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How a Club may support Take The Lead:
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lubs have been the keystones in enabling Take The Lead to provide education to members of the fancy, provide opportunities to support annual membership as well as opportunities for fund raising events in conjunction with their shows. There are a myriad of ways in which a club may support Take The Lead. A Club may offer space to set up a membership and educational booth at their event. This may be expanded to be an opportunity to do different forms of fundraising activities. A popular fundraiser is “Chuck A Duck”. We have invested in flocks of ducks that we can provide to a club with the appropriate directions for rental. The size of the flock is 100 and the ducks are rented for $5 to attendees at the show. At an appointed time, usually before Groups start or BIS a children’s wading pool is placed in the center of the ring and all duck renters are assembled to Chuck their rented ducks. The duck landing closest to the center of the pond is the lucky winner of half of the rental pot. The ducks are numbered and each renter receives a card with their duck’s number allowing us to verify the winning duck tosser. Winners of the duck toss have been very generous, donating some or all of the winnings back to Take The Lead. Raffles throughout the day at the Take The Lead Booth have become another means in which clubs and individuals can support the fundraising efforts. Clubs and members may coordinate theme baskets or items to donate to the raffle as well as solicit raffle items from the vendors attending their shows. The creativity of the items donated to the raffles is amazing, ranging from the ever popular “ It is five o’clock somewhere” Cocktail themed baskets, to Margarita makers, “Coffee Makers”, Holiday themed baskets, regional baskets, and the ever popular wine assortments top the popularity list. A recent addition to the donations from area Reproductive Specialists has been an assortment of services including progesterone testing, semen collection and storage for a year, ever popular and incents client to purchase lots of tickets. We have been fortunate to have continuous support from so many individuals and companies. Our appreciation to all who support our events and raffles with their wonderful, creative donations In the Northeast we are forever grateful for the artistic talent of Joan Scott who assists in putting together theme baskets and decorating the tables at multiple booths and events throughout the year. What if your club wishes to hold an event to support Take The Lead? The inaugural event was a cocktail party held the Thursday night prior the Tuxedo Park Kennel Club show in September of 1993. This was followed by what has become the annual Holiday Party held in conjunction with Eastern Dog Club in early December.
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If a Club or Cluster wishes to be involved with coordinating an event in conjunction with their shows things to consider: space and location of the party, theme, and most importantly how the party will be underwritten to allow it to be a successful fundraiser. One of the first fundraising parties which continue to be an annual Holiday party is held in conjunction with Eastern Dog Club. The donation of baskets and raffle items grows each year. The theme and decorating for the party is coordinated by Joan Scott with her band of merry elves, Whitney Perry and Sue King, who transform the host locations to Holiday Celebrations! Everyone in New England looks forward to our annual holiday gathering. The Take the Lead Board is fortunate to have as a member Michael Faulkner. His professional career includes fundraising and he has coordinated unique and fun parties, the most recent was at the Middle Peninsula Kennel Club of Virginia show this past January. The show is held at the Richmond Raceway Complex, in Richmond,VA. Attendees participated in changing tires in a simulated pit stop to racing miniature cars on a track. Probably his greatest talent has been his skill as an auctioneer, including tripling the earnings for the evening when auctioning off a gourmet dinner prepared in your own home; complete with wine. Bidding was consistent between three attendees at the dinner, at the point when a generous donation was being offered; it was asked if all bidders would be willing to be winners at that point? As a result, Michael provided three gourmet dinners and raised a substantial donation for Take The Lead in one evening. The Tar Heel Cluster in March has become an annual celebration for Take The Lead, with an extensive raffle table and on alternating years a party right on the Fair Grounds allowing easy access for everyone attending the shows. Live music and dancing the night away has become the theme! The Harvest Moon cluster consisting of Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore and Skyline Kennel Club have hosted parties over the years including an auction of artwork created by members of the fancy and most recently a comedy night. These are only a few examples of what has been done, the ideas for fun are endless, and it just takes some creativity and desire to create an evening of fun to benefit those in our sport who may need assistance. Take The Lead appreciates the support that All Breed and Specialty Clubs have provided over the years which have provided camaraderie, good times and support to this worthwhile cause. If your club has the interest to host a booth or coordinate an event please contact the office : Take The Lead PO Box 6353 Watertown, NY 13601 800-814-1123 FAX: 315-786-1874