January 2011

This week, we’re sharing some ideas for raising awareness and raising funds – some are new and novel, others are updates to the tried-and-true. One fundraising challenge many organizations struggle with is how to spread the word and get people excited to give. Last year, I participated in a unique event – a swim-a-thon – to raise funds to keep the lights on and water warm at the local swimming pool. It was a great event and we met our goal, but there were not as many participants as we had hoped. So what could we have done better?

Leah shared an idea about using signs to help your cause, but here’s a twist on that – door hangers! These are a creative and visible way to get the word out quickly about your fundraising event.

They are easy to make on your own or using a template, which we’ve got for you here.  ...read more

As a kid, I loved vegetables (I think I told you guys about my love of tomatoes and fresh fruits and veggies in this garden signs post already). But I know I’m not the norm - it can be tough to force those leafy greens on kids! And since we adults are still trying to keep those New Year’s resolutions for healthy eating, what better time to teach our kids and families about healthy eating? ...read more

Keeping shoes organized in a closet can be difficult. For years, I found myself scrambling before work to find the right pair of shoes. A friend who works in athletic footwear industry once suggested a method for identifying shoes with a photo on the outside of the box. What a novel idea! No more frantically opening shoe boxes and trying to remember the brands and styles early in the morning

Oftentimes, the original shoe boxes become torn and tattered over the years. Whenever I purchase a new pair of shoes, I go to the local discount craft store and pick up a plastic container for less than a dollar. This helps protect my shoes and keeps my closet organized with a consistent look. Then I create photo labels for all my shoes and then place them on plastic shoe boxes for a durable, organized system to find and protect my shoes.

Here are the simple steps to making your own shoe labels. ...read more

Happy 2011! As the Out of Office team starts a new year, I’ve heard a lot of talk about resolutions and getting back on track after the indulgence of the holidays. I think it’s fair to say that most people are pretty good at coming up with resolutions. It’s keeping them that becomes challenging, and I’m no exception.

This year, I’ve pledged to do better at working exercise into my daily routine. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that there are many things I’d rather do than go to the gym. Like eat. Or catch up on my favorite TV shows while eating. But I digress. The point is that it’s not going to be easy and I know I’ll need some encouragement along the way.