Promote Your Raise Money Right Sale
Use these sample promotional materials to begin publicizing your Raise Money Right sale.
Press Release
Send to area newspapers, radio or television stations at least two weeks before your sale. We suggest you start small by looking for township or neighborhood media.
Find the right journalist to send it to. Do you or anyone in your organization know one? Or call the media outlet to ask who covers community events. After you’ve sent the press release, call to follow up.
Make sure CRS receives a copy so we can help you spread the word. Email your releases to us.
For Immediate Release
[Date]
For more information: [your name and number] and
Jacqueline DeCarlo, Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Program Advisor,
jdecarlo@crs.org, 410.951.7508.
[Name of your organization] Helps [Community Name] Shop Responsibly
The community is invited to shop for fair trade gifts, house wares, jewelry and more, handmade by artisans living in developing regions around the world. [Insert your name or organization] is hosting a Work of Human Hands Sale on [date] at [time], in [place]
Organizing the Sale is [insert your name or organization.] [In this space insert several sentences about yourself or your organization. Consider including: motivations for choosing to host a sale, personal experiences that made you want to get involved, why the work is important to you, how many years you have hosted a sale or if this is your first year, your favorite items being sold at the sale]
The sale is part of the Work of Human Hands Program, a partnership between Catholic Relief Services and A Greater Gift, a nonprofit program of SERRV International, an alternative trade and development organization that currently works with artisans and farmers in 35 countries around the world. Every purchase made at the Work of Human Hands Sale allows a producer to provide for the basic necessities of life, to educate her or his children, and to work in a safe environment.
Suraya Juma, a basket weaver from Uganda who has joined with other women to sell baskets through A Greater Gift, says, "We want to improve our living standards and support our families. Coming together allows us to help each other solve our problems. Together we have a stronger voice."
Bulletin and Vocal Announcements
Use this script to make announcements during mass, at meetings or in newsletters. Send it to your local paper to be included in the Church Activities calendar.
Enjoy shopping and change the world at the same time! You are invited to a Work of Human Hands Sale [date, time, place] sponsored by [name of committee or organization] and a program of Catholic Relief Services.
This is a very special kind of sale. Each purchase you make helps artisans and farmers in developing regions maintain steady work and a sustainable income so that they can provide for their families. The one-of-a-kind house wares, baskets or jewelry you purchase at the Sale will enrich your life and help a family in another part of the world look towards a brighter future. Please join us in this celebration of spreading hope and justice throughout the developing world! If you have any questions or would like to get involved please contact [sale organizer]. Mark the date on your calendar today! We look forward to seeing you [date, time, place] for our Work of Human Hands Sale.
On the day of the sale be sure to remind people sitting in the pews of your sale. Most people will already be aware of your plans, but it never hurts to remind them.
Stop by the Catholic Relief Services Work of Human Hands handcraft sale being held this weekend from [ ] until [ ] at [ ]. By purchasing handcrafted items at this sale, you can help our brothers and sisters in developing countries achieve self-reliance. And you get a beautiful, one-of—kind item to display in your home or give as a gift.
After the sale, be sure to let your community know of its success and thank them for their generosity.
Through the Catholic Relief Services Work of Human Hands program, your participation on [ ] was turned into the work of the Gospel. We sold [$ ] worth of fairly traded handcrafts. More than 7% of that total will go to the Fair Trade Fund, a special program designed to help other low-income artisans and farmers. Thanks to everyone who volunteered for and participated in the sale!