Like many mothers, Allison George's children are
often recruited (er, asked) to participate in various fundraising
efforts, which means the general manager of Toad Valley Golf Course in
Pleasant Hill, Iowa, often finds herself pushing magazine subscriptions
or wrapping paper.
Several years ago, however, George decided to turn that model
on its head. Rather than asking the elementary kids to sell cookies or
candy bars, she suggested they raffle off numbered golf balls for $5
each. The person whose ball was dropped from a helicopter and landed
closest to the center of a bulls-eye painted on Toad Valley's driving
range would win $100 and a foursome of golf.
"We sold $2,500 [worth of balls] the first year and
$6,000 the second year," says George, who hopes to hit the $15,000 mark
this year. "The community is catching on, so I don't think it will be a
problem reaching my goal."
The ball drop is generating more than excitement and
goodwill; it's also creating new business. On an investment of $300 for
the helicopter rental, George is realizing approximately $700 in
concessions sales during the event. She's also booked four new
fundraising tournaments being spearheaded by parents who see what Toad
Valley is doing for the school and want to give back.
"The event itself isn't a big moneymaker, but the ability to market my facility is priceless in my mind," George says.