Background...
In brainstorming ways to ask the people in our lives to donate to MS4BCV, we found ourselves trying to overcome two major barriers: 1) asking people (students and professionals alike) to donate money in a time of economic instability and 2) asking our fellow medical students to find extra money in their already tight budgets to donate to our cause.
We thought a lot about our mission and the children we are serving and were struck by the realization that even in times of economical strife here in the US, we still carry on lives filled with comfort and luxury. The costs of gas and groceries are high but we never go without our cars or food on our tables. Inflation is driving up the price of the everyday items we use and yet we rarely find our basic needs unmet. Heating our homes is more expensive than ever yet none of us can remember the last time we shivered through a night of sleep.
By comparison, the children treated in the Viedma Burn Center and other such clinics around the globe wake up every morning into a world lacking not only luxuries but also basic items of everyday living. Not only do they never experience the joys of travel, the luxury of personal transportation, or expensive new clothes, but many have never spent a night in a warm bed, had healthy food on the table every night, or been provided educational materials from which to learn.
The Challenge...
This reality, coupled with the two barriers we sought to overcome, led us to devise the "Give the Life of Luxury" fundraiser. In this effort, we are challenging you to do the following:
Identify one or more items of luxury in your life that you can live without over a period of three weeks. Keep track of how much money you would have spent on these items and at a convenient time, donate it securely at www.firstgiving.org/msforbcv.
By participating, you will likely feel the "pinch" of a life lived with less luxury, a feeling that we hope will help you better relate to the lives of poverty so many children across the globe endure every day. Even in this time of economic instability, it is important for us to keep a fresh perspective and remember how lucky we are to live such luxurious everyday lives.
A Few Ideas...
- The following are a few suggestions to get you thinking:
- Brewing coffee at home instead of buying it
- Passing on your monthly manicure or pedicure
- Watching a movie on TV instead of going to the theaters
- Eating dinner at home instead of going to a restaurant
- Ironing your clothes at home instead of sending them to the cleaners
- Passing on a weekend trip and finding something fun to do around home instead
- Doing without that new pair of shoes you want but really don’t need
About those barriers...
Giving up a luxury item in your life will hopefully free up a little extra money in your budget, allowing you to make a donation without feeling a “pinch” financially. We have set up a website ( www.firstgiving.org/msforbcv/ ) to make donating as easy as possible and to serve as the information commons for this community-driven fundraiser. We urge you to leave your thoughts and/or a short description about the luxury item you are going without so that other participants may adopt your good ideas and expand on them.
The Prizes...
We have received unprecedented support from local businesses and restaurants, all of which want to help us reward our donors for their sacrifices and kind contributions. Each business has donated a gift certificate for a “luxury” item or service, and you are eligible for a variety of prizes based on the amount of your donation. You must first make a donation at www.firstgiving.org/msforbcv and then register for the raffle at www.ms4bcv.org/raffle.html. The following prizes will be raffled:
- $20 G.C. to Holey Dough Cafe
- $25 G.C. to The Fresh Market
- $25 G.C. to Columbia Cleaners Dry Cleaning
- $25 G.C. to Columbia Cleaners Dry Cleaning
- $30 G.C. to Nonnah’s Specialty Coffees & Desserts
- $50 G.C. to Tranquil Moments Day Spa & Boutique
- $50 G.C. to Adriana’s Café and Gelateria
- $50 G.C. to Mary Boutique
- $50 G.C. to Flying Saucer
- 3 month membership to Hampton Hill Athletic Club
- Haircut/Style at Clines Salon (April Williams) - $65 value
- $75 G.C. to Handpicked
- $75 G.C. to Travinia’s Italian Kitchen
- $75 G.C. to Travinia’s Italian Kitchen
- $100 G.C. to Mo Mo’s Bistro
- $100 G.C. to Queenstown Bistro
- $100 G.C. to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse + 1 night’s stay at the Hilton in downtown Columbia
For terms and conditions, the minimum donation to be eligible for each prize, and to register (*required), please visit www.ms4bcv.org/raffle.html.
The Cause...
Every dollar donated will be used to purchase blankets, stuffed animals, toys, educational tools, and games for the children treated in the Viedma Hospital Children’s Burn Center in Cochabamba, Bolivia. To us, these items are simply a part of our everyday lives; however, to the children recovering in the burn center, they are luxuries that will bring joy to their lives and soften the road to recovery.
Should we meet our goal of $10,000 (and we are confident that we will), a great deal of money will be left over after all of the luxury items for the children are purchased. This will be combined with the money we raised in our Christmas Scarf Sale and will be put towards enhancing the operational and medical capabilities in the burn center. We will assess what is needed in the operating rooms and physical therapy department meet once we have a better idea of the amount of money we have available to donate.
We sincerely thank you for your support of MS4BCV and The Life of Luxury Fundraiser. Your participation and donations will help us give these children the lives of luxury that they truly deserve!
