26 Days until I turn 26 - A bold challenge & request for YOUR help
I’ve made it an annual tradition to make my birthday not about myself each year, but about a particular cause to raise money for. In response to the crisis in Haiti, I decided I want to do something BIG this year. In order to do so, I’m going to need more help from my friends and blog readers (i.e. YOU) this time :). I’m not asking you for money right now, but for feedback and ideas to start with.
Last year I was able to raise over $2500 for Room To Read, and I thought this year I’d at least up it to $2600. Then a crazy idea popped into my head: What if I could raise $26,000? It sounds pretty radical to me still, but in response to the situation in Haiti, we’ve seen some amazing fundraiser ideas out there (like this 7 year-old), It won’t be easy, but I think it’s possible.
As far as the cause/non-profit to support, I’m choosing an organization that has a long history of working in Haiti, and provided a lot of help following the hurricane in 2008. It’s more focused on middle-term and long-term recovery and sustainability, which is a big reason why I’m choosing it. I’ve given to and will continue to support immediate needs and disaster recovery, but since the earthquakes effects will be felt for years, I want to support something with a longer term impact. I’ll share the name of the organization in the next few days. Sorry for the suspense, but I think a little mystery won’t hurt the campaign :).
Above is a photo from Haiti, courtesy of World Concern.
Anyway, in order to even raise $2600, much less $26,000, I’m going to need a plan. As I’ve done in years past, I’ll have a celebration on my actual birthday (Feb. 21) where I will sell framed photography of my own and from my friends. I’ll also have a campaign online raising money through Facebook, Twitter and other places.
In order to really hit this out of the park though, I think I’m going to have to have a series of events and even as friends to help with their own events potentially.
Some initial ideas, all with the common theme of the number 26:
- Run 26K the morning of my birthday, potentially with 26 other people, who all pledge to raise money
- Maybe add a 26K or 26 mile bike ride to that
- My worst fear: swimming - maybe swimming 2600 meters, or feet, or… inches…
- Writing a 26 line poem
- Hosting a fishes+loaves event with 26 people (basically a dinner fundraiser)
- Any kind of eating contest/food event with 26 people or 26 items. Can someone eat 26 goldfish/cheez-its and swallow in under 26 seconds? Record the hilarity and post it
- Some sort of dance competition/performance? 26 dance moves?
- Can we somehow mix karaoke into an event? 26 songs in a row
- Writing handwritten notes to 26 personal friends/relatives about the cause and why I care. Also asking my close friends to do the same.
These are just things to help get the juices flowing. No idea is a bad idea. In fact, I know I’m going to need so many ideas, that I’ll issue a challenge: If I can get at least 26 people to give me ideas in the comments of this post and following posts, I will commit to raising $26,000, but not until then :). I’ll be following up this post with more details/progress in the next few days.
Also if you’d like to be more involved, whether you’re in Seattle or not, definitely contact me and we can talk more!
I have 26 days left. Time’s a tickin’, so post your ideas now, or share this post with a friend!
cupcake photo courtesy of wishymom.
Here’s a comment for ya: you’re crazy! But the world needs more people who are willing to think big.
Here’s an idea: how about organizing a 30+ Christian speed dating event?
Comment by Randall — January 27, 2010 @ 5:33 pm
You’ve already got some great ideas but I’m just adding a comment.
You can do what this lady is doing for her birthday: http://onedayswages.org/cindy
Comment by Eugene — January 27, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
How about a tournament at the Garage in capitol hill. 26 people people bowl one frame, winner gets a donated prize, entrance fees go to Haiti. You could also do a pool tournament. And darts. And trivia.
You could also take a page from Microsoft’s giving campaign and charge 26 dollars for a raffle* ticket and a jello-shot. Winner of the drawing gets a photo by Darwin.
note:don’t call it a raffle because that is illegal gambling and you’d spend your b-day in jail.
so, that’s 5 ideas.
Comment by robbin — January 27, 2010 @ 6:58 pm
In elementary school we had a fundraising event where people would pledge a few dollars for every lap you were able to make in the field. Someone would pledge 3 dollars a lap, you ran 9 laps, that person gives you 27. You get 25 people to pledge a few dollars a lap and it adds up. I don’t like to run. If people made a per page pledge for me to read Harry Potter non-stop for 26 hours I would do it. But I won’t run.
this counts as 2 ideas
Comment by robbin — January 27, 2010 @ 7:07 pm
i like the karaoke idea….26 songs? Ha. I’ll bring it =P
Comment by Eunice — January 28, 2010 @ 11:47 am
Thanks for the comments/ideas so far! We’ve done the speed dating thing before, Randall, but if you want to organize it again, go for it ;). It could go towards a variety of good causes besides Haiti ;).
I think Robbin wins the the MVP so far was most creative idea-maker. Anyone else have crazy/wacky/fun ideas?
Comment by Darwin — January 28, 2010 @ 1:23 pm
How about going to Blue Fin Sushi and having an eating contest. The most pieces of sushi you can eat in 26 minutes. Winner gets something, asking Bluefin to donate food maybe in order for some good press? Get some tv stations to pick it up or something like that? Maybe try and hit up some competitive Seattle food eaters?
There’s my two cents. Maybe I’m just really hungry right now too.
Comment by Joseph — January 28, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
hey dar// love the ideas/ and the numbers ocd::: [but reemember best number = 27 or 3^3 !] are you gonna do 26 different types of things? robbin is def my hero and eunice is superrad too! randor: what’s w/ the 30+? i think you should organize a 26+ speedatathon// feb 26 is a friday// you should try doing an event then ;)! i’m gonna try doing a hiphop event on 3.6 (does that count?)…maybe we can do 26 dancemoves then…feb6(2.6) would be a great date too… 26 bowls of ramen at lounjin? bake+sell 26 pies? 26 bags of 26 dumplings? 26 vegetable plant starts for $26? okay enough from me…rockonbro!
30 60 100,
`v:)!
Comment by vanessa — January 29, 2010 @ 12:22 am
hey, whaz up?:D
hmm how about 26 different comedy show?
Comment by Takayuki — January 29, 2010 @ 6:31 am
Compiling 26 quotes that define the things you value, and turning them into a work of patterned text art.
Comment by Jason F. — January 29, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
[…] now, you may be unsurprised that the charity I’m raising the $26,000 for is for Grameen Foundation’s Haiti Fund. They partner with a microfinance institute in […]
Pingback by dcruzin.com » My New Job: Technology + Microfinance To Fight Poverty — January 30, 2010 @ 12:48 am
Hi Darwin, Glad you’re doing this again! We were introduced briefly at your birthday art show last year by Xiao, and I randomly came across your blog. You may be interested in how a local Seattle guy raised $15k recently, by asking for donations and matching dollars in “sweat equity” with 16 days and 100 donors. Details: http://billysbirthday.tumblr.com
Here are some ideas, slightly aside from the 26-theme:
- Hosting 1 or 2 hour couple or engagement photography sessions (Valentine’s Day is coming up!) in exchange for $100 - $200 donations for digital CD/prints, or a wedding photography session for $1000-$1500. Could post on Craigslist, Facebook, etc. Idea from Billy’s blog
- Hosting photography/Photoshop teaching sessions
- Facebook/Ebay Auction- Take pictures of items donated by friends (concert tickets, sports events), and sell it on Ebay. Or tag friends on items they may be interested in.
- Custom photography/art/pictures for restaurants for decor or marketing materials
- If any friends are chefs/cooks/baking geniuses, they could provide a bake sale, lunch or dinner in exchange of donations.
- Poker/Settlers/Eating Chicken Wings Tournament
Best of luck! -Stacy
Comment by Stacy — February 1, 2010 @ 5:08 pm