How to Start a Welcome Wagon

Start a welcome wagon to welcome people to town.

A welcome wagon is a wagon, basket or other container filled with donated items and coupons from area businesses. The person in charge of the welcome wagon gathers donations from local businesses and distributes them to people moving into a town or neighborhood. A welcome wagon is a wonderful way to get to know new people, and it goes a long way toward helping new families feel welcome.

Instructions

1. Make a list of the types of items that you want to include in your welcome wagon. Depending on what's available in your community, consider restaurant savings or gift certificates, coupons for items at the grocery store, items from local churches, and items such as pens or calendars from banks and medical or dental offices.

2. Call or visit the businesses you'll be asking to donate an item to your welcome wagon. Explain what you're doing and point out the benefits to them: New residents to your town will be looking for a grocery store, bank, dental office and church, and having an item or coupon in their welcome wagon basket may prompt them to contact the businesses represented. Ask the business owner to think it over and set a time to call or stop in for their decision.

3. Collect the items for your welcome wagon, and place one of each item in a wagon, basket or tote bag. Place extra items in a closet or box in your home for more new neighbors.

4. Ask friends and people in town to let you know when new families move into their neighborhoods. When you hear of new people in town, send them a letter or card with an invitation for them to call you for their welcome wagon. Alternatively, you can stop by with the wagon all ready for them.

5. Keep good relations with the businesses that have donated to your welcome wagon. As more people move into town, you'll be using up your items and will want to ask the businesses to consider donating again. Ask them if your welcome wagon has brought new customers to their place of business.

6. Ask the recipients of the welcome wagons for feedback. Find out which items were useful and which were not. Ask if they used any of the represented businesses and if they would recommend them to a friend.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider including a card with your gift that says, "Tell local businesses that you were referred by the welcome wagon." This will let business owners know that their contributions have helped their company gain new customers.