Candles: 444
Donations: $3,635
Instructions
Instructions for organizing a Candlelight Dinner
Set a Fundraising Goal
You are not required to raise money at your party, but if you do set a goal try to encourage your guests to help you meet it. Don’t be shy about asking for donations, remember your friends are already there to share your commitment to homeless kids.
Raise Awareness
Use our Vigil Kit to print out Covenant House literature to share with your guests. Tell them about our life-saving programs that have provided vital services such as shelter, counseling, transitional living, health services and educational/vocational training to over a million homeless kids.
Planning Tips
Send invitations to your Candlelight Dinner at least four weeks prior to the event and ask your guests to RSVP by a certain time. Evites (www.evite.com) are a great resource!
Make sure your invitations explain the purpose of the dinner party and include a link to the Covenant House Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Youth [candlelight.covenanthouse.org] so that your friends can learn more about this worldwide effort to help young people living on the streets.
For more tips on crafting and sending invitations, see our Vigil Kit.
Keep Costs Down
If the cost of food and beverages is holding you back from hosting a Candlelight Dinner, try organizing a potluck dinner and have your guests bring a dish.
Ask your local markets, restaurants or delis to donate food to your vigil in return for placement of business cards, menus or flyers. This will drastically reduce costs and help promote your local business' commitment to helping homeless kids.