This may sound nuts, but also it makes a difference to choose the right person to make a phone call, and to PROOFREAD any letters going out. A nice speaking voice (with just enough buttkissing) will get you alot further than someone who sounds like they EXPECT something for nothing. I speak from experience!
I can't beleive how many great ideas are out here for this stuff, it's definately time to start cranking out letters for next year! We had a local dairy donate all of the ice cream for our ice cream social.OH and National Coney Island gave us hot dogs and chili and Pepsi was great about sending pop, bottled water and chips for a family event.We charged $1.25/meal for them and made a great profit!

Well, I'm new here but I do have some positive donation responses for you:

Ripley's Aquarium
1110 Celebrity Circle Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

Carowinds
P.O. Box 410289 Charlotte NC 28241

Walt Disney World
P.O. Box 10000 Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
Just send a donation letter 6-8 weeks in advance

Kings Dominion
P.O. Box 2000 Doswell, VA 23047-2000

Tweetsie Railroad
P.O. Box 388 Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
c/o I.C. Donations 30 Community Dr So. Burlington, VT 05403

Any NASCAR driver, just look on their fan pages for an address for an autograph and most of them will send a stock 8x10 picture signed. Most of them you have to send a self addressed, self stamped 9x11 envelope and they will mail it back. This is best done at the beginning of the season. The more popular drivers, like Dale Jr. (yeah #8), Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon (boo, hiss), it is a hit or miss thing as they get so many request. Most of the new and up and coming drivers, Kasey Kahne, Martin Truex, Jr., Kyle Bush and so on are pretty easy to get. Also try the Busch drivers and the Craftsman Truck drivers, they are really easy to get.

Most of our donations come from good old fashion foot work. I take my kids, ages 10, 8, and 5, to the stores, restuarants, movie theaters,etc. and they ask for the donations. Do you know how hard it is to turn down a child versus an adult?
They always like to see what they can get.

M & M's mom- Could you post or email me the addresses you wrote to in order to receive the great responses you got? Especially Disney World!
Thanks.l

A few weeks ago I received an autographed football (transferred signatures) from the 2004 Green Bay Packers players and coaches to use for our silent auction. Address is:
Donations
Green Bay Packers
P.O. Box 10628
Green Bay, WI 54307-0628
via fax 920-569-7302

Must include letter on organization's letterhead, 501(c)(3), info about and date of charitable event, complete shipping address other than a P.O. Box, and contact person's name, phone and e-mail address.

Another item I'm excited about and have heard others express excitement for is I requested a ZOOM Whitening treatment from a local dentist office...$500 value! I can't wait to see what our items bring!

Good luck!
Tracy

Hey, contact your local orthodonist. Ours donated a full treatment for a child or adult for braces. It was valued at $4,300. This was huge for one item! We got $3,000 for it.

Most of the Pro fessioanl sports teams have information under a community invovlement link on their website with instructions on how to request items (once per yr, location restictions)
here's an example Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim request item :cool: