Striking Chords & Sparking Change

Elizabeth Andrasi & Oliver ThomaAFIL 2011

Project Vision

Increase awareness and engagement among our peers about the needs of orphans in Russia.Create an opportunity for our peers to actively contribute to meeting the needs of orphans in Russia.

Why Orphans?

Why Orphans?Elizabeth’s testimony and heart for orphans: serving in Buckner sponsored orphanages in St. Petersburg, Russia.Oliver’s passion for orphans: participating in charity races and grandmother’s past. His grandmother was in an orphanage during the Great Depression when her widowed mother could not afford to raise two children.

Implementation

Goal: Promote awareness of the desperate needs of orphans in Russia, and raise money to meet those needs.Platform: Use a concert to facilitate an opportunity for direct participation.

StrategyHost a concert in partnership with a MugWalls on April 8, 2011. Utilize personal contacts to create a low-cost concert.Create a sellable brand (e.g. bracelets and t-shirts) as a means of fundraising.$500 Fundraising Goal.

BudgetPosters: $16

Bracelets: $85

First Baptist Church of Bryan Sponsorship: $100

Musicians (x3): Free

Popular Coffee Shop Venue: Free

Technical Equipment: Free (Donation)

Enjoying music while serving orphans: Priceless

SuccessesAttendance: 100+ over 2.5 hour concert event.Total Funds Raised: $350.Positive feedback on increased orphan awareness.

Challenges

ChallengesProject Development: narrowing the vision and focus of the concert.Logistical concerns on event night:

Faulty projector

Competing with cross town events

Extension cord arrived late

Could have advertised more: only 10 people at concert’s start

SustainabilityEmail addresses taken at concert for donors to track the flow of donations to the orphans at Buckner orphanages in St. Petersburg, Russia.Sellable Brand that could be continued in the future.Simple platform that could be used in the future to address orphan needs in other parts of the world.Selling bracelets and t-shirts at Kyle Field Day on April 30 to meet our $500 goal.