More Valentine's Day Favorites

Here are a few more of my favorite Valentine's Day products for fundraising!

Yummy Hearts Valentine Lollipops are perfect for in-school sales before the special day ... so cute. Sell for just 50-cents each to make 50% profit. They come in four colors and a great variety of delicious flavors:

Sweets for your sweets!

Cherry Cheesecake Wild Cherry Cherry Snow Watermelon Red Raspberry Strawberry Shake Bubble Gum Cinnamon Grape                                                             Just $160.00 per case, free delivery!

Snifty Scented Products offers adorable pens for the Valentine season ... available in a case of two styles.  These delightful scented pens will fly off of school store shelves, or your club fundraising table!  A mixed case includes both designs:

                       

                                    Candy Message Hearts

Boxed Chocolates

Here's the flavors:  Candy Message Hearts are Cherry scented, Boxed Chocolates are Chocolate Strawberry scent.  Yum! Sell these for $2.00 each to make 40% profit.

$360.00 per case, free delivery! Ships in 24 hours.

My Favorite Valentine's Day Fundraisers

Mmmmmm Pixies

This week I'll be talking about my favorite products for Valentine's Day fund raisers.  I thought about counting down my top ten, but I couldn't wait to talk about Fannie May Boxed Chocolates. The Pixies and the Mint Meltaways are always in the top ten sellers among ALL of the fundraising products we offer.  Why?

• The quality of the chocolate is amazing.
• Fannie May was a long-time Chicago area brand - with a loyal following.
• They are priced right to be a good value for fundraising.

Pre-order sales are EASY to conduct, require no money upfront and DMI does all the difficult work of tallying, sorting and packing orders for you.

There's no catch - but time if of the essence.  If you want to do a Fannie May boxed chocolate sale for Valentine's Day, call now to get started! (800) 628-5905

Or consider delicious Fannie May Candy Bars ...

Jelly Belly's Boost Profits

From the desk of Bonnie Girton, President of DMI:

We have added the national and well loved Jelly Belly brand to our line up and the first orders came in last week with remarkable performance.  The first group that ordered repeated their catalog selection from last year, with the addition of the one page flyer of 8 Jelly Belly items.  This group has increased their sale by 10% more units over last year, and Jelly Belly products were a whopping 10% of their items sold.  It’s indisputable that Jelly Belly alone increased their profits!


See the Jelly Belly brochure...

Hershey's Gives Back with Games

Throughout it's long history, The Hershey Company has been known for dedication to programs that support youth development. This year, Hershey's is partnering with Olympic track star Carl Lewis to celebrate the 35th annual Hershey's Track & Field Games, the largest youth activity program of its kind in North America.

Children ages 9-14 are encouraged to live a balanced, active lifestyle by participating in track and field events across the country. 'We founded the program over 30 years ago out of a conviction that there's no treat more rewarding than fitness, self-esteem and hard-work,' Hershey's says. According to their website, the games have produced many Olympic medalists and competeing athletes.

Kids can compete in local, district and state competitions.  Those who do will have a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to compete in the North American Final in Hershey, Pennsylvania this summer, according to the company.

Learn more at the website,  https://www.hersheystrackandfield.com/.  Families can even download a free 'Run, Jump, Throw Birthday Party Kit,' which gives instructions for activity-based games.

Impact Confections Adds Warheads Sour Twists, Discontinues Lollipops

Impact Confections announced today two major changes to their line-up of fund raising products. Citing 'tremendous growth of the WARHEADS®  Fundraising program,' IC will expand the line by adding WARHEADS® Sour Twists product, a 'sour coated, three-color/three-flavor twisted chewy rope that can be eaten as one, or pulled apart one flavor at a time.'

Some fund raising sponsors may be disappointed to learn that the new addition coincides with the discontinuation of Colorblaster and Carousel Rounds lollipops in 2012-2013.  IC states that 'limited quantities are available for the remaining 2011-2012 season.'

DMI will offer the Colorblaster and Carousel Rounds until sell-out, and suggests Color Xploder and Yummy-Lix lollipops as an best alternative choice.

Looking for a great resource to inspire and guide you?  AFRDS, the Association of Fundraising Distributors and Supplier, now publishes an online monthly offering called 'The Fundraising Edge.'  Formerly a print publication, the newsletter is available to electronic subscribers.  Articles highlight best practices for as well as advice, from tips for boosting profits to suggestions for thanking volunteers.  Visit, fundraisingedge.org, fund raising chairpersons and parent volunteer boards will find valuable information there.  Read more ...

DMI Fundraising is a long time member in good standing with AFRDS.

How to motivate fundraiser participants

"What I've always found is that people will respond to meet a need ... if they know what to do.  You give people the opportunity to be part of something that will make a difference, and they will step up."

James Lee Witt, FEMA Director 1993-2000

How to motivate fundraiser participants

 

Wouldn't it be great if successful fundraisers were as simple as sending home a box of candy and collecting money?  It may have worked that way at one time, but times are not so simple now.  With the sheer volume of fundraising activities for many genuine needs, the competition is tough and time is short.  Every fundraising effort needs to stand out in the crowd and differentiate itself.

A first word of advice to organizations that use products to fund-raise, is 'less is more.'  Multiple fundraising activities and projects do not necessarily translate in to bigger dollars.  In fact, saturation in the community, participant burnout and volunteer fatigue are all very real concerns.  Our most successful customers create a tradition out of their sales and align themselves with particular products at specific times of year.  Asking once, and asking well, can be the best solution for motivating participants and reaching profit goals.

Read more ...