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    Pastors, Parents, & Youth Ministry Leaders,

This Memo Is for those of you concerned about the families that may not be able to afford the $75.00 Registration for their young people. We Do Understand that $75.00 may be a lot for some families, especially if there are 2 or 3 kids to pay for. We made this year's Youth Summit one day shorter than last year, which brought the cost down from $95 to $75.

Unless your Ministry is sending only a few young people, or the church has a Large Budget; don't try to pay everyone's registration out of the "Church Budget".  Some churches see the registration fee and decide immediately that that can't afford to send all their youth. (and if they can't send all of them; they won't send any of them). Here are some ways we have helped our youth without "Breaking the Church Budget".

Some Suggestions for Raising Funds:
1.) Allow the Parents/Guardians) to pay $20.00 a month for their child. (For 4 months: Feb - May)
     (If they plan and sacrifice a pizza here and a burger there, they can afford it.)
      (Paying In Installments helps to relieve Paying in large "Lump Sums")

2.) Get other Adults & Church members to Sponsor a Child for $15.00 a month.
    (Some people without Children can make Donations to support the Cause.)
     (Sponsors will help take the financial pressure off struggling families.)

3.) Combine suggestions 1 & 2: Get parents to cover half of the fee ($35.00) and a sponsor to cover the other half.

4.) Receive Donations or Pledges.

5.) Do Group Fund Raisers: (Youth Groups)
     *Pancake Breakfast. ( McDonalds, Applebee's)
     *Car Wash. (Spring/Summer) Sonic, Wal-Mart, Gas Stations or find a business on a busy intersection in your city that will support your cause. This also gives the youth a chance to Work towards their goal.

     *Fund raiser money could cover Rental Vehicles, Gas, or purchasing items from the youth summit.
       (Guest speaker or music guest may have a product table available).

6.) Ask your Pastor if the congregation can give offerings towards the youth ministry trip.

7.) The money raised during group fund raisers should go toward those who participate in the fund raiser.  If fund raiser money can cover a certain amount per Youth, you will be able to give the parents a lesser balance to pay. (for Example: if I have 10 youth that raise $500.00, that money can cover $50.00 per youth and parents would only need to pay $25.00 per youth towards the registration fee.)

8.) Encourage Youth to Give towards themselves. (Many of them will get money for Allowance, Birthdays, and/or Jobs)

9.) These are just simple ideas that have worked for us, feel free to use or alter them to fit your ministry needs. Be Creative, Be Diligent, Stay Consistent, and Don't Quit. Seek God for effective fund raising ideas for your group. In The End It's All Worth It!

Be Not Weary In Well Doing,
Darrell D. Kelly, Youth Pastor