Inviting your friends, family, coworkers and loved ones to join you in a Party For Pets to benefit the animals is a great way to raise awareness-and much needed FUNds!

Simply plan a party for whatever occasion strikes your fancy, such as:

• Wedding, Employment or other landmark anniversary
• Birthday (don't forget, pets have birthdays, too!)
• Holiday
• Just because
• Housewarming
• Special Occasion
• Congratulations

Then invite everyone on your guest list using email, telephone, or mailed invitations. Think about all the contacts and circles you could include if you'd like a good turnout:

• Work
• Hobbies
• Charities
• Family
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Fitness
• Community
• Online and special interest clubs and groups

In addition to the usual Who, What, Where, When, Why, be sure to mention that the event will be a fundraiser for POPPA, a nonprofit charity to help needy Oregonians with the animals in their lives. Let them know that you'll be asking for tax deductible donations instead of gifts, and that even if they can't make it you'd still appreciate it if they could donate in lieu of attending in person. Please see sample invitation to give you an idea of what kind of donating information to include.

At the party, you can increase proceeds by having a helper designated to collect donations at the door. It's nice to have a little table (a card table will do) set up with:

• POPPA brochures
• POPPA Guest Book Sheets
• Large, clear donation receptacle, such as a jar or plastic tub
• Color photos or posters of dogs, cats, rabbits or other small pets
• POPPA merchandise, such as our Recycled Yardage pet bandanas

Please visit www.POPPAinc.org to download POPPA Information sheets and Guest Book Sheets, and contact us at spay@POPPAinc.org or 503-626-4070 ext. 2# to display POPPA merchandise or photos of animals helped through our programs. If you wish, we can also send out an email invitation to the POPPA e-group, and post the event on our online calendar.

You may also want to make it known, depending on the number of RSVP's you receive, what your fundraising goal is for the evening. For example, a POPPA volunteer recently had 90 RSVPs, at a suggested minimum donation of $10 per person. The fundraising goal was set at $1,000. One generous guest found out the goal and wrote a check for $1001!

A donation receptacle that has been 'seeded' with both large and small donations will prompt guests to follow suit. In other words, before the party starts, drop in a $5, a $10, and a $20; this is why a clear receptacle has the advantage!

Depending on the style of event, you may want to have games or other money-makers as a sideline. If you do, be sure to let guests know in advance so they can bring any necessary cash. Examples include a raffle, auction, or contest. Get creative and have fun-this is your party, too!

After the get-together, follow up with thank you's to each donor or guest (just a simple email or phone call is usually welcomed). Send the filled-out Guest Book Sheets and donations to POPPA at: POPPA, Inc. PO Box 5721, Beaverton OR 97006. And then starting making your plans for your next shindig, knowing how much we appreciate your efforts and loyalty!

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