And they’re off! No, this isn’t the dog or pony races. These races are kid friendly races and they involve “Hamsters”. Yes, that’s right – hamsters. Welcome to the Hamster Ball Races. This fundraiser involves racing hamsters around a maze in hamster balls.
The lead person for this fundraiser can start by contacting local pet stores and asking if (for a day) they’d allow hamsters to be adopted from their pet store to be used for the fundraiser. If no hamsters are available then gerbils, mice or guinea pigs could be used. Be sure to include as many pet stores who are willing to help out. See if one would donate the hamster balls, while one donates the hamsters and others could provide helpers to make sure the hamsters are taken care of properly. Anyone owning a hamster, gerbil, large mouse, guinea, rat, small chinchilla or hedgehog could also participate!
The pet store might even be willing to host the fundraiser, thus drawing in potential customers, so ask if they’d like to host the event. If for some reason they can’t host the Hamster Ball Fundraiser, then check out the local community center. If conditions are favorable these races could be held outside in mild climate as well. There needs to be plenty of room for the courses as well as for the movement of people taking part in this fundraiser.
The idea for the fundraiser is to create a maze or circuit course the critters can race around on, in animal balls . This is a fun way for them (the hamsters) to get exercise and no harm can come to them while inside the balls. Those partaking in the fundraiser would ask to be sponsored for a certain amount (determined by the fundraising committee) by, friends, family, local churches, and businesses who are willing to donate for whatever reason the money is being raised for. You’d want to invite the sponsors to be at the races so they can enjoy the festivities as well.
Two or three different courses can be laid out. While at the event, to raise further money, donations can be accepted for votes on whose team people think will win. Each team sponsored can wear different colored shirts with name tags declaring who their sponsor is. Each colored shirt would have a colored basket or box corresponding with their shirts color so donations could be dropped into that specific basket or box – tickets in different colors for each team should be handed out to donors for a drawing later.
Hold about three races per track. You don’t want to overtire and exhaust these little animals. Be sure to rotate the animals if there is enough so that each get a bit of exercise. Each team will be responsible for their hamster, gerbil, mouse, or guinea pig. If the pet stores assign a helper to each team that is even better.
At the end of each race the winning team will be awarded a prize. This can be in the way of first place ribbons, coupons for free cokes, or for free t-shirts. Three special prizes can be drawn for at the very end of the fundraiser event. Everyone who wants to make a donation (determined by fundraising committee) can donate and get their name added to the bowl for a chance to win the prize. Include the sponsors as well. The prizes could be: a free trip for four to the zoo, a day’s pass to an amusement park for four, or movie passes for four to the movies.
As the fundraiser ends, be sure to clean up whatever mess is left behind. If the pet stores were involved, volunteer to help them get things back in order and be sure to thank them for their generosity. Don’t forget to have information on pet adoption available for all who attend. It’s always nice to remind pet owners to have their animals spayed or neutered as well!
To show appreciation for all the donations and sponsors make a public thank you for all the support during this fundraiser. Have this planned out so it will run smoothly. This could easily become a yearly event!
