Reach Out America Online - Getting Started with Reach Out America - A kids camp based charity with community service opportunities across the United States.

Getting Started

GETTING STARTED IS VERY EASY...

1) DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT OR NEED TO DO TO HELP.

Do you want to volunteer your time to raise money to help send a child to camp? If so, simply read the information below on volunteering and how to be involved! Do you want to donate money right now? If so, please visit our donations page. Do you need to obtain court-ordered community-service hours? If so, Visit our sister site for Court Ordered Community Service. Do you need to complete learning-service hours to graduate from school or be promoted to the next grade level? If so, visit our other site Commmunity Service For School. Whatever you decide to do, your efforts will have the same wonderful results ~ you are actively engaging in your community, you are helping to make others aware of a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with special needs and/or life-threatening illness, you are personally sponsoring and helping a child from your community so that he/she can experience what it's like to venture to a cool camp and you are also helping your community by your volunteer work or by completing the requirements you need as set forth by your school or court.

2) DECIDE HOW YOU WANT TO SEND A CHILD IN NEED TO CAMP.

Do you want to raise money? If so,read our information below on how to do so. Do you want to donate camping gear or other gently used, working equipment? If so,Visit our donations page, Do you want to recycle cell phones and help us earn $ 1 - $ 60 per phone collected? If so, visit our friends at the Wireless Alliance. Do you want to recycle ink cartridges? If so, visit Empties for Cash.

That's it! To make our world a better place, you either want to volunteer your time (to raise money) or goods (to donate) or you need/want to complete community service hours. Either way (on your own or through the gently coaxing of a school or court), the end result is the same ~ you are choosing to spend your time and efforts in such a way that you will directly and profoundly enhance, uplift, and inspire the life of a child in need. Once you've made the personal decision to work with Reachout America to achieve your goals, you simply then need to decide how you want to go about doing that. On these pages we provide you with tons of ideas and links to get started today!

We at Reachout America would like to Thank You for your interest in helping with a noble cause. It is kind hearted people like yourselves that help make our program a success and we are grateful to you. At this point it is probably very clear that we feel like there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a smile on a childs face. We are a nonprofit so raising funds keeps us very busy. And this economy has us working overtime.". Here are some ways you can help:

You organize and produce a fundraiser (a simple, creative campaign to collect money on behalf of Reachout America). You can present us with an idea of your own, or can use one of these popular and successful campaigns to raise money to donate to Reachout America. These fundraising ideas will help you get started on your journey and help profoundly touch the lives of a child in need in your community by donating the funds to Reachout America.

Hold a Benefit Car Wash - This is one of the favorite fund raising ideas. Enlist your friends, secure a location, and wash your way to success.
Yard Sale/Rummage Sale - This is a good way to sell your unused/unwanted possessions and gather support for your cause. You can ask for donations of "gently used things" from friends, family, co-workers, and teachers to build up your "inventory" and maximize your earning potential. Including a bake sale or other concessions (hot dogs and soda) is a great way to keep people browsing and raise additional funds at the same time.
A backyard bake sale brouhaha - This has been a tried-and-true fundraiser although there are some initial costs associated with making the delicious desserts! However, you can ask for "baked donations" from friends and family to increase your success and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. In addition to having a bake sale "party" in your backyard, you can check with your community churches and/or local stores with high levels of foot traffic to see if they will allow you to set up a bake sale display at their location.
Collection Containers - Upon pre-approval from both local business owners and Reachout America, you can place our non-profit collection containers in business establishments throughout your town, including: popular eateries, convenience stores, beauty salons, music shops, coffeehouse, flower stores, and other specialty shops where there is a high flow of walk-in traffic. If you choose this option, you must be sure to meet with the facility owner or manager and verify that you will be the one and only person authorized to collect the containers at pre-designated times.
Find a PenPal - A great way to connect and put a smile on a special child or elders face and Let them know that you care.
Recycle Trash for Cash! You set up and manage a recycling program for cell phones and/or ink cartridges in your neighborhood. For this option, you can get started today by simply clicking on the recycling links provided here and typing in your address so that you can be sent the postage paid shipping labels! Once you've mailed the phones or cartridges in the appropriate envelopes provided to you and the funds will be credited to send a child to camp.

For recycling ink cartridges
http://www.empties4cash.com/
Our Account # 61839
For recycling cell phones
www.thewirelessalliance.com -
Just mention the donation is for Reachout America

And some other ideas:

A street snow shoveling benefit
A neighborhood dog washing weekend
Help kids or elderly get started on our pen pal program
A mini concert at a local coffee shop
Calling on businesses and asking for donations
Do professional services for someone for donations
At your business have a jeans day - wear Jeans for a $5 donation
Etc - anything else you think of! (We love new ideas)