June 21, 2006 • Shrinking Coffee Party Fundraiser for Chrysalis
Coffee anyone? Attending the first ‘incredible shrinking coffee party,’ a fundraising idea to benefit Chrysalis are from left: Liz Aben, Doreen Kuzmich, Jacqui Howell, Audrey Coutts, Margaret Masterson, party hostess June Banks and her daughter Natalie Banks (front).
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By Gillian Brunette — Huntsville Forester
Women’s shelter project will receive more than $25,000 if simple chain idea isn’t broken
A unique fundraising idea could net the new women’s shelter Chrysalis more than $25,000 by summer’s end.
The concept is very simple and inexpensive. All that it takes is a commitment to host a one-hour coffee party for a few friends.
The ‘incredible shrinking coffee party’ was introduced to Huntsville last week by Bayshore Boulevard resident June Banks.
She invited seven ladies to her home and served them tea and coffee and homemade biscuits and jam. For this each guest paid $5, which goes to the charity.
The commitment on the part of the seven guests is to host a similar get-together within two weeks, only this time inviting six guests. They in turn invite five guests and so it goes on down the line until 5,040 people each have one guest for coffee.
Each guest in the first six rounds will receive a pamphlet with information on Chrysalis, how the party works and a registration form to be completed by the hostess. Each guest takes home a box of pamphlets that they will distribute to their guests.
The concept is similar to that of a chain letter, and by the same token the fundraiser will only work as long as the chain isn’t broken, said Banks.
“If is isn’t broken we could raise about $25,000, but people have to understand that if they drop out they are taking a whole leg of the chain away.”
Banks first heard about the shrinking coffee party from a friend in Markdale. “He’s very involved with the Rotary and they had a $300,000 commitment to fulfill. They started the coffee party idea to help raise money.”
Unfortunately, the chain was broken at one point, but the project still managed to raise $17,000 for the club, said Banks.
It is very important not to drop out if the commitment to host a party has been made, Banks added.
“Participation is the key. For instance if one of the first seven guests does not continue it will result in $9,820 less.”
She continued: “Of course circumstances may make it impossible for someone to host a party even if they have said they will. If they can’t do it, then we ask them to please get back to their hostess so another person can be found to pick up the ball.”
Coffee party hostesses should also ascertain beforehand that their guests are prepared to make the commitment, Banks said.
Above all, however, the get-together should not be elaborate. “Every party host should reinforce that. This is an opportunity for someone to help a cause without spending very much time or money. They can hold a party any time of the day or evening and serve whatever they want: tea, coffee, cake, cookies muffins, but bearing in mind the KISS method.”
At the end of each party, the hostess sends the money ($5 per person) to Banks, who will act as banker.
The project has received the blessing of the Chrysalis committee, of which Liz Aben is co-chair. “What we liked about it, aside from the money, was that it is getting the message out to the whole community,” she said.
“I look at it as women helping women and at $5, plus tea. coffee or a cookie, it’s affordable for everybody,” Banks concluded.
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