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About our Donation Fundraising Program About our Donation Fundraising Program Many families with children on the autism spectrum regardless of their age have never had an opportunity to take a family vacation since their child or children were diagnosed. There are very few options for families with special needs to be able to enjoy what most families consider a "vacation". "Autism on the Seas" provides the guidance, counseling and services needed to accommodate families with special needs family members, primarily autism, for an opportunity to escape and travel with other families dealing with the same issues. In the majority of cases only one parent in the household is able to work. Single parents of autistic children find it very difficult financially just to meet most daily needs. Providing the proper care and therapy for their children, then becomes almost an impossibility for some of these families, especially depending on what little the federal and state governments provide special needs children. Most therapies are not covered by insurance. The majority of state and federal programs often have waiting lists up to seven years. We have had several families use fundraising as a means to secure the ability to travel with "Autism on the Seas". We have developed a special Donation Fundraising program to assist families looking to fundraise. Our online Fundraising tools will allow potential donor’s to make their donation to a specific family online, and to view the amount of funds already collected and the balance needed to secure the cruise. See our Donation Form. The fundraising suggestions below will give families ideas on how they can successfully fundraise to make their cruise vacation a reality for their special needs family. Families seeking to fundraise can advertise that donations can be made online on the "Autism on the Seas" website and in return the donator will receive a receipt from "Autism on the Seas".
How it Works / Criteria for Establishing a Donation Fund "Autism on the Seas" wants to support anyone wishing to fundraise for their family or for a family they wish to assist. The steps and conditions that must be met for us to establish a Donation Fund are as follows: 1. You must have an existing booking with us on a Group Cruise, with the Deposit paid and posted to your booking. 2. The cabin you book must be the lowest fare cabin available at the time of booking. 3. Complete and submit our Donation Fund Request Form. You may choose to keep your Fund Name anonymous... see our Donation Fund Request Form. 4. We will set-up your Fund and add you to our online Donation Form, so people and/or organizations can make donations to your fund. People and organizations have a choice of submitting a donation on our online Donation Form, or by calling us. Our online Fundraising Program is easily accessed from our "Autism on the Seas" homepage. 5. Receipts will be sent to each donator once their donation payments clear. 6. Full balance of your booking (your payments plus any donations made to date) must be received by the Final Due Date for the cruise.
7. Donations received after
the Final Payment date, and up until 7 days prior to the cruise,
8. If the booking or cruise is canceled for any reason, all donations made will be refunded to the persons who donated to the fund.
Below you will find a list of fundraising ideas families have used to solicit their communities involvement in raising the funds to provide a once in a lifetime cruise vacation for a special needs family. Organize a community Rummage Sale. Many friends, family, and church organizations will donate items for this purpose. Advertise the sale for a special needs family and print flyers you can pass out to patrons describing the purpose for the sale and directing them to visit the "Autism on the Seas" website for more information. EBay is another great way to raise funds. List items for sale and indicate the special need for the auction in the description of the item, again directing persons viewing your auction’s to the "Autism on the Seas" website for more information. Solicit local businesses to help you raise funds. One suggestion is to provide the business with a 4x4 card that patrons can purchase for a dollar, sign their name to, and place on a wall inside the business. Often times you and the business owner can decide together on a fundraising plan that will be most effective in your community. Perhaps a carwash in the storekeeper’s parking lot that would entice patrons to purchase goods from the business owner as they are having their car washed.
Donation letter’s mailed to
businesses and affluent homes in your community can be
effective in soliciting donations. In your letter you can
direct potential donor’s to the "Autism on the Seas" website
where they can donate to your family’s fundraising effort
online. Setting up a table in front of a grocery, department, or home improvement store with the permission of the manager is also a great way to spread the word about your cause. Be creative in designing a flyer that you can pass out describing the need for your fundraiser and directing them to donate to your family’s special need fund online at "Autism on the Seas" website.
Flyers. Check with your local
stores to see if they would agree with placing flyers at the
check stands and even inside the patron’s bag upon checking
out. It is our desire to provide you with ideas that will assist you in your effort to raise funds for your family or a family you are sponsoring. Please share your fundraising ideas with families in need by posting them to our Message Board via our home page on our website. We will be periodically adding your suggestions to this web page to share with others in need. Should you have any questions about fundraising, feel free to contact us and we will attempt to put you in contact with someone who has experience in raising funds for special needs families.
Note: Please Contact Us with any questions
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