Help please -Benefit for a fellow nurse

[withasmilelpn]

My question is, have any of you ever hosted/taken part in a benefit such as a 'Beef and Beer", to help raise money? I haven't, but plan on doing something along those lines, so would much appreciate any advice/suggestions you all might have. I have a marvelous (former) coworker/friend that suffered a stroke recently. Even though she was very fortunate and had very few deficits, when she was able to come back to work, she still was going to have to have a 'modified schedule', with frequent rest breaks, and less hours to start with as per her doctor. My employer said that the job was for a full time position, and they were unable to accomodate her. Of course this was when her benefits and FMLA ran out.

It's very frustrating to me and all who work with her, because we all offered to help make that happen, and cover for her, change our hours etc. She is only in her 30s and has young children - the whole situation is very sad. Not to say disheartening. And her deficits are ones involving pain and fatigue, not her marvelous mind, which on her worst day is still so much smarter than any one I know. Nursing just doesn't ever seem to take care of it's own.

We do so far have a DJ and possibilities of 3 halls. Along with general suggestions, about how long she we give ourselves to plan? Oh goodness, I am such a fish out of water with this, but I am determined to do this, so please help all! Thanks!

[Reigen]

First I am SO sorry to hear about the return to work treatment of your co-worker and friend.

I think what you are trying to do for a benefit for her is marvelous!!

I would hope that you find a place to do this "off work campus", it sounds like you have a DJ and music so far--- GREAT!!

Now how about some carnival type games for children like toss a bean bag through a hole or fishing for a prize? Sort of like choldren's party games. If you take this fund raiser to the general public, many stores might like to donate small items for prizes. People with children would like that there is something for small kiddies to do and keeping them entertained as well.

I have been to a couple of fund raiser dinners for others --they had soup and salad and one other was spagheti and salad. Oh yeah there was one that had BBQ Beef sadwiches baked beans chips and ears of corn.

For dessert they did a cake walk with people buying a ticket to walk. Cakes were all donated.

There was also a raffel for a main prize(s) which were also donated from a couple local stores.

I hope this helps, and again thank you for being such a kind caring friend to your co-worker.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

there are a number of different ways that you can do a benefit dinner type fundraiser. Spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfasts, steak suppers... i suppose what you do depends on who you want to attend and what type of facilities and help you have available.

Are you going to cook food yourselves or try to have the event catered? Catering obviously costs more, but the prep and work is cut down by a lot.

what do your facilities have available to you if you do intend on cooking the food yourself? appliances/ kitchen, Grills, serving wear, tables, Chairs, etc are all factors.

What talents does your fundraising group possess? Perhaps you can take advantage.

[cb_rn]

make sure you look into what regulations you have to follow if you prepare the food yoruselves. It would be awful to get in trouble over food service rules when you were doing something so thoughtful for a coworker. Maybe check with the local health department and they can point you to the right place. Does anyone in your fundraising group have contacts with people/restaurant owners/store owners/merchants that may be willing to donate items, services, food, whatever in order for advertisement? If you can grow a big enough event then you can advertise on the radio, in the newspaper. It really all depends on how big of an event you are looking to throw. Maybe you could even do some networking and find someone willing to lend some professional party planning services? I'm not saying cold-call and beg but often if you put out your needs in the open (say among your unit or the interested nurses in the hospital), someone will know someone that can lend a hand. I bet there are quite a few people that would be interested in helping if they know you need it.

[Dorito, ASN, RN]

I would give yourself about 3 months (at least) to pull this benefit off and try to get as many helpers as you can. Many of the area fundraisers here petition local businesses for donations: oil changes, free massage, pizza hut pizza etc. Get as many helpers as you can to help solicit donations. Sometimes you can get area grocers or restaurants to donate some of the food for the benefit. Many of them charge money at the door for the food, or they buy tickets to "bid" on the donated items. You are an angel for helping. Best of luck to you and your co-worker