Summer a tough sell for fundraising
Members of local civic organizations are learning this is a tough summer to raise money.
Selling tickets for a fundraising dinner or collecting items for a benefit garage sale are not easy if you are looking for the support of Dundee Township residents.
Oh, it's there as it always has been, but East Dundee firefighters and members of the Dundee Township Historical Society have to look harder in the summer of 2008.
Both groups have fundraising events planned for Saturday. And both are hoping last-minute enthusiasm will help them collect the money they need to cover their expenses.
The firefighters are selling tickets for a $12 pork chop and chicken dinner. It will replace their three-day carnival. They have been knocking on doors and attending gatherings, asking people to support their cause.
"It was a lot easier when people just came to us for the carnival," Fire Chief Mark Rakow said. "So far, we've sold more than 200 tickets. The catering company wants us to sell more than 400 tickets."
Some of the people they've asked bought a ticket or two and promised to bring their relatives and neighbors to the dinner. Other people just turned them down.
Firefighters hope to raise $1,000 to cover the cost of operating Max Freeman Park, a one-acre plot they own, where the carnival played every July. It won't be held this year because they couldn't convince an amusement ride company to attend. Blame that on the high cost of gas.
Dinner will be served from 4:30-7 p.m. Corn bingo will be a part of the party as will the annual raffle for the East Dundee Firefighters' Association.
"We'll be going until about 10-10:30 p.m." Rakow said.
For dinner tickets call the East Dundee fire department at (847) 426-7521.
Historical society members hope to raise $800 from their Saturday garage sale, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
That money will help pay the cost to run the local museum at 426 Highland Ave., in West Dundee.
But to meet their goal they must collect a few more items, said Marge Edwards, the society's president-elect.
"We've been collecting things all year," said Edwards. "We don't have as much this year. I don't know why it's slow."
Members will take just about anything, except for clothing.
"We've had some pretty unusual items donated in the past. We sold a porcelain sink and parts of a local building that the owners was going to tear down," Edwards said. "That included a tin ceiling."
The garage sale is a major fundraiser for society members. The same is true for the dinner East Dundee firefighters host. Call the society at (847) 428-6996 to donate an item or for information.