Serving up a cup of comfort during cold winter days.
Who doesn’t love a good cup of hot chocolate? Especially when it’s so cold out! More than during any other season, winter is when people crave warm drinks to fill their hands and bellies. Take advantage of this and raise Summit funds selling hot chocolate!
PITCHING YOUR IDEA
If you are in middle school, ask your principal about setting up a table where you can sell hot chocolate before and after school and during lunch. Let your principal know why you’re fundraising and offer to read a short announcement over the PA system explaining your upcoming Summit.
If you are in high school, talk with your school’s athletic director or coaches to see if you can set up a hot chocolate table next to the concessions stand at upcoming sporting events. Be proactive and ready to pitch a clear plan. Once you have the green light for your fundraiser, create a poster board display for your stand with information about the Summit and how the money you raise will help get you there. Be sure to have sponsorship flyers available too.
SPREADING THE WORD
Ask your school to insert an informational blurb about your fundraiser in the daily announcements. If you’re allowed to put flyers up around school or on classroom bulletin boards, they should include Ambassador Leaders’ website, the Summit you will be attending and how the money you raise will help you. We suggest also listing the price for a cup of hot chocolate. Consider charging $1-3 depending on the size of the cups you purchase. If you’d like to be mindful of the environment, offer a $.50 discount to anyone who provides their own reusable mug.
GETTING PREPARED
Visit your local grocery store and stock up on paper cups, powdered hot chocolate mix, marshmallows and milk or water. To estimate how much to purchase, multiply the number of days or events where you’ll be selling hot chocolate by the number of people you anticipate serving. It is better to have extra supplies than not enough!
You will also need a way to keep your hot chocolate warm while you are selling it. Ask your parents, grandparents or family friends if they have a Crock-Pot (or two), ladles and extension cords you can borrow for the duration of your fundraiser. If you can’t borrow Crock-Pots or don’t have access to power outlets, large thermoses that keep contents hot for several hours would work too.
RAISING YOUR FUNDS
When it is time to sell your hot chocolate, be prepared with your poster board behind you, some extra change to pass back and a tip jar! People can pay by placing their money in the tip jar. This also allows those who want to donate more than the price of the hot chocolate the freedom to do so. Have your hot chocolate prepared in advance and your paper cups ready to serve. Most importantly – remember to say thank you!
Are you a superstar fundraiser? Let us know your ideas and you could be featured on our blog! Just email info@ambassadorleaders.com.
By Meghan Kendle
Meghan, an educator from Oregon, has been an active member of Ambassador Leaders for years and has traveled the world with students. The best part of her year is participating in the Summits, and she can’t wait to see you there!