Jan 10, 2009

Donation/Sponsor Letter

Yikes, you think, $800 for my child to go to a KODA camp? You think it is not worth the cost to send the kid to the camp plus you have to think about the transportation, etc. I know! I agreed with you. I have five KODAs and when I sent my first one to a camp and she came home with such a positive attitude about deaf parents and their culture, especially sign language, I thought to myself, ALL KIDS SHOULD GO!! Ouch, it is expensive. Well, that is the cost to run the camp per kid. Many other day camps have already established many years of fundraising and have many backings. My job is to find any backing that would contribute to the camp every year.

So what should you do? I have talked to many other parents and they send out letters to any organizations, work places, church places or even your relatives and your relatives' contacts. One KODA was able to raise funds from her relatives. One KODA was able to raise funds from church group. There are plenty possibilities but you must do it yourself, actually a KODA should do it. A ten dollar times 80 contacts bring in $800 easily!

Need a sample letter? Sure, I have included it at the bottom. Change it to fit your needs. Make it personal, write it to say why it is so important for KODA to go. You need to do it now to give supporters time to have their meetings, time to get funds. Be sure to followup with a thank you note! It also doesnt hurt to followup to see if they have received your letter if you have not heard from them within reasonable amount of time.

SAMPLE Letter:

I am xx years old and my brother is xx years old, we are requesting monetary donation to help our parents to send us to a camp called KODA camp this summer. It will be at the MacKenzie Center of Poynette, Wisconsin. It is the only one of the handful camps in the United States that are especially designed for children of deaf parent(s).

Here is the Midwest KODA camp information at www.wikoda.blogspot.com.

We really would like to attend this camp. It cost $800 per person for two weeks. We want to learn how to feel comfortable having deaf parent(s) as well as to share experiences with other children of deaf parents similar to us. The deadline for signing up for the camp is May15th, 2009.

We appreciate any monetary donations you can give to us. Thank you very much for your considerations. Here is our home address, .............

Thank you.

Both kids sign

Good luck! Be sure to sign up your kid now! If you have any questions, please do contact me.