Community events are tons of fun and are a great way to reach out to a larger audience than private events allow. By creating an event that is appealing to the general public, you will have an opportunity to teach others outside the celiac community about the disease and achieve maximum attendance.
The NFCA has supported (and even hosted!) several community events and have had amazing feedback. This is a guide to get you started and we are here to help you along the way! Below are three options for how you can get involved with an event in your home town!
To sign up for a fundraising event, please email volunteer@celiaccentral.org
Teaming Up with the Home Team
Both local and national sports teams are a great arena for an awareness night. As you begin to work with your favorite sports team, you will see that they are often old pros at nights like these. This means they probably already have an employee on staff who handles community outreach or public relations on staff who will have a set of clear guidelines as to what you can and can not do while working with them. While it may seem frustrating to have limitations, this can actually make planning the night a lot easier for you. Clear communication and a big imagination are the keys to making this night a home run!
Considerate Consumption
Do you have a favorite restaurant with a gluten-free menu or a local bar that always keeps Redbridge in stock? Consider approaching them to help you host an event! Not only is this a fun way to raise money for celiac disease, it also helps the restaurant or bar get the word out that they are celiac friendly. Maybe they would be interested in hosting a happy hour or offering drink specials to people who donate a small fee. If you are interested in a more family friendly event, talk to the restaurant about selecting a time when a percentage of all meals sold can be donated to the NFCA. Speak the manager about what they are capable of and you are sure to create a winning event!
Meaningful Music
Benefit concerts are fun way to engage a crowd. Don’t be afraid to approach several venues about hosting this event, you are sure to find someone willing to donate their space for a good cause! Recruit talented friends, local talent or your favorite headliners to create the lineup. Don’t forget to pick performers who will compliment each other’s style and will be appropriate for your audience. Once the details are lined up its time to get the word out! Have the event added to community calendars, ask your musicians to contact their plans, tell your friends and neighbors, hang up flyers… the possibilities are endless. The more people that know about your concert the more successful you will be! Take a little time to speak to the attendees about celiac disease and thank them for supporting such a worthwhile event.