Fundraising

We have this office in downtown Lehighton known as the Democratic Information Center.  Rent is $400 a month plus utilities, which can vary from $300 in the winter to $50 in the summer.  We also pay $35 a month for the front window.  The office is used by Democratic Party volunteers, the Carbon County Labor Chapter, and any Democratic Party club that needs a meeting space.

The D.I.C., as it is informally known, receives no funds from the County party.  It’s run on contributions from supporters who by this point are pretty much tapped out. We have enough funds to last us through September. We are faced with the problem confronting almost all community, volunteer, and local political groups--where do we get more funds?  

We’ve discussed selling candy, holding an art show, throwing a jewelry party, and organizing a yard sale.  We looked at the Hometown Farmers’ Market, which provides booths for flea market-type sales, but it is too huge, you have to be there at 6 a.m., and we really didn’t think we’d make much money. 

We will be looking at the Mahoning Farmers’ Market and the one in downtown Lehighton, and we also discussed just holding a yard sale.  They seem rather popular in this area.  

If you have any ideas, we are open to suggestions.  (I’m one of the members of the D.I.C. steering committee.)