From District 8 Kin
The Kinette Club of Timmins P.O. Box 25 Timmins, ON P4N 7C5
[edit] Fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis
Annual Christmas Auction & Dinner for CF
A Christmas themed dinner with both a live and silent auction to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis Research. The evening plays host to women of all ages. A table of seniors sit amicably next to a table of pre-teen girls and their mothers; amicably that is, until the bidding starts! The event brings CF awareness to the attendees; emphasis on the positive aspects of the gains CF research has made and the way that dollars raised makes a true difference in the lives of CF families, keeps the evening light and festive.
The Kinette Club of Timmins has hosted the CF Auction for the past 21 years. At it’s inception, the event was a quaint get together of women for an evening of fellowship and a way to do some Christmas shopping while making a difference for families surviving with Cystic Fibrosis.
Attendance has grown from a small room of about 25 women, to a great hall seating upwards of 130. The Dinner & Auction has grown to have the reputation of an evening filled with great food, laughter, good natured competition, and Christmas spirit. Various groups now attend the auction as their Christmas work party; each year we have a growing number of tables assigned with the names of prominent local organizations and departments choosing to have fun while supporting the Cystic Fibrosis cause and increasing awareness. The early years of the event raised respectable sums, each year building on previous successes.
The most valuable resources used for the event is the vast knowledge base of the club members. This event has been successful for years and we have learned from our mistakes; we continue to make new ones, but make sure to move forward, each year building on the success of the last. Each year poster & ticket themes are discussed, centre piece décor items are decided, and brain-storming sessions are held to introduce new or reintroduce old ideas. Planning for the auction is a collaboration of values passed forward from our rich Kinette heritage and fresh ideas inspired by contemporary themes.
We believe firmly that the less money spent on an event translates into more dollars for CF research, and as such, each attendee at the event is asked to donate an item for auction. Items usually include, but are not limited to: crafts, baking, hand made items, local artwork, gift baskets, and Christmas decorations and décor. The cost of the meal is covered by the admission ticket price. The event incurs the cost of the décor centre pieces, publicity publications, invitations and postal fees. All proceeds less expenses are donated to CF.
The Kinette Club of Timmins has created numerous administrative resources that are used each year to keep the auction organized and seamless. Some resources are collected at the end of the event and reused at subsequent events (laminated auction paddles with a winter theme) while others are recycled. Digital copies of each template are stored on mass storage devices, in more than one location, to ensure ease of preparation for subsequent auctions.
Each member of the Club has naturally fallen into the tasks that best suit her abilities ~ graphic/digital creation of posters & tickets, promotion & invitations, ticket sales & delivery, table allocation, décor, reception & auction item organization, mistress of ceremonies, auctioneering, as well as collection and reconciliation of raised funds. The small but mighty Kinette Club of Timmins, a total of 6 women for the 2009 auction, is able to accomplish all of these tasks by staying organized, multi-tasking, and seeking the help of volunteers ~ often former Kinettes, and family members who are in attendance are kindly encouraged to help with some of the tasks.
The Annual Dinner & Auction for CF has a loyal following within the community of Timmins. Many guests have attended for as many years as the auction has existed. Word of mouth has been a prime promoter of this event.
Each year blank envelopes and pens are placed on the tables in front of each guest. The attendees are asked to complete self addressed envelopes; invitations are printed and mailed in the addressed envelopes. These invitations serve as a reminder with the current year’s ticket acquisition information. An added bonus of the mail out is the opportunity to send information to a captive audience about Kin Canada, and the Kinette Club of Timmins. Please see Appendix B for the membership brochure sent in the 2009 mail out.
Each year themed posters and tickets are printed in colour. The information on each year’s poster remains mostly unchanged, with the exception of the date change reflective of the calendar year and the themed graphics. The graphic themes tie together the season’s mailing, poster, and ticket with a recognizable seasonal image. Examples include: pointsettias, snowmen, winter birds, and most recently, snowflakes. Posters are placed in high traffic areas as well as bulletin boards at establishments with a high population of female employees: Grocery stores, Government complexes, large employers, and the District Hospital.
Tickets for the event are sold in advance. Each invitation and poster has the contact information of the Kinette in charge of ticket sales. Most tickets are reserved over the telephone; however, recent use of the internet has allowed guests to order tickets via email. Most tickets are paid for in advance and picked up at convenient locations or delivered. Some tickets are reserved and paid for at the door on the night of the event. Tickets are not available at the door as attendee numbers are required to place the dinner order and set the tables.
Guest demographics are wide ranging: past Kinettes, K-Ettes, family members of CF children, young women with CF and friends, as well as the feminine community at large.
The focus of the Dinner & Auction is of positive reinforcement about how dollars raised continues the fight for a cure and control of CF. The mood is festive, light-hearted, and positive. The annual event in 2009 included a guest speaker who is the mother of a vibrant young girl, who also happens to have Cystic Fibrosis. Fellow parents of CF children in the audience as well as guests not directly affected by CF were touched alike and enlightened by the honest and genuine insights offered by our guest speaker.
Cost/ Benefit analysis is very favourable for this fundraiser. Typical costs associated with the event are administrative (envelopes, printing, stamps, etc.) and related to décor (centre pieces). These costs usually run less than $200. The hall rental and banquet fees are negotiated each year; ticket price is designed to cover fees and gratuity.
Typical revenue varies year by year; all funds raised, less expenses, are donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Canada though Kin Zone A CF and Service.
The event grossed $7966.10 ; our expenses for meals and administrative costs were $2879.19. The 2009 Dinner & Auction raised an astounding $5086.91 in one evening for CF; in a geographical location that has been hard hit with severe forestry and mining sector job losses, the CF auction has proven to be recession proof!
[edit] Yves Joanisse Memorial Pubb Putt for Cystic Fibrosis
Each Year the Kinsmen and Kinette Club of Timmins join forces and host the Yves Joanisse Pubb Putt for Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. CF affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system. Currently, there is no cure for CF.
The first Pubb Putt was held 15
years ago. The event was so well received that the Kinsmen and Kinettes decided to host the event annually to raise money for CF research. Proceeds from the event are donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Canada .
On February 11, 2004 the community lost a dear friend to CF. Yves Joanisse, age 22 lost his life long battle against the disease. In Yves' honour, the event has been re-named in his memory.
The Pubb Putt is a day long event, held the first Saturday in April each year,
which involves teams of individuals walking from bar to bar in a game of miniature golf. Each establishment constructs a unique and challenging putting hole for the participants. The day is filled with fun and prizes topped off by a delicious meal and awards banquet at the end of the event. In order to participate in Pubb Putt, an individual must raise $75 or more in pledges.
Last year alone, the event raised $18 000 for CF.
Take part this year in raising awareness in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. Let's Putt our way to a cure!
[edit] Pictures
Fun at FLC.....
