7 Easy Steps:

1. Decide on your HOPEfest venue and set a fundraising goal. Most hosts set a goal between $500 and $2,500 per party.

Throw a dinner party – HOPE has great international recipes. As a host, you organize the meal and invite the guests. You can cook or make it a “potluck with promise”, or keep it simple and order pizza. Collect contributions from your guests. Afterwards, you can share your experience online.

Spice up your neighborhood block party – Gather with old neighbors and meet new ones. Expand your invitation list and your fundraising goal. Include local and national children’s charities in addition to HOPE. Your fundraising challenge can be focused on helping children around the world. Project HOPE has games played in various countries, in addition to great recipes.

Family Night – Hectic lives are interfering with traditions such as family celebrations, weekend outings, and vacations as well as quiet family time. Use this occasion to reconnect and talk about service-learning and discuss real-life issues, such as pollution, poverty, diversity and homelessness. Make a family decision to donate.

2. Register as a host and create your own HOPEfest site. Personalize it with pictures and stories.

3. Create your guest list. Start by sending e-mails asking friends and family members to join you. Make your own invitation (see our samples).

Ask each of your guests to give the gift of health and life. Their donations will help provide training and hands-on healthcare, making permanent improvements in the lives of children and their families around the world.

4. Check out the yummy international recipes available online, as well as the children’s activities.

5. Track RSVPs and also call your guest to make that personal connection.

6. The day of the party – don’t forget to enjoy yourself as you celebrate the difference you are making around the world.

7. Accept contributions and track online fundraising results.

Mail checks to HOPEfest, Project HOPE, 255 Carter Hall Ln, Millwood, VA 22646. Include your name and event date so that we can link the gifts to your goal and send a thank you.

Project HOPE’s sharing of medical knowledge – from person to person, skilled hand to skilled hand – is saving lives around the world. This enduring knowledge is indeed the genuine legacy of HOPE. You are part of that legacy.