The altruistic spirit that is alive in most of us during the holidays makes it a perfect time for charitable organizations to ask for donations. But this year charitable events like the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life are re-evaluating their fundraising tactics to compensate for donors who have been affected by the economic downturn.
The premier event for ACS, Relay for Life, is an overnight fundraiser held by colleges and communities across the nation. Teams of participants set up fundraising web pages in the months prior to the event and then spend the night walking the track at Relay to commemorate the ongoing fight against cancer.
Come rain or shine participants in Astoria, Queens will take over the track in Astoria Park on June 6 for their event, but no matter how enthusiastic the volunteers are, it has become increasingly difficult to get their friends and family members to give donations.
“Last year I sent out e-mails asking for donations to my family and friends and easily raised over $300,” said Carolyn Ferrari, a participant in last year’s Astoria Relay. “This year the people that I expected would give me bigger donations are cutting back which makes it difficult to raise as much as last year.”
The Astoria Relay isn’t the only event that is gearing up for a difficult fundraising year. The committee members of the CUNY Manhattan Relay, which has been held in Baruch College’s gym for the past four years, are worried about meeting their fundraising goal.
“We’re putting a bigger emphasis on fundraising earlier this year because we know a lot of our donors have been hit hard by the recent economic downturn,” said online chair Michael Wursthorn.
The ACS is dependent upon the money raised at Relay events in order to fund cancer research, advocacy and free programs and services for cancer patients, among other things. Having to cut back on any of these programs, especially in our current economic state, would severely affect their mission.
“At the end of the day we have to remember that we’re doing this for everyone who is affected by cancer,” said Baruch Overall co-chair Alyssa Wick. “We may be fighting to keep money in our bank accounts but imagine the people who are fighting cancer for their lives.”