Blog
GiversA Friend for the Long Haul
Posted by BRIEYA MIKALE on Dec 6, 2021
A year ago today, GiveSendGo saw a campaign for a man named Mr. James from Memphis, Tennessee. He's in his late 70's and was in need of a new trailer to collect scrap metal, which he does to support his loving wife and great grandchildren they're raising together. His friend, Dywana, thought the trailer didn't look safe, so she decided to raise money with us on GiveSendGo in order to purchase a new tailer for Mr. James! Talk about a good friend! The co-founders of GiveSendGo felt led to help Mr. James and Dywana out, so they purchased a new trailer for him and told Dywana any money she'd already raised for Mr. James can now just go directly to him! They traveled to Tennessee to meet Dywana and surprise Mr. James with the new trailer! The morning of the surprise, Dywana received a call from Mr. James, who told her he was on his way to meet her...business as usual...except, he mentioned, as of that morning, his trailer was no longer usable. Can you believe it?! On the SAME MORNING Dwyana and the GiveSendGo team had arranged to meet Mr. James and give him this new trailer, his old one breaks down! Some people may call it a coincidence, but we know there's no such thing! He was overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness for his friend Dywana, for the new trailer, and to everyone in his community who came that morning to show their support! I think we all can agree we need a friend like Dywana.
DevotionalsDo you know the story of the thief on the cross?
Posted by TYLER SHIPLEY on Sep 14, 2021
The scene takes place in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus has just been before Pontius Pilate and has been sentenced to one of the most humiliating ways to die. And now, His hands and His feet have been nailed to the cross. Here now we see the Messiah, hanging and slowly dying. Look at what happens: "Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews." One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:322-43) Maybe read that passage again. Did you notice the difference between the two criminals? One of the criminals mocked Jesus. This man not only challenged Jesus to save them and Himself but challenged His authority. While he challenged, notice what the other man did. He rebuked the challenger and said, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." (23:40-41) The second criminal rebuked the first! Can you imagine what everyone else was thinking when he spoke out like this? This man truly has the boldness that even the disciples did not have. Think about that for a minute. The eleven had fled the scene because they were scared; scared to the point that they denied knowing Christ. This criminal, with more boldness than the disciples, rebuked the other man. And following his rebuke, he then turned to Jesus and said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." What follows is indescribable! Jesus looked at the criminal, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise." (23:43) Jesus allowed this man into heaven. He did not say a prayer, he did not understand any doctrine or theology. He simply asked that Jesus remember him as Jesus returned to His heavenly sanctuary. Many people say that I did this and this to get to heaven. I repeated the prayer that my pastor, youth pastor, camp counselor, etc. said and now I am good. I did some pretty good works while I lived: "I was nice to others." "I helped this person." "I showed love when it mattered the most." The list goes on and on! Are you one of those people? Are you relying on your deeds to get you to heaven? Well, guess what. Your deeds do not grant you access to heaven. Pastor Alistair Begg preached this text and said that we always talk about Christ in the first person. (Refer to what I said above) We should talk in the third person! It's not what WE did, but what HE has done! We are allowed into heaven, not by our deeds or by anything that we have done, but because Jesus paid the debt of sin. Remember and reflect on the death of Christ today and always. You get to heaven not by yourself, but as Alistair Begg said, we get to heaven because "The man on the middle cross said I could come." "The man on the middle cross said I could come."
Fundraising Tips9 Fundraising Methods to Help Pay for Medical Expenses
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Sep 11, 2021
Hospital visits, surgeries, ambulance rides, physical therapy, and other health related treatments or resources can all be costly medical expenses. People worldwide live with the burden of paying off these bills all while trying to help their bodies heal. Both are stressful and can take a toll on any individual or family. Some people go without getting medical help at all, even though they might desperately need it, simply because they can't afford it. GiveSendGo serves as a resource for anyone who's looking to raise money to pay off their medical bills or help a loved one with their medical expenses. Money shouldn't be the determining factor as to whether you receive medical help or not, so here are some fundraising tips to help pay off these expenses easier. 1. GiveSendGo Campaign You never know when a medical emergency, surgery, or illness may happen. With the right treatments and medicines you can work on getting better, but it typically costs a pretty penny to get medical care of any kind. Even planned medical treatments or care can cost a lot of money. This is why GiveSendGo has several families and individuals using our platform to create fundraising campaigns to raise money for their medical expenses, unexpected or not. If you or anyone you know is looking to raise funds for their medical bills, whether immediate or in the future, we encourage you to use our platform as a resource to help you raise that money more effectively! Just like with any other campaign, it's important to tell your story and explain your situation on your GiveSendGo campaign page. With this specifically, you want to communicate the details of what you'll be needing the money for. Explain what the money you'll be raising will be going towards such as medications, treatments, therapy, wheelchairs, etc. You don't have to share every detail, especially sensitive details you want to keep private, but it's important to explain the important things to your potential backers. Additionally, include any details on donating and other ways people can support you, your loved ones, or your family throughout this situation. You should also include specific amounts people can give, so they don't have to guess what you need, such as $50, $100, $150 - you get the picture! Once you've shared your story, share your campaign as much as you can with your family, friends, social media community, church family, co-workers, and your local community. Share it on your social media sites, send the campaign url through email to relatives and co-workers, and text the campaign url to your closest friends and family. The best way to raise funds to help pay for those costly medical expenses is to spread awareness and get as many people involved as you can, so don't be shy with that share button! 2. Virtual or In-Person Walkathon or 5K Virtual 5K's and walkathons are becoming more and more popular in today's day and age! With this fundraising method, you can get in some healthy exercise, while raising the money you need, all at the same time! Now, if you're in the hospital or have been advised not to walk, run, or take part in any exercise of this kind then this method probably isn't for you to also be participating in. However, if you are able to move around in this capacity, or you're a loved one fundraising one someone else's behalf, then start inviting friends, family, co-workers, church family, and even your community to walk or run with you in a virtual or in-person 5K or walkathon! Due to the flexibility of this fundraising method, even if you aren't able to be there in person due to your health, this event allows people to run or walk on your behalf. All this method takes, whether it's in person or virtual, is for people to pledge certain amounts of money based on how far they run or walk. That walking or running course can either be preplanned by you or a loved one in-person, or if it's a virtual event, it can be a course mapped out by the runner or walker in their area. Whatever each person decides to pledge, based on the distance they ran or walked, they can donate directly to your GiveSendGo campaign page! 3. Used Book Sale A used book sale is a wonderful way to get your community involved in your fundraising! Ask your friends, family, co-workers, church family, and community to donate any books they're wanting to get rid of to your cause. You can also reach out to your local library and see if there's any books they're wanting to discard or are selling for a low price. They may even just donate them to you! It's also worthwhile to stop by any local thrift stores to pick up cheap books they're selling for a low price. (Many places like this will sell you a bundle of books for only a couple of dollars). Once you've spent some time collecting as many books as possible, you can set up a book sale (much like a garage sale) and invite everyone you know (as well as those in your community) to come buy books at your book sale! You'll be surprised how many books you can sell, especially at a fraction of the cost most book stores would sell them for. Whatever money you raise can then go directly towards your medical expenses! 4. Writing Letters Writing fundraising letters is a great way to let people know what your situation is and ask for support. It's such a popular method, it's used to raise money for all sorts of causes. Start by collecting the addresses of family, friends, church members, co-workers, and more. Then, write a letter explaining your, or your loved one's, medical situation and your fundraising needs. If you or your loved one needs money for surgery expenses, ambulance rides, crutches, a wheelchair, rehab, etc. communicate that in the letter. People are more apt to help if they know what they're helping with, so be sure to include all the details they'll need to know. Also share specific amounts people can donate such as $50, $100, $200, etc. People don't like guessing how much they should donate, so adding those specific amounts (as well as mentioning what your end monetary goal is) will be helpful to them. You can also include the link to your GiveSendGo campaign, so they can give directly to you online! We live in a time where people are more prone to giving online rather than through cash or check, so this is a great way to include another donation option. Lastly, if you want to go the extra mile, include another stamped envelope with the already sealed letter, so it's easy for them to put their money in the new envelope and send it off as quickly as possible. The more convenient you make it for people, the more donations you're likely to receive! 5. Potluck Dinner Who doesn't love a good potluck? Churches especially will find any excuse to hold a potluck, so why not ask your local church if they'd be willing to host a potluck dinner as a fundraiser for you? Members of the church will already be invited, as well as any of your friends and family. You now have an opportunity to personally explain your situation and ask for donations. (This is also a great time to implement some of the other, smaller, fundraising methods mentioned throughout this article). Church families love to swoop in and support those they know, so this method is a great way to make your needs known and enjoy a meal with people you care about! 6. Collect Change If you're like me, you have change lying around your house, your car, probably in your dryer, and somewhere in your purse or wallet. Most of the time this change just floats around and gets lost, so why not ask your friends, family, community, and church family to collect all their loose change and donate it towards your medical expenses? Better yet, if you know people who want to donate their extra change, give them a container they can collect their money in. As an added personal touch, add a custom title or hashtag representing your situation on the container. Then, let everyone know what their deadline is (the day you'll be collecting their change) and allow people to save up their money until that date. Pocket change may not seem like a lot, but once you add it all together you'll be surprised by just how much money you can raise to cover medical expenses with this method! And, it's so easy due to its minimal planning or resources! 7. Host a Game Night Game nights, similar to trivia nights, are highly effective! Invite your family, friends, community, co-workers, and church family to your event. Be sure to communicate to those thinking of attending that your event is a fundraiser to pay for you, or a loved one's, medical expenses. Then, charge a set amount per table or per person. This allows people to come as a group or for people to attend and play games at any table. Whatever works best with your game night event! All you really need for this event are a variety of board games and maybe some snacks and drinks for people to enjoy while they play (which you can also charge money for). Games like chess, UNO, Clue, checkers, Monopoly, Sorry, dominoes, LIFE, and Phase 10 are all great games to include at your event, but you can really bring whatever games you think those in attendance will enjoy playing! Also, make sure to secure your event space ahead of time. If you're a member of a local church, ask if you can use one of their buildings to host your event. You may even get to use it for free! 8. Envelope Fundraiser This fundraising method can be easily implemented into any fundraising event you may be hosting or you can do it completely on its own! It's also affordable and incredibly low maintenance. Buy a pack of envelopes at your local store, label them 1-100 or 1-150 (you get the idea) and hang them up on a cardboard presentation board or on a corkboard. Then, let your backers choose an envelope and insert the cash corresponding to that number directly in the envelope. Now cross out that envelope's number to show the remaining amounts left to donate to. You can also simply keep the envelopes in a box and carry it around with you. With this method you can easily raise more than you spend, so have fun with it! 9. Read-a-Thon If you love reading or know people who do, this fundraising method may be for you! Encourage your friends, family, co-workers, community, and church family to read as much as they can in one month, or to pledge money for the amount of books or pages each participant reads. Whatever part people play in this challenge, they'll be helping to support you! You can set goals such as pledging $50 for five books read, or $100 for 3,000 pages read. This method can be pretty flexible as you get to choose the goals and amounts people can donate. Then, ask people to donate their amounts straight to your GiveSendGo campaign page when those reading goals are met. This not only gets people's minds active, but encourages participation from children and families! You can even offer the person who reads the most books or pages a prize at the end of the challenge! Shine Brightly
DevotionalsRemembering 9/11: The 20th Anniversary
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Sep 11, 2021
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11th, 2001, terrorist attacks. Although two decades have passed since that terrifying and tragic incident, everyone who's old enough to remember, can recall where they were when they first heard the news of the twin towers being hit. For those who were there in person, they remember it as the day the sky turned black, clouded with ash and smoke, over New York City. That day started like any other day. No one could have expected such an event would take place, stopping time for people nationwide. It was televised worldwide and broadcasted across radio stations across the U.S. All eyes and ears were on NYC that day. In that moment, the world was forever changed by the attack that caused 3,000 lives to be lost. Even though I was too young to remember where I was, or what I was doing, on that day (as I was just a toddler at the time), I do clearly remember the aftershock of 9/11. It was taught and talked about all the time as I grew up. I was told about how the world worked to heal, repair, and better defend itself in the days, months, and even years after what had happened. That event claimed more than just a day. It lives in the memories of millions of people, especially those directly affected by the attack. I grew up with these stories. I've watched videos, seen photos, heard testimonies from actual survivors, and read articles about that day. Whether you were there or not, it's a memory shared by the world. And even though I know we can't experience time as God does, it amazes me that the people of NYC didn't feel the presence of the future staring back at them on that day. But, despite the gravity and devastation of 9/11, there is and was hope to be found in Jesus. How can I say this when such evil things like this happen? Psalm 46:1-2 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea." This passage, among many others in the Bible, promises us that God didn't abandon the world on that day. He didn't desert those who were killed, the first responders who risked their lives to save people trapped under debris, or the people who lost loved ones due to the attack. Even in situations where the world was literally crumbling at people's feet, God promised to be a refuge for those who were hurting and needed a Savior. God was still moving, providing hope, help, and comfort to those in need. Likewise, He is a God of justice who will bring about the judgement of those who were responsible for the 9/11 attacks. Psalms 37:28 says, "For the Lord loves justice and does not abandon His godly ones; They are protected forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be eliminated." It also says in Proverbs 21:15, "The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity." I want to end with the following quote. This quote is an excerpt of a prayer by John Piper who said this a decade after 9/11 took place. He said: "We turn to you, heavenly Father, as our rock and our refuge, as our King and our comforter. We pray that you continue to sustain all those who lost loved ones on 9/11. Show them mercy. Give them comfort. For those who believe in you, minister by your Spirit and the truths of your word. For those who are far from you, use this tragedy in a new way a decade later to draw these broken-hearted men, women, and children to yourself...We thank you Lord for the firemen and police officers who risked their lives, and often gave their lives, to search for and rescue the victims of 9/11... May every moment of adversity and prosperity point us to Christ. Keep our eyes fixed on the Author and Perfector of our faith. Let us run to Christ. Let us cling to Christ. Let us find forgiveness in Christ. Let us find assurance in Christ. For the only true promise of peace, in this life and in the next, is found in Christ. We gladly confess that he is our only comfort in life and in death. Some trust in chariots; some trust in horses; some trust in the Koran; some trust in their wealth; some trust in their ancestors; some trust in their degrees; some trust in tanks and talks and predator drones. But we trust in the name of the Lord our God. It's in his name of the Lord Jesus that we live and move and have our being, and it's in his name we pray, Amen."
DevotionalsGo to Sleep, You're Worshiping Your Father in Heaven
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Aug 31, 2021
I am constantly amazed, and always slightly annoyed, at how quickly and easily my husband can fall asleep. It's definitely a skill - and one I desperately wish I had most nights. I've always struggled with the ability to fall asleep. When I was younger I used to fight sleep as much as possible, because I didn't want to miss a moment of life. I would wake up and sneak around the house because I felt there was so much life to experience and sleep was just a waste of time. This behavior isn't abnormal for children, but they typically grow out of it as they get older. While technically, yes, I stopped fighting sleep simply because I didn't want life to pass me by, my struggle of falling asleep continued into my teenage and eventually my adult years. Ever since highschool, I've suffered from insomnia. The reasons why I've had insomnia have varied from year to year, but no matter the cause, the problem is still frustrating. And the frustration typically only adds to the lack of sleep I get - see the vicious cycle here? A few summers ago, in-between my sophomore and junior year of college, I developed terrible insomnia matched with restlessness, hallucinations, heart palpitations, anxiety, and even depression. However, through that struggle, and the counsel of many individuals who were much wiser than I was at the time, I came to realize that even sleeping was an act of obedience to God. By not finding ways to improve my rest and actually developing bad sleeping habits because of it, I was choosing my own way of solving my sleeping problems rather than submitting my restlessness to God. By wallowing and writhing in my pity late at night instead of turning to Him to heal my anxiety and exhaustion, I was actually sinning. Arriving at that truth wasn't easy, nor was it simple common sense. Sleep seems like such an odd and silly thing to give to God, especially when it appears to be such an easy fix for us to take care of. But even God cares about how you choose to rest and He promises to help you in your struggles to find it. He said in Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." While this passage is specifically talking about turning to God in times of sorrow and pain, the same principle applies - God is our comforter and our rest. Without Him, we are hopeless. Sometimes sleep is disrupted by more than just worry or bad sleep habits. Mental and physical illness play a role in taking away one's sleep too, but no matter the reason why, again, Jesus is there to bring healing, comfort, and rest when we need it. Here's how I know that. Jesus Slept in Submission to His Father Why do we know, biblically, that sleep and rest matter to God and that they're acts of worship to Him. We'll take this Bible story for example. Most of us are familiar with the story in Mark 4:37-41 which says, "And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Jesus and his disciples are out on a boat on the sea of Galilee. This sea isn't very large and storms like the one mentioned in Mark would have been rather unexpected. The wind was picking up, causing the waves to come crashing into the boat, filling it with water. I imagine we too would act just like the disciples, panicked and afraid at the possibility of drowning out at sea. They wake up Jesus, who is peacefully sleeping in the boat amidst the storm. When he wakes, Jesus says, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" Most of us would think, "Wow, Jesus. Isn't that a bit harsh?" But that goes to show the ignorance we have as fragile human beings who tightly hold onto our mortality and often hold it higher than God. Jesus slept because he trusted his Father would protect him even when reality posed a threat that would say otherwise. Although in the moment all seemed lost to the disciples, Jesus rebuked them for their lack of trust and faith in God. It seems like a trivial thing to us, but Jesus took that faith seriously. He expected them to submit their fears to God who had ultimate control of the situation already and when they didn't they made fools out of themselves, because Jesus (God made flesh) was right there to quiet the waters. How they acted in that moment displayed what they actually believed about God. Had they rested, just as Jesus rested, knowing God would take care of them, they would have ended up just as safe as they did even after they made a big hoopla out of their situation. There was no need to worry. They only needed to trust and submit their bodies in rest to the Lord. We see more examples of this obedience and trust through sleep in the Old Testament as well. David remarks in Psalm 3:5, "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me." This perfectly parallels the same attitude Jesus had on the boat, meaning we're all capable of this same kind of rest with the help of God. Even when our anxieties, depression, or even physical causes are preventing us from finding rest in Him, Psalm 56:3 says, "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." D.A. Carson once said, "Sometimes the godliest thing you can do in the universe is get a good night's sleep-not pray all night, but sleep. I'm certainly not denying that there may be a place for praying all night; I'm merely insisting that in the normal course of things, spiritual discipline obligates you get the sleep your body needs." So, with all this said, go get some quality sleep and trust in your Father who gives you rest.
Fundraising TipsTips for Updating Your Backers
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Aug 31, 2021
Whether it's on social media, sending out an email, or directly on your GiveSendGo campaign page it's important to update backers about the progress of your campaign. After all, they've made the decision to invest in you and your idea, you should invest in them too! Here are a few tips on how to update your backers throughout your campaigning process, as well as a few guidelines on how to write a great campaign update! So, what are some reasons or occasions why you should, or would need to, update your backers? 1. Fundraising Progress or New Developments So you've created your campaign and are now asking people to donate to a cause you care about. That's great! You've completed the first step. Now that you've opened that dialogue with your backers and potential backers, it would seem a little insensitive to never speak to them again. From a potential backer's viewpoint, this would look like you only cared about getting the money you needed and not about their support. You need to also show your investment, not only in your campaign's mission, but in the people who are giving to you. This is why it's important to share fundraising milestones and new developments in your campaign with your supporters. Let's say you reached $1,000 raised or maybe you've reached the halfway point in your campaign. Let your supporters know you're grateful for their help and share your milestones with them. Who knows, someone out there might see your campaign update and want to give to help you reach your final goal! Sharing updates isn't always about communicating with your supporters, although that is important, it's also about reaching people who may not even know your campaign exists. The more updates you give, the stronger the support you will have, which means you'll most likely reach your goal faster! 2. Thanking and Recognizing Your Backers Show your gratitude and share it often! If you're getting any support at all in your campaign, that's more support than what you started out with. You should recognize those people for the impact they're making on your life through their donations. Without them, you wouldn't be able to reach your goal, so they deserve to see and hear how appreciative you are for their help. An update alone shows you care about keeping your backers in the loop, but adding an extra thank you tells them that you truly appreciate what they've done for you! 3. Personal Stories It's important for people to see the heart and the drive behind your campaign's mission. People love stories, especially ones they can empathize with. You'd be surprised how much people want to help other people. But, without sharing a need or the story behind your goal, they might just see you as just another campaign in a sea of hundreds of campaigns. Give them something to be passionate about, something that makes you stand out. Everyone's story is unique, so don't be afraid to be vulnerable when you tell it. Just make sure you're being honest. Your story might speak to someone on a level you may not expect. It may also inspire someone to start their own campaign if they see you sharing your mission with the world. So, share your story! 4. Sharing Links Related to Your Campaign Sharing your campaign with local news organizations is a great way to get more awareness about your goal and mission. If they decide to run with it, now you have an article or news story you can share on social media or even share through email/text. It's a win-win! Be sure to also share this article or video link as an update on your GiveSendGo campaign page, so people can see an outside perspective on your campaign! Who knows, you might have dozens or hundreds of people outside of your circle interested in your campaign now simply because the news covered it! Those are people who may never have known about it otherwise! On a similar note, you can also share in an update to your backers the different social media platforms you use and regularly post to. This is another way for you to update your backers more frequently and to stay in touch with your supporters! It's also a way of welcoming them into your life and story! 5. Share What You're Using the Money For So now people know about your story and your campaign goal, but what about the money? People are sometimes hesitant to give because they don't know where the money they're donating will actually be going and if it's actually going to be used for what it's intended for. Give them an update from time to time sharing the details of where or what your money is going to and how you plan to use it. If your campaign is to raise money for an organization you're passionate about, share about them and how that money will be benefiting that specific cause. If it's for you or a group to go on a mission trip, share specific details about what their money will cover such as flights, hotels, transportation, food etc. Or, if you plan to use the money to help build houses in a third world country, then share that in an update too. The more specific you can be, the more confident people will feel in their giving to your campaign. 6. Image or Photos Sharing a personal update through a photo or video is a great way to connect with your backers and potential backers on a more personal level. Sometimes this means just sharing a glimpse into your life and other times it means sharing an update specific to your campaign journey. For instance, let's say you're raising money to pay for medical expenses for a loved one. You might decide to share an update about the state of their health, or maybe they have a message they want to share with those who are supporting them and you need to relay that message. Especially in this case, if someone has donated to your campaign then they probably also care about you as a person, not just about helping you reach your monetary goal. A photo or video that updates your backers helps you engage with them on a deeper level than just through text. It's also a really simple way to let your backers know how your campaign journey is going! How to Write a Great Update Now that you have all of these tips on what to update your backers about, it's a matter of how do you do it? Your update doesn't have to be really long, but if you feel led to share a blog post or a longer message with your supporters that's great too! It also doesn't need to sound deep or really professional to get the information or message across. The important thing is that you be honest in your update, genuine, and that it be relevant to your campaign. Sometimes the shorter the update the better since most people don't want to read pages of information, nor will that help communicate clearly what you need to share. Whatever you're updating your backers about, simply write a few paragraphs (or maybe just a few sentences depending on the update). Then, be sure to thank them for their continued support and be sure to mention how they can keep supporting you. Make sure you're providing updates at least once a week, even if the update is short and to the point. Depending on the nature of your update, there are a lot of templates online that give specific steps in how to write an update like this. But at the end of the day, remember, just be you! Shine Brightly!
DevotionalsWhy You Should Do a Technology Cleanse
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Aug 27, 2021
Have you ever sworn you got a text message or heard your phone ring only to pull your phone out of your pocket and realize there was no notification or phone call? This phenomenon is called phantom vibration syndrome, otherwise known as "ringxiety". These hallucinations have a variety of possible causes such as attachment anxiety to your phone, the fact that your phone is a part of you (much like a pair of glasses you wear everyday), and even having an addiction to your cellular device. While there's tons of research that goes into this strange occurrence, the point is, sometimes it's good to put our technological devices aside for a brief time to improve, and even test, our mental and physical health. In college I was required to do a one week technology cleanse as an assignment, meaning no TV, no computer, no phone, and even no music for a week. We couldn't entirely escape from these forms of technology though since we needed it to do homework for our other classes, so we got a slight cheat for that, but the idea was we couldn't use technology unless it was absolutely necessary. Although I knew I would get through the week using minimal technology and be fine, I didn't expect to go through physical and mental side effects along the way. Just over the course of that week I experienced everything from withdrawal, headaches, panic and anxiety, loneliness and isolation, restlessness, and exhaustion. This exercise wasn't just to test my ability to go without entertainment, but it forced me to go through the mental and physical consequences of the dependence I didn't even know I had on technology. Ever since this assignment, I've come to the conclusion that the more impossible it feels to separate yourself from technology, the more it probably means you should (at least for a brief period). A few benefits of doing a technology detox are: 1. Better Mental and Physical Health Social media along with many other forms of technology is often used to avoid social interactions, especially ones we feel unsure about. On the flip side, we go to social media to engage in those social interactions, however because we aren't forced to have these interactions in real time we speak, act, and treat others in ways that are unrealistic to how we would in person. This is often why so much unkindness happens on the internet. We get to hide behind the facade that is social media and be whoever we want to be, suffering minimal consequences for our actions. Social media and technology is also unfortunately an easy escape from reality. It becomes a place we run to when we want to numb or distract ourselves from anxiety, depression, anger, and sadness. Most of the time this leads to a habit of turning to social media as the medicine to our problems instead of actually dealing with those emotions head on. This leads to an increase in mental health problems like anxiety and depression as well as a cycle of bad habits. It not only affects our ability to have fruitful social interactions, but it also negatively impacts our eating and sleeping habits. And while you may think you have your relationship with technology under control, it only takes a few days away from it to tell you if you really have it under control or not. Why? Because you will physically and emotionally react to its absence if you have an unhealthy dependence on technology to get you through your day, much like having caffeine withdrawals. 2. Less Comparison to Others It's easy to turn to social media as a template for how we should look, how accomplished we should be, how much money we should have, and how well liked we are. This frequent act of comparing ourselves to others often negatively affects our mental health. If you take social media out of the equation, at least for a brief period, you can begin to see people for who they are, not the best, and oftentimes, fake versions of themselves they display on social media. This not only lowers the expectations we place on ourselves, but we get a realistic picture of the people around us and even of ourselves. It also lowers the amount of anxiety and depression we can feel as a result of this comparison, which helps us instill a greater confidence within ourselves. 3. Better Approach to Technology When we know we can step away from technology and still function regularly, we have a much healthier approach to technology itself. We can take advantage of the great benefits of technology while still taking into account the risks of it. This changes our whole approach and actually improves the effectiveness of our technology use as a whole. 4. Developing Good Habits If you're anything like me, you tend to choose picking up your phone and scrolling for a few hours over doing anything else. Technology has oftentimes prevented me from starting or developing hobbies. Instead of reading, which I love to do, I find myself picking up my phone. The same goes for exercising, connecting with my friends and family, sleeping, spending time alone, cooking or baking - basically anything I could be doing, instead I choose to check my phone. Part of this has to do with the dopamine that's released every time we turn to social media. It feels good to us and often serves as a "rewards system" or "reward loop" every time we check our phones. When we're forced or compelled to choose to do something else, it's easy to feel that urge towards technology again. For me, sometimes it's just the reality of being alone with my thoughts that makes me want to turn to technology instead of doing something I actually truly love doing. But, when we take technology out of the equation, even for a few hours out of our day, we can develop a good habit of productivity. Technology often distracts us from our thought processes. It then takes us twice as much time to accomplish something that should have only taken a short while to complete. We often waste our lives away using technology which diminishes the potential God has given each and every one of us. Taking a break from technology also gives us the opportunity to make new memories with our friends and family, allows us to have in-depth conversations with others, and to develop new unique, creative, ideas! 5. More Restful Sleep The blue light that emits from our phone screens actually disturb our body's natural production of melatonin. Melatonin is the hormone that controls our sleep-wake cycle, which helps us feel sleepy at night and causes us to wake up feeling refreshed in the morning. This means when you spend that hour or two laying in bed scrolling on your phone instead of trying to fall asleep on your own, you're actually making it harder to fall asleep and preventing your body from getting the rest it needs. Again, this leads to insomnia, anxiety, and restlessness which are all harmful mental health problems. There are tons of other reasons why taking a break from technology is good for your overall health, but here are some tips for having a successful technology detox. 1. Be Realistic Don't expect yourself to be able to quit cold turkey for a week and then give up the moment you accidentally use technology again. This is about improving your mental health and giving you the tools to take control of your technology use. Some people choose to get rid of all technology for a week or for a day. Others choose to take it a little at a time such as going without social media for a week, or even simply going without a specific app or just TV for a week. You can tailor it to your needs or to what you may be specifically struggling with at that moment in time. It's also best if you spend some time planning or preparing for your technology cleanse. Don't do it spontaneously because you'll be just as tempted to start it back up spontaneously. If you can prepare for it, you can get into the right head-space before you begin. This also gives you time to let others know you'll be doing this cleanse for a day or for a week, to remove any distractions, and to fill your time with other things aside from technology. 2. Set a Limit A wise decision might be to ease your way into a detox like this. What I mean is that it might work out better for you to start taking a break from technology for a day before you try it for a whole week. It's also easier to achieve a goal like this when you have a clear idea of when it will end. As you set limits and achieve those goals you'll find yourself naturally putting aside technology for longer periods of time because you've developed a healthy relationship and habit with technology. 3. Let your Family and Friends Know Beforehand Letting your family and friends know by text or sharing it on social media before you take a break from technology will solve a few problems. First, they'll be less likely to text you or send you something through social media if they know you're trying to take a break from it. If they don't know about it they can't support you. Second, by letting them know you're taking a break from technology they won't think you dropped off the face of the earth, which will also put them at ease and prevent them from texting you. 4. Remove Distractions It's pretty hard to take a break from something if it's still in front of you, taunting you, and reminding you of how much you want it. Just like when people remove caffeine from their house so they can take a break from soda, you'll want to take away the temptation to use technology altogether. Put your phone in a drawer, have someone take or hide your remotes, do whatever you need to do to remove the temptation. The whole "out of sight out of mind" mentality is real. It's much easier to stop using technology if you can forget about it altogether. Instead fill your environment with what you DO want to do such as books if you want to start reading more, go out with your friends if you want to build up your connections more, or be intentional about exercising every morning with a friend or family member. 5. Repeat the Detox It's not enough to do this once in your life. Make it a regular occurrence. Some people choose one day out of the week to go without technology (or at least social media). Others choose one week out of the month. Whatever works best for you! Just be honest with yourself and discipline yourself to go without it based on what you need mentally and physically. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to "look to Jesus" or "set our eyes on Jesus". A technology cleanse like this is much like fasting. Not only can we fill the time we now have with prayer, reading Scripture, and devotion to Jesus, but we're also able to determine what our idols are. For a lot of us technology and/or social media is that idol we put before Christ. It's what we turn to before we go to sleep and the first thing we fill our minds with when we wake up. But, we're called to look to Jesus who is able to help us in our struggles and doubts and who is worthy of our praise!
Fundraising Tips10 Fundraising Ideas to Study Abroad or Go On An Educational Trip
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Aug 27, 2021
Classes are in session for many schools around the nation! This means that many educational trips and opportunities to study abroad over the course of this school year will start becoming available for student's consideration (if they haven't already). Students who have studied abroad or gone on an educational trip describe it as a unique, unforgettable experience everyone should get to do at some point in their lives. However, many students forgo these opportunities altogether simply due to the cost. Flights alone can cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on where you're going, not to mention the cost of hotels, ground transportation, food, and other activities. So, in the following 10 fundraising ideas, we will hopefully provide some tips to help you raise the money you need to take the trip of a lifetime! 1. Create a GiveSendGo Campaign GiveSendGo has a lot of individuals and groups using our platform to raise money for their educational needs. If you click on our education campaign category, you'll notice that we have a lot of educational campaigns and each campaign listed is unique, ranging anywhere from raising funds for the classroom, for an educational organization, for homeschooling, tuition, and more. If you or anyone you know is looking to raise funds for education, especially to study abroad to go on an educational trip we encourage you to use our platform as a resource to help you raise that money more effectively! Just like with any other campaign, it's important to tell your story. Be sure to share your heart and why you (and/or) your group is studying abroad or taking that educational trip. Share what you'll be learning or studying while you're there. Be as detailed as you can, so people can understand what you'll be needing the money for. If the money is going to be used to cover flights, housing, food, or any other expenses be sure to explain that in your campaign. You can also include specific amounts they can give, so they don't have to guess what you need, such as $50, $100, $150 - you get the picture. Once you've shared your story, share your campaign as much as you can with your family, friends, social media community, church family, co-workers, and your local community. Share it on your social media sites, send the campaign url through email to relatives and co-workers, and text the campaign url to your closest friends and family. The best way to raise funds for your trip is to spread awareness and get as many people involved as you can, so don't be shy with that share button. You can't share it too much and you might even be surprised by the amount of people who want to help support you and your group on this journey! You can also implement several of the following ideas into your GiveSendGo campaign or vice versa! 2. Letters To... Sending letters is one of the easiest fundraising methods you can do. Just as we mentioned before with the GiveSendGo campaign, be detailed in your letter as to what you'll be doing on your trip, what the money people will be sending will cover, and how their donation will be making a difference in your trip. Be sure to also include the various methods they can use to give. The best part about this method is that you can provide the url to your GiveSendGo campaign in the letter, so people have another option to give aside from sending cash or a check through the mail. If you feel stuck and aren't quite sure what to say in your letter, you're not alone! There are hundreds of templates online geared specifically towards how to write a fundraising letter about studying abroad or an educational trip to help get you started in writing your letter. Once you've completed your letter, all you need to do is print it off, seal it in an envelope, and mail it off to you family, friends, church family, co-workers, community, professors, etc. For an extra personal touch, you can personally sign each letter before sealing it. Another tip is to include a stamped or plain envelope inside your letter. This makes it easier for the giver since they only have to send their money in your already stamped envelope, meaning you're likely to receive more donations. 3. Sell Items Online or at a Garage/Yard Sale If the weather outside is nice you can hold a garage sale or yard sale to help fundraise for your trip. Weeks before you plan to do the sale, ask your family, friends, church family, and community to donate items they no longer want to you for your sale. Whatever money you raise can then be put towards your trip. You can apply the same steps to an online sale if you choose that method instead. However, you should keep in mind if you sell items online you will be responsible for also mailing all of those items out as well and if you have larger items that might end up being more of a hassle on your part. 4. Do a Presentation for Your Church About Your Trip in Exchange for a Scholarship This is a pretty common method also used for educational trips, studying abroad, and even mission trips if you're a member of a church. Ask your church if they have any scholarships available or if they would be willing to either take up a love offering or donate money to your trip. If they say yes, you can offer to do a presentation on your experience for the church when you come back. This method not only gets you money for your trip, it also gives everyone the chance to hear about the trip they supported which is another way of thanking, or giving back, to those who donated and prayed for you! 5. Ask People to Donate their Frequent Flyer Miles This method is starting to become more and more popular. Whether you're studying abroad or taking an education trip, most likely you'll need to pay for your own flights, which aren't cheap. If you know friends or family members who travel a lot, or if people aren't able to give you monetary donations, you can ask them to donate their frequent flyer miles. Sometimes these points even cover hotel stays. 6. $10 Destination Photos People really enjoy having pieces of art to hang on their walls. This is especially true for photos and artwork that has special meaning to them. This fundraising method allows you to ask friends, family, co-workers, church family, etc. to prepay $10 for a photo, or per photo, from your trip. You could also charge extra if you plan on printing and framing those pieces when you return, but that's up to you! Likewise you can charge $5 (prepaid before your trip) for a postmarked postcard sent from your destination. Just be sure to be intentional about taking decent photos while you're gone and don't forget! Now, everytime that person sees your picture on the wall, they'll be reminded of how they helped support you! 7. Clean Houses or Do Yard Work Around Your Neighborhood This is a great way to reach out to your community for donations in exchange for practical help inside or outside of their homes. There are a lot of people who need help with various projects around the house, whether it's a job they need extra hands for, or they're an elderly person who can't do extensive labor. Use these opportunities to reach out to those in need around your community to clean homes, do yard work, build something, or just help out with whatever they need for a few hours in exchange for a donation for your trip. You'd be surprised how many people will take you up on your offer! This also gives you the opportunity to get to know people around your community or church too! We'd suggest you dedicate a few hours each week to doing these jobs so you don't take on more than you can handle. This method will earn you a few hundred dollars plus tips if you do a good job! Depending on how frequently you take up jobs like this, you could raise most of the money you need in just a few weeks! 8. Offer Private Lessons If you have some extra time in your schedule and either a skill or knowledge you can share, offer lessons or even tutoring to raise some extra money for your trip. What's great about this method is that you can take on students in your community and even online! You could teach violin, dance, or simply help out a student with their math or science. Either way, people will pay a pretty penny for someone they trust to teach them, or their child, something they're interested in, especially if they know their money will also be supporting you too! 9. Custom Calendar This is very similar to the destination photos method. However, this custom calendar idea might just be even simpler and more creative! Before leaving on your trip, explain to those interested in supporting you that while you're away you'll be taking pictures of your experience, which you will then be transforming into a custom calendar when you come home. Let them know that by donating to your GiveSendGo campaign or directly paying you, they'll be preordering/prepaying for this unique calendar they'll receive when you come home. For this method, all you need is 12 good photos (or more) from your trip and you can start creating your custom calendar when you return from your trip. There are tons of websites out there that will allow you to create your own custom calendar with whatever photos you choose. Design your custom calendar, include your personal touches, and maybe even sneak in a "thank you!" to your supporters. Then, you can just send your calendars off to everyone who donated to you and your trip. Make sure to include another thank you note for their support along with your calendar! 10. Become an Uber or Lyft Driver Although this method isn't donation based, it's a great way to earn some money towards your trip and also meet some new people! For this method to pan out, you'll need a qualifying vehicle, sign-up for either Uber or Lyft, and make sure you're verified to drive on their behalf. Once that's settled, you can start earning money for your study abroad trip or educational trip. Shine Brightly!
DevotionalsWe Were Made for Another World
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Aug 20, 2021
The longer I live and the more life I have to enjoy and wrestle with, the more my heart pangs with an aching desire for another place. One writer, Rhoison Harris, who wrote on this very topic, described the feeling of gazing upon a "radiant sunset". He said, "It is in those moments that my soul is altogether satisfied and yet strangely lacking." As a Christian, not only do these moments remind us of how omnipotent our Creator is, but the enjoyment of these blessings cause us to long for a place in which these moments are never ending - where true and everlasting satisfaction exists. When we have tasted a morsel of God's goodness we can only hunger for more and feel empty when we cannot satisfy that feeling on our own. This is because we live in a world we were never made for - a world made perfect but then stained with sin. We are aliens, foreigners, and sojourners in this world waiting for that Kingdom to arrive and take us home. C.S. Lewis said in his book Mere Christianity: "The Christian says, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists...If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world...Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same." I am convinced these beautiful moments and blessings we experience on earth, as a result of our Father's grace and goodness, act as a shadow (or as a movie trailer, if you will) of what is to come. This "other world" or "true country" as Lewis describes has been called "the place of rest" by Saint Augustine and "the Celestial City" by John Bunyan. They're all wonderful descriptions of what we have to look forward to and yet they won't even come close to measuring up to what it will truly be like when we arrive. John describes it in Revelation 21:1-4 like this: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." What a beautiful promise and picture of our coming home! Harris also shared in his article a reflection on these verses in Revelation by Dr. Phillip Ryken, "I love how Ryken describes these verses: What we find in these final few chapters (of Revelation) is a sanctuary for the heart of every lonely pilgrim who is longing for home...Amen, and amen!" It's easy to want to quench this thirst for satisfaction with things of this world, but the more we drink of the emptiness this world has to offer, the thirstier we will become. So set your eyes on Jesus and live like we believe and hope in this coming "true country". Just from reading this passage in Revelation, we, if you are a Christian, can see the home that He has promised to us. If you are not a Christian, this is an encouragement and a warning. There is a better and satisfying world waiting for you if you submit your life to Jesus - a place with no death, no tears, full of joy, and where we are no longer separated from God Himself! 1 Peter 1:3-9 describes this promise as an inheritance stored up in heaven for us: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." If you don't know Him, you aren't promised this Kingdom and you don't have that inheritance stored up in heaven for you. So, I urge you to come before your Father in Heaven and give your life to Him, so that you may enjoy Him fully and have a hope that will never perish! I'll end with the lyrics to a song by the Gray Havens called "Far Kingdom" that reminds me of this "other world" we're promised our hearts so desperately long for. "There is a far Kingdom A ways from here Beyond the storm and the sea There will be no need of darkness And none for tears When that far Kingdom I see There's a river we will know Ever clear and ever full From the fount that overflows In the light of the King And when we drink it, we will find That this joy, ever full, will ever rise And it'll rise on, in the Kingdom In the Kingdom There is a far Kingdom On the other side of the glass And by a faint light we see Still there is more gladness Longing for the sights Than to behold or be filled, by anything There is a far, far Kingdom There at the end of the sea Where they know my name And until that far, far Kingdom Calls me home Oh, my soul, I will wait There's a river we will know Ever clear and ever full From the fount that overflows In the light of the King And when we drink it we will find That this joy, ever full, will ever rise And it'll rise on, in the Kingdom In the Kingdom And when we drink it we will find That this joy, ever full, will ever rise And it'll rise on, in the Kingdom In the Kingdom And it'll rise on, in the Kingdom In the Kingdom"
Fundraising Tips9 Tips to Help You Raise Funds for Missions
Posted by ALEX SHIPLEY on Aug 20, 2021
Going on a mission trip, whether it's across the world or even just a few states away is a wonderful opportunity to help fill people's practical needs, to share the hope of the gospel, and to make new friends and connections. However, sometimes the staggering amount of money it takes to go on a mission trip stops people from going altogether. GiveSendGo wants to offer anyone considering or dedicated to going on a mission trip some tips and suggestions for how to raise money for missions so you can shine brightly and really make a difference in this world! Many of these tips and suggestions provide opportunities to get your church family and community involved in your fundraising endeavors as well! 1. Create a GiveSendGo Campaign We have a lot of families, groups, and individuals raising funds for their mission trips on GiveSendGo. In fact, it's one of our most used categories! We encourage anyone looking to raise funds for their mission trip to use GiveSendGo as a tool to make your journey easier. Just like with any other campaign, it's important to tell your story. Be sure to share your heart and why you (and/or) your group feels it's important to go on this trip. People want to hear what kind of work you will be doing during your trip whether that's building a house, serving in inner city missions, helping with disaster relief, etc. Missions could be a variety of things, so it's important to communicate those details about what you will be doing, other ways aside from donating that people could be helping, what they could also be praying for, and why it's important for you to go and help serve and/or evangelize in that area. Once you've shared your story, share your campaign as much as you can with your family, friends, social media community, church family, co-workers, and your local community. Share it on your social media sites, send the campaign url through email to relatives and co-workers, and text the campaign url to your closest friends and family. The best way to raise funds for your mission trip is to spread awareness and get as many people involved as you can, so don't be shy with that share button. You can't share it too much and you might even be surprised by the amount of people who want to help support you and your group in this calling. 2. "Pick a Number" Board or Envelope Fundraising These two fundraising methods are roughly the same thing or are at least very similar. It can also be called a "Wall of Money". Either way, the concept is that you make a board with various amounts or numbers ranging from 1-50, 1-100, 1-150, or whatever amount you feel is appropriate. Typically those amounts are written on envelopes or slips of paper and attached to panels on a cardboard display board. Then, people can choose a number or amount and donate that amount. Once an amount has been given, you can cross that number out on the slip of paper or envelope but leave the number on the board, so you can keep track of what amounts are left. It will also lead more people to want to donate those other available amounts to complete your goal. This method also ensures everyone gets an opportunity to donate no matter what their budget is. The benefit of using envelopes is that people can place their cash or check straight into the envelope labeled with the amount they're donating. The best part about this method is that you can use it more than just once and it can be incorporated into any event. If you're already hosting a fundraising event (maybe using one of ideas listed below) use this money board as a fun way to have people donate to your trip. You could also set it up and leave it every Sunday at your church, so people can decide when it's best for them to donate. 3. Trivia Night Trivia nights are a huge hit and garner a lot of attendees! It's also an event that people of every age can participate in. You can charge a set price per group or table, charge per person and put people together at random, or use both methods! The benefit of charging per table or group is that if people want to play with their friends or family they can all chip in the donation price. The best part about trivia nights is that you have free reign with the topics you'll quiz people over! You can have a trivia night with various categories such as movies, nature or landmarks, the town you're hosting in, history, etc. Or you can get more specific and make your trivia night all about one topic such as Star Wars and each trivia category has something to do with Star Wars. Another option is to theme the trivia night based on the location of your mission trip. Decorate the room like that country or place and then use one of the categories to quiz them over that location. The sky's the limit, so just have fun and be really creative! Because trivia nights can be tailored to your needs, you can implement other fundraising methods or activities into the night. For instance, during intermission you can host a silent auction or play some mini games where people can donate a set amount to play. You can also set up the envelope money board mentioned earlier for people to place donations in as they're walking around. 4. Sell T-Shirts, Bracelets, and/or Stickers Who doesn't love a good t-shirt? They're fun to collect and serve as a great reminder of fond memories. Making and selling a creative t-shirt design is a great way to raise money for your mission trip. Not only do you get to create something unique and personal to you and your trip, but people will wear them more than once, which will only increase the awareness of your trip. A way to take advantage of this is to encourage your supporters to post a picture of themselves on social media with your t-shirt! If you have a hashtag you're using to share about your trip, you can even use that on the t-shirt and encourage others to share that same hashtag when they post with your shirt. The same goes for rubber bracelets! They're also cheaper, so if someone can't afford a t-shirt or knows they won't wear it, they can just buy a bracelet. Also, designing a fun sticker for computers, cars, or even water bottles are becoming more and more popular. They're really easy to create and buy in bulk! Even though they're just stickers, you can charge higher prices like $15 per sticker (or for a pack of stickers). People are really willing to donate if they know it's going to support something or someone they care about. 5. Offer a Service Offering a service, whether it's just you as an individual or as a whole group going on missions, is extremely effective. Almost everyone has some sort of project around their house or yard they need accomplished and many of those projects are ones that require helping hands. You can reach out as a group or individual to your community, or even to your church family, to see if there's anyone who needs help with an inside or outside project they would be willing to pay you for to support your mission trip. You're likely to rack up a lot of projects! A few projects you may be able to help out with could be babysitting, lawn mowing, raking leaves, cleaning houses, organizing, building, planting flowers, removing tree roots, cleaning gutters, painting, and many more. Whatever the project is, it's a great way to not only serve your community, but it's also giving others the opportunity to serve you through your service by donating for your work. 6. LemonAid Stand A lemonade stand (or a LemonAid stand if you want to be punny) is another fun way for a group or a few people to work together to raise money for a mission trip. Making homemade lemonade is easy and fairly affordable. It's also something simple you can incorporate with other fundraising activities over the summer like a garage sale or auction. 7. Parents Night Out Host a parents night out at your church or among your friend group! For one night you can offer to watch kids for a set price, or whatever parents would normally pay a babysitter, while the parents go out and enjoy a kid-free night. 8. Ice Cream Social Ice cream socials are a fun summer activity to raise money for your mission trip. You can typically buy several large buckets or tubs of various flavors of ice cream for a relatively cheap price. We also recommend you provide different toppings and maybe even some drizzles or sauces for people to choose from. Then, you can charge $5, or whatever you see fit, per cone or bowl and you'd be surprised how many people from the community you'll attract (especially from families on a really hot day)! We suggest you also talk to local stores or organizations to see if they would be willing to donate the ice cream to you in support of your trip. The worst they can say is no, so it doesn't hurt to ask! 9. Garage Sale This idea works the best in spring or summer. Invite your family, friends, church family, and community to donate items from their house they want to get rid of to your garage sale. Then, based on your schedule and deadline, you can sell items in your garage sale every weekend or even everyday for a week. Then, all the money raised from the garage sale can go directly towards your mission trip.
