Planning Your Party

Who:
Invite your friends, family, and those interested in the reason you are having an event. Spread the word to any and all!

What:
What type of event do you want to have? Different Party Ideas—ideas range from a cocktail party, to a block party to a restaurant based event. You can even turn birthday, anniversary or promotion parties into a fun chance to raise awareness of Casa de los Niños and support our mission with donations. Play around with different themes and be creative! See our Sample Party Ideas (PDF)!

Where:
Wherever you want—keep your type of event and guests in mind!

When:
When you want, in April 2011 during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Why:
To increase public awareness and raise funds for child abuse and neglect prevention. Because every child, regardless of where they live and regardless of wealth, will benefit from this social movement.

Fundraising:

Set your fundraising goal and come up with a suggested donation amount for guests. All proceeds will benefit Casa de los Niños. Donations will support our efforts to care for abused and neglected children in our community..

Don’t want to go solo?

Partner with a friend or your favorite restaurant or other neighborhood business!

Can’t throw a party but still want to participate?

Host an online party event!
Get your friends talking about child abuse prevention and help support Casa de los Niños!

Try using online tools like Skype, Facebook and Twitter to connect with your party guests.
Register Your Party and invite friends from across the country.
Send out background information about Casa de los Niños, information  about why you support us, and ask for donations.

You can go to Firstgiving.com and create your own party donation page.  You can set a fundraising goal, then just ask your friends, family, contacts form around the world to make a donation to help support the work of Casa de los Niños.  First Giving will then forward the donations to Casa de los Niños, less a small admin fee, or the donor can choose to pay that fee.

As you’re planning your Party, ask yourself a series of questions that will help you make the decisions that will promote an informative and enjoyable experience for you and your guests.

  • Will you cook or have the food catered? Is a potluck an option? Are there local caterers/restaurants you have relationships with that may be willing to donate food and/or beverages for your Party?
  • If your Party is taking place in a public space, do you need permits or licenses for your event? Is there appropriate parking available for the number of guests?
  • Does your venue need to be accessible to older people or people with a disability?
  • Is there space near the entry way of the venue for guests to check in and make donations?

The possibilities for where to host your Party are virtually endless. You might:

  • Invite your family, friends and neighbors right into your living room;
  • Reserve a room in your local library or community center;
  • Incorporate the party into the regularly scheduled meeting of a local club or organization;
  • Use space available at your church, mosque, synagogue or temple;
  • Hold the event on campus in your dorm lobby, a classroom or the student center; or,
  • Ask a local coffee shop, restaurant or other business to allow you to use their space.

Party Timeline (suggested)

6 Weeks Before Event
Register Your Party
Choose a theme
Put together a list of guests to invite

5 Weeks Before Event

Plan a budget for your event depending on if you are cooking or having food catered and whether you are hosting at your home or renting a more formal space and seek potential sponsors and donors who can contribute the needed items.

4 Weeks Before Event

Finalize date and location
Send invitations / flyers / e-blast

3 Weeks Before Event

Send reminder to guests

2 Weeks Before Event

Begin to confirm guests and recruit new guest names by asking your guests to bring one additional person
Finalize food and beverage menus
Develop a simple program for the event

5 Days Before Event

Assess attendance and make final provisions to menu
Make phone calls to unconfirmed guests if necessary

2 Days Before Event

Make reminder calls or send a final email reminder to all guests who are confirmed

Day of Event

Make Casa de los Niños Fact Sheet available to all who attend
Have guests evaluate their experience

Within One Week After Event

Thank your guests
email pictures to Casa de los Niños
Send donations collected at your party to:

Casa de los Niños
1101 N 4th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85705

Make sure to include the name of your host with any donations so that we know which party they are for .