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Harness your passions and talents for rewarding ways to raise money. Like video games? Host a tournament. Like music? Start a concert.
All-Night babysitting party
On certain nights of the year, like Valentine’s Day or New Years Eve, there are a number of parents looking for babysitting. Arrange a multiple, all-night babysitting party. It’s fun and helps some deserving parents get a night out on the town.
- A few trust worthy friends.
- A facility to host the all-nighter.
Special note: Look for a facility that will not charge you (a church, synagogue, or community center); a location with a gym or multi-purpose room is best.
- Identify the night you want to have the babysitting party.
- Get your trust worthy babysitters lined up.
- Plan your all-nighter for a night that parents want to go out, but babysitting is hard to find (like Valentine's Day or New Year's Eve).
- Put the word out to the community through your clubs, organizations, and parents' and friends' workplaces that you will be baby-sitting on this night.
- Set a minimum age limit for children (this event is not appropriate for babies and toddlers, who take more time and are less likely to enjoy an all-night party).
- Sign people up—it's important to have people sign up and pay in advance so you know how many children of what age you will be baby-sitting, and so you can confirm you will have enough adults on hand to assist.
- Give very specific details about the time to drop off and pick up children.
- Plan to have pizza for dinner (see if a local pizza shop will cut you a deal), light snacks through the night, and provide orange juice and muffins for breakfast. Be sure to ask parent about their child's allergies before they leave.
- Have activities and movies available to keep the children busy. Plan board games and sports activities for children age 6 and up. Have coloring, movies (G-rated), and toys for younger children.
- Request that parents bring a sleeping bag and pillow, and provide a quiet area for children when they are ready to sleep.
- Make sure to schedule nothing for the next day, as you will need to catch up on your sleep.
- Be sure to send a thank-you letter to the facility and to all your helpers and get ready to experience the world!
Success Story:A group in Spokane, Washington, held an all-nighter the Saturday of Valentine’s Day. Eight young adults and 10 parents hosted the event at a dance studio. A local pizza house donated dinner, and the donuts served for breakfast came from a supermarket bakery. Attendees made up lip-sync and dance routines, played board games and Twister, and ate popcorn and watched movies. With 98 children at $25 each, the evening raised $2,450.
Variation:Host an all-night party with your peers. You could host it at a YMCA or similar venue where swimming and sports can be a part of the all-night party. You'll probably have to pay for the use of the facility but you can charge more for the party. You will still need plenty of adult supervision so that parents will feel comfortable with their teens coming to spend the night.