Creative Fundraising Focused on Fun

Written by: Kory Campbell, Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Amazing things can happen when peo- rotate the support to other organizations ple join together to have a little fun while as the community needed extra support in putting their mind to a mission. That is those areas. “We like to be able to support why amazing things are happening at low-staff groups to raise awareness and Cheers! to Charity, a Winchester-based generate donations as they are usually 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The stretched so thin,” said Jeanne Mezzatescommunity can join together, have a drink ta, an officer in the group of twelve. Blue (however you choose to enjoy the event), Ridge Area Food Bank is the recipient of and share a smile to bring extra fundrais- 2021 efforts as they saw a 20% increase ing power to other local charities. in food insecurity in the area while partnering with more than 200 shelters or ^ Cheers! to Charity assists customers as they donate The Cheers! group formed officially in food pantries. “About 16% of all visits to to local charities while purchasing daylilies at January of 2021, but have a storied histo- pantries were made by people who had Digging Daylilies on Marple Road in Winchester ry together raising funds in the area that not accessed the food assistance network ^ were averaging about $50,000 annually. before,” according to Mezzatesta. Top Right: Volunteers join owners Sage and Derek Realizing that community needs were not Olah at Digging Daylilies. Center: Shawn Armstrong stationary problems, and that families face The 10in10 campaign set a goal to raise helps a daylily customer. Bottom Left: Jeanne Mezzatesta, Caroline Pardue, Shawn Armstrong, and different types of crises depending on $10,000 over the course of the ten weeks Georgia Dearing work to clean local roads. Bottom such things as the economy around them, spanning from March 1, 2021 to May 15. Right: Kim Rhodes, Kami Tenney and Shawn ArmCheers! to Charity saw the need to sup- They were able to hit $8,200. Blue Ridge stron prepare meals for CCAP in Winchester port a deserving non-profit yearly, but Area Food Bank is able to convert $1.00 Photography courtesy of Cheers! to Charity

into approximately four meals. That means 32,800 meals went out to those in need, many of them children. Roughly 1 in 8 Virginia children are at risk of hunger, according to a 2019 study by Feeding America. That equaled 247,470 youth lives that are affected by food insecurity in the state. Virginia ranked fifth in the U.S. overall with 13.2% of the population under 18 compared to the national average of 17%. North Dakota led all states at just 9.8% or 16,900 children.

I remember the feeling of helplessness early on when my twins were born. We were having difficulties getting them to eat and a persistent staff member would not let us jump to a formula aide. The girls were screaming, and I mean screaming, because they were hungry. This drifted well into the early morning hours. My wife and I started to feel crumbled. Finally, a nurse walked in, hearing these screaming children cry throughout her shift and offered us something to feed them. I vowed in that moment, that we would never be that helpless again when it came to feeding our family. That powerful moment was just that. A moment. Albeit a crushing moment, it lasted less than 24 hours and the root cause had an immediate solution. I simply can not fathom having to experience that on a consistent basis as so many families around us are, without any clear sight for hope in the immediate future. Carrie Lubecke, owner Scarpa Alta, celebrated the boutique’s 16th anniversary on June 12, with the help of Cheers! to Charity. Visitors and shoppers enjoyed food, drinks, and shopping discounts with all donations matched by Scarpa Alta.

Donors can donate to Cheers! to Charity knowing that 100% of funds will go directly to the supported non-profit. Sponsors cover the low overhead costs involved to run the organization to allow donations to fully reach the hands of those who need the support. In 2021, Cheers! to Charity is taking on the battle against food insecurity seriously. In addition to the successful 10in10 campaign, the group features a Daylily Dig; coming up on July 10th at Digging Daylilies of 545 Marple Road in Winchester, and a music festival is being planned in the fall at Chamber member Winchester Ciderworks. You can also host a house party now that restrictions have loosened to entertain friends and guests while supporting a great cause.

A return to normalcy works very well for an organization built on being social interaction. “Our goal is to put the FUN in Fundraising,” added Jeanne proudly. Cheers! events are very well-attended with this attitude and therefore provide a great networking experience. Events do feature alcoholic beverages (distributed in accordance with Virginia state guidelines).

Donors or sponsors who wish to take part in other ways can still make a direct impact at their website at cheerstocharityva.org where every dollar makes a difference.

You can make a difference in your community.