Kiss a Pig Fundraiser in Knoxville

Knoxville, TN - Most would see it as a good thing. It was a fundraising contest that raised money to help fight diabetes.  Others may see it as animal cruelty, because it ended with a pig being forced to accept a kiss from a politician.  However you view it, the result of Knoxville’s first “Kiss-a-Pig” competition, which concluded Monday afternoon, was this:  People shelled out more money to see Knoxville City Councilman Nick Della Volpe kiss a pig than they did to see any of the six other political figures in the contest do the honors.  Here is how the contest worked: From a field of seven candidates, people could cast as many votes as they wanted for the politico they most wanted to see kiss the pig. Each vote cost $1, and the money went to the American Diabetes Association. Clearly, these men showed why Tennessee is called the Volunteer State.www.fundraising-ideas.org

Board Game Night Fundraiser to Replace Stolen Cancer Center Equipment

Kitchener, ON (Canada) — Local residents will be holding a board game night fundraiser to "rescue" gaming equipment stolen from a children's cancer program earlier this month. The Game Rescue Board Game Night fundraiser in support of HopeSpring Cancer Support Centre will be held at the Rum Runner Pub in downtown Kitchener. Funds raised through entry fees, raffles, a silent auction and a game exchange at the event will purchase a new Wii U video game console for the cancer support centre. A Wii U along with a laptop and projector was stolen from HopeSpring on July 10 and has yet to be recovered. The equipment was part of an integral program for children with cancer, and their siblings, that helped educate them about the disease while providing them with a sense of normalcy.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Fundraiser to Help Keep Swimming Complex Open

Quincy, IL - Fundraising has already generated more than half of the $20,000 needed to keep the Jackson-Lincoln Swimming Complex open for the rest of the season. Two additional fundraisers scheduled will help move the effort close to the final figure. The two upcoming fundraisers are a community event at the pool and a jazz cruise on the Mississippi River. The "Unity in the Community Festival" will held at the swimming complex. The jazz cruise will be on the Mark Twain Riverboat with music by Ben Bumbry and the Messengers, featuring Barbara Holiday.  www,fundraising-ideas.org

Performing Arts Center Holds Great Gatsby Weekend Fundraiser

Anaheim Hills, NY - The Anaheim Performing Arts Center Foundation (APACF) has announced that Damon Kirsche will join the lineup of stellar entertainment at the third annual GREAT GATSBY WEEKEND fundraiser which is to be held at Fox Pointe Manor and the Lost World Estate, the magnificent estate residences of Dr. Howard and Linda Knohl and Patrick and Jolynn Mahoney in Anaheim Hills.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Santa Skivvies Run Fundraiser for AIDS Foundation

San Francisco, CA – Santa Skivvies Run! It truly is an only-in-San Francisco kind of fundraising event. It’s an amazing collection of people from all walks of life who gather together to run through the streets of the Castro neighborhood in their skivvies to support AIDS Foundation. For those who are a little more modest, underwear is not required—we have a lot of people who dress up as elves, Santa’s, reindeer, or whatever costume they chose. The word that best describes the event for me is “joy.” Everyone is just so happy and joyful. They’re thrilled to be a part of this amazing fundraising event!   www.fundraising-ideas.org

Tour de Rock gets ready to Roll with fundraisers

Comox Valley, B.C. (Canada) - Fundraising events are heating up in the Comox Valley as the annual Tour de Rock ride nears, upcoming events include: a Classic Cruisers barbecue, Thrifty Foods, Courtenay. Come to Thrifty Foods to view classic cruisers while enjoying a barbecue — all in support of Tour de Rock. Also upcoming:  Monster Truck Show at the Saratoga Speedway, Black Creek. During this high-adrenaline event, proceeds from the 50/50 draw will go to Tour de Rock.

The Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock raises money for pediatric cancer research and programs for children with a history of cancer. The Tour de Rock team cycles from one end of the Vancouver Island to the other, over 14 days, covering 1,000 kilometres. www.fundraising-ideas.org

Butterfly Ball Fundraiser Support Cancer Research

Ayshire, Scotland - Lorna Dempsey was so devastated by the loss of her friend to breast cancer, she decided to organize a one-off fundraising event to raise cash for charity. But her idea – The Butterfly Ball – quite simply took flight. Six years on, countless imaginative fundraising events down the line and with a massive £250,000 donated to Cancer Research UK, Lorna is one of the country’s most successful fundraisers. She started out as “one woman with a mission” but Lorna quickly found a team of willing helpers and now her Butterfly Events organization plan the most popular events in the Ayrshire social calendar...and raises a fortune in the process.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

RCMP Participates in 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run Fundraiser

Cranbrook, B.C. (Canada) - Last month, members of the Cranbrook/Kimberley RCMP, together with community members, laced up and hit the streets in a fundraiser for the Special Olympics athletes, by participating in the 3rd Annual Law Enforcement Torch Run. There were 61 participants who ran, walked or cycled the three or five kilometer route. The fundraising run was followed by a barbecue and fun softball game between the local Special Olympics softball team and members of the Cranbrook RCMP. Since 1990, the Law Enforcement Torch Run in B.C. has raised more than $3 million to support Special Olympics athletes and programs, helping Special Olympics B.C. grow to support 4,100 athletes in 55 communities in B.C.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Dodge Ball Tournament Fundraiser for United Way of Mesa County

Grand Junction, CO.- Dozens of residents participated in a dodge ball tournament fundraiser with proceeds going right towards the United Way of Mesa County. Allegiant Air partnered with the National Dodge Ball League and Grand Junction Regional Airport to host a "Dodge High Fares" dodge ball tournament. Teams in more than 30 cities are competing in competitions. The event is aimed at increasing awareness of the travel company's affordable airfares. “For us, this is a new connection,” said Amanda Crysler of the United Way of Mesa County. “As always, we are putting the fun in fundraising with this great dodge ball tournament.”  www.fundraising-ideas.org

MUD Run Fundraiser Benefits Golisano Children’s Hospital

Punta Gorda, FL - Southwest Florida couple, Dustin Edwards and Stephanie-Ink Edwards, are pleased to announce the date for the Second Annual South Florida Mud Run fundraising event to benefit the new Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. The fundraiser will take place at the Redneck Yacht Club in Punta Gorda. Participants can sign up as individuals or teams, and the event is open to children and adults ages 4 and up. 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Parks Recreation Department Hosts Movie Night Fundraiser

Connellsville, PA - Misty Fuller is a Connellsville businesswoman who wants to help her community. So Fuller, an Avon representative, approached the Connellsville Parks and Recreation Board with an idea — Rock the Park. The fundraising event will be held at East Park. The event will last all day and continue until dark, when the recreation board will host its movie night, presenting Disney Pixar's “UP. The event is a fundraiser for all of the city parks to help pay for upkeep, restructuring and hopefully be able to fund some events for families during the summertime.   www.fundraising-ideas.org

Two Brothers Summer Festival Fundraiser Benefits Local Nonprofits

Aurora, IL - Volunteers from Kelmscott Communications made a difference at the 5th Annual Two Brothers Summer Festival on June 21st through 23rd in Aurora. The three-day community fundraising event hosted by Two Brothers Roundhouse centered around live music, food and drinks from the brewery and neighboring businesses. The fundraising festival weekend was designed to benefit local non-profit organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Mutual Ground. Kelmscott Communications, a full-service integrated marketing solutions company in Aurora, served as a sponsor and volunteered several employees to support the event.   www.fundraising-ideas.org

Merle the Squirrel in East Tennessee Fundraiser

Knoxville, TN - Merle FM is teaming with East Tennessee Children's Hospital for a unique fundraising event. Beginning Monday, Merle the Squirrel is marching all across East Tennessee to collect a million coins for the Children's Hospital. You can listen to the station to find out where the Million Coin March is stopping and drop off your own pocket change. You can also find stops on Merle's website. People who donated $10 in coins received free tickets to the Ashton Shepherd concert.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

K-9 Karnival Fundraiser for Humane Society

St. Germain, WI - The normally quiet town of St. Germain was quite busy this weekend with locals and tourists alike. Many of them brought their four legged friends out to the 4th annual K-9 Karnival fundraising event to learn about a variety of dog friendly resources that exist right in the Northwoods. The fundraising event featured advice from dog trainers and animal health care providers. It was also a chance for people to meet the employees of the Humane Society of Vilas County. Perhaps the highlight of the carnival was a dog agility track designed to keep dogs fit both physically and mentally. For Humane Society Director Jennifer Primich, the idea behind the K-9 get together was not just a fundraiser, but to help build a bond between Northwoods dog lovers.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Golf Ball Drop Fundraiser for Family Promise of Baldwin County

Summerdale, AL — While heavy rains in early July caused flooding in many areas of Baldwin County, Mike Brokowsky, executive director of Family Promise of Baldwin County, hopes that by early September it will be raining golf balls at a fundraiser at Craft Farms Golf Club in Gulf Shores. On the weekend following Labor Day, Family Promise will host its first-ever Golf Ball Drop fundraiser. For a donation of $25, participants will receive a numbered golf ball. The golf balls will then be dropped from a helicopter high above Craft Farms Golf Club. The first golf ball to fall in the hole (or the nearest ball to the hole) wins a prize of $10,000. Attendance is not required to win.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Sports Day Fundraiser for Cancer Ward

Hampshire, England - A sports day fundraiser at a Hampshire school raised hundreds of pounds for charity. The fundraiser at Noadswood School in Dibden Purlieu included a happy hour featuring space hopper races, penalty shoot-outs and a chance to throw wet sponges at teachers. Money raised will go to the Piam Brown children’s cancer ward at Southampton General Hospital, the Daily Echo-backed Help for Heroes and the Rainbow Trust, which helps the families of children with a life-threatening or terminal illness. The sports day fundraiser began with an Olympic-style opening ceremony, followed by track events and a tug-o-war contest.   www.fundraising-ideas.org

Duck Race Fundraiser to Benefit Montgomery County Emergency Assistance

Montgomery County, TX -- The 6th Annual Entergy Great American Duck Race fundraiser to benefit the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance (MCEA), exceeded previous years’ participation with duck adoptions selling out ahead of schedule. In past years the 5,000 duck sales managed to reach quota just prior to post time. This year all ducks were sold out two hours prior to the event. Community support for the fundraiser in both duck sales and the donation of prizes, was a tremendous success. Over 100 valuable items were awarded to lucky ducks. The Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Facebook page lists the top 10 duck winners.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Treasure Hunt Fundraiser for Hospice

Ramsbottom, England - Fundraisers certainly got plenty of strange looks when they took part in a wacky event for Bury Hospice. Oompa-Loompas, Thunderbirds and Zippy the kangaroo were among the many children’s characters to tackle the popular treasure hunt organized by The Major pub in Ramsbottom. The 11 teams wore fancy dress costumes of television characters from their childhood and took part in a series of dares. The challenges for the third annual fundraising event were more unusual than ever and raised even more money to care for terminally ill patients. A total of £20,000 was raised, adding to the £12,000 already collected from a 100-mile bike ride from Ambleside to Ramsbottom. The fundraisers were organized by Stuart and Anita Morris, landlord and landlady of The Major, with Stephen Thompstone and Mark Rybczynski. Mr. Thompstone said: “Every year we have raised more money and to raise £32,000 in one year is amazing.”   www.fundraising-ideas.org

Theatre Fundraiser Features "OUR NIXON"

Lexington, KY — The Friends of the Kentucky Theatre will present a fundraising screening of “OUR NIXON,” an all-archival documentary. Throughout Richard Nixon’s presidency, three of his top White House aides obsessively documented their experiences with Super 8 home movie cameras. Young, idealistic and dedicated, they had no idea that a few years later they would all be in prison. This visual record, created by H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and Dwight Chapin, was seized by the FBI during the Watergate investigation, filed away and forgotten for almost 40 years. “OUR NIXON” presents these home movies for the first time, along with other rare footage, creating an intimate, complex and fascinating portrait of the Nixon presidency as never seen before.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Asheville, NC – The Dr. John Wilson Community Garden is excited to begin fundraising for an outdoor kitchen facility! An Empty Bowls events guests select a hand-made bowl from among the unique bowls thrown just for this event, and have a simple meal of soup and bread. You get to keep the bowl and take it home as a reminder that someone's bowl is always empty. At the Empty Bowls fundraiser tours were available, and attendees could learn about the exciting projects the garden has underway - from the fruit and nut trees to the mushroom forest, not to mention the fun things people are growing in their plots. They also got to hear about projects in the works (including the outdoor kitchen). Tickets for the fundraiser were $25 each.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Comedians Hold Fundraiser for Children's Tutoring Center

Brooklyn, NY – Comedians to hold fundraiser for pint-sized superheroes. "This place is cool!" exclaimed 11-year-old Duncan MacLeod, as a flowing blue cape flapped above his outstretched arms on a recent afternoon. He was flying—or, technically, standing atop an industrial-strength "Cape Tester" at the Brooklyn Superhero Supply Co., with a large fan beneath his feet that made his new villain-vanquishing accessory billow. Such flights of fancy are routine in the storefront guise of 826NYC, the nonprofit children's tutoring center in Park Slope that teaches kids and anyone else with an imagination to be silly and serious at once. On Wednesday, a cadre of comedians will gather in service of both for a fundraising event at the Bell House in Gowanus, Brooklyn. “If I was a kid, I couldn't think of anything more amazing than a place that pretended to supply superhero products and, when you open a [secret] door, you learn to write and do cool projects and work with people to make films," said Eugene Mirman, the Brooklyn-based stand-up comic who will host the benefit event. www.fundraising-ideas.org

Angel Bows Fundraiser for Cancer Treatment

Lincolnton, NC - “She’s truly my angel,” Lincoln County resident Joyce Hoyle said about 10-year-old fellow church-goer and fundraiser on a mission, Raemy Wensil, of Iron Station. For at least the last week, the sixth-grader has been working with friends to make “Angel Bows” to as a fundraiser for cancer treatment for “Maw Maw Hoyle.” “It made me sad because I know her very well,” Wensil said. Diagnosed earlier this month with colon cancer, Hoyle had a section of her colon removed on June 9, allowing doctors to rid her body of most of the potentially deadly disease. Hoyle said she was “blown away” by Wensil’s willingness to help and how the child’s effort “took off” once she decided to carry out her generous project. “It’s just unreal what a heart this child has,” Hoyle said.   www.fundraising-ideas.org

Diverse Abilitries Workshop Fundraiser Features Wacky Games

Dorset, England - Teams threw themselves into some wacky inflatable fun in a show of support for a Dorset charity. Redlands Community Sports Hub hosted an It’s A Knockout fundraising event based on the classic British game show in aid of Diverse Abilities Plus, which supports children and adults with physical and learning difficulties and their families. A total of 13 teams took part with contestants taking on challenges like searching for socks in giant inflatable washing machines full of soap and hauling themselves up a slippery inflatable slope. There was also a chance to don the giant costumes from the original game show. Sharon Wells from Diverse Abilities Plus said the fundraiser had raised a total of £13,500, which would prove a massive boost to the work of a charity that supports around 500 families across the county.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Wacky Baseball Fundraiser for Town Celebration

Conway, MA - On July 4, not only did fireworks dot the sky, but beach balls, wiffle balls and softballs shot across the Conway landscape. The 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee held the first — and it hopes the annual — Conway Chesbro Challenge, as a fundraiser for the town celebration in 2017. The wacky version of a baseball game was held at the recreation field behind the Town Hall. The fundraising money will be in addition to the $20,000 the town gave to the committee. During the match-up, six teams made up of 12 residents and their friends played three innings of “crazy, slow pitch baseball” using not only bats, but brooms, tennis racquets and frying pans to hit beach balls, wiffle balls and softballs. Players had no idea what they would be hitting and what type of bat they would be using until it’s their turn. Mike Haley, a member of the 250th committee, sized up each batter and then issued the player the “Chesbro Challenge,” using a microphone to loudly announce the challenge. The ball game is named after local baseball hall of famer, Jack Chesbro.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

USO Fundraising Efforts For Troops Overseas

Coming to a backyard near you - A visitor to the USO building on the Bagram Airfield base in Afghanistan could easily mistake the place for a civilian home. But despite all the comfy trappings, soldiers serving abroad can still fall victim to homesickness. That’s where meals come in. Sara Lottie, West Area Director for the USO, has managed operations in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan, in service of the group’s mission: “Lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families. Fourth of July is coming up,” Lottie said. “Everyone in America can go out to their grocery store, get steaks and burgers, have a barbecue and cook with their families. But that is a luxury over in Afghanistan.” If the USO wants to hold a holiday event, it has to move mountains to coordinate the shipment of meat to service bases. The group almost always finds a way. That’s where fundraising comes in. “Getting a freezer to put all of the stuff in was a challenge,” said Lottie, laughing. “But we managed to do it and we had a line around the USO building.” The food is free of charge for the soldiers, which the USO funds through outside donations and ongoing fundraising campaigns. With “Barbecue for the Troops,” for instance, participants back home host their own cookouts, collect money from friends and family, and pledge to donate it to the USO.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

California State Parks Fundraiser

Santa Cruz, CA - Dances and dinners and movies and art shows — these aren’t the first activities that come to mind when one thinks about California State Parks. But under the strain of the parks department’s budget crisis, nonprofits like Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks have gotten more creative in the ways they market and in their fundraising efforts for the natural spaces they support. Standing on a bluff at Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, the Friend’s executive director Bonny Hawley recalled a recent CD release party and parks fundraiser her group threw on the Mission grounds for local electro-pop band Audiafauna. “It was great,” she laughed. “We had about 200 people here dancing and listening to music with this amazing view of downtown. You’d be surprised by how many people who live nearby had never even been here before.” Past events at the Mission similar to this one – a mole and Mariachi festival, outdoor movie screenings, a photography show – have not only helped the group as fundraisers but have also brought in new visitors who didn’t previously have the parks on their radar, Hawley said.   www.fundraising-ideas.org

Fundraising Efforts for Critically Ill Children

Downingtown, PA - Global hardware and software IT provider Softmart is partnering with Designing 4 Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping critically ill children by giving them dream bedroom makeovers. Founded in May of 2011, Designing 4 Hope's goal is to design and renovate the rooms of these children, providing them with a special place to rest, recover, heal, and dream. In partnering with Designing 4 Hope, Softmart's internal Goodwill Committee and its passionate team of employees fundraising efforts have contributed $10,000 for the redesign of 3 rooms for 15-year old Delaware resident Sasha Carr. Committee chair Barbara Flannery led the team's efforts. "Our 250 employees really were creative in fundraising. Departments organized lunch time events including Bingo, a Bar-B-Q, and raffles." Former Softmart employee and local artist, Ben Stewart, donated original framed artwork for Sasha's new room. Volunteers from Softmart spent several weekends in the construction and redesign process - cleaning, painting and setting up the new flat screen television.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Pet Pawty Fundraiser For Injured Pets

North Syracuse, NY -- If a pet is found injured in the village of North Syracuse a new fund set up by the Greater North Syracuse Chamber of Commerce will help pay for the animal's veterinary care until its owner is located. The village budgets for animal control services but does not have the ability to pay for veterinary services. The Pet 911 fund will help pay for veterinary emergencies if an owner is not immediately located. "Hopefully we will never have to use the money, but it will be there if we need it," Roth said. "And hopefully when we find the owner they would reimburse us." All of the money in the fund will be donated or raised by the chamber of commerce. The first major fundraising event, Pet Pawty, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Heritage Park, off of Chestnut Street in North Syracuse. Pet Pawty will feature a day of food, music, demonstrations, raffles and more. There will be entertainment for the entire family and dogs are welcomed.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Fundraiser Supports Boxer Training

Pocatello, ID — A fundraising event for KC’s Boxing Club included a prime rib dinner for $10 per person, a horse shoe tournament, live music, and a raffle and prizes. KC’s Boxing Club is a Pocatello based non-profit boxing club that provides low cost professional boxing training for local youth. The proceeds of the Saturday fundraiser will go toward lodging, food and gas for the club’s participants to attend out of town boxing matches, and will also be used toward equipment upgrades.  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Fundraising Effort Saves Mermaid Parade

Coney Island, NY - Not even Hurricane Sandy could halt the annual Mermaid Parade! After a fundraising effort, hundreds of thousands of people came out to take part in the first post-superstorm Mermaid Parade along the boardwalk and Surf Ave. in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Revelers put on their mermaid best for the 31st annual nautical-themed event. It almost didn’t happen. "It looks like it is a an easy to do parade that a bunch of artists walk down the street, but managing the huge crowds so that the New York public is safe and not crushed to death costs $190,000," said Dick Zigun, the parade's founder "Our headquarters of Coney Island USA, the parent that runs the mermaid parade, was under five feet of water six months ago. Our operation was shut down." Faced with canceling the parade because of financial difficulty, organizers launched a Kickstarter campaign as a last-ditch effort. Their fundraising efforts generated more than $117,000 from the crowd-funding site. "The people themselves were the fundraiser for the parade," Zigun said. "We thank everybody who contributed."  www.fundraising-ideas.org

Painted Gorillas Fundraiser for Break & Born Free Foundation

Norwich, England - GoGoGorillas! Norwich 2013 is hoping to emulate the success of the elephant art fundraiser that captured the imagination of the city a few years ago. The GoGoGorillas outdoor art trail has been officially launched and the 53 life-sized creations and 67 baby gorillas are on show at different locations around the city. You will be able to explore the trail and see how many spectacular gorillas you can find. Sponsored by local businesses, the GoGoGorillas sculptures will be a significant fundraiser for the  Break and the Born Free Foundation when they are auctioned off at the end of the fundraising event.  www.fundraising-ideas.org