Fundraising
Lifestart Foundation relies on funding donated to us by individuals from around the world. It’s work would not be possible without the people who donate and organise fundraising events on our behalf. Some examples of previous fundraisers are included below – both to say thank you to the the people that gave up their time to organise them and hopefully to give others ideas on what they could do to help.
Plant & Craft Sales in Victoria Australia
Following trips to Vietnam Susan Myers and Helen Rush decided they wanted to do something to help the disabled people who they had met there. They were impressed with the positive outlook the disabled women had shown and the lack of self-pity in the face of such adversity. Helen organised a plant sale at her home in Mornington, and then continued the sales in Susans home as it was closer to Melbourne. They raised enough money to pay for the rent on the original Lifestart Foundation Workshop at 127 Phan Chau Trinh. The sales expanded to include chutneys, crafts made by the disabled women in Vietnam, tea and coffee and cakes and scones. Susan and Helen are both committed to the success of the work of Lifestart Foundation and helping in the best way they can.
Tips that they would give to others interested in setting up their own sales include that people are always interested in tasty homemade food and that plants help bring in those interested in gardening. They also suggest to think about the ambiance of the setting to make sure the day is a pleasant experience for all of your guests.
Christmas Wine and Mince-pies in Suffolk, UK
Teresa Williams and Sonya Long organised a Christmas party for friends and family at Teresa’s home in Suffolk in December 2010. Everyone had a really fun evening. Nearly everyone arrived on foot as it had been snowing – Teresa had never had so many coats and boots in the place. They sold products from the Lifestart Foundation workshop which that people could give as Christmas presents and also accepted donations to take back to Vietnam.
Massage and Pamper Nights in Australia
Angie has organised numerous activities to fundraise for Lifestart Foundation. These include two ‘Massage and Pamper Nights’ where guests paid $20 to attend and enjoyed champagne and nibbles through the evening. She also organised a Bush Dance which was a great success. Other fundraising activities organised include babysitting, making and selling soft toys and donating activities to the Lifestart Foundation Annual Dinner Dance. In total the amount raised to date is around $25,000 AUD. The group also created a blog to help with their fundraising efforts.
Classical Music Concert in Melbourne, Australia
This classical music concert was organised by Pam Smart to raise money for an educational scholarship. Three very talented musicians, David Pereira and Bonnie Smart on cello and Amir Farid on piano, performed pieces such as Chanson de Matin and Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix (from Samson and Delilah.) As well as donating all entry costs to Lifestart Foundation they also had a stall selling products from the Lifestart Foundation Workshop.
The musicians who willingly donated their time gave the audience a wonderful experience. Amir’s competition successes include the prestigious Australian National Piano Award. Bonnie was a scholarship holder in the Australian National Academy of Music’s Advanced Performance Program and is now Director of Studies in Music at Trinity College. During the last thirty years David has established himself as an outstandingly versatile cellist with appointments to top professional positions.
Mid-Winter Dinner in Waiheke Island, New Zealand
Trisha and Robin organised a dinner with friends and family in June 2010. They thought of many ways to fundraise but wanted something that was both easy and fun! Everyone bought a dish of food, a bottle of wine and $20. Mulled wine was provided by the hosts. The money from the day and that donated by those who were not able to attend was matched by Trisha and Robin and used to fund an educational scholarship for a young girl in Hoi An. They were able to meet the student when they came over and Trisha volunteered in the Lifestart Foundation Workshop.
Selling Hand-made Journals Online
In March 2010 E Bond produced fifty exclusive hand-made journals for sale which she promoted through the (no name) Art Group of which she is a member. E was planning her trip to volunteer for Lifestart Foundation in Hoi An training workshop members to make new products and needed to fundraise to be able to afford the trip over. She sold lots of the journals and these helped towards her travel costs. She was able to teach workshop members the new products she had designed helping them to learn new skills as well as develop a sustainable income stream to support themselves and their families.
Production of Oliver at Australian International School, Singapore
As part of the community service program at the Australian International School Singapore, the annual Secondary Drama Production raises money each year to make a charity donation. We explore the issues raised through each performance and endeavour to select a charity connected to these issues. In 2010 they performed the stage musical ‘Oliver’ with a cast of over 60 students. One of the issues this amazing production explores is the impact limited education had on children in the 19th century. With this in mind, they were drawn to the Lifestart Foundation in Vietnam and their support of education programs for underprivileged Vietnamese children.
One of the organisers was fortunate enough to visit the Lifestart Foundation Workshop in Hoi An 2010 year and after conversing with Karen was convinced that this was an appropriate choice. The students enjoyed staging the production and our Year 5 students, who visited our technical rehearsal and made a gold coin donation, were very happy with the contribution they were able to make. Donating to Lifestart Foundation made their Senior Drama Production all the more worthwhile.
Karen Partington, Curriculum Leader Drama and Productions, Australian International School Singapore
Memory Portraits in Philadelphia, USA
In November 2008 Sherry Berger, founder of (no-name) Art Group organised an art exhibition of original portraits of the original members of the Lifestart Foundation workshop. Many disabled adults living in Vietnam have faced incredible challenges throughout their lives. These memory portraits not only help honor their heritage and identity, but provide the women with a sense of support from other women around the world. The portraits created by the group were hand-delivered to the ladies in Hoi An. You can view more pictures of the event on the (no-name) Art Groups site.
Trivia & Auction Night Followed by Sponsored Cycle Ride in Vietnam
As soon as Peta heard there was going to be a charity bike ride through Vietnam for Lifestart Foundation she was on board straight away. I had never really ridden a bike for any long distances but would be part of the fun. The harder part was that we had to raise $10,000 to participate (for her and her partner Simon). Being a local and also having a small business I started the ball rolling with selling Cadbury chocolates to all my clients.
Then Peta decided to organise a Trivia and Auction Night. She started by asking everyone she knew that was in business for donations for the night. It was quite heart warming the number of generous people who wanted to donate. Then with the wonders of the internet Peta emailed every possible tourist attraction/business she could think of. She got some great donations, like a walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, just by asking!
Peta was also lucky enough to have her photo in the local newspaper and to be invited to speak on the local ABC radio station. This exposure was not only great for the fundraising night but for Lifestart Foundation and the wonderful work Karen has done in Hoi An. There was a lot of work involved on the actual night of the Trivia and Auction night, but with the 120+ people who turned up and supported the event it was a huge success with $10,000 raised.
Peta’s reward at the very end was that she was proposed to in front of the whole cycling group. Now two years later they are married with a beautiful little five month old girl. Peta and Simon are looking forward to hopefully taking her over to Hoi An so she can meet everyone.