Loads of Work Behind the Scenes
One of the joys of working with an organisation that specialises in children is that there are a lot of fun activities you end up getting involved in. One of the biggest annual events put on by the PMH Foundation is ‘Wear a Bear Day’, which takes months of preparation. I definitely have a new appreciation for the work that goes into organising something like this! Next time you go to the shops and see a pen or badge at the counter to support some non-for-profit group, buy it!! Seriously, so much work goes into getting stuff out there!
One of the joys of working with an organisation that specialises in children is that there are a lot of fun activities you end up getting involved in. One of the biggest annual events put on by the PMH Foundation is ‘Wear a Bear Day’, which takes months of preparation. I definitely have a new appreciation for the work that goes into organising something like this! Next time you go to the shops and see a pen or badge at the counter to support some non-for-profit group, buy it!! Seriously, so much work goes into getting stuff out there!
The Value of Volunteers (and Social Media)
I
have also come to appreciate how valuable volunteers are, without them
organisations like the PMH Foundation cannot function effectively. Despite how
much they are needed, to find people who are willing to help out is a huge
challenge. I spent the week leading up to the big day hassling all my friends
into volunteering to wear the bear suit and go out during the week to fill
money tins with the Nova ‘Casanovas’ (check out pictures at http://www.novafm.com.au/gallery/wear-bear-day). Some friends didn’t need convincing however.
They were born to ‘be the bear’ (this is where Facebook events come in handy...social media definitely has a place in PR). There is nothing like enthusiastic volunteers,
non-for-profit groups thrive on these kinds of people!
The Big Bear Day
Finally the big day came and it was my time to shine. I was in the city by 7am sweating it out in the bear suit while the other volunteers were freezing around me, literally shaking tins. I think I filled two tins in the time everyone else filled one…no one can resist giving money to a giant cuddly bear. I decided to milk the opportunity and bring out the best of my acting skills for the occasion. If dancing and getting down on one knee to beg for money doesn’t work, a ‘crying’ bear does. I felt like I had been in a sauna for hours but it was worth it just to see people’s reaction when they saw a big bear face peering in at them through cafĂ© windows. Other volunteers were selling merchandise from a marquee and gave out balloons to the children. The Nova team were also there pumping music out the back of their Ute, which helped to draw crowds of people.
Finally the big day came and it was my time to shine. I was in the city by 7am sweating it out in the bear suit while the other volunteers were freezing around me, literally shaking tins. I think I filled two tins in the time everyone else filled one…no one can resist giving money to a giant cuddly bear. I decided to milk the opportunity and bring out the best of my acting skills for the occasion. If dancing and getting down on one knee to beg for money doesn’t work, a ‘crying’ bear does. I felt like I had been in a sauna for hours but it was worth it just to see people’s reaction when they saw a big bear face peering in at them through cafĂ© windows. Other volunteers were selling merchandise from a marquee and gave out balloons to the children. The Nova team were also there pumping music out the back of their Ute, which helped to draw crowds of people.
Lessons Learnt
In
the city alone we managed to raise around $15,000 but plenty more came in later
with the help of shopping centres and other partner stores who helped to sell
merchandise. From the experience I learnt the value of volunteers and also
partnerships with other organisations like Nova, food outlets and shopping
centres. You really have to be able to sell your ‘cause’ well to inspire people
to get involved and be enthusiastic about it. You need to be proactive and
passionate about it yourself. Events requiring a lot of work before, during and
after, involve a lot of teamwork and good communication skills as well. I will
take all of these lessons with me into future PR practices, along with my
amazing mascot-wearing abilities.
Note
to aspiring mascot wearers: Don’t cross any streets while in your costume…you
have no peripheral vision whatsoever.
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| Taking a break from actually being IN the "Stitches the Bear" suit |
