Re: Team 433 needs help
 

I've found in fundraising that going big (usually) doesn't yield as many results... asking 100 major cooperations for $5000 will likely return less results than asking 100 small companies for $300-500, especially if the time frame is extremely small.

Also, going to restaurants is good too. Chipotle last year gave my team on the order of 800 free - burrito cards, and we sold more than 700 of them, getting about $3500 (mind you, it did take alot of work selling, but we did).

Some restaurants are also willing to set up like, "Help Support the (your name here) night!" where like, 25% of all purchases go towards the team. These fundraisers are usually easier to set up, too. (hopefully this helped you out... and best of luck to you!)

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Another update: We just got a promise of $1000 from another local company!


$4000 left to go!

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Alicia (and Karen)

Hopefully you got all of my emails (I sent 5 emails to different companies and 1 university asking for help). I sent so many to Mr. Foell that his email account is regecting my email because it reads it as SPAM, haha.

I know each of the contacts from the companies personally, so I think there is a good chance they will do anything they can to help the Firebirds out. Do not hesitate to send your fundraising email to each one of them and I am sure you will get all the money you need! But act fast!!

The Firebirds rock no matter what happens (and we have always managed to pull through this far). My fingers are crossed.

Lots of love chicas!!
~Meredith

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Thanks Meredith!

And guess what? We actually managed just yesterday to raise $4700 (shocked? I was) and we only need $1300 more! I'm certain we'll have no trouble getting the rest, as we already have some promising contacts at other small businesses.

Thanks to everyone for their support!

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Congratulations girls! As a long-time supporter of FIRST, I was sad to hear about this. But it really looks like you have gotten things together, and managed to stick it out! I am SO proud of you! I reccomend if you have time hosting a spaghetti dinner. Get as many local (and not so local) teams to come out. If 56 can do you, you girls certainly can!

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Hello -

We will graciously pledge $100.00 to support your effort. We would like to give more but are not financially able to do so at this time, as we have not yet heard from all of our sponsors. Good Luck!

Sincerely,

The Cybersonics Technology Team 103

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

An update I just received from 433's lead advisor, Bob Foell...
The School (MSJA) will "front" the money in order for the registration fee to be paid by the deadline on Friday. However, 433 will still need to raise that remaining $1,300+ so the school can be repaid.

It's nice to see everyone come together and rally the troops.

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Im glad to hear that you will still have a team. It would be sad to lose a team to financial issues.

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Go 'Birds! I'll put $20 in if needed, I'd love to give more, but I'm on a college budget. I'm amazed how much you all have rose in a short period of time, and at least now you have an extension on how long you have to raise the rest. I can see some carwashes and pasta dinners in your future. Don't stop at $6000, you all have to be in Atlanta, too! :p

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Well, thanks to some truly wonderful people, we now have $5500. (Well, $5520 if we count Barry's college budget donation)

A special thank you to Cybersonics, we hope we can return the favor anytime you need something.

With regards to the idea of a spaghetti supper and raising more money (so we can go to nationals, heck yes barry), we are having a fundraiser this Thursday: The Firebirds Film Festival. It's like a movie night, with two showing times, 5 and 7. There's lots of choices of movies that can be seen, and it's being held at the school (in case anyone wants to come out). We hope to raise $1000 from the $7 admission and selling refreshments (most of which we got donated...don't you just love people?).

Also, some people have been asking about the fate of the Ghanaian team. We fundraise for them separately, and we were actually able to raise enough for their registration fee this year. Unfortunately, we couldn't raise enough for their shipping costs. But hey, we improved over last year, and if we continue in this trend, they'll be able to compete on their own soon enough. This year, they wil be combined with our team (so technically we aren't all girls anymore?), and they'll be coming over for a week during build season and then again for Drexel.

Gotta love GP.

Karen <3

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Way to go, Karen! I want to echo the thanks to the Cybersonics and all of the posters here.

Also, the Firebirds Film Festival is 1.5 times the alliteration of the Firebirds Fiesta and should be 1.5 times the fun. (Unless, as I have long suspected, fun grows exponentially). Either way, it will be awesome. Tell your robotics friends.

Thanks to everyone. You guys are awesome.

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

I would like to second Karen's thanks.

It has been an amazing experience getting all this support in a short amount of time. Only awesomeness lies in our future. haha. :D

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

HI Firebirds

I would suggest going to your local media....newspapers, morning news shows etc. Let them tell your story to the community. I'm sure when they hear it they wont want to lose such a great asset. '

Good Luck

Exploding bacon

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

We actually tried that, but to very little response. Oh well.

Re: Team 433 needs help
 

Is there a "Pay to Play" fee on your team? If not, it might be a fast way to raise the rest of the registration fee. My team charges each student (As we draw from many many schools and counties) a fee to be on the team. It also helps create "investment" in the team, and we as mentors believe it makes their commitment stronger. Just a thought!