Deck the Paws: Holiday Fundraising for Local Businesses
The holiday season is all about giving—and what better way to spread some cheer than by helping a homeless animal find love, comfort and a second chance?
Dear Business Owner,
My name is Katie Davis, and my husband, Jason, and I are the owners of Route 24 Ale House and Lean Kitchen, both in Bel Air. Eleven years ago we came up with a little idea to make a big difference for one of our favorite charities – the Humane Society of Harford County. We knew how good it felt to host a holiday event and donate our proceeds – and we wanted our fellow business owners to feel the same!
So we’re inviting you to join us for the 11th Annual Deck the Paws, a collective group of businesses that raise funds for the care and comfort of homeless animals at the shelter. If you’d like to join, please complete the form below or send me an email.
Businesses like yours host a one-day event or month-long donation drive (it’s your choice) and donate proceeds to brighten the holidays for all the animals who don’t have homes and families this season. The shelter will help promote your event and at the end of your event, would love to do a check presentation photo with you for social media. Animal people love to shop and dine with businesses that support animals!
To date, the Harford County business community has donated over $87,000 for Deck the Paws! Be sure to follow our Facebook page for specific event details and hope you will join us.
Katie and Jason Davis
Volunteers, Humane Society of Harford County
Owners, Route 24 Ale House & Lean Kitchen
Deck the Paws Fundraising Ideas
This list is not all-inclusive. Choose one of the suggestions below or feel free to be creative and come up with your own idea!
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- Put a donation jar next to your register with a bright sign.
- If you serve alcohol at your establishment, name a special beer and host a “Kick the Keg” event.
- Host a booster night and donate a percentage of the day’s sales.
Mark, a customer at Route 24 Ale House, won a scratch-off tree, courtesy of The Maryland Lottery. - Allow employees to pay $5 (or more!) to wear casual.
- Hold a 50/50 raffle or raffle off a gift card to your establishment.
- I Won’t Come Down Until….Select a well-known member of your staff and keep him or her detained until a fundraising goal is met.
- Raffle off a gift basket or tickets to an event.
- Sell paw prints. We’ve all been asked to give $1 at the local drugstore for a chance to put your name on a paper balloon that hangs on the wall, right? You could hang paw prints!
- Hold a Round-Up where customers can round their check up to the nearest dollar and donate their change.
- Host a Facebook Fundraiser. Go to https://www.facebook.com/fund/hshchumane/, put in your goal, fill in the prompts, and voila! You just created your fundraiser. Now share and promote!
- Host a Pet Pics with Santa event and charge a small fee.
