Peru Fund Raise Packet 2010

Raise Funds for AYS and Receive a Discount on an Expedition
Volunteers that raise funds for AYS will receive a discount on the cost of an expedition based on reaching fund raising goals. The following guidelines apply. Amount Fund Raised Discount on expedition costs** $100-199 $100 $200-399 $200 $400-599 $400 $600-799 $600 $800-999 $800 $1000-1249 $1000 $1250-1499 $1250 $1500-1749 $1500 $1750-1999 $1750  $2000-2249 $2000 $2250-2499 $2250 $2500-2749 $2500  $2750-2999 $2750  $3000 and up $3000      ** Or the total cost of the trip, whichever is less   For example, if the cost of the trip is $2,495 and you solicit donations in the amount of $1,600 for AYS, you would receive a discount of $1,500 toward the expedition of your choice. Your cost to participate in the expedition would only be $995 ($2,495-$1,500). How to Raise Funds for AYS Start your fund raising right away. Many people are nervous about asking others for money. It's perfectly natural to be uneasy with it. Once you get into it, you will be surprised how easy and fun it can be. Remember that you are volunteering for a good cause and this is one way to let others know about what you are doing and letting them get involved in making a difference in other people's lives through you. Here are some pointers: Be prepared to tell why you are involved with AYS (see the sample letters for background information. They are included below). Start with people you know well; they will probably be open to what you are doing and will want to support your efforts. Don't try to determine how much you think they will be able to help, let them decide how much to pledge, but you can give suggestions such as, "it costs $8.00 for a bag of cement, would you be willing to cover the cost of 5 bags?" When someone says they will donate, ask if you can collect it on the spot. This saves going back another time. How to Ask: Talk to people on the phone or face to face. Write letters and send to everyone you know - try for 100 names. Use our sample letters (make sure you personalize it with your information - don't just print off the letter and mail it. If the donors are LDS, you may want to include in the letter that you get to spend about 2 weeks working closely with other LDS youth, adults and LDS members in the country where you're going). Also see our fund raising list for help with writing letters. Make sure to: Personalize the letters. Make it creative (add your picture, etc.). Ask them to send the check made out to AYS back to you (if the check is in your name, it is not tax deductible for the donor). Offer a follow-up such as a written report, slide show, etc. so they can see the good that came from their contribution. When you receive a donation send a personal thank you note. Other Creative Fund Raising Ideas: Garage, yard or craft sales (you can ask for donations for items after explaining your cause). Wash cars. Babysitting, one way is to have a night where several couples bring their children to one spot (make sure you have help). Provide other services such as facials, manicures, etc. for a donation. Wash windows. Mow lawns. Rent the machine and offer to aerate all the neighbor's lawns for a donation. Compile a cookbook with your favorite recipes to sell. Receiving Donations: Check should be made payable to AYS (if the check is in your name, it is not tax deductible for the donor). Use the "Donor Record" included below to keep a record of donations. Mail in checks every few weeks with a copy of the "Donor Record" form. Issue a receipt to the contributor if you receive the donation directly (see receipts included below). Tax Deductions: Alliance for Youth Service is a 501(c)(3) corporation and thus donations sent in are tax deductible if they are given on an unfettered basis (as opposed to supporting only an individual). Keep an accurate record of the donations you receive. You can use the "Donor Record" form that follows. If someone gives you cash immediately record their name, address, phone number and amount. Please convert it into a money order or personal check before mailing in. You can send in donations at any time, don't wait too long to gather them up. Be sure that your name is on the "Donor Record" form and note the date it was submitted to AYS in the lower bottom corner. You may download additional forms on AYS website, under fund raising packet. This record can then be used for sending thank you cards and follow up letters. It is very important to thank these donors.
Copyright (c) 2009 Alliance for Youth Service -- All Rights Reserved Document updated Nov. 2009

Fund Raising List

Try to enter 100 names and addresses. Who do you know?
Relatives (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins), teachers, your doctor, dentist, orthodontist, employer, past employer, parent's employer, local businesses, service clubs (i.e. Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.), and companies that have matching funds. Make your list here, copy this page for more spaces.

Donor Record Form Participant's Name:_________________________

Use this form to document all money given to you. Keep this form for your own records. Remember to note date when payment are submitted to AYS. Send a copy of this form along with the donations you send in.

Mail to : Alliance for Youth Service
321 N. Mall Drive
Suite R 106
Saint George, UT 84790-7350

Make checks out to Alliance for Youth Service

Sample Letter 1

(Date)

Dear ____________________ ,

I am writing to you because I have discovered a wonderful opportunity to bless the lives of others. I am requesting your support for a humanitarian aid project organized by Alliance for Youth Service (AYS).

I want to help for a number of reasons. Foremost, the service project AYS will be working on will be for the Sunflower (Girasol), a small orphanage in the heart of the Sacred Valley of Peru. The goal and purpose of the Sunflower Home is to provide a stable home for street children by offering the encompassing needs for life; physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self actualization, etc. The home also teaches self-sufficiency and sustainability, aiding the children in school and in their work-life, thus promoting them to be self sufficient upon leaving the orphanage and strong, contributing members of society.

The organization I have chosen to help, AYS, works to organize LDS oriented service expeditions for youth. This summer AYS is traveling to the Sunflower home and will be participating in construction projects both at the orphanage and on the farm, where the older children go to learn life sustaining agricultural skills. You can visit the Alliance for Youth Service website at www.ays.org to find out more about the program, see pictures of the past expeditions to other countries and read what previous participants have said about the experience.

The cost to send one volunteer on the AYS 16-day program, which includes travel, food, lodging, transportation and building materials is $2,395.00. I am working hard to gather donations through a variety of projects. Since all volunteers are responsible for covering their own expenses, but AYS will reduce the cost of the trip for the volunteers that reach their fund raising goals. Any amount is appreciated and every donation makes a difference. If you chose to lend your support you'll be please to know that AYS is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization so your gift is tax deductible.

For your convenience, I've enclosed a pre-stamped addressed envelope. Checks should be made out to AYS and mailed to me. Should you have any questions this volunteer humanitarian program, please call me at (insert your phone number). Your support, as well as that of your friends who might be interested in making donations to AYS, would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to sharing this extraordinary experience with you when I return.

Thank you in advance for your support,

Yours Truly,

(Your Name)

Sample Letter 2

Name
Street
City, State, Zip

Date

Dear __________________________ ,

This summer offers me a big challenge and an exciting adventure. The door has opened for me to participate with Alliance for Youth Service to travel to Peru and work on construction projects at the Sunflower Home (Girasol), a small orphanage nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley of Peru. The group will be composed of about 20 youth my age and chaperons from all over the United States. We will work in partnership with local representatives.

The goal and purpose of the Sunflower Home is to provide a stable home for street children by offering the encompassing necessities of life; physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem self actualization, etc. Most of these children have been abandoned or have run away due to abuse. The home also teaches self-sufficiency and sustainability, aiding the children in school and in their future work-life, thus promoting them to be self-sufficient upon leaving the orphanage and strong, contributing members of society. My goal is $2,395 in contributions to AYS. AYS will discount the cost of the trip for the volunteers that reach their fund raising goals. I'm currently (mention all fund raising activities you are doing such as yard sales, baby-sitting, odd jobs, etc.) to raise funds for this once in a life-time opportunity.

This is not a luxury trip, I will be working hard but I am excited about the opportunity to share my time, talent and energy with others by helping the people there. I also expect to learn a lot about myself and the culture as i work alongside them.

I hope that you will consider joining the AYS team by investing in this humanitarian cause. Any amount will help. The average cost of a bag of cement is $8.00. Please consider contributing 20 bags. Please consider contributing a half day, or more. Checks should be payable to Alliance for Youth Service and sent to me at the address below. Please use the enclosed stamped envelope. You can visit the Alliance for Youth Service website at www.ays.org to find out more about the program, see pictures of past expeditions to other countries and read what previous participants have said about the experience.

Very Truly Yours,

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip
Phone
E-mail Address

Enclosures: Return Envelope

P.S. I will keep you updated about my trip with a letter after I return. You can learn more about Alliance for Youth Service at www.ays.org

Sample Letter 3

DATE

Dear Friends and Family,

Please take the following quiz to learn what is happening with me this summer.

1. This summer I will :
   a. Go to Hawaii to sell suntan lotion
   b. Go to a village in [insert your trip name here] with Alliance for Youth Service to serve others
   c. Get Married
   d. Do nothing
   Answer: B (Why didn't any of you pick C?)
2. While in Peru, I will:
   a. Pick flowers and feed them to monkeys
   b. Work to improve the lives of impoverished people
   c. Labor on construction projects to improve education
   d. b and c
   Answer: D
3. The cost of my trip is:
   a. $1,995
   b. $5,000
   c. $25
   Answer: A
4. Would you consider:
   a. Helping me do laundry before I go
   b. Remembering me in your prayers
   c. Contributing to this cause
   d. Calling my mom and telling her it is OK for me to fly on any airplane
   e. All of the above
   Answer: E (But especially B and C.)
5. To make a financial contribution:
   a. Make checks payable to Alliance for Youth Service
   b. Mail them to me
   c. Please respond by [insert a date here]
   d. All of the above
   Answer: D (envelope provide for your convenience)

Thank you for your participation in this survey and for your support of AYS. I look forward to sharing the results of my experience with you when I return. You can visit the Alliance for Youth Service website at www.ays.org to find out more about the program, see pictures of past expeditions to other countries and read what previous participants have said about the experience.

Sincerely,

[insert your name here]

Donation Receipts