COMMUNITY Michelle McDonald, Servants Anonymous Society of Calgary “We need $100,000.00 of operating dollars to bridge us from April to July, 2007” “…………… we do” This excerpt is taken from a conversation that I had in November, 2006 with the General Manager of Servants Anonymous Society of Calgary, (SAS). I had sat on the Board of this Not For Profit a few years ago and understood the challenges of fund raising. But now that I have signed on to actually find the money for SAS, my role in this Reality Series has changed from interested observer to active participant. Servants Anonymous is a Calgary social agency who supports young women and their children who are victims of sexual exploitation. We were founded in 1989 as a registered charity and offer a long-term relationship based program for women who have experienced homelessness, poverty, substance addictions and violence. <strong>The</strong> SAS recovery model incorporates safe and supportive housing facilities, rehabilitation, child care, education, job shadowing and training, and ongoing encouragement. <strong>The</strong> challenge of six figures by April… hmmm…..somewhat a tough big ticket sell and then let’s add the Anonymity quotient. (Servants Anonymous has mandated to protect the identities of the individuals they support, often making it more difficult to relay the need to the community) <strong>The</strong>re are some obvious places to look for this kind of money. Most fund developers have a database of Donors that they can appeal to, but our list of a thousand odd individuals is not going to draw this kind of dollar figure. Corporate giving in Calgary is generous, but many have mandated causes that align with the respective business goals. Helping former sex trade workers is not often one of these goals. Foundations are also generous, but most are reluctant to offer money for operating expenses. I couldn’t think of a creative spin. SAS needs money to turn on the lights, pay for insurance, beds, food, water and remunerate the key workers and staff that it takes to house the current 30 participants and their children. Guess I better put my Mompreneur hat on. Think retail. What does every family and most households need, what are you always looking for that are never there Clean, white, matching socks. Who does not need an extra pair of clean, white matching socks. In my family, the smallest takes her bigger sister’s socks, big foot takes the mommy’s and mommy takes the husband’s. Dad never can find a clean pair of matching white socks. Can you imagine such a display on the golf course Do friends agree… Yes. A campaign has been born. Socks for Shelter will solve the lost sock dilemma for households in Southern Alberta. As with any business, we also have to work to hone our message, develop awareness and raise money effectively. “Socks for Shelter, providing shelter for women and their children from homelessness, poverty and violence.” Proceeds realized from this campaign will support shelters and programs provided by the YWCA and SAS. <strong>The</strong> offering includes three pairs of packaged white sport socks (choose from “crew” or “no show”) for the price of $25.00. Please watch for us, as we will be visiting your neighbourhood over the next five months. “We need $100,000.00 of operating dollars to bridge us from April to July, 2007” “…………… we can do that.” If you would like to donate to Servants Anonymous Society of Calgary or purchase some socks, please contact Michele@servantsanon.com 20 | theMompreneur.com 20
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