Summary
The SOS Rice Appeal, launched by the Father Ray Foundation of Pattaya, Thailand, takes place at the beginning of December each year, traditionally around the birthday of the late King. All the big local supermarkets take part, although it took a while to convince them that they would actually make money out of the appeal, as people buy extra food items which they then donate to the Father Ray teams outside the shop. The appeal is heavily promoted. A few weeks before the appeal the foundation starts to advertise in the local Thai and English language media, making sure that everyone knows about it. During the year they have many articles in the local papers with stories about the children and students. Apart from that they are on radio and TV as well. So when the appeal is launched, people remember the foundation's name and/or the stories and will want to contribute. At each store children and volunteers (mostly western, as this attracts the attention of passers-by) are handing out leaflets and asking shoppers to put an extra bag of rice in their shopping basket to donate to the children.
Tips and lessons learned
The SOS Rice Appeal and the Soccer tournament of the same organisation, also described in the Local Fundraising examples, are examples of successful fundraising campaigns. The Father Ray Foundation has also organised events that have not been successful. They noticed the successful ones are those where they have involved the members of the community and made sure that everyone feels included and worthwhile.
Review by Wilde Ganzen Foundation
This annual campaign to collect food for the children in the care of the Father Ray Foundation is very successful. This is undoubtedly due to three strong points: the first is the amount of promotion, not only around the time of the appeal, but throughout the year. The Father Ray Foundation is careful not to ask for money in the newspaper articles about their work. They want to create an atmosphere where people actually want to donate. In the second place the appeal is personal. Children and volunteers hand out leaflets and explain why they are asking for an extra bag of rice or other non-perishable food items. And finally the campaign is repeated every year.
Details
Short description of the organisation the funds were raised for
The Father Ray Foundation in Pattaya, Thailand, takes care op 850 orphaned, abused and disadvantaged children and students with disabilities. The Father Ray Foundation provides a home, an education, nutritious meals, medical assistance and the opportunity for these children and students to reach their full potential and become independent and decent members of society. All services are provided free of charge, which is made possible by the generosity of the foundation's supporters and sponsors. The Father Ray Foundation was named after Father Raymond Brennan, an American priest who lived and worked in Thailand from right after his ordination till his death in 2003. It was in Pattaya that he became ‘father’ to hundreds of orphaned babies, neglected children and abused teenagers. He became a hero to many people living with a disability; he gave them an education, and the confidence to hold their heads high and be equals in society.
Short description of the project or programme the funds were raised for
The annual SOS Rice Appeal, launched by the Father Ray Foundation of Pattaya, Thailand, is meant to ensure that their blind students, the children with special needs and the vocational students with disabilities will have enough food so they can concentrate on their studies. It also helps feed the toddlers who attend the Father Ray Day Care Center and who receive a nutritious breakfast on arrival. Donations will also mean the residents of the Father Ray Children’s Home, Children’s Village and the Drop-In Center never go to bed feeling hungry. The Father Ray Foundation uses 75.000 kgs of rice each year. During the appeal they also collect cooking oil, salt, sugar, fish sauce, canned fish and dried noodles.
Objectives
To collect food items and donations for the purchase of food, in order to feed the children that participate in the various projects of the Father Ray Foundation.
Targeted donors
General public.
Results
| Cost/benefit |
National currency (Baht |
Euro |
| Total amount raised |
0 |
0 |
| (-) Total amount invested |
0 |
0 |
| Net amount raised |
0 |
0 |
Description of preparatory work
Publicity throughout the year - papers, radio, television.
Mobilise students and volunteers for the teams that promote the appeal outside each participating shop.
Prepare collection boxes for the cash donations.
Starting in September: contact with participating shops.
Follow up: Donor appreciation and acknowledgement
At the end of the appeal the Father Ray Foundation presents certificates to the managers of the shops which participated.
Plans to repeat the action
The SOS Rice Appeal is an annual campaign.
