Looking for a twist for your holiday donation drive? A Pack the Sack Campaign could do the trick!

A Pack the Sack Campaign is like having a ‘reverse Santa’ at a Christmas party. The Santa would be on hand at an event to fill up his giant red bag with donations for your nonprofit, instead of passing out gifts. Encourage event goers or shoppers at a mall to bring in donated items to “pack the sack” for Santa to deliver to the rescue/ humane society. This could be used as a ‘launch party’ for the annual Home 4 the Holidays adoption event, or in conjunction with a holiday open house, wish/ memorial tree or other holiday event. Encourage people to bring donations to help the animals during the holiday season!

Many non profits host a “cram the van” or other donation drives for back to school programs or food banks. A “Pack the Sack” would fit wonderfully with the holiday season. This same idea is used outside the “Today Show” on NBC where celebrities hold giant red sacks and collect new toys brought to the plaza by the crowd members.

This event would work wonderfully at office Christmas parties, Sunday school gatherings, school parties, or other events around Christmas or Hanukkah. People are in such a giving mood during the holidays, and by pulling at the heartstrings with stories of needy animals and successful missions, the purse strings open a little bit wider. If possible, send out a list of most needed items in advance to your community to drum up support for the donations and for the event! Start off by placing them under the tree, or by filling one red sack at a time until you can load up Santa’s sleigh/ sled full of bags of toys, treats, pillows, food and other needed items.

‘Tis the season to give merrily!