraiser’s activities. You don’t need to have a certain amount listed for a donation, but you could have a suggested entry fee if you feel like posting something.
This fundraiser is one of those fundraisers that will be talked about for a long time… who knows this could be a yearly event!
