We just had our DwD event and it was very well attended with about 450 folks, 1000 donuts and close to 200 cups of coffee and 14 gallons of milk and orange juice consumed. I wanted to pass along some comments for anyone else considering this...
Consider a 2 day event. We had to rent tables at the last minute to give everyone seats. These, from what I read on these boards, are always popular.
Consider what you will do with the children once they've eaten their donut. We had chess games and cards available for dads and children which turned out very nice.
We also told the dads to bring a game if those didn't get them excited.
We had 2 serving stations with everything and a third station with coffee for the refills. Use smaller coffee cups so you don't waste it and make sure the coffee is done or you will have a bunch of miserable dads. If you have to make more...only make half pots...they brew quicker and usually folks are winding down.
In your flier, emphasize that the parents are required to stay with their children until they are released. Some dads thought after the initial donut we might be a day care for them as they popped off to work.
Check out Krispy Kreme--they will give you a 10 percent discount if you buy donuts for a "fundraiser". We did that and then sold left overs for 3 dollars a dozen. Broke even on those. We used KK for half and then another company for the other half so that we could have variety.
LOTS of garbage bags. This is a very refuse producing event.
Have some sort of music playing (we had Alabama). Contributes to the atmosphere.
Have little donuts for the itty bitties that may come. It will happen.
Consider setting up a photo station so dads can get their picutres done with their children. We did for 2 dollars a piece and the money went to the tech club that ran the event.
Have a location designated for backpacks and coats and then release children by grades to get their stuff for class. It is a lot more controlled.
Encourage carpooling and make sure you have a disclaimer that your intent is not to provide a well rounded breakfast...but to give parents a chance to interact at school with their children.
Hmmm - I think that covers it. This was a very nice event and we're looking forward to muffins with moms.
