Help Change the World
You want to change the world? We can help! From running a marathon to hosting a bake sale, your efforts can glorify God. Start by creating a fundraising campaign, following the simple steps below. Together, we can help people in some of the most desperate and remote places on earth in the name of Jesus Christ.
Goal Pages
Every Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift is an opportunity to share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a boy or girl around the world. An online packing party allows you to create a campaign, set a goal, and engage your friends and family to help you reach your goal! Spread the word, pray, and watch the goal tracker grow!
How to Get Started
1. Find your passion.
When disasters ravage countries around the world or strike communities at home, our response teams hit the ground—often within hours—with food, medicine, clean water, and other life-saving relief. In some of the hardest-hit places we stay and help rebuild, all with the purpose of sharing God’s redeeming love. In less urgent settings, we deliver help through building water filters, offering vocational training for vulnerable women, and a myriad of other initiatives. Browse this site to learn more about Samaritan’s Purse ministry projects, and choose any that are special to you. Remember, you can always give to “where most needed” or purchase items from our gift catalog all year long.
2. Use your gifts.
Sign up for a local event like a 5K race or triathlon, create your own goal, ask people for donations instead of birthday gifts, or design your own creative fundraising idea. Here are a few ideas from our previous supporters:
Walk-a-thons
Walk a set distance with your friends and/or family and raise money to help more impoverished families receive safe water and hear about the Living Water of Jesus Christ.
Christmas Gifts
The Friesen family decided to forego their usual ritual of buying and exchanging gifts, instead deciding to choose a family donation project.
“It was an amazing example to us all of reaching outside of our world and sharing the love of Christ with those less fortunate,” writes Jen. “As a mom, what joy to watch my small children see this incredible example, and experience the true meaning of Christmas.”
Birthday Parties
Several children and teenagers across Canada have given up presents for their birthday parties and instead asked friends and family to help raise money to purchase water filters. One young girl decided to use her ninth birthday party to help. Her friends brought donations instead of presents, and raised $250 for water filters.
Schools
One kindergarten class set a goal to help one family have access to clean water, and sold enough kindergarten year books to purchase a BioSand Water Filter.
School teacher Stephanie Anderson challenged her Grade 10/11 class to raise as much filter money collectively as she did individually. Whoever “lost” the challenge would have to dress up in a silly way, “generally looking ridiculous,” says Anderson, for the end-of-the-year field trip to the zoo. The class goal was to raise $400. Instead, they raised $5,000. During the trip to the zoo, the students each wore a sign reading ‘ask me why I look like this.’ “They felt like celebrities as people applauded their efforts to support Samaritan’s Purse,” recalls Anderson. “I think they were the main attraction at the zoo that day.”
Families and Individuals
Families across Canada have been engaged in advocating for the Turn on the Tap campaign in their community groups, churches, and schools. Eighteen-year-old Johnny Moorhouse worked a summer job and decided to use his wages towards purchasing BioSand Water Filters to bless families in need. Thirteen-year-old Nicholas Burger lobbied friends, family and church members to raise money for water filters. Over the past three years, young Nicholas has raised funds for over a dozen BioSand Water Filters, and continues to support the work of Samaritan’s Purse.
Sports Associations
Sports teams and associations have risen to the challenge of providing clean water to families and engaged in creative fundraising campaigns through tournaments, change drives, and other activities. A Christian softball league held a one-day event and raised over $1,000 for 10 filters. Another Christian ball league raised close to $13,000 throughout the season by collecting spare change and soliciting larger donations.
Snowboarders
A group of skiers and snowboarders collected donations at the door of their kick-off party on Family Day weekend. A corporate sponsor contributed the proceeds from each event entry fee for towards BioSand Water filters.
Church Initiatives
A small church provided money to Samaritan’s Purse for at least 16 BioSand Water Filters, after challenging members and the local community to get involved. “It was a wonderful opportunity to encourage our community to ‘think outside their box’ and help those in need,” writes church member Val Wolowich. “We take our clean water so for granted and often forget that so many people don’t even dream of having a refreshing glass of clear water.”
3. Start your campaign.
Tell us who you are and which project you plan to support. Do this by setting up your fundraising page on our website. There, you’ll be able to describe your event and goal in detail. Send the link to your friends and family so they can donate electronically.
4. Spread the word.
Share your fundraising link with family and friends through email and on social media, and ask people to share your story.
Tell Us Your Fundraising Story
When others “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37), we want to hear about it! Share your story with us on Facebook and Twitter. It may inspire someone else to support Samaritan’s Purse as we help in Jesus’ Name.
If you have questions or need advice concerning your fundraising initiative, please contact us.