Readers.

Here's a bit of shameless pandering.  I am searching high and low for raffle prize donations.  Can you help?  Any item large or small -- a candle, a CD, a tee shirt or mug promoting your company/organization -- all will be put to good use.

My program is sponsoring one of Pittsburgh?s few vegetarian events on Tuesday, June 16, 2009.  The event will include a meal with vegan options (entr?e, salad, beverages and dessert) for $10.00/person.  We hope that this unique fundraiser will help us raise funds for our community social activities, including a 2010 trip to Ocean City, for our program consumers who most often live on very small fixed incomes.  These activities help us keep people engaged in the community and focused on managing their mental illness rather than isolating which can lead to more serious health concerns. 

 Clearly, we?d love you to come to our fundraiser!  The meal will be delicious and it is quite a bargain for $10.00! 

I am asking for your support in another way.  We are trying to have a random raffle to help us meet our goal.  Would you be able to donate an item that we can include in one of our baskets?  It can be as simple as a knickknack, candle, pot holder or other craft item.  We?d also love to put together theme baskets that might appeal to our vegetarian crowd ? a pet basket, perhaps a vegetarian dinner kit, or even a ?night on the town? basket.  We?ve had a nice response from our business partners, but the economy is tough. So I?m asking you personally if you can donate something small ? maybe a modest gift card from your favorite veggie restaurant, coffee shop or movie passes.  Perhaps even a copy of your favorite vegetarian cookbook.  I?ve had a couple of tee shirts and mugs donated which is also very helpful ? maybe your employer has a bit of ?swag? that you can share with us.

Your support will make a difference for the individuals we serve through our community activities programs.  You will also be supporting the vegetarian lifestyle and promoting an alternative twist to the very popular Spaghetti Dinner/Pancake Breakfast traditions. 

I really appreciate your consideration.  Your donation will be tax deductible and acknowledged in our event program (which will double as a vegetarian resource guide) and the agency newsletter. 

On behalf of Community Human Services, thank you for your support!  Hope to see you on June 16.

Thanks for your help!