As a Miss Idaho contestant, I have the responsibility of raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. Although I have only been involved in the Miss Idaho Organization for two years, I have picked up some valuable techniques to help with fundraising. Using my experiences, I have compiled a list of tips that might help anyone who is struggling to fund raise. I hope that my advice is helpful for any current or future titleholders! Here are my tips on how to make a fundraising obligation a passion:
Tip #1: Do some research.
When I competed in my first local pageant, I made no effort to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network. At the time, I couldn’t help but feel burdened by the fact that I had to raise money for an organization that I knew nothing about. The feeling of “burden” continued for me until I took the time to research the organization. I learned that the Children’s Miracle Network (CMNH) was sending funds to benefit children’s hospitals all over the United States and Canada. The entire idea of CMNH is to bring awareness and attention to children’s hospitals, while raising funds and contributing to the health care of young people. Who WOULDN’T want to contribute to that!? When I realized all of the incredible things that CMNH did, I felt PROUD to raise money for the organization.
Tip #2: Connect your fundraising to an activity that you love.
I have a special love for baking. There is something so relaxing and rewarding about spending hours in the kitchen with my recipe books. Baking is just my thing. When it came time to plan my first real Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser, I wanted to do something simple, fun, and effective. My solution: BAKE SALE. The idea was perfect; it gave me an excuse to bake for two days straight… What could be better!? Needless to say, I had a great time during the entire fundraiser. People loved my treats and I raised more money than I ever would have expected. Because I enjoyed the experience so much, I had three more bake sales to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network (I might do another one when I get home from college). Whether you love dancing, singing, playing a sport, or baking, find a way to connect an activity that you love to your fundraising efforts. I promise, you will have the time of your life.
Here it is: my first Children’s Miracle Network Bake Sale!
Tip #3: POST ABOUT IT. A lot.
I probably drove my hometown NUTS with all of my Facebook posts before my bake sales. I posted every day, multiple times a day, for about four days leading up to the events. I had so many people come to my bake sales simply because they had seen me post about them on Facebook or Instagram. In addition to that, my posts caught the attention of a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital board member in Madera, California. Because of my fundraising efforts, he invited me to tour the Madera Children’s Miracle Network hospital and experience firsthand the organization that I was raising money for. THAT IS THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA. Use technology to your advantage!
I got to tour one of the largest Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the country! Here’s a picture at the entrance of the hospital in Madera, California.
I found my passion in the Children’s Miracle Network because I started competing in the Miss America Organization. Fundraising for CMNH has bettered my life in ways that I never could have predicted. I hope that my tips are helpful to anyone who struggles with fundraising! LET YOUR FUNDRAISING OBLIGATION BECOME YOUR PASSION.
Sarah Jensen- MIss Three Rivers 2016