Over the past two and a half years, I have been doing continuous fundraising for mission trips. I started out by sending letters to people I know, requesting that they would consider supporting me to go on my first trip. From that point, I have done everything from rummage sales, to raffles, to selling shirts, to adult exercise event fundraisers, to children's fitness event fundraisers, to boot camps, to change jars, etc.
Fundraising is exhausting, it can be a lot of work, very time-consuming, and sometimes even costing you money in advance, but, if it helps to accomplish the goal, then it's worth it!
Another aspect of fundraising, other than just for money, is collecting relief and school supplies to do outreach. This too is ongoing, but well worth the effort, as I have had many items donated to be given away in Jamaica, including: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, flip flops, deodorant, clothing, shoes, school supplies, books, candy, games, toys, etc.
Almost all of my mission trips, and outreach efforts, have been funded by donations! I am so grateful that God has surrounded me with such generous, loving, and caring people!
So, if you cannot or do not want to go on a mission trip yourself, how can you help or get involved? I will detail several ways in which you can help:
1. MONETARY DONATIONS: Monetary donations are always welcome, and as I said, most of my expenses are paid via monetary donations. Monetary donations can be applied in several ways, including: funding my trips, purchasing outreach items, sponsoring a youth to go on a mission trip, sponsoring an entire outreach project, etc. Monetary donations are accepted as one-time donations, or continuous, recurring donations.
2. SAVE YOUR CHANGE FOR JAMAICA JARS: I have jars that I hand out to anyone interested and they can save their change in them, then return the jars to me when they are full. ALL OF THESE PROCEEDS go toward outreach projects in Jamaica, including at schools or orphanages.
3. RUMMAGE SALE: I take donations of items year-round for my annual fundraiser rummage sale! These proceeds fund the expenses I incur to travel on mission trips, as well as a portion is always donated to other organizations or people involved in missions in Jamaica.
4. SHIRTS: I sale "yay God" t-shirts, Fitness & Faith w/ Phil 4:13 verse 3/4 sleeve sweatshirts, as well as Faith & Fitness Boot Camp shirts (short-sleeved & long-sleeved).
5. FITNESS EVENTS: You can host your own fitness event! We can get as creative as you would like.
6. BOOT CAMPS: You can hold a weekly, monthly, or one-time boot camp for a small fee.
7. OUTREACH & RELIEF ITEMS: These items are always accepted throughout the year, and would be taken on each mission trip: toothbrushes, travel-size toothpaste, small bars of soap, small deodorants, small washclothes, lightweight flip flops of all sizes, crayons, colored pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, small glue bottles or sticks, small children's scissors, coloring books, children's books, bibles, devotionals, etc. PLEASE NOTE THAT ITEMS MUST BE SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT ENOUGH TO BE PACKED AND CARRIED IN A SUITCASE, along with other items.
8. HOLD A FUNDRAISER YOURSELF & donate the proceeds, OR collect supplies from family and friends and donate them.
9. PRAYER: If nothing else, and more importantly than anything else, you can pray!
10. HELP SPREAD THE WORD about our mission efforts in Jamaica! Word of mouth is the best form of advertisement for support!
Please contact me @ masonlaw33@gmail.com if you have any questions, or would like to know how you can help, or if you are interested in going on a mission trip.
The Great Commission
Matthew 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 25:35-40
35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Acts 20:35
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Luke 6:38
38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
No comments:
Post a Comment