Attention Friends of the Park groups!
The Garden Hills Neighborhood Foundation has discovered THE way to fund raise for their neighborhood parks, all while eating, drinking, and being merry.
The secret? House parties. Yes, house parties.
The formula is simple:
- Volunteers sign up to be a party host.
- As a party host, the volunteer agrees to pay for all of the party’s expenses: food, beverages, and decorations, for example.
- Each party host decides on a base cost for their party’s tickets and how many tickets are available.
- Party tickets are auctioned at a community event, the proceeds of which will go back to benefit the community.
The Garden Hills Neighborhood Foundation auctioned 24 such house parties at their Gala on November 8, 2014. Jeff Clark, the President of the Garden Hill’s Pool volunteer Board of Directors, disclosed that the Foundation raised $20,000 exclusively from the sale of the house party tickets. That money will fund maintenance and improvements at the Garden Hills Park & Pool, Sunnybrook Park and Frankie Allen Park.
These parties, however, have done more than just raise money. They’ve literally brought the community together in living rooms and backyards across the neighborhood. “People who never met before,” Jeff explained, “are now friends thanks to these parties. I regularly hang-out with people that I met through these events. It’s been the best thing for the Garden Hills Neighborhood!”
And not only are you going to raise money for your park, and make new friends – but how about having a darn good time while doing it?! Check out just a few of the fun and creative party themes below:
- Yoga Under the Trees and Sunset Toast ($30)
- Bavarian Oktoberfest ($50/person)
- Turkish Lunch and Coffee Reading ($50)
- Indian Feast ($85/person)
If you have any questions about this successful fundraising model and how you can adapt it to raise funds and friendships in your neighborhood, Jeff Clark is happy to answer questions! poolboard@gardenhillspool.com
Party on 🙂