Is It Possible to Put the FUN in Fundraising?

Cutest here, thinking about the last couple months and this blog which I’ve put off doing for reasons unknown. Too much else to write about methinks.

You are probably like us in that you have a “cause” or two or six that you particularly believe in and support as you can.  You send money or you physically contribute in some way, you tell your friends, you go to “galas” or parties occasionally, you do what you can to help people, freedom, the environment, education, whatever.  All these organizations need money to survive and often that is in the form of some kind of fundraiser, which sometimes we dread, sometimes we like.

But the question I’ve been thinking about, can FUNdraisers be FUN?

Sometimes you meet entertaining new people and by the end of the evening you say, “Let’s get together again” because you’ve found a kindred spirit. (You may be better at follow-up than I. To the couple at Rose Brooks: I’m sorry.)  Sometimes you get a pretty good meal and  “free” drinks. (Many good causes like Operation Breakthrough). Sometimes there’s a creative dress theme and you enjoy looking at what people are wearing.  Think Jazzoo and the Art Institute or Kemper. 

Sometimes you end up in a “bidding” war and “winning” something you didn’t even know you wanted but it’s for a good cause like the Starfish Project in Olathe. Sometimes it’s pretty simple and without the obligatory speeches but is ohsodelicious - like picking up an insulated carry-bag full of chef-made scrumptious appetizers and wine from Les Dames d’Escoffier and sharing it with others in your home, or better, a friend's, as you support women in the culinary field (every Bastille Day).

And SOMETIMES, because of someone’s brilliant thinking, you have real FUN.  Such was the case at BoysGrow  a month or so ago.

This is a relatively new organization, founded in 2010, which empowers young men through a paid, two-year program focused on agriculture, entrepreneurship, and essential life skills. The young men grow crops and earn their own paychecks on a 10-acre farm, learn manufacturing as they can products which you can find all over the city, and acquire culinary skills as they build the confidence, teamwork, and leadership they need to thrive well beyond the fields.

We were at that farm for “The Interrupted Supper” where, among other activities, we learned to Bollywood dance in their large barn. Perhaps dancing in the style made famous by Bollywood movies wasn’t exactly connected to the BoysGrow mission, but it definitely was a hoot. 

It was there just because founder John Gordon and the organizers decided to have fun.  And how shall I put this?  Cute and I were not the only ones not cut out for a career in dance.  But no one cared and all were moving, laughing, attempting to gyrate in a synchronized way as we tried to follow the motions of our leader.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/bff7d0_3269cf21612d4fa2832dd1aaac4d9e2f/360p/mp4/file.mp4

This is just a snippet from early in our lessons. Teacher Swarupa Bukre was great. Us, not so much.

And for another family friendly event, I’d recommend their annual farm festival coming this September. Another FUNdraiser and a very inexpensive way to show your kids/grandkids life on the farm.

I’m not telling you to only go to events that give dance lessons but I am saying that if an event has an element of playfulness, even if you have to bring that quality yourself, no matter how serious the cause, when you open yourself to a lighthearted, new experience, you may surprise yourself and have a blast.

P.S. Speaking of new experiences, just wait ‘til next week. Cute is taking me on a three-day mystery trip.  He won’t tell me where, other than north of I-70 and it’s in two states. We're driving. He suggested that overalls would be appropriate.  I don’t own overalls.

I’m hoping we’ll still be together after this Saturday. 

Tune in next Tuesday!