Monday, November 30, 2009

Fundraising Outside the Box

As college students, we have always wrestled with the questions of, “How do we engage our peers in the vision of CARE for AIDS?” “In addition to their time, what other resources do college students have that they could give to CARE for AIDS?” One of my partners in crime, Zack Fallon, proposed a textbook drive, a campaign in which college students donate the one thing that has resale value, textbooks. What an ingenious idea!

So, we started small. Initially, we conducted one textbook drive on the Wheaton College campus. At the time, we weren’t sure if students would be willing to part with textbooks that were valued anywhere from $10 to $50. Then, $8,000 later, we realized there was more to this idea than we thought. Not only was this a way to fund our centers in Kenya, but a way to engage volunteers and donors on a whole new level.

Now, this December, I will be dedicating a good portion of my time helping nine different campus representatives execute textbook drives at their respective universities. Here are the campuses and leaders that are hosting book drives:

Joey Mock Virginia Tech

Alyson Pigford Georgia Tech

Lindsay King Christopher Newport University

Erin Hogan Wellesley College

Hai-In Kim University of Virginia

Jordan Rentz Clemson University

Zack Spier The King's College

Allison Tolbert Wofford College

Christine Wetendorf Wheaton College

With goals of raising in excess of $50,000 this semester, I encourage all of you to think creatively about how to raise money for causes that you believe in. Whether it is raking lawns, collecting books, or hosting benefits, there are ways for young people to play an active role in raising money. No excuses.

What are some creative ways that you have raised money to support good causes?

Monday, November 23, 2009

CARE for AIDS U.S. Blog: ENGAGE

Dear friends, family, and supporters of CARE for AIDS,

Welcome to the CARE for AIDS U.S. blog. I’m excited about this new opportunity to communicate with all of you through blogging. I am sorry to say that unlike Nick Gordon's blog (which you should all read at nickgordonCFA.blogspot.com,) I eat relatively normal food, my car doesn’t break down nearly as often, and I rarely see giraffes parading down Peachtree Street. However, we are both seeing lives changed, and that is the story I want to tell. I hope this blog will be a place where you can come to hear from me and my peers about how God is working in and through the American church to transform the lives of those suffering from HIV/AIDS in Kenya.


When this story began three years ago, we were presented with the harsh reality that the AIDS crisis in Africa wasn’t convenient, it wasn’t easy, and it definitely wasn't going to be solved overnight. However, these obstacles that might have appeared daunting to a few college students seemed insignificant in comparison to the eternities that hung in the balance. There was too much at stake; inaction was not an option. Today, I’m glad that we engaged and pursued that vision to this end. I’m thankful that I get to spend my days helping engage the American church in what I believe is not only the greatest humanitarian crisis of our day, but an incredible platform to tell others about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My prayer is that all of you reading this will commit to join me. Join me on the front lines of this battle for the souls of men and women suffering from this disease. Stay tuned for more ways to get plugged in with CARE for AIDS here and abroad.

First thing you can do... please subscribe to this blog and invite your friends to do the same.

How are you personally engaged in the HIV/AIDS crisis? How about your church? Please leave a comment answering this question.