How to Organize a Charity Benefit Auction and Dinner

With so many Americans having no health insurance there is becoming more and more of a need to have charity benefits in effort to raise money to help sick members of the community pay medical expenses. Organizing such a charity event can take a bit of hard work but it is well worth it to know that you have helped out a friend and neighbor in need. Below are a few tips for planning a charity benefit dinner and auction.

Instructions

1. The first step in planning a charity benifit is to recruit help. You are undertaking a big job in organizing such an event and you will need the help of other volunteers. Call upon friends, neighbors, co workers, church acquaintances, and such of the person or family that you wish to host the benifit for.

2. 

   Once you have your help lined up call an organizational meeting. Get together and discuss planning of the benifit. Take the time to listen to every one's ideas and suggestions. You know the old saying "two heads are better than one". In this case several heads will surely boost productivity of the benefit auction. You want to be as well planned and organized as you can so that you can raise as much money for the person or family as possible.

3. 

   You will need to locate a building in which to hold the benifit. The building needs to be large enough to accommodate several people and should have a kitchen area. Some possibilities include a church or community center. Do aim for an indoor event. Hosting a benifit outdoors is not a good idea as inclimate weather can cause you to have to cancel after putting forth so much effort to plan.

4. 

   You need to plan a dinner menu. Chili is a simple meal to prepare for large numbers of people but Chili suppers seem to be a big hit at community events. Perhaps serve chili with crackers, a grilled cheese sandwich and a homemade dessert. You can call upon the ladies of the community to donate homemade cakes, pies, and brownies.

5. As for the after dinner auction you will need to gather donations of items in which to auction. Ask your volunteer organizers to help you visit all area businesses. Ask store owners and managers if they would be willing to donate items to for the charity auction. Stores can donate merchandise or services. Hair salons may choose to donate a certificate for a free haircut, restaurants can donate a free meal, a tire shop may donate a free tire rotation. Certificates for free services auction as well as tangible goods. Be sure to take proof the charity auction with you. Unfortunately business have been scammed so often that many may be Leary of donating without proof of where their donations are actually going.

6. The charity event needs to be well advertised. Print fliers and post them everywhere you can think of. Hand a flier out to each of the businesses you ask for donations. Ask them if you can post one on a store window or door. Ask church pastors to announce the auction during Sunday services, word of mouth is sometimes the best form of advertisement. Place and add in local newspapers. Often newspapers will run a charity benifit add free of charge. With the right amount of planning and advertising the charity benifit auction and dinner should raise a nice amount of money to help the person or persons in need.