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By scott, January 10, 2012

We’d like for you to meet Courtney Farrell, the top fundraiser for EF’s year-end gift to Elias and his family. Over $7,000 was raised for Elias’ family and Courtney raised $635 through her personal fundraising page powered by StayClassy! In her own words, here’s a bit about this fundraising extraordinaire:

How I became involved with EF:

I first learned about the Elias Fund in college after my friend Cyrus held a fundraiser on campus. After graduating from the College of Charleston in 2006 we decided to raise money to travel to Zim with Eric and help the Elias Fund set the groundwork for some projects. Most of our trip consisted of visiting schools and orphanages and meeting with local leaders to assess the needs of different communities.

What inspired me to partake in this fundraiser:

We spent the majority of our time in Chiredzi and really got to know Elias and his family. I’ve been a monthly supporter of the Elias Fund, but when I knew there was a specific fundraiser to build the Sithole family a new home, I felt an incredibly personal connection to the cause. Elias, Servi and their boys are such warm and generous people with so much to offer their community. It was important to me to help make sure they have what they need to do just that. When I knew that the home would double as a volunteer hostel I was even more excited about the project. It really brought me back to our time in Zimbabwe and how it changed my life. I owe so much to that trip and everyone we met. My time in in Africa shaped me into a more conscious and compassionate adult, and I would do anything to help others have the same experience I did.

How my friends and family were involved:

I work for a social media advertising agency, so these days I live and breathe Facebook and Twitter. Social media was absolutely the catalyst for my success with this fundraiser. I couldn’t believe the level of support I got so quickly. My career is to help brands connect with people online; and this time I was using social media to run my own personal campaign and get this project funded.

Raising money for our trip five years ago was really difficult. Facebook wasn’t what it was, everything was through email and letters and events and media appearances; plus, the goals of our trip weren’t entirely clear until we got there. This time around I was able to quickly tell a personal story and spread it to hundreds of people with one click.

What their involvement meant to me:

I shared my fundraising page on Facebook and got such an incredible response right away. I was getting donations from people I hadn’t seen in years, and new friends I barely know. When I reached out to thank each person they said they were inspired by my personal connection to the project and the people it benefits, and that’s why they chose to help out. A few people shared my fundraising page with their own networks and I even got some anonymous donations.

While I’m touched by how many people stepped in to help, I’m thrilled that I got the opportunity to share my experience in Africa with those who haven’t been and to shed some more light on the situation facing our friends in Zimbabwe. I hope that in some small way I’ve inspired at least one person to get on that plane and take an active role in understanding the world and how we can make it better.

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By scott, December 30, 2011

We hope your holiday season has been full of joy and good cheer! The end of 2011 has left us with much to be joyful for. Together, through one-time donations and personal fundraising pages, we have raised over $7,000 for our holiday gift to Elias and his family – Thank you!

There are big plans for 2012 and we hope to end this year strong. Please consider donating today. We could really use your support to spread hope and opportunity across Zimbabwe . . .

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By scott, December 18, 2011

The fundraising for our holiday gift to Elias and his family is in full swing. Together, through one-time donations and personal fundraising pages, we have raised 54% of our December goal thus far – Thank you!

The inspiration of a grassroots fundraising campaign is the variance and creativity afforded to participating individuals. A young German lad by the name of Jonas is one such inspired person. He has been busking in the streets of numerous cities in Germany, collecting donations for Elias’ house: “I went to the next big city and started playing. I was filled with some kind of joy that just kept driving me. It was really an awesome feeling and with every Euro I got I felt like I actually could help [Elias and his family].”

Jonas is just one example of how easy and fulfilling fundraising can be. What’s more, it doesn’t take much to make a difference. Ask your friends and family to give up just one latte this week, and instead, gift that small amount to your personal fundraising page. You’ll quickly see how little gestures of generosity can go a long way in gifting Elias and his family a place called home.