Haha, let’s be honest. Most people like to think of themselves as strong, independent, go-getters, right? Or is that just me?! I am so used to being the person that people come to for help, advice, encouragement, etc. that fundraising has been a whole new experience for me. I’m the type of person to exhaust all my options and avenues before asking someone, even my parents, to help me with whatever it may be. Adventures in Missions really knows their stuff because they required us to do a study on the biblical principles around fundraising to help us feel less anxious about it. I’m so glad that they did. It helped me to see the importance of reliance upon God and living in community all the more, and to understand that this is an opportunity for us to help each other fulfill the Great Commission.
Along the way I have become slightly more comfortable with inviting people to join me on this journey financially. That being said, I have been blown away by the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, co-workers, and strangers. Together we have raised $2,569 (of $16,277) in a little over 3 months! We are just $931 away from reaching the first mile marker of $3,500! Woop woop!!! 😀
Mile markers are the goals I am required to reach by certain deadlines. They are as follows:
- $3,500 by April 17th – that’s just 45 days away!
- $7,500 by June 11th – exactly 90 days away! (If we don’t reach this I cannot launch with my squad in July.)
- $11,000 by October 1st
- $16,277 by January 1st
To move toward these goals, I have a few different fundraising “events” going on.
- 25×25 – I’d like to see 25 people commit to donate $25/month by March 25th beginning this month. If this happens, then by the time I launch in July, those people will have collectively raised $2,500!
- Pick-A-Number Challenge – Look at the board below, pick a number(s) and commit to donate a one-time gift in that dollar amount by April 17th. After your number(s) have been selected then you let me know so that I can mark it off.
- 11 on 11 – Each month on the 11th I’d like to see as many people as possible donate $11, $111, or $1111 to represent the 11countries in 11 months journey.
- Catering – I enjoy cooking and baking, so the fee for all orders placed before I leave are being put toward this mission work. I cook meals and/or bake desserts for people in the Chattanooga area at their request so prices vary.
- Lovely Jobs – I will babysit, clean your house, help you organize your home, do your grocery shopping, meal prep, walk your dogs, put together furniture, or anything else you’d like my services for. All for a love offering of your choosing!
- T-Shirts – Pictured below, it is a nicer, softer, custom-made red t-shirt that is slightly more fitted than a normal t-shirt. Shirts can be ordered via Paypal for $20 ($22 for adult XXL) and shipped for an additional $5. *The manufacturer will not begin production until I have at least 13 orders and right now there are 7. Please see my blog entitled “Comfy T-Shirts!!!!” for more details.
If you’d like to say YES to joining me on this journey there are several ways that you can make a tax-deductible donation.
- Cash can be given directly to me in person or via mail, although I do not recommend sending cash in the mail. If you need my address, please send me a message via the “contact me” tab. (Cash is not tax-deductible.)
- Checks/Money Orders can be made payable to Adventures in Missions. Write “Appealed by Shonda Foublasse” in the memo line. They should be mailed to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 742570
Atlanta, GA 30374-2570
- Donating Online via debit/credit can be done by clicking the “Support Me” tab on the left side of the screen. Online donations can take 3-5 days to process.
- Reoccurring Donations – You can choose to give a monthly gift that will be withdrawn from your account automatically. You will be prompted to select a start date and an end date for your donation. The end date should be no later than December 31, 2015.
I would be remiss if I did not emphasize the fact that financial support is not the only way that you can help. In fact, I don’t even think it’s the best way. It is, however, the most challenging and time-consuming for me. Above all, prayer is most important to me. Words of encouragement, hugs, you spreading the word, and donating financially are the cherry on top!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and consider partnering with me to fulfill the Great Commission!
