I have been put in charge (again, like always) of the Family Readiness Group for 1SG’s Reserve unit. Actually, the entire battalion, not just HHD. Nice huh?

Maybe you don’t know what FRGs do but in a nutshell they’re designed to get families connected and provide resources and information related to the Army, Army Reserve, Benefits, Entitlements, blah, blah blah… It’s a great concept. I think an FRG can be a very good thing. I’ve just never seen it. Hopefully this one will break the mold.

Part of our task as an FRG is to stage events like a Christmas Party and a summer family picnic which takes money. Potentially, it takes lots of money. The problem lies in our fundraising constraints. The rule says that any and all FRG fundraising must be within and among the members of the FRG. We have to keep putting our hand in the same set of pockets if you will. We can’t do bake sales or soup lunches either unless the food is all cooked in the Reserve Center. Asking for outside donations is also out. We can accept them, but we can’t ask for them. Makes total sense, right? Because we all know donors crawl out of the woodwork ALL THE TIME.

So what I am asking from you is for some unique, fun and successful fundraising suggestions. What have groups you’ve been involved with done in the past? I will reward any suggestions we actually use with a $5.00 Starbucks card.