How to Raise Money for Veterans on Memorial Day

Raising money for veterans on Memorial Day can be as simple as holding a community dinner, or as complex as creating a service to put up American flags on Memorial Day and other holidays throughout the year. Both get the community involved and show their appreciation to the veterans. Read on to learn how to raise money for veterans on Memorial Day.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Hold a Flag Subscription Fundraiser

1. Advertise your flag service in the newspaper, online and on posters you can put up around town.

2. Start taking flag subscriptions well in advance of Memorial Day. Allow enough time to make the flag poles and set up before the holiday.

3. Make flag poles out of aluminum conduit cut to about 5 feet, and buy U.S. flags to attach to the poles. Drill holes in the pipe, and attach the flag with wire or a strong cord.

4. Bury PVC pipes in your subscribers yards during the month of May. Set up a time to meet with each subscriber to determine where they want their flag. Bury a 2-ft. piece of PVC pipe in the yard so that the top is even with the ground, making sure it is below the mower level.

5. Keep track of where each subscribers PVC pole holder is buried for easier set up on Memorial Day.

6. Set up the flags in each subscribers yard on Memorial Day morning, and take each flag down at dusk.

7. Keep the flags for future holiday subscriptions.

Host a Memorial Day Spaghetti Feast

8. Find a location like a church, school or even a park (with a shelter in case of bad weather.)

9. Advertise in the local newspapers, and make signs you can put up around town.

10. Make the spaghetti the morning of the fundraiser. You can either make large roasters of sauce with meat and others with just cooked spaghetti noodles, or combine the two for easier serving.

11. Charge a set amount per plate or ask for a minimum donation. Make your Veteran's Spaghetti Feast an all you can eat event.

12. Serve spaghetti with Parmesan cheese, garlic bread and a drink.

Tips & Warnings

• Spaghetti is an easy and inexpensive meal to make for large crowds. You could hold a hot dog or even taco fundraising event also. Both of these are relatively easy and low cost as well.
• Plan entertainment for the event. Try to find a choir or local band to perform patriotic songs, or hire a magician or comedian for dinner entertainment.
• Don't put PVC holders in place without input from the homeowner.