Car Wash Fundraiser Preparation

Are you considering a car wash fundraiser for your group? We all no it is getting harder and harder to raise the funds for non-profit groups these days. Especially kids groups such as youth groups, sports teams, high school bands and scouts. Now more than ever it is important that we take special care to mentor our youth. One of the most important things you need to do to insure a successful car wash fundraiser is to pay special attention to the pre-planning preparation.

As with almost anything, the amount of preparation you do will be in direct proportion to the success of your fundraiser. Pre-planning preparation is the key between just another car wash and an unforgettable experience. Let us discuss the necessary steps you must go through to insure a successful car wash.

PICKING DATES AND TIMES

You should pick a date six weeks or more in advance if at all possible. Obviously, if everything could be coordinated correctly, this would be easy. Unfortunately we all know that if it's the end of the year or season and your budget is in the hole and you're short a couple of thousand dollars, you really have no choice. You may even have less than a week or two to prepare. Don't worry. Simply sped up the time line. Try cutting everything by a third.

Check the Calendar Section of your local newspaper. Are there any major community events occurring on the same day as your planned car wash fundraiser? A conflict of interest may cause a decrease in the same day attendance. A decrease in cars could cause as much as twenty to thirty percent in lost revenue. If, on the other hand, you coordinate a time, date and location that corresponds to the other event, let's say down the street a half a mile or less, you could add fifty percent more cars. You might try to put your car wash fundraiser across the street in a parking lot, gas station, etc. Better yet, ask the other group if you can have your fundraiser in their parking lot. Offer them ten percent of the proceeds if their event is also a fundraiser. How can they say no? This could almost double the number of cars washed.

RAIN DATES

What about rain? That's a great point. You should have a rain date. Perhaps the following week or two to three weeks later. Three weeks later is good because you may want to do another fundraiser even if it doesn't rain. Your group may need more money. If they had fun or you didn't reach one hundred percent of projected earnings another fundraiser car wash might be the way to go. Make sure that your rain date doesn't conflict with any big events either.

I wish you success in your car wash fundraising event and there are some good resources online too if you search "car wash fundraiser" on Google. Thank you for helping the kids.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

---

Turn off the TV -- and Turn on to Physical Activity!

Imagine having no television for an entire season. Such was the case for a friend, whose mother hauled the appliance right out of the house at the... Read More

10 Points on Children for the New Parent

I remember when my daughter was born, later my son. According to many well meaning individuals, I should've done this, should've done that and maybe improved in... Read More

Intermission: Wood Chips

I wanted to share with you one of the most valuable lessons my daughter taught me when she was sixteen-months-old. I call this essay, "Cherish Your Wood... Read More

Babys First Month at a Glance

Congratulations on your new baby! You have just brought your baby home and are pretty excited about everything. Perhaps you don't even mind the fact that getting... Read More

Why have children? DINCs, This is For You!

First there were Yuppies (Young Urban Professionals). Then came the Boomers, the Busters, the Boomlets, and Generation X. Now we have the DINCs, which stands for Double... Read More

Im a Father, Doesnt Anyone Care?

The snow was getting heavier with each lift of the shovel. My back ached, and I was chilled to the bone.I'd had enough for one day.I entered... Read More

Whats in a Name?

My cousin boasts five names and I confess that when I was younger that irritated me enormously. Worse than that, my sole middle name is Norman, just... Read More

Childrens Discipline: How To Resolve Divorce Parenting Differences?

Did you know that inconsistency on matters of discipline gives double messages, produces anxiety and can be very confusing to your children? Children need to know where... Read More

Give Your Child the Gift of Self-Esteem

Much has been said about the "gifted child" but in truth every child is born with unlimited potential. As expressed so well by Orison Marden:"Deep within man... Read More

The Long Journey Home

Once upon a time, I thought I had it all. I had a child, a career, the world at my feet. Or, so I thought.With the birth... Read More

Homeschooling --- A Superior Education For Your Child

Home-schooling provides children with a superior education. Parents can quickly teach most kids the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic using excellent, creative, learn-to-read, or learn-math books,... Read More

Childrens Allowance

When we consider that the word allowance means, "allowing for," it puts that "A" word into better perspective.Children will need access to their own stash of cash... Read More

My Husband Prioritizes Making Money Above Family Time

"Money is tight, and my husband's obsessed with doing everything he can to make more of it. It's gotten so bad that he's lost interest in our... Read More

Speaking on Behalf of Our Children: Stop Blaming the Victims

How many times have you flipped through the pages of a magazine or newspaper and seen images of children with captions like "Brats," "Bullies," or "Mean and... Read More

Caretaking Parents, Entitled Kids

Demanding children ? children who have entitlement issues ? seem to be common these days. Like the obnoxious child, Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate... Read More

Time, Stress, and a Baby

The main thing we noticed since having a baby is that time is a more valuable good. We do not have enough time for many things or... Read More

The Recipe For The Making Of A Self-Assured Child: One Part Communication, Two Parts Love

Each child carries a unique picture of the self, shaped in part by the influence of parents. Your child is not born with a self-image or self-assurance.... Read More

My Sweet Little Valentine

Valentine day has always been a special day in my life since Naseer, my husband proposed me to marry him a few years back. Since then, we... Read More

More than Mom and Dad

Love, love, love. It makes the world go round. It makes a family. So why does it seem the moment you have a baby, love, or at... Read More

Building Teen Character: Part-Time Employment

The teenage years are a crucial time in a child's life. They are not children anymore, but they are also not adults. During this time the choices... Read More

Use Encouragement Instead of Criticism to Help Children Improve

Criticism is punitiveOur children judge themselves on the opinions we have of them. When we use harsh words, demeaning adjectives or a sarcastic tone of voice, we... Read More

ParentingYour Teenager: Dont Buy the I Dont Know and I Dont Care Attitude

"I don't know and I don't care."I've heard those words more than a few times in my office. Sometimes I think "I don't know and I don't... Read More

Nothing Like a Mothers Love

Travel is a common theme in my life -- probably started with the family vacation we took every year when I was young. But in all my... Read More

Choosing a Daycare or Pre-School ? Top Ten Safety Tips

When it's time to put your child into a daycare or pre-school, there is some homework involved. Here are the top ten safety tips that are useful... Read More

Responsible Fatherhood - A Unique And Irreplaceable Role!

Something happened the other day that made me feel uneasy. Yet I shouldn't have felt that way!My wife had left for work and I was hanging the... Read More

Honey I Can?t Afford The Kids

Sex has a lot to answer for ? babies usually ? which then with time and much financial investment grow up to be beautiful mutations of their... Read More