Month: August 2004

Splashed across the cover of this past weekend’s edition of the Sunday newspaper supplement, USA Weekend, was a story on “How Your Wedding Can Make a Difference,” introducing engaged couples to the “concept of weaving a dose of altruism into nuptials as a way to launch a couple’s married life with special purpose.” Apparently, according to the article, more than 2,000 couples have already registered with the Washington, D.C.-based I Do Foundation, magnanimously adding philanthropy to their wedding day vows. It’s the “pay it forward” principle, really – a novel, noble idea rearing its beautiful, benevolent head in stark contrast to the traditional wedding registry. Let’s see, you can either shell out for another toaster oven, coffee maker, stainless steel colander or five-speed blender for a bride and groom who…

Like Two Sticks Rubbed TogetherWednesday, August 11, 2004 – Coinciding with last weekend’s Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), a 192-mile bike ride for charity involving nearly 4,000 cyclists, the August 8th edition of the Boston Sunday Globe ran a timely, insightful article on the growing popularity of pledge-based fundraising events. Such sponsored “athons,” as the Globe referred to them, make up a “$1 billion industry,” according to the newspaper, and apparently the PMC people are the leaders of the pack.“No other athletic event raises or contributes more money to charity than the PMC,” proclaims the organization’s Web site. “Since 1980, thousands of PMC cyclists have raised more than $102 million for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund.”Good for them. And good for those on the receiving…

Two Ways to Raise a Dollar for the DNCTuesday, August 3, 2004 – I could have sworn I saw John Kerry wearing one of Lance Armstrong's yellow wristbands on one of his televised campaign stops just prior to touching down in Boston for the Democratic National Convention. Good for him. Not that he needs it, but such strength by association certainly can’t hurt.Coincidentally, like Lance, John also knows a thing or two – literally – about timing a direct mail drop. Because less than 48 hours after he accepted the nomination on the floor of the FleetCenter, my wife, Barbara, and I were on the receiving end of not one, but two direct mail appeals from this indefatigable presidential candidate for campaign contributions to the Democratic National Committee.One of these…