‘Amateur’ effort raises tens of thousands of dollars annually
Bahamas Focus:
stories and photographs by UBS NASSAU, Bahamas — Despite the fact that none of the volunteers who carry out the work of the Bahamas Auxiliary of the Bible Society in the West Indies has any fundraising training, Mrs Marion Chestnut, the Auxiliary’s treasurer, is trying to maintain and even expand the organisation’s traditional role of being a channel of resources for the Bible cause. “I send out two to three fundraising letters a year,” she explains, “and we have about 300 names on our mailing list, including individuals, businesses, and churches. Letters are sent at New Year when businesses are beginning their fiscal years, and for Bible Sunday, with perhaps one other special mailing.“The good thing is that most businesses know who we are. We don’t have to introduce ourselves.” These fundraising efforts produce between US$8,000 and US$10,000 per year. Income from book sales brings the total budget to about US$20,000, but the Bible Society volunteers believe that there is much untapped potential for raising funds for the Bible cause. “We could do so much more, but not without proper training,” says Mrs Chestnut. (WR 367/18 - 3.02) [PHOTOS] |
