|
Sporting
Events & Festivals
Coffee
Giveaway
On a cool day, you'll have people swarming for a cup of something
hot. Offer regular, decaf and hot chocolate. Use either Igloo containers,
air pump thermoses, or better yet, one of our coffee backpacks.
You'll need three or four people to help give away coffee for each big
canister. With each drink, we give out a connection
card and have paper cups with our name and logo.
Soft
Drink Giveaways
"Hi, would you like regular or diet?" This is our
standard opening to bless folks with a small act of kindness on a hot
day. And it works!
We set up at grocery store entrances with large coolers filled with
ice and drinks. (Small home-use coolers usually are too small for this.)
We've purchased the mega Igloos that hold over 100 cans with ice. We
usually buy name brand drinks instead of the cheaper stuff. Our connection
cards on this one are coated to be water and wilt resistant. The
card goes under the opener — affectionately referred to as "card
holders."
At sporting events, the fans all come at once and leave the same way;
so be prepared to be swamped.
A courtesy note: Sometimes a location will conflict with vendors
selling what you are giving away. It's best to move before they approach
you. Some of the most irate critics we've run into have been vendors
who conclude we are trying to put them out of business. The answer:
Move to a location away from vendors. In extreme cases we ask the vendor
how much he anticipates losing by our presence. We then give him that
amount in cash.
Popcorn
Either make bags of popcorn before you get there or rent/purchase
your own carnival style and do it on the spot. You will draw more of
a crowd with the machine on hand.
Popsicles
Inexpensive. Requires dry ice. Takes several days to freeze
solidly. Works well in county parks on hot summer days. The "Mr.
Freeze" push up kind are the easiest to distribute and the least
messy.
Windshield
Washing
This was one of our first projects when we first started
serving years ago. It's a perennial favorite, and we still do it just
about every weekend.
The materials list is short and inexpensive: a good squeegee, a wiping
rag, a connection card and windshield
cleaner. (We recommend you not use Windex style cleaner – ask your
car parts store what they recommend). If it's too hot (above 85°F)
or too cold (below freezing), you might end up making a dirty windshield
even worse.
If you are doing this at random in a parking lot, don't wash high-end
cars. Their owners are unlikely to see your service as helpful. Car
alarms? If you accidentally set one off, finish cleaning, and move on.
We've set off plenty. They will reset themselves shortly.
Peanuts
With most food giveaways, people are generally not comfortable
with unsealed items. Check around for sources on this one. You should
be able to find small bags that cost less than a quarter.
Sunglasses
(cheap ones!)
Have you ever left home for a sporting event only to forget
your sunglasses? Many sporting events attendees experience this every
weekend. We have purchased large quantities of sunglasses for as little
as a quarter a pair.
Hand
Cleaning Towelettes
On a Friday afternoon, when the heat is on, who doesn't need
a little refreshment on the drive home. Instead of giving away a soft
drink, offer them a towelette.
Freshen-up
Packs (mints & towelettes)
At sporting events, festivals and public places it's difficult
to wash hands. A moist towelette is a practical, small gift. Package
a few with some starlight mints and make a "freshen-up" pack.
See cards for special connection card.
Towelettes can be printed with your church name and logo and only cost
about 1¢ per towelette. Mints are around 2¢ - total cost per
packet 6¢.
Trash
Pick Up
There is lots of trash to pick up at festivals and sports
events. Buy garbage bags, wear matching T-shirts, and pick up trash.
People will notice this act of servanthood. Equipment: plastic gloves,
sign — "Kindness in Progress" and T-shirts
Bottled
Water Giveaway
Many people prefer water to soft drinks. Ice down bottles
of water in Igloo coolers for an alternative to Coke giveaways. Use
the same drink connection cards. We
don't recommend combining this with a soda giveaway because it offers
too many options and gets complicated.
Glow
in the Dark Necklaces / Bracelets
These are a hit! They run about $1.00 each, so they're a
more expensive but effective touch!
           
|
