The Fun in Fundraisers

“Frankly, any disease for which they have fundraisers is no fun.”

I heard that phrase as I was draining a large vat of noodles in the kitchen of a church hosting a spaghetti feed several years ago. The proceeds from the evening were going to a family that had three children battling cystic fibrosis. Even with good medical insurance and two working parents, the medical bills were piling up for the family, and their church family stepped in to help them out. Were their medical bills wiped out from the proceeds of the evening? I doubt it since we were charging $3.00 per plate, all one cared to eat, kids under 6 free.

Nonetheless, the event was a success. The family witnessed how many people from their church and local community would stand with them, assist them, pray for them. Sometimes a $3.00 plate of spaghetti satiates more than hunger. The act of coming together as a community, to comfort, aid, celebrate or mourn, feeds the soul.

Check the local paper for fundraisers in your community. While the reasons behind the fundraisers are never fun, the events themselves are a good opportunity to connect with neighbors, make new friends and renew our membership as kingdom people.

Kate Kenny is the managing editor of Columban Mission magazine.