The Hero Network is a collection of people who are passionate advocates and champions for Absolute’s cause. The Hero Network exists to cheer each other on and to motivate each other through communication, opportunities and support. We want to help you to take real action, and partner with you to accomplish more together.
Want to join the Hero Network? Check out our Hero Network Advocacy Package to see what is involved, then email heronetwork@absolute.org if you are interested.
The Hero Network Facebook group (this is a private group used for Hero Network members)
Advocacy Resources
Important Links:
- Fundraising Ideas
- Press Releases
- HUGS order form
- Think Day Brochures and Advertising
- Pre-Sales Form for ONE: A Face Behind the Numbers
Fundraising Tips and Ideas
- Make sure you share your creative fundraising ideas with other Hero Network members. Discuss it on our Facebook group !
- Have the project sheets from your Hero Network advocacy package with you when you approach people for donations. It gives you credibility and gives them an accurate summary of what the project is about.
- Create a slide show or powerpoint presentation of your Hero Holiday experience, and share your story of why you believe in Absolute’s cause.
- If you get questions from someone that you are unable to answer, please don’t guess at the answer or just say “I don’t know.” Reply with, “I don’t have the answer to that question right now, but I will find out and get back to you as soon as possible.” Email or phone us and we’ll give you the scoop on what to say.
- Use wisdom when choosing your fundraisers. Some fundraisers may not be appropriate for your area. For example, it may not be a good idea to host a car wash in February if you live in an area where the average temperature is -35°.
- If someone asks for our contact information, please give them our address, email and/or toll-free number.
- Present yourself well. Know your facts. Be confident. Don’t be intimidated! Easier said than done sometimes, but we know you can do it!
- When submitting payments to our office, make sure you include your name with any correspondence to ensure that everything gets placed in the proper file.
- Don’t forget to say thank you! You should send all your sponsors a thank you card at Christmas or somewhere from the road to let them know how much you appreciate their investment.
Fundraising Ideas
Letter Campaign - This is an effective way of raising donations as well as making people aware of what you are doing with the next year of your life. The cost is minimal for you, postage stamps and time, which means it will generate more profit. Use the letters provided by Absolute and get the news out there about what you are doing. People are generally willing to give to a good cause and are pleased with a tax receipt in return.
Host a Dinner - Bring out the Mexican in you! Host a taco dinner and sell tickets. Get your friends and family members to promote your event, and help you organize it! Decorate with a bit of Mexican style, and Absolute will be happy to provide you with a few pictures so you can show people where you are going.
Friends and Family - Go after the people who love you the most! Remind them that if they donate towards Absolute, they will be given a charitable donation tax receipt for their donation.
Shave a Head - Is there someone your school would love to see without any hair? This fundraiser has the potential to raise a large amount in a short time. If you raise a set amount, someone whom you have chosen will shave their head, maybe even their eyebrows!
Bottle Drive - If you live in a province where there is a refund on bottles, have a bottle drive. Set up a day and go around asking people for their empty bottles and return them to the bottle depots.
Raffles - Find or make something worth having. Sell tickets for that item. It might be an autographed picture of someone famous, season tickets, etc. You might be able to get things donated to raffle.
Garage/Yard Sale - Have friends and family donate items for a sale.
Carwash - Get your friends on board and set up a car wash at your local gas station, with the manager’s approval of course. You could have a set price or just go for donations.
Something-a-Thon - Walk-a-thon, dance-a-thon, skip-a-thon, read-a-thon and other “marathons” are popular events. Have participants collect pledges for your event based on the number of hours danced, miles walked, etc…
Have a Silent Auction - Get local businesses to donate products for a tax receipt equal to the goods donated and then go nuts! Jazz it up as much as you like. Have food for sale, a band and have a multi-media Hero Holiday presentation.
Community Work - Advertise in newspapers or by posters/flyers that on a particular day you will be available to do odd jobs in the community. The fee would be whatever people would like to pay. Give phone numbers for interested people to call.
Do you have $20? - Make a list of 100 or more people you know (friends, family, neighbors, teachers, employers, anyone!) who would have $20 (or even $5 or $10). Most people wouldn’t think twice about donating $20, and some people may even donate more if that’s all you’re asking for. Make sure to note that they’ll get a tax receipt for all donations of $20 or more!
Benefit Concert - Are you in a band, or know anyone who is? Organize a benefit concert in your town, and set a cover charge with the funds going directly towards your trip fees. Make it as exciting as possible, play the promo video, talk about what you’re going to be doing on the trip, and have fun rockin’ out while raising funds for your trip!
Religious or Community Organizations - A lot of churches and community groups will donate funds for humanitarian and charitable work like Absolute’s. Also, if you are an active member of one of these organizations, it’s a great place to host a fundraising dinner, auction, something-a-thon or whatever other fundraiser you can think of.
Area Businesses/Corporations - Where do you work? Where have you worked before? Where do your parents work? Where does anyone you know work? Businesses are always looking for worthwhile projects to partner with through donations.
In lieu of Christmas/Birthdays - This is a brave one! Instead of Christmas presents, let all the gift-givers know that you would appreciate a donation to your trip instead of the usual gifts.
For more ideas, check out these “Canada-friendly” fundraising websites…
Sample Press Release
Edit the following press release to make it suitable for your purpose.
Contact: YOUR NAME FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: YOUR TELEPHONE NUMBER
email: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
LOCAL TEEN: MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
YOUR TOWN/CITY, PROVINCE, Canada, July 30, 2009 YOUR NAME, a local teenager is finding it hard to return to “normal” life. _ After recently returning from a humanitarian experience in HH COUNTRY, YOUR NAME plans to work hard in the year ahead to raise awareness and finances for the cause that he has experienced. YOUR NAME, 17, said that hearing about poverty and global issues and being exposed to them has given him the drive to want to continue to advance the cause in his own community.
From DATES OF HH TRIP, YOUR NAME was a participant in a humanitarian relief project called Hero Holiday. Hero Holiday, a program of Absolute.org, is a 10 day trip offered in 3 different international destinations. While on the trip, participants help to build local schools for impoverished communities, work in medical clinics and outreaches, provide labor to build houses and children’s homes, as well as work alongside of refugees in local garbage dumps.
“I first heard about Hero Holiday when Absolute came to my school,” explained YOUR NAME. They did a presentation called Think Day, and they talked about how each of us can make a difference in the world around us. I always wanted to do something like this, so I signed up and started to get ready for it. I had no idea how fun it would end up being. My life in Canada is now something I value. I am part of a world that has everything at our fingertips, and I now realize that because of that, I have a responsibility to make a difference. I need to do something to help bring change to global issues such as poverty, slavery, and exploitation. Hero Holiday has taught me that each one of us is able to make a difference, both globally and locally. All it takes is for us to live out our passion.”
While in HH COUNTRY this summer, YOUR NAME and other participants helped to do just that. Participants of each Hero Holiday experience poverty from a fresh perspective and of hands-on experience. The participants are part of a the actual work force that builds and collects materials, alongside of the local workers that are hired to give them direction. “Getting my hands dirty was a huge part of the fun!” says Doe. “By the time we left HH COUNTRY, my life was already different. I have amazing memories of hanging out with all the kids in the village, making new friends from all across Canada, and of how good it feels to help out.”
Absolute runs numerous Hero Holiday trips throughout the year. Their website is www.absolute.org.
Think Day Brochures and Advertising
Here are some resources to help with spreading the word about Think Day:
- Website: www.thinkday.org (on the homepage of the website is a promotional video about Think Day).
- Testimonials: http://thinkday.org/category/testimonials/
- Full Length Brochure: www.thinkday.org/thinkday.pdf
- Short Brochure: www.thinkday.org/thinkdaybrochure.pdf
