Our F.I.R.S.T. Experience

[JaneYoung]

This might help.
Write a brief but friendly letter to your 'friends and family members' stating what F.I.R.S.T. is, how on fire you guys are, and what your current situation is. Ask for their support, anywhere from $25 - $2000 - giving that as a suggestion leaves room for their amount they choose to donate yet also shows that a large donation could certainly be beneficial.

We send out a letter every year between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of the team members ask for a donation rather than a gift under the tree. (I rather think they usually receive both )

This can happen fast and in your case, you have a definite deadline so put that information in the letter. Get your parents involved helping and make it is as easy for the donor as you can. Enclose a self addressed stamped envelope with your request. Each team member gets 3 to 5 letters depending on the size of the team. Last year our team was smaller so they got 5 letters. This year we are a little larger, so each got 3. Then we made extras in case any team member had a bumper crop of potential donors. In this case you may want to make it an email request to expedite things but in the future, go the letter route.

Wishing you all the best,
Jane